Propeller-driven bike

[CharleyFarley]

Some bloke made a large fan for his bike. The pedals turn the fan to drive him along. It's a very long video showing all the machine work he put into it. I took the liberty of chopping it to just the essential trial. Evidently, it's not a thing of the future.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rEMSQj49uk

 

[Juliansou]

One way to avoid close passes!

 

[MontyVeda]

it came a close 2nd in the race

 

[boydj]

It certainly does nothing for the efficiency of the bike.

 

[CharleyFarley]

Here in Florida we are allowed to ride on the sidewalks. I only meet the occasional pedestrian but the fan would make things difficult, not to mention scaring the pedestrian. I imagine the bloke who did it, must have been a bit disappointed after all the machining effort he put into it.

 

[presta]

I'm not much impressed by his propeller, it must be stirring air more than propelling.

 

[C R]

I'm not much impressed by his propeller, it must be stirring air more than propelling.

I was thinking that the design of the blades is weird. The flat flaps probably add a lot of air resistance against the pedals when turning the propeller. A simple bow tie shape with a 15 degree twist in each lobe would be a lot easier to make and I bet a lot more efficient.

 

[CharleyFarley]

I was thinking that the design of the blades is weird. The flat flaps probably add a lot of air resistance against the pedals when turning the propeller. A simple bow tie shape with a 15 degree twist in each lobe would be a lot easier to make and I bet a lot more efficient.

Good observation!

 

[classic33]

I think it's following a design that appeared in a 1963 copy of Popular Mechanics.

 

[CharleyFarley]

I think it's following a design that appeared in a 1963 copy of Popular Mechanics.

I believe it is. Here is the whole video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5gbT7Uo5qY

 

[Seevio]

It would go faster if the propeller was connected to the back wheel instead of the cranks.