In news from the wires, All Torque Transmissions supply partner Stieber is backing a human-powered vehicle at the World Human-Powered Speed Challenge held in Battle Mountain, Nevada. Team AeroVelo, comprised of professionals and engineering students from the University of Toronto, is trying to better the current speed record (which stands at 133 Km/h (83 mph), in their high speed bike named “Eta”. Battle Mountain sounds nice and steep, but the Challenge is held on a flat stretch of Highway 305.
The Problem
Most bicycles have a freewheel which allows the wheel to rotate even when the pedals and chain are stationary. The problem that Team AeroVelo’s designers encountered was that Eta’s front-wheel-drive design could not utilize an off-the-shelf bicycle freewheel.
Early in the design process, they concluded that an overrunning clutch solution was required.
Stieber CSK Fits the Bill
After careful research, the team contacted Formsprag in Warren, Michigan to request a Stieber Model CSK25 PP overrunning clutch, which was donated as part of Formsprag’s Student Support Program. While other clutches were considered, given the size and loads involved, the CSK was the clear choice. The clutch was press fit onto the front wheel hub body, and pressed inside of the sprocket. It is responsible for driving the wheels up to 145 Km/h (90 mph).
CSK units feature ultra-hard Formchrome® sprags which provide extra-long life, maximum wear resistance and lower maintenance costs. Formchrome sprags — exclusive with Stieber/Formsprag — are made by diffusing chromium into the surface of hardened high carbon alloy steel to form a chromium-carbide alloy.
The Result
With the help of the Stieber clutch, Team AeroVelo’s Eta speed bike achieved a top speed of 126 Km/h (78 mph) at the 2014 World Human-Powered Speed Challenge. Just think about that for a second; 126 Km/h on a flat piece of Highway 305. I don’t think that I’ve ever had my Falcon up that fast.
Here’s a quick video of the guy they’re trying to beat.
