Bicycle wheels turn the rider's weight into propulsion

SuperWheel wheels help riders ride 30% more efficiently without motor or battery.

SuperWheel wheels help riders ride more efficiently.

Startup SuperWheel (Ireland) introduced a spring-mounted bicycle wheel that can convert the rider's weight into thrust, increasing the efficiency by about 30% compared to conventional wheels, Design Boom reported on April 25. The wheel uses "Weight to Energy Technology" (WTECT) developed by SuperWheel and is patent pending.

WTECT works on the weight and movement of the user, no need to charge or battery. The SuperWheel wheel was developed to fit conventional bicycles, aiming to be an alternative to electric bicycles. Riders can cycle easily, with little effort without having to worry about range like an electric bike.

The design is based on two main components, the external spring mechanism and the internal actuator. The wheel harnesses the vertical motion caused by the rider's weight, transforming it into reciprocating motion. The reason is that weight compresses the springs in the upper part of the wheel, while decompressing the springs in the lower part. As the wheel rolls forward, that energy is released and converted into thrust.

SuperWheel wheels do not require batteries, motors or electric charging, so they are relatively light, easy to transport and fit on most bikes. The price of the new wheel model is about 500 USD.