Coming to a store near you: chainless bicycles (AP/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) -- Pedalers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.

If you've ever been riding down the street and had your pants cuff ripped asunder, there may be a revolution at hand.

Trek Bicycle is part of a movement to bury the finger-pinching, pants-munching, rust-prone sprocket and chain, and usher in an era of belt-driven bikes that might have the inventors of the self-propelled transportation Schwinning in their graves.

Wisconsin-based Trek is introducing two models this holiday season that are chainless, instead using technology most often found in things like motorcycles and snowmobiles. While some smaller custom bike makers have used them before, Trek is the first to use the technology for mass-produced bicycles.

The largest U.S. domestic bike manufacturer is hoping to capitalize on a new group of urban pedal-pushers who are trading their cars for a more low-tech way to get around because of gas prices as well as health and environmental concerns.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/11/19/chainless.bicycles.ap/index.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. That is really interesting. Thanks for posting.

[tinrobot]

2. $930 per bike... yike.

Only bike nuts like me spend that much on a bike. It's a bit too expensive for mass market appeal.

Hope the price comes down, looks like a good idea.

[msongs]

3. china's entrepeneurs will steal the idea and make much cheaper ones....soon nt

[frylock]

4. great for SS or townies..

but I don't see how that belt drive will work for a 22/32/44 up front.

[Kolesar]

5. I doubt that an internal hub would perform well for the 16% grade 2 blocks from my door

I keep lowering the gears on my road bike by buying sprockets and chainrings.

[happyslug]

6. You can take an internal hub over a 16% grade, use a technique I was taught years ago

I first learn this lesson on the Hills of Western Pennsylvania on a one speed bike with a coaster brake, I then upgraded to a three speed English racer. TI found the technique was effective with either bike.
Follow these simple steps:

1. Peddle as far as you can,
2. Dismount
3. Walk the bike up the rest of the hill

This technique is effective over almost every hill I have ever biked on.

Previous posting of this type of bike on the bike forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=324x1870



http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/buy/Bikes.php?prodid=66