Stringbike
The Stringbike is a bicycle that uses a rope and pulley drive system instead of a traditional bicycle chain and sprockets.[1][2][3][4] It uses two Dyneema ropes attached to pulleys attached to swinging lever and cam mechanisms, one on each side of the bike. These mechanisms replace the round sprockets found on chain-driven bikes. Unlike some traditional 10-speed gears using a derailleur, there is no slippage when changing gear ratios.[5] The Stringbike uses a 19 gear ratio system with no duplicates and a total gear range of 3.5 to 1. The transmission ratio can be changed with a shifting knob located on the right-side handle grip. Gear ratios can be changed even when the bicycle is almost stationary.[6]
Hungarian designers from the manufacturing company Stringbike Kft., unveiled the bicycle in 2010 in Padova, Italy.[7]
Models
There are 2 main types of stringbikes. Stringbikes with carbon frame, and stringbikes with curved aluminum frame.
Stringbike models with aluminum frame:
- A line Classic
- A line Marine
- A line Dragon
- S line Stringie
Limited series stringbike models with aluminum frame:
- D signers's Nanushka
- D signers's Happarel
- D signers's Spring Fashion
- D signers's Black Pearl
Stringbike models with carbon frame:
- E line RAAM (same model was used in the Race Across America 2012 - achieving 14th position overall)
- E line Hurricane
- E line Black Storm
Limited series stringbike models with carbon frame:
- D signers's Alligator
References
- "Hungarian Stringbike Prototype Swaps Chain for Wires". Gizmodo.com. 2010-09-19. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- "'Stringbike' wire replaces the bicycle chain". ETA. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- Coldewey, Devin (2010-09-20). "Hungarian "Stringbike" Reinvents The Wheel". Crunchgear.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- "String the next big thing in bikes".
- Boyle, Rebecca (2010-09-20). "Chainless Bicycle Uses Wire and Pulley System, Eliminating Grease and Increasing Cool Factor | Popular Science". Popsci.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- "Introducing Stringbike: the bike with no chain (w/ Video)". Physorg.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- Mark Brown (2010-09-20). "Hungarian designers debut Stringbike, a chain-free bike". Wired.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-24.