The DIY Propeller Trike—300 RPMs of Spinning Fury (with Video)
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 06.29.07
Topping the third round of Popular Mechanics’ DIY Rally 2007 is the work of Damon Vander Lind of MIT. He says he’s been reading PM since he was a kid, and it shows. His recumbent propeller trike is cobbled together from Frankenstiened bike parts and fiberglass blades that he crafted himself (with a simple process called “sandbagging.” Sure, easy.) “The propeller is similar to one Vander Lind made for a wind turbine to power a friend's yurt,” and they are hollowed out and wired with LED lights, creating a spinning circle at night when they get up to 300 rpms. Vander Lind says the propeller trike took him 3 weeks to build and about $500. I’m picturing the road race right now: the propeller trike, the HyperBike, and the Pterosail. The point of it all? It's clever and it's crafty. Beyond that, you got me. Check out the video below the fold to see him spinning around Cambridge, MA and blending up some migratory pigeons (kidding).
:: Popular Mechanics (Image and video credit: Popular Mechanics)
I'm not at all sure what the point is. This propeller isn't going to be able to make you go faster, and the support structures for it are going to add both weight and aerodynamic drag.
An ordinary recumbent bicycle is probably technically superior.
The point? Fun! Fun is an element lacking in a lot of supposedly sustainable products. And what better cure for the stress of urban traffic than something completely goofy plodding along beside you?
I'm going to look out for this guy, and hope he rides around a lot more on Mass Ave...
It looks as though it works a lot better than I would have suspected.
I don't think the inventor is serious about it.
He demonstrating some outside the box thinking which is exactly what we need.
WHat about safety?
Put floats on it and I'd be more interested.
call me when it flies
I think the idea is great, reminds me of the boys propeller driven bike in the movie "Kiki's Delivery Service". More people should build devices that are 'out side the box'.
It would make more sense if someone threw some babies into the propeller for science sakes.
That is cool, Hook it up to a weed eater and see if it will fly....
How is this more efficient than a standard bicycle? How is it faster? Put a lawn mower engine on the thing and you could probably do 50mph, but pedal powered propellers are a really bad idea. I bet he can't do more than 8mph in that thing. Most people have no problem doubling that speed with a standard bicycle.
WOW, amazing! NJ even though it won't be the fastest. This would be great for hilly areas, same about of energy just like a flat road. Although the propeller could easily hurt someone yikes!
Pedal powered airplanes have already crossed the english channel, and this contraption is way less efficient than a bicycle. I fail to see the point.
tashy said: "call me when it flies"
Tashy, put some wings on it and it will fly indeed.
How could it be anything but a fun thing to do. I was paid to design, build and fly the first aircraft that could be called a "trike" and told the investor something of the order, who was serious about the project "I don't think it is practical, but it sounds like so much fun I will do it."
After all there are very serious programs that, when analysed, will always be perfectly ridiculous, like lighter than air craft, and the enthusiasts of such do not even realize it after all these years.
Barry Palmer
I like the idea but why is he using a chain? He'd be better off putting on bigger wheels and using a propeller shaft running under the seat.