New Chainless bike design

[emily_in_nc]

This is pretty cool! What do you think -- will these ever catch on?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7045302n

I love the non-greasy/grimy aspect of these bikes.

[WindingRoad]

I have to wonder how durable those strings would be? Or I wonder if it is like the trek belt driven bike where its really squishy when you push down hard on the pedals? Interesting bike.

[Catrin]

I do wonder how durable it would be, especially under load on steep hills. It would be nice to not have to worry about chain maintenance...

[Bike Writer]

After my chain episode on yesterday's ride it's looks inviting, however, I can't imagine that they would be durable - I picture them stretching out and or breaking.

[Chicken Little]

Too many parts. I have, however, wondered why we have chains, instead of belts. Harley-Davidson does. One less part to oil.

[moonfroggy]

there have been many different chain less bike designed over the years. they always have problems but maybe this one fixes some of the previous problems.

[moonfroggy]

from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chainless_bike

A chainless bicycle is a bicycle that transmits power to the driven wheel through a mechanism other than a metal chain.

Examples:

* Directly driven "ordinary" bicycle (see Penny-farthing)
* Shaft-driven bicycle
* Belt-driven bicycle
* Hydraulic bicycle (and pneumatic bicycle)
* Hybrid vehicle (see Series hybrid bicycle)
* Some rowed bikes use a cable or a linkage.
* Stringbike the pulley-driven Hungarian designed bike

[malkin]

Brewer switched us to a Gates belt for the timing on the tandem last spring. So far so good.

[emily_in_nc]

According to the video, the "strings" are actually very strong material. But yeah, who really knows. I certainly wouldn't be first in line to buy one, but it would be great if the inventors are actually onto something. Time will tell!

[zoom-zoom]

Can anyone else not see the video? The ad plays just fine (of course ), but the video never starts. I tried watching it last night, too.

[marni]

personally I don't find cleaning the chain after every ride, lubbing it every 150 miles and replacing it every 2500-5000 miles or once a year (whichever comes first) all that onerous a task.

As for grease and dirt stains- I wear black shorts so I can always just spit on my hands and wipe them on my legs and no one knows the difference. I consider chain tattos a badge of honor and I check my clothes when they come off my body and or before washing and hit those little chain smudges with simple green which takes care of any remianing dirt.

I'm just saying......

[emily_in_nc]

Can anyone else not see the video? The ad plays just fine (of course ), but the video never starts. I tried watching it last night, too.

It works fine for me (using Firefox). Strange that the ad would work and not the video! Sorry...

[emily_in_nc]

personally I don't find cleaning the chain after every ride, lubbing it every 150 miles and replacing it every ...

You clean your chain after every ride? Oh my.

I'm kinda lazy about that and not real persnickity about having a perfectly clean bike, especially living in an apt. where there's no great place to do bike maintenance. I was better about it when we lived in a house had a garage, but still didn't do nearly as much as you do. I never cleaned the chain without re-lubing, but that was more like every 500 miles (unless I rode in some really bad conditions).

I'd still love a bike where none of that was necessary b/c it's more than just cleaning the chain, it's the cassette, crankset, pullies, etc etc. Lots of work with a toothbrush and many rags later, it looks great, but takes me quite awhile. Just not my favorite activity, though I know some really enjoy wrenching and bike maintenance. Don't get me wrong; it's worth it to get to ride!