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...the "Fliz Bike"? — Parallax Forums

...the "Fliz Bike"?

davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
edited 2012-09-11 22:37 in General Discussion
Hey Erco (and any other cyclists):

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/pedal-free-bicycle-relies-running-momentum-174927166.html

Comments?

Somehow, I just don't see this ever catching on.

Comments

  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-06 16:23
    That is really... unusual.

    Can't stand up straight, can't lean, I imagine hopping a curb would be problematic. Can't dismount quickly, low speed stability is terrible... the list goes on. It looks like a torture device.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-09-06 16:27
    I cannot see a reason to have one instead of a bike. Bicycles are the most efficient form of human transportation around, and part of that is due to the speed multiplication you get from the chain and sprockets. I predict the Fliz will be a flop.

    -Phil
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-09-06 16:47
    He doesn't seem to have very good control of that thing in the video.

    Phil, I agree. Sometimes I think the bicycle is the best thing humans ever invented, get you around with seemingly more efficiency than walking, you get extra speed as a bonus, it's simple, it's cheap, it's long lived, uses minimal resources and so on.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-09-06 18:51
    ...and of course, it's based on the world's first bicycle, the Laufrad, like those really caught on!!
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-09-06 19:12
    I think that article is misleading, the worlds first bike the "dandy horse" also called Draisienne or laufmaschine, was a sensible machine that you sat astride. As such a very nice way to get your self around on the level on your estate, Karl von Draise was a baron after all. Get off and push it up hills if need be an have blast getting back down again. Stable and good. With addition of pedals and gears it DID catch on and is pretty much what we have today.

    This ungainly contraption looks like it's awkward to use and unstable. Having your body wight swinging like a pendulum under a frame that it self wants to fall over just seems all wrong.

    That reference does a disservice to the Baron.

    And what is a "Laufrad" anyway? Google does not seem to know except for modern some childrens bikes.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-09-06 20:30
    I saw that last week and dismissed it. The traditional pedal bike is a marvel of efficiency. I've pedaled a few miles. :)
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2012-09-06 21:35
    It looks fun! I wonder if they have a mountain bike version.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-09-06 23:39
    Sometimes you see an idea or device posted and you think "wow, why didn't I think of that", and at other times it's "what were they thinking". This idea is in the latter category. Seems like a desperate attempt to do something different.
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,183
    edited 2012-09-06 23:44
    davejames wrote: »
    Somehow, I just don't see this ever catching on.

    Whilst they did prove it was possible, they did not prove it was either a good idea, or practical.
    Serious back strain, and strap strain, and chafing, and what looks like an inability to even stand upright...
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2012-09-07 01:00
    It reminds me of harnesses for rock climbing: very uncomfortable for males when you fall.
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2012-09-07 05:04
    Getting up a steep hill will be easier as it is already strapped over your shoulder ready for you to stand up and carry it!
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2012-09-07 05:06
    SRLM wrote: »
    It reminds me of harnesses for rock climbing: very uncomfortable for males when you fall.

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?142244-In-25-years-what-Products-will-Parallax-Sell&p=1124452&viewfull=1#post1124452
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-09-11 13:31
    More interesting is this guy's homebuilt land speed bike, targeting 100 mph! He ain't a spring chicken, BTW.

    http://www.gizmag.com/graeme-obree-100mph-bicycle/24073
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-09-11 13:49
    He could break all kinds of things with that bike!!! :lol:

    I thought the benefits of a circular pedal motion would outweigh the aerodynamic penalty - wouldn't you get much more power from the circular motion? Just curious...I'm sure he did his research.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-09-11 13:53
    I remember reading somewhere that oval chainrings are more efficient than circular ones, since they account for the varying amounts of muscle power available through different parts of the pedal stroke.

    -Phil
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-11 14:14
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    I remember reading somewhere that oval chainrings are more efficient than circular ones, since they account for the varying amounts of muscle power available through different parts of the pedal stroke.

    -Phil

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopace
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-09-11 15:44
    It's all in the chainring. :)

    http://the508.com/2003web/stories/s01.html
  • rod1963rod1963 Posts: 752
    edited 2012-09-11 16:41
    That Fliz is a disaster, it looks like a self-propelled gut grinder and back breaker.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-09-11 18:26
    erco,

    That chainring is huge. Other than being solid, are there any other measures present to prevent axial deflection under stress? It looks like there may actually be two layers that come together at the sprocket radius.

    -Phil
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2012-09-11 18:45
    I think it needs a more descriptive name. Introducing Wedgie Wheels!

    0.jpg
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    edited 2012-09-11 22:37
    The video was removed. Wilmahh...!!
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