Bicycles

Odd-looking bike ditches the chain

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What is missing from this picture – besides the rider?
What is missing from this picture – besides the rider?
The Chainless Bike features a riding position in which the cyclist doesn't sit in the middle of the bike, but is instead perched over its back wheel
The Chainless Bike is being made in both regular and folding versions
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Bike chains can be a hassle … they have to be cleaned and lubricated, yet still manage to get anything that they touch dirty. Using a belt drive, "strings" or even an alternator are all alternatives, but Venice, Florida-based inventor Sean Chan has come up with another. He calls it the Chainless Bike.

Looking not unlike Bygen's Hank Direct Bike, it features a riding position in which the cyclist doesn't sit in the middle of the bike, but is instead perched over its back wheel.

The cranks are located on that wheel, which also contains an internal gearing system – so it's not like pedalling a penny farthing, in which one pedal revolution equals one wheel revolution. Additionally, the rider of the Chainless Bike is able to stop pedalling and just coast for a while.

The Chainless Bike features a riding position in which the cyclist doesn't sit in the middle of the bike, but is instead perched over its back wheel

Another interesting feature is the Rapid Turning System, which (when activated) allows the bike's rear wheel to pivot relative to the frame – just like the front wheel does on normal bikes. This makes sharp turns possible, along with various other weirdness, which can be seen in the video below.

The bike is being made in both regular and folding versions, and is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. Pledge levels begin at US$799, while the estimated retail pricing should start at $1,000.

Sources: Chainless Bicycle, Kickstarter

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29 comments
Imran Sheikh
Good looks(specially white one) but not original design.
ZacLowing
Leaning forward like that would smash a dudes junk...
Michael Schmitt
If you try riding on the sidewalk here in Chicago, you might get knocked off it by an angry side "walker".
LinBrand
They all look like they are having trouble steering straight. Also, is it a fixed gearing?
exodous
A kickstarter that only shows the device being used in the video and doesn't explain why they think it is better should be avoided.
KeithMoat
It looks very unstable with the wheels being so close together, I'd guess it doesn't do speed. It's basically a unicycle with a training wheel on the front.
Hugh Kirk
I couldn't help but notice that up hill cycling was absent....but then , is there real hills in Florida ?
IMMr0Yallow
with the legs behind the center of gravity it seems uncomfortable. I agree with ZacLowing about the junk issue also.
myale
Would be interested to review the actual motion of the legs, knees and ankles and understand how this relates to an equivalent bike, as this seems to be an awkward pedalling position.
Jay Gatto
Not a good geometry to sit, or pedal, or for weight distribution, approximately backwards in fact ...shiny, though