Cruiser V brakes

[Nanonevol]

I motorized a Huffy Cranbrook with a coaster brake. Are these cruiser tires designed to work with a basic rim friction braking system, generally speaking?

 

[bluegoatwoods]

Sure! You can mount rim brakes on those bikes. It's highly recommended, in fact.

And while we're on the subject.........I like the wheels on the Cranbrook. 12 gauge spokes don't hurt one little bit. But those hubs are a bit weak. You'll want to keep a close eye on it. Clean it often. Adjust bearings often. Treat it gently.

But it still probably won't last all that long, even with good care. The good news is that you can get a Shimano CB E-110 hub for about $25 and it fits those spokes like a glove. I've done it and it makes a much better wheel.

It won't even be a big problem for you as long as you know it's coming.

 

[Nanonevol]

Thanks! I've built this basic Chinese Cranbrook just for kicks and it's fun but I'm imagining a better toy. First of all I'm realizing I probably have to build both wheels - for attaching a better rear sprocket, possibly brake disc and more durable bearings and axle. And for transmission, I see the advantage of powering the pedal axle and considering a "stronger than bicycle" chain and sprockets to a sturdy, quality internal gear rear wheel. I think a 3 speed should be enough to get good power or speed. My question is why the need for a jackshaft to switch power to the right hand side of the bike? Seems like a lot of extra parts and friction. Isn't there a way to drive the left side of the pedal and still freewheel?

 

[bluegoatwoods]

Well, I suppose it's because there is no chain ring (sprocket?) on the left side.

I've actually never thought about it before, but would it be simpler to engineer a left-side sprocket than a jackshaft set-up?

Getting sprockets on both sides of a one-piece crank might be hard. But getting both on a three-piece crank might not be such a big deal.

I've got a three piece in my basement that has no particular use right now. Maybe I ought to experiment a bit.

 

[wheelbender6]

There are some dedicated disk-only rims out there, but they are normally found on very expensive, light weight mountain bikes.

 

[FurryOnTheInside]

Well, I suppose it's because there is no chain ring (sprocket?) on the left side.

I've actually never thought about it before, but would it be simpler to engineer a left-side sprocket than a jackshaft set-up?

Getting sprockets on both sides of a one-piece crank might be hard. But getting both on a three-piece crank might not be such a big deal.

I've got a three piece in my basement that has no particular use right now. Maybe I ought to experiment a bit.

Some BMX bikes have the option to run the chain either side, keeps it out of the way if you happen to prefer ccw rotation on the ramps, doing grinds on the r.h.s.. Not me though, im left foot forward an cw, so the option is redundant on my Specialized 415 Pro. All it does is narrow the rear hub bearing placement to make room for the l.h.s. freewheel.
Of course I'm not sure you would want the pedals spinning with the engins anyway....

 

[Nanonevol]

I don't speak BMX but that's interesting! Are you saying there is a left side freewheel available with counter clockwise operation? The pedals can be freewheeled on their own.

 

[FurryOnTheInside]

I don't speak BMX but that's interesting! Are you saying there is a left side freewheel available with counter clockwise operation? The pedals can be freewheeled on their own.

I was/am saying the rear wheel came with two sixteen tooth freewheels fitted, one normal freewheel on a normal thread and one reverse freewheel on a reverse thread. Both of the (heavy duty hollow 22mm axle three-piece) crank arms have a mount hole to bolt the chainring on. My big bro owned the bike before me and I swapped the chain and chainring over to the l.h.s. for him and added a protector to cover the r.h.s. freewheel thread so it wouldn't get damaged grinding the coping on the ramps. Then he gave the bike to me and I swapped it back to standard r.h.s. drive.
I would guess that to use the system on a motorised bike you would need a freewheel further up so you dont have to keep pedalling all the time. Not to mention you cant bump start with a freewheel but thats another matter.