[SpartyBiker]

Has anyone thought about a sprocket mounted between the crank and the cassette? With a standard single to 3-ring crank setup, and a standard eight or nine gear cassette, what if a doubled sprocket (side by side) was mounted mid way (approximate depending on frame layout and space) to make the pedaling power from the crank displaced to the mid-gear before it goes to the cassette?

The basis for this idea is taken from a gear reducer.

Changing gears at the crank would be the same with a derailleur, and the changing of the gears at the cassette would be the same also. The only difference being the mid-gear, that is basically a "constant" that would make pedaling easier while you shift through all of the gears.

 

[tomsmoto]

theres really no need to pedal any easier than using the 22 tooth granny ring up front.. 22/34 is a rediculously low gear.

 

[SpartyBiker]

44-32-22T would be really low for the 22T, which is a valid point. Aside from the 3-ring crankset, a 2-ring or single-ring would benefit the most.

Conceptualize the mid-ring though, do you think that would be something that would help or hinder the average rider, on a road bike or MTB?

 

[SpartyBiker]

Complicated is cool right? My idea's up there with electronic shifters/derailleurs/push button brakes, etc, etc....The next best thing would be a wireless crankset that sends a signal to a receiver in the rear wheel that translates the energy entered into the crank to spin the rear wheel faster/slower. No gears, no derailleurs, no cables, only lots and lots of batteries!!!

 

[bigpedaler]

just making things more complex than they need to be...if you want to pedal easier, downshift!