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Wayback Machine 1934: Bike Moves By Pumping Action

by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.16.08
Cars & Transportation (bikes)

2008-02-16_143421-Treehugger-bike.jpg

This is actually extraordinarily clever, a bike even simpler than, dare we say it, a fixie! By putting the axle of the rear wheel off-center, one propels the bike by moving up and down on the flat board. You probably start it like a scooter and then do continuous carefully timed jumpsquats to keep it moving. Sort of a tribrid scooter, longboard and bike. No chain, no sprockets, but that rear fender is never gonna work. ::Modern Mechanix

Comments (7)

Lloyd, that fender will work just fine. As an architect/designer, you should know that the tire won't get any closer to the fender at any other point in its rotation (from the picture).

LA: a quarter turn looks really sketchy.

jump to top Greennovator [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

There's a better copy of the image here, where it's more obvious that there's clearance:

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/qf/c/ModernMechanix/11-1934/lrg_eccentric_bike.jpg

OK I did my own drawing of it and retract the comment about the fender.

jump to top BenSchiendelman [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

Maybe the fender is also the brake?
I'd love to have my bike shop guy build a rear wheel for that thing!!

vsk

jump to top vsk says:

Same principle, mucho bigger wheels:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27047646@N00/335395226/

:) This thing looked amazing in real life, and we had much discussion about how efficient it would be energy use wise - consensus being not very, though a great form of exercise!

jump to top Cass says:

I suppose it's interesting to note that I've seen a modern one! A few years back I saw a scooter that used this method to more forward that was made in China. Neat idea, although a little tiring.

jump to top Kaj says:

I have tried a modern version of this type of .. thing.

It's fun and all but not practical. Once you start gaining speed you go up and down waaaay to much. It's also increasingly harder to keep the rhythm.

jump to top MacHaddock [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

These scooters are quite common, I thought that every kid knew about them. Looks like my neighbourhood was the only one to have them everywhere (in the 80s).
They're fun but not the easiest ride (well, I found anyway), a little like riding a "snakeboard".
Great idea though & I'd like to see more around to shake up the razor-scooter scene.

jump to top em xero says:

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