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Path: utzoo!watmath!watdcsu!rsellens
From: rsellens@watdcsu.UUCP (Rick Sellens - Mech. Eng.)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Chain vs. Driveshaft
Message-ID: <1144@watdcsu.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 21-Mar-85 10:16:10 EST
Article-I.D.: watdcsu.1144
Posted: Thu Mar 21 10:16:10 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Mar-85 01:14:48 EST
References: <673@rayssd.UUCP>
Reply-To: rsellens@watdcsu.UUCP (Rick Sellens - Mech. Eng.)
Distribution: net
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 23
Summary: 


Everything I've read/heard/seen/etc. suggests that chain drive is
clearly superior from a performance point of view. (Did you ever
see a shaft drive race bike?) Chain gives lower unsprung weight,
more efficient power transmission and has no torque reaction "hop".

On the other hand chains are dirty, ugly, high maintenance items.
They need regular lubrication and adjustment, and need replacement
after as little as 10,000 miles. (O-ring chains last longer)

If performance isn't your only concern, a shaft drive may make sense.
A slightly higher initial cost buys an essentially maintenance free
final drive which can be almost as good as a chain.

I don't know what the answer is (all other things being equal I don't
know what I'd choose myself just know), but I think the above gives
a reasonable context for thinking about it.


Rick Sellens
UUCP:  watmath!watdcsu!rsellens
CSNET: rsellens%watdcsu@waterloo.csnet
ARPA:  rsellens%watdcsu%waterloo.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa