Stringbike

[Zynster]

Here is something a bit different.

http://www.stringbike.com/

[Boognoss]

Interesting. I'll stick with a chain though

[scotto]

rreminds me The Goodies string promotion.

clearly i wasted money on that old school metat based chain drive system
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rlOSjpIbFs&feature=related[/youtube]

[soc]

Hold on a sec, isn't this a family friendly forum?

Last but not at least the STRINGBIKE® is a beautiful piece of art, and the reciprocating movements of the swinging members with the never ceasing winding of the ropes provide a nice visual impression.

[il padrone]

I think I may have to add this one as a sixth to the Five Horsemen of the Cycling Apocalypse

http://www.angelfire.com/art3/levercycle/

Frazer Robike


Rowbike (apparently invented by the same guy to develop rollerblades)



The invention dates back to 1905 at least



There were such drive systems in the 1890s as well. The Farrens have an 1882 Dublin trike with lever drive and a Lever Chainless Bicycle from 1895 in their collection.


Apparently it's even been on the New Inventors - gotta be a recycled invention then



The (new) Six Horsemen of the Cycling Apocalypse

- shaft drive
- automatic gears
- airless tyres
- funky saddles
- elyptical chainrings
with added
- lever drive

[rkelsen]

The (new) Six Horsemen of the Cycling Apocalypse

Uhhh... this isn't a lever drive system. Watch the videos on the website.

The rider's feet move in circles (as if riding a bike with regular cranks), unlike the lever systems you've mentioned. For all intents and purposes, it looks like the rider wouldn't even notice the difference between this and a normal bike.

It looks cumbersome and complicated, but I'd give it a go. If a string were to snap, could it cut your leg?

[il padrone]

For sure, the pedal action is not lever-style, it's rotary. However the drive is just the same as all the other lever-drives, just using string not chain. This type of drive has a number of disadvantages over the good old rotary chain.

I remain very sceptical

[rkelsen]

However the drive is just the same as all the other lever-drives, just using string not chain.

OK, but this design seems more elegant in its execution. It certainly is far less awkward to use...

I remain very sceptical

I'm not disagreeing with you. The thing that kills it for me is that you can't use it on a standard frame.

[Uncle Just]

I'm with you Pete. Ridiculous idea that overcomplicates the drivetrain for no better result.

Notice in the You tube video they show the front quick release lever rotating as well!