WCD please explain.

[zinthorne]

This last year I saw many West Coast drivetrains. I have done a lot of research since the end of the season, but there is one part of it I can not figure out. http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server29...86.513.png?c=2
I need help understanding how the drive power from the chain is transferred to the wheels. I have looked at all the individual parts online, but I still do not understand it. Is there a cad file explaining it? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[Thad House]

The axles are usually live hex axles. The sprocket on the inside drives the hex, and the wheel on the outside is linked to the hex as well. So the axle spins in the frame, and spins the wheel.

[avanboekel]

Originally Posted by zinthorne

This last year I saw many West Coast drivetrains. I have done a lot of research since the end of the season, but there is one part of it I can not figure out. http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server29...86.513.png?c=2
I need help understanding how the drive power from the chain is transferred to the wheels. I have looked at all the individual parts online, but I still do not understand it. Is there a cad file explaining it? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

There are a couple of different options for this.

Live axle: the axle here spins with the wheel, so you would have a keyed shaft for the axle as well as a keyed hub on the wheel. Alternatively, you could have a hex shaft and a wheel with a hex hub.

Dead axle: here, the axle isn't moving, and everything spins around it. The wheel is on a bearing, and the power is transferred to the wheel via a sprocket or pulley that is attached to the wheel.

It may help to take a look at a few cad models to better understand how WCD's work. If you have any other questions, let us know.

[Sparkyshires]

The chain spins the sprocket which is on a hex shaft into the wheels. Not sure if this is the answer you wanted, but hope it helped!

[Mike Marandola]

Like others have said, the sprocket or pulley is attached to the live axle and the wheel is attached the axle on the other side of the frame. Here is small album of WCD pictures that you might find beneficial.

http://imgur.com/a/Wp8eC

I think the best example is 986's chassis which is the 14th picture.

[AlecS]

Zin,

Most WCD's what is called a live axle. In this case, the axle is either hexed or keyed. The sprocket is secured to one side of the shaft and wheel to the other. The wheel and sprocket rotationally locked to each other, so when the Chain spins the sprocket, the wheel also spins. In the picture you showed, sprockets would be located inside the 3 CIM DS and chained to sprockets on the outer wheels. Let us know if you have any more questions.

-Alec