Marine

Schiller is peddling a bike designed for pedaling on the water

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The Schiller X1 in action
The Schiller X1 in action
Its frame is made from anodized aluminum, with much of its hardware being constructed from stainless steel
The saddle, handlebars, cranks and pedals are of the type found on regular bikes, while the inflatable dual-chamber pontoons, not surprisingly, are rubber
Power is transferred from the pedals via a Gates Carbon belt drive to a continuously-variable NuVinci 360 transmission, and then used to turn not one but two propellers mounted on flexible shafts
The whole thing weighs about 45 pounds (20 kg), and can reportedly travel at up to 10 mph (16 km/h) "depending on rider ability"
The basic version will set you back $6,495, while the limited-edition chrome-plated Founder’s Edition goes for $8,775
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Last year, US entrepreneur Judah Schiller crossed San Francisco Bay on a bike – and no, he didn’t ride that bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead, he mounted it on a Shuttle Bike kit, which adds pontoons and a propeller to a user-supplied bicycle. Since then, Judah has been working on designing an all-in-one "waterbike" of his own. The result, the Schiller X1, was officially unveiled this month.

Unlike the Shuttle Bike kit (which is designed to be carried in a backpack while the rider is cycling on land), the X1 has the "bike" built into it – it doesn’t require the addition of an existing bicycle. That said, it still does disassemble for transport in a car, or for storage in a closet.

Its frame is made from anodized aluminum, with much of its hardware being constructed from stainless steel. The saddle, handlebars, cranks and pedals are of the type found on regular bikes, while the inflatable dual-chamber pontoons, not surprisingly, are rubber. It also features LED lighting.

The saddle, handlebars, cranks and pedals are of the type found on regular bikes, while the inflatable dual-chamber pontoons, not surprisingly, are rubber

Power is transferred from the pedals via a Gates Carbon belt drive to a continuously-variable NuVinci 360 transmission, and then used to turn two propellers mounted on flexible shafts. In an arrangement that's unique to the X1, steering is achieved not through a rudder, but by turning the two props to the left or right.

The whole thing weighs about 45 pounds (20 kg), and can reportedly travel at up to 10 mph (16 km/h) "depending on rider ability."

And no, the X1 is not cheap. The basic version will set you back US$6,495, while the limited-edition chrome-plated Founder’s Edition goes for $8,775. Shipping of the first units is expected to begin next month.

Should you not be feeling quite so rich, you might instead want to check out the similar Hydrobike, which is priced at $1,999.

Source: Schiller

View gallery - 6 images
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5 comments
Rehab
I believe bicycles were developed for land. 6.5K? dream on!
Gadgeteer
$6500 is insane. For about 1/4 of that price, you can buy a Hobie Mirage kayak, with a leg drive system that's been proven over quite a few years, on top of a kayak with known seaworthiness. Not to mention a much more relaxing position sitting down on a seat rather than on a small saddle and hunched over handlebars, plus its mechanical systems were designed for use in the water. The Nuvinci is a nice hub, but it was never designed to operate while being splashed with water. This thing is too complex for its own good, a solution looking for a problem.
Nik
If it doesn't have an integral coffee machine, then, I'm not interested.
Stephen N Russell
need seat for 2nd rider & storage unit for food, water, camping gear, & towline for motor tow? overhead shade array for hot days Be neat to rent
Douglas Bennett Rogers
It would go faster with the pontoons below the water line. Weight would be less and c. g. would be lower. The upright position is good, as more power is generated and air drag is low. I would think it would sell for under $2K.