A strange contraption

[Pale Rider]

I happened on the Varibike recently.

It has foot and hand cranks, which the makers claim boosts power by 31 per cent.

What do others make of it?

http://www.varibike.com/Seite55.html

 

[welsh dragon]

I think it looks awful and I can't imagine riding that thing. Very confusing

 

[byegad]

Hah! It's back again. I was thinking just the other day we were due this one coming back from the dead. (It comes around regularly.)

It's based on a basic misunderstanding of human physiology. Which is, that the limiting factor for a cyclist isn't muscle power, but lung power. A fairly fit cyclist can easily ride so hard that he goes into oxygen debt. Adding arm power merely speeds up that 'in debt' moment.

 

[T4tomo]

Is there a scientific reason for having the front forks pointing back towards the rider, or did they just want to make sure it looked like a pile of shite?

 

[Julia9054]

Not sure I could coordinate pedalling and steering with the same appendages. Wobbly!

 

[ufkacbln]

Not sure I could coordinate pedalling and steering with the same appendages. Wobbly!

Actually quite common.

Most "handbikes" use this method, for example:



However most handbikes have that cranks aligned so equal pressure is applied to prevent "steering", this new product these are independent which would put pressure on each side of the steering and cause at least a "wobble"

 

[byegad]

Actually quite common.

Most "handbikes" use this method, for example:



However most handbikes have that cranks aligned so equal pressure is applied to prevent "steering", this new product these are independent which would put pressure on each side of the steering and cause at least a "wobble"

The hand bikes are sophisticated machines, built for a specific purpose and are fast safe machines, I've seen them racing foot powered recumbents and they are fast enough to race with anyone!

The four limb drive bike is just another 'good idea' that should never have been made!

 

[oldroadman]

All for only Euro 3999. . . Like L shaped cranks, Osymetric rings, offset cranks, they all come round after a while, and someone buys 'em. Which is the purpose of the exercise, I suppose.

 

[Pale Rider]

I sometimes see a disabled man who has what looks like a home-made wheelchair trike.

The chain is routed to hand cranks with what looks like a standard from crank/chain ring only with handles instead of pedals.

He told me before becoming disabled from the waist down he was a gymnast of some sort and still trains.

The result is he has good upper body strength and can manage up to 30-odd miles on the trike.

 

[Gravity Aided]

These things seem to come up now and again, stepper bikes seem awfully unstable, and I would hate to see what happens on downhills.

 

[Venod]

I remember a normal bike with a treadle type action that should be coming around again soon. but I can't find any pictures, I have dreamt this ?

 

[Gravity Aided]

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/166770/
Seems ill-advised.

 

[welsh dragon]

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/166770/
Seems ill-advised.

It's better than the top one though I'd say. But not by much

 

[Gravity Aided]

Afnug, you may be thinking of the Alenax.http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/alenax.html

 

[Venod]

Afnug, you may be thinking of the Alenax.http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/alenax.html

That's another weird looking contraption, the one I remember was a similar idea but it had platforms like a cross trainer.