I am building a wooden bicycle as a final project for my senior woodworking course in high-school. However, a bicycle chain will be very difficult to build out of wood. I am looking for alternate pedaling methods. The only method that I can think of is using a tricycle pedaling system, where the pedals are simply attached to the front wheel itself. Any other pedaling methods would be extremely appreciated!
McG
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This is a curious question.
If you are making it for display only, I really like wle's idea of making shaft drive. If it isn't bearing a load at least you could turn the cranks and make the wheel spin.
Another idea is making the gears into pulleys and use a belt drive. Does it have to be 100% wood? If you are making it to be ride-able, making pulleys for belt drive would be easier to build to be effective than making gears that would hold up to your weight pedaling.
Have you considered using bamboo for the frame? There are actual bike frames made from bamboo. It is light an strong. http://www.calfeedesign.com/products/bamboo/
When you are done post another question with a picture of your end result. Very clever project.
intrepidfae
Long ago, gears were made out of wood. You could cut them out with a band saw. You can use an even number of intermediate gears at any convenient size between the pedals and the rear wheel to transfer driving force as far as you need to.
HTH
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Built one like the early bikes where they just walk. If you attach the pedals to the wheel build a Penny Farthing.
Anonymous
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Anonymous
pulleys from wood
belt from 'wood fibers'
hemp rope or sisal or something
if that is 'wood'
or shaft drive
wood gears and shaft
beveled 45 degrees
wooden 'bearings'
it 'woodent' long but it is not on the front wheel, not a chain, and it;s wood
prob pretty hard to cut those gears
prob end up pretty primitive unless you have pretty good 3D cad software and a laser cutter
wle