I am sorry yo say, but your product will not have commercial success for 2 main reasons:
1. The wear on the driveline will be 10x bigger than normal due to only 4 sliding members.
2. Due to the 4 sliding members, there will be a large torque variation 4 times for each revolution which will be annoying to the user. Remember, gearing is not determined by the radial distance of the 4 teeth sets, but by the radial, instant distance of the chain in the vertical top position. This position bounces up and down 4 times for each revolution.
However, I do find the automatic changing system interesting.
Lucas
Lucas
Thank you for your feedback, but I respectfully disagree about the potential of its commercial success.
The main advantage of the VECTr system is to prevent chain drops by keeping the chainline constant, while also allowing more gearing choices that 3 chainrings. It will do this at the same or less weight as traditional 3 chainring setups, and much less cost than internally geared hubs (or planetary systems).
Reduced chain wear is not VECTr’s main advantage, but I think it will actually reduce chain wear. It is true that only the five teeth on each gear segment engage the chain, and this will increase wear on those links because of heavier load. But you should note that at the same time there are six or eight links suffering no wear. The extra-wear on some links will pass around the chain, so overall there is not increased wear, or it is minimal.
Overall, there will be less chain wear than there would be on a three chainring set up. Think of it this way: VECTr only has 20 teeth which engage the chain, so chain wear will be the same as always running on a 20t ring. The rider, however, will have the advantage of 24 to 44 tooth equavalent gears, but without the added chain wear.
There will be variations when VECTr is in the expanded position. Some have seen a similarity to oblong or irregular chainrings, and both as and advantage and a disadvantage. It does seem, though, that the square-ness of the chain path when VECTr is in expanded position (lumpiness) will not be as noticeable since larger gears are used on downhill or level roads when the pedal momentum is at play, and crank loads are not heavy.
In more contracted settings, the squareness would be less pronounces, and in the smallest position, non-existent.
I hope you still are interested, but you should know it is not an automatic system. Gear changes are under the riders control and not an automatic response to torque or whatever.
Joe