electronic clutch

[Hinkelstein]

There are at least a half a dozen threads, and at least 3 products on the market. Do you want one megathread or a electronic clutch sub-forum?

I'm also aware of three announced products but none is really in the field already. So I would expect an increase of discussion once people really buy and test them. So a sub-forum might make sense?

 

[Theo]

One (just one of many) benefits of a mechanical clutch is that it completely separates drive from driven. Why is this a benefit? Imagine having any kind of electronic or electric component failure on your Varg when you are miles away from basecamp. If that happens, and you need to push your bike back, you are fighting with excess drag from the motor. The only way to separate drive from driven on a Varg is to remove the drive chain. In which case, use [and carry a spare] clip-style master link. An electronic clutch isn't going to help you.

Someone also suggested that, in such a scenario, one can just remove the rear wheel, get the chain off of the rear sprocket, and reinstall the wheel. I have never tried that, though.

 

[DaveAusNor]

Someone also suggested that, in such a scenario, one can just remove the rear wheel, get the chain off of the rear sprocket, and reinstall the wheel. I have never tried that, though.

Yes, this would work. I change between dirt and SM wheels without breaking my chain. Easy enough to just move the wheel forward enough to get it off the rear sprocket and move the chain to the outside of the swingarm.

 

[Chaconne]

One (just one of many) benefits of a mechanical clutch is that it completely separates drive from driven. Why is this a benefit? Imagine having any kind of electronic or electric component failure on your Varg when you are miles away from basecamp. If that happens, and you need to push your bike back, you are fighting with excess drag from the motor. The only way to separate drive from driven on a Varg is to remove the drive chain. In which case, use [and carry a spare] clip-style master link. An electronic clutch isn't going to help you.

It depends on how the clutch is implemented. For example, a clutch on an ICE bike is no better for pushing than the drag of the motor on an E-bike since you still have to turn much of the drive system. Clutching is fundamentally different than disengagement which is really neutral. And those are fundamentally different.

A clutch on an ICE bike does give you a kind of false neutral for stopping and is needed due to the limits of ICE power delivery, but it is not neutral (or full disengagement). The main use for a clutch on an ICE bike is for power modulation or for less experience riders "slipping". And this is entirely due to the limits of the power delivery system of the ICE. Dropping the clutch to loft the front wheel which is a kind of power modulation might be a benefit but I still don't see why that can't be done entirely with the throttle.

In my view, for a clutch to be really effective it must be part of the drive system and somehow be able to modulate power in a more effective way than the throttle.

I do however, agree with you that some kind of neutral might be good (especially for pushing the Stark which I have suffered more than once and now carry a chain breaker) but I don't see that as clutching which --at least in my view-- is different than disengagement/neutral.

BTW I think mechanical disengagement (say for pushing) could be solved at the "countershaft" or perhaps at the primary gear level with a mechanical controller on the drive train and there would be no need to clutter the bars another control interference. It would be good if Stark considered this especially for the EX IMHO.

 

[Chaconne]

Yes, this would work. I change between dirt and SM wheels without breaking my chain. Easy enough to just move the wheel forward enough to get it off the rear sprocket and move the chain to the outside of the swingarm.

Yes this is shown in the vid to remove the rear tire as well, where moving the wheel forward enough allows for chain removing the chain from the sprocket. Unfortunately I didn't have any tools when I had my "pushing events"...

 

[Philip]

I'm also aware of three announced products but none is really in the field already. So I would expect an increase of discussion once people really buy and test them. So a sub-forum might make sense?

Done.

 

[Theo]

Honestly I would be very cautious with this, thoug:
1-are you sure that it's reliable and that it won't behave incorrectly causing an unexpected power delivery? I doubt it has been developed with Stark and approved by them.
2-it would void the warranty

A. Wass agrees with me: listen at 44:06

 

[Chaconne]

A. Wass agrees with me: listen at 44:06

Haha. I never saw that before but my comments about power modulation are also validated