Chainless bike

[mickle]

... compared to a poorly maintained chain-drive its still more efficient...

I'm not even convinced that's true. Have you ridden one? All of the performance benefits of bicycle shaft drives can be acheived with (simpler, lighter, cheaper, more universal) chain-case.

And how do you change the ratios on a shaft drive?

 

[Pauluk]

[QUOTEBeebo]You would have to mickle your shaft instead.[/QUOTE]
I heard that can send you blind. I'll just stick to a chain driven bike for now.

 

[Zakalwe]

Been around donkeys years these. How about another chainless option, and belt drive?

 

[Zakalwe]

http://bigringriding.com/image/12321426509

 

[andrew_s]

Shaft drive is one of those ideas like solid tyres that's been appearing at regular intervals for the last 100 years, and still hasn't succeeded.
As well as the losses in two sets of bevel gears, you've those in the hub gears, and you've also got shaft wind-up to make the pedals feel soggy.
If you want a clean, fairly efficient and long lasting bicycle transmission, the answer is the fully enclosed chaincase.

 

[Cyclopathic]

What about the confusion created when you kindly offer some one the opportunity to ride your shaft?

 

[Zakalwe]

A young lady was once keen for a go on mine. On closer inspection it became apparent that my shaft was broken, and that was the end of that unfortunately.