Hi Gang,

Wasnt sure what forum I should have put this in.

I have been reading alot about the chrysler sno-runner and sno-rabbit. I wanted to see how easy it would be to build something like that or even better a pedal powered one. Really lightweight and everything but pedal powered. Just for a neat project to work on. Does anyone know of something like that, a site, etc.

I have seen the snowbike pictures for downhill sking and thats good as well, but i would like to see if a pedal power one would work. I have ideas on how to make it and everything but ideas and sites would be helpful too.

Gig

Wow, pedal powered, I admire your inginuity (think that's how you spell it).
Sounds like a fun project, good luck :D

WHOOAAA it sounds like a great idea but the petal power :crazy: sounds like work to me. :tongue: i get worn out just riding my sled and it has a motor. :lmao:

Well i have all the specs drawn up, its either going to be a chain drive paddle system or a wheel paddle system i dont know yet. I am thinking its going to be a multi geared system to give maximum torque and track speed with little effort. I am also thinking a floating systems on the sides of the track for deeper snow, its all going to be trial and error but hopefully something fun comes out of it. I think I am going to try using a moutain bike style frame and see how that goes. Wish me luck, Ill keep you guys posted and put pics up.

The only draw back to a pedal powered track system is the incredible inefficiency. I can run some numbers later, but just off the top of my head I would say that a small track and slide skid type drive (like a snow scoot) on snow will require more than 50% more input force than a comparable wheel / tire on a hard surface.
It will be a good way to get killer quad and calf muscles.
Sounds like a cool project, and I am always one to say -Go for it!

Well doing some research and I actually found a snow bike already but not really what im designing, theres is actually more of a hard packs type, its at www.snomobike.com and its given me some ideas, but that small track wont fly on the lake or anything. My idea is going to be a trike style with front fork with ski and im still debating the rear, either a central track or individual side tracks with a ski floating system. I am still figuring it out. OH, BTW I would love to figure out calculations on track area and stuff i would need, that would make life a little easier, I am 220 lbs so taking that maybe max weight would be 250 lbs I would say on this bike.

Thanks again

It definately sounds like an interesting project. Have you thought maybe about using an old pedal powered mopad motor. There was an old style one years ago, that you used to have to pedal to get the motor I think up to speed to kick over , while this was being done the mopad would move forward. I'm not sure if this is exactly how it worked , but it might be a cool thing to use as a back up power provider for those times you tire out.

LOL I have ridden one of the old pedal powered mopeds, it actually worked pretty good. Was in good shape too. :lol:
Sounds like a cool project Gig. Good Luck with it.

More power to you brother from another mother!!!!!! i just don't have the patience for something like that!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement guys,

I am just drawing up some plans and stuff, i need to figure out how big my track/rear float skis need to be to support weight and stuff. A motor like a moped would be great, all depends on the weight added and all the clutching i would need to do as well. This is going to be a neat summer project, i cant wait to get to the dump and start recycling all the bikes they have there. An old beat up moped would actually be cool to use parts of it. Even a chainsaw motor would work well, again trial and error. At least this will keep me out of trouble for the summer.