Electric bicycle transmission systems, methods, and devices

A method of automatically operating a derailleur-based transmission of an electric bicycle, the method comprising:

• determining, by an electric bicycle controller, that a stop event is occurring;
• determining, by the electric bicycle controller, that a downshift is desirable before the stop event completes;
• measuring, directly or indirectly, a rotational sprocket set speed and determining that the rotational sprocket set speed is below a threshold speed for effecting the downshift before the stop event completes, the sprocket set comprising two or more concentric sprockets;
• operating, by the electric bicycle controller, a motor to cause rotation of the sprocket set at a speed equal to or greater than the threshold speed, but equal to or less than a rotational speed of a wheel coupled to the sprocket set;
• and
• operating, by the electric bicycle controller, an electronic derailleur to cause the electronic derailleur to shift a chain from a first sprocket of the two or more concentric sprockets to a different sprocket of the two or more concentric sprockets while the motor is causing the sprocket set to rotate.

A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium having a computer program stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed computer system to process by one or more processors computer-program code by performing a method for automatically operating a derailleur-based transmission of an electric bicycle when the computer program is executed on the suitably programmed computer system, the method comprising:

• determining, using a computer system, that a stop event is occurring;
• determining, by the computer system, that a downshift is desirable before the stop event completes;
• measuring, directly or indirectly, a rotational sprocket set speed and determining that the rotational sprocket set speed is below a threshold speed for effecting the downshift before the stop event completes, the sprocket set comprising two or more concentric sprockets;
• operating, using the computer system, a motor to cause rotation of the sprocket set at a speed equal to or greater than the threshold speed, but equal to or less than a rotational speed of a wheel coupled to the sprocket set;
• and
• operating, using the computer system, an electronic derailleur to cause the electronic derailleur to shift a chain from a first sprocket of the two or more concentric sprockets to a different sprocket of the two or more concentric sprockets while the motor is causing the sprocket set to rotate;
• wherein the computer system comprises a computer processor and electronic memory.