The Wheel turns your bike into a moped
By Evan Blass 
posted May 10th 2006 11:02AM
posted May 10th 2006 11:02AM
Bicycles have always been a great way to get around, but the whole pedaling thing really takes away a lot of the appeal for some people -- we're sure countless dusty bikes with flat tires are hanging in garages nationwide. Well a company called RevoPower wants to put that huge fleet of two-wheeled vehicles back on the road with an innovative new product that easily converts most mountain or hybrid bikes into 20MPH mopeds. The Wheel, as it's known, manages to pack a gasoline- and oil-powered 23cc, two-stroke internal combustion engine into the space between a standard wheel's spokes, giving it a clear advantage over other modification kits which require tinkering with the existing drivetrain. Once the old wheel has been swapped out for the new Wheel, all you need to do is attach the throttle control to your handlebars and slide the fuel container into your water bottle cage (hope you don't get thirsty on your ride), and you're ready to hit the streets at an environmentally-friendly 200+ MPG. A video of The Wheel (and some overly-eager focus group members), which is due out next year for $400, is available by clicking here.[Via Popular Science and high t3ch]
For all of you complaining about the 20 MPH top speed-- President Bush signed that into law in 2001. Federal law states MOTORIZED Bicycles are limited to 2 HP. Gasoline and 1 HP (750 Watts) electric and cannot travel faster than 20 MPH under power. (If you've got it in you to peddle faster than 20 MPH then you're only limited by the posted speed limit.) Also, motorized bicycles are ONLY allowed on streets with posted speed limits of 35 MPH or less.
Hi Guys
Most of you here have shown the usual comments about 2 strokes being dirty and haviing horrible emissions. Up until about 2 weeks ago I would have agreed with you. Huge work has been done on two strokes in the last six years with specs that are just astounding when it comes to emissions. Revo are right into this (no I dont work for them) and you need to read why they actually chose a 2 stroke over a four. I think after reading this you might have a different perspective.
https://www.revopower.com/environment-2_stroke_comparison.html
In addition to this Tohatsu have released a six year long project that has produced two strokes for outboards that out perform fourstrokes in economy and Emissions.
"Not only is the 50 TLDI ® as much as 15% lighter than competitive four- stroke outboards, it also guarantees lower fuel and oil consumption, as well as decreased hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions." If you want to learn more do a simple search on TLDI two stroke. Two strokes of the present arent the noisey oil burners we have made them out to be. This air injection and other great changes might soon see the humble two stroke back in cars. They are in boats. Happy reading.
When I first read about this wheel in Popular Science (June 2006) I couldn't wait to buy one. At the time they said it would cost $400 and be available early in 2007. Was this an advertisement paid for by the company yet comes across as a wonderful new invention that Popular Science is reviewing for us? They claim a million people visited their website after the PopSci article. Well, a million people were mis-informed.
Now they say $599 and "hopefully" launched in the US in 2008.
Needless to say, I'm no longer interested.
Here is a moped kit for you bike if you want to go a bit faster;say about 40 mph?
http://www.javacycles.com/productdetail.php?prod_id=73
I think it is a 4-stroke motor? But it might burn your legs if you are not careful (by looking a the photos)
They also have the electrical version of the hub wheel on their websit. But the battery technology is still not here yet! Even with the new Ni-Fe-PO4 M1 cells from A123. You are still limited with range and have to replace the battery eventually.
http://www.slkelectronics.com/DeWalt/index.htm
I really hope people can come up with diesel or mutifule engine (there is spark ignition diesel and some are mutifule motor) So, I can run Bio-diesel or straight Vegetable oil.
This way, I'm saving on fule cost and eco-friendly to; just have sit on my fat butt and ride it.
BTW, I'm running WVO-(Waste vegetable Oil) on my 03 VW Golf TDI for over two years now! Much cleaner and smell better too.
(plus only cost my time and few filters and FREE oil)
I was getting around 53 mpg HWY miles when the engine was stock (unmodified at 90 Hp to the crank and 155 ft-lb of torque) Now, I'm still getting over 40 mpg at 128 Hp to the front wheels and 227 ft-lb of torque! Can't wait to install a larger turbo to reach over 150 wheel Hp and over 200 ft-lb to put my car on Road Atlants race track! I just love to smoke those gas bunners with my renewable fuel bunner!
Some people whine about everything. Looks like a great idea to help out those of us who are athetically challenged. $400 is not that bad when you consider the guy who invented the beer tossing refrigerator wants to sell them for about $1500.