DailyDirt: Un-chained Bikes

from the urls-we-dig-up dept

Bike enthusiasts do a lot of kinda crazy things (like developing human flight), so it's not that unusual for bike designers to come up with some interesting innovations in transportation every so often. If you've ever been annoyed by a bike chain eating your pant leg or just getting you greasy, here are a few solutions that completely eliminate the need for those pesky metal links. If you'd like to read more awesome and interesting stuff, check out this unrelated (but not entirely random!) Techdirt post.
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Filed Under: bikes, broncobike, chainless, hydraulics, transportation
Companies: dynamic bicycles, shimano


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  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 5:16pm

    olympic bikes?

    if chainless bikes are so much better, why don't they use them in the olympics?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      JoeCool (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 7:38pm

      Re: olympic bikes?

      Because then anybody could compete. "Coming down the stretch, it's six-year-old Mikey for the win!!" ;)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Son of a Shaft, 23 Jul 2012 @ 7:38pm

    re:olympic bikes?

    Efficiency. Drive shafts are less efficient and heavier than chain drive

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    WinterNellis (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 8:48pm

    Easier to steal?

    I don't think the author has ridden much. There really is no difference in removing the wheel between this and and normal dérailleur bikes. Quick release hubs are the norm (which this doesn't have but I'm sure they'll come up with a modification).

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Pixelation, 23 Jul 2012 @ 11:04pm

    Seems to me that rocket engines would be faster...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    drew (profile), 24 Jul 2012 @ 2:21am

    Chain drive for the win

    Fun as all of these ideas are, the thing is a simple chain drive is cheap, easy to manufacture, easy to replace or repair and hugely efficient.
    If all you're trying to do is keep your trousers clean just fit a chain guard...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Son of a Shaft, 24 Jul 2012 @ 2:47am

    re:Chain drive for the win

    A full chain case will protect trouser from getting grease stains and the chain from all sorts of weather. A good chain that has a yearly maintenance will last for thousands and thousands of miles.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    raimund (profile), 24 Jul 2012 @ 9:17am

    Gates Belt Drive

    a good alternative to chains that's actually out there and proven is the gates belt drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt-driven_bicycle

    it's not faster, but for recreational biking it's better
    - pants don't really get caught
    - near silent
    - weather proof
    - maintenance free

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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