what's the point of a spokeless bicycle?

[BlahBlahYouToo]

http://gizmodo.com/5613029/oh-nothing-just-riding-around-in-my-hubless-bicycle

advantages of this design?
less air resistance from the lack of spokes?

 

[spidey07]

Probably weight savings.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

A hubless rear wheel probably would, other things being equal, create a signficant aero advantage, though I'd skeptical of whether it would be enough to outweigh the increased friction and likely increased weight intrinsic to such a design. The real reason why these exist is, of course, that they look cool.

 

[DesiPower]

Just coz they can do it... much like Bill Clinton...

 

[darkxshade]

It looks cool but as a spectator, I'd be really tempted to throw stuff through the back wheel.

 

[MJinZ]

The Snow Patrol song was the best part of that video.

 

[PottedMeat]

http://gizmodo.com/5613029/oh-nothing-just-riding-around-in-my-hubless-bicycle

advantages of this design?
less air resistance from the lack of spokes?

in this case, it looks cool, and probably a good grade on his final year project.



i dunno how advantageous less air resistance would be on one of these 'urban' bikes where it's a lot of stop and go and relatively slow travel. parts would be expensive too.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

A hubless rear wheel probably would, other things being equal, create a signficant aero advantage, though I'd skeptical of whether it would be enough to outweigh the increased friction and likely increased weight intrinsic to such a design. The real reason why these exist is, of course, that they look cool.

i think the bike looks pretty awkward, but that's probably due to the tiny front wheel.

 

[AndroidVageta]

I think its for looks more than anything...definitely not more practical or a cost saving design...its just for looks.

 

[eits]

http://gizmodo.com/5613029/oh-nothing-just-riding-around-in-my-hubless-bicycle

advantages of this design?
less air resistance from the lack of spokes?

what a shitty background song. it's the same goddamn progression for "i've got a feeling" from black eyed peas...

 

[her209]

From a physics perspective, it looks like it would be more efficient because the force is being applied at the edge as opposed to the center so less torque is required to rotate the wheel. However from an engineering design perspective, it was dumb decision to put the gears at the bottom where dirt and debris can collect and ultimately damage them.

 

[MJinZ]

what a shitty background song. it's the same goddamn progression for "i've got a feeling" from black eyed peas...

I gotta feeling - 2009

Snow Patrol's Open Your Eyes - 2006

Snow Patrol >>> BEP >>>> You

 

[AnonymouseUser]

OMG! That's so awesome! What's next, a hubless unicycle?!?! A hubless tricycle?!?! A hubless big-wheel?!?! A hubless motorcycle?!?! The possibilities are endless!

/sarcmark

 

[Gunbuster]

If only this kid had a design orgy with James Dyson it could be cooling the riders ankles too! (and cost $45,000)

 

[Fritzo]

You can look cool like James Kirk:

http://www.dreadnoughtseries.com/img/startrek/star%20trek%20kirk%20motorcycle%202.jpg

 

[JulesMaximus]

Probably weight savings.

Doubtful, a lightweight spoked rear wheel for a road bike is under 1000grams. Also, I wonder how much added friction there is with that giant hub?

 

[lord_emperor]

No chain + derailleur system which is prone to breaking.

But in trade you presumably have some kind of gearbox in there which may or may not be more sturdy.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Aerodynamic advantage is pointless as you can easily fit a very lightweight hub covering the opening which would be more aerodynamic.

 

[lxskllr]

A hubless motorcycle?!?!

http://jalopnik.com/5139465/hubless-monster-motorcycle-rolls-without-spokes

 

[zinfamous]

greater support for fatties who want to ride?

 

[feralkid]

It looks cool but as a spectator, I'd be really tempted to throw stuff through the back wheel.

Are you under any "court orders"?

 

[mmntech]

Just coz they can do it... much like Bill Clinton...

That's seatless bicycle.

 

[Cogman]

From a physics perspective, it looks like it would be more efficient because the force is being applied at the edge as opposed to the center so less torque is required to rotate the wheel. However from an engineering design perspective, it was dumb decision to put the gears at the bottom where dirt and debris can collect and ultimately damage them.

the efficiency of a bike isn't due to the location of the gears, but rather the ratio of the gears. Highest efficiency is achieved by having a large front gear and a small rear gear.

Bikes can already operate in the 90/99% efficiency range, so, the only reason to do this would be a weight thing.

I agree though, putting the gears on the bottom was a dumb idea (that and such a small front wheel makes it look unstable.) Though, placing the gears just about anywhere would still have the problem of collecting large amounts of crap every time something falls into the center. Current bikes are far less susceptible to gunk.

If you want a comfortable and efficient ride, you really can beat this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny-farthing . Safe is another issue.

 

[dfuze]

I think their assignment was just to see if they could redesign how the bike worked as it's been the same since inception, and it looks like they did

 

[Cogman]

I think their assignment was just to see if they could redesign how the bike worked as it's been the same since inception, and it looks like they did

Well, honestly, the bicycle design is a hard one to beat. It is so basic and efficient that screwing around with things is like screwing around with perfection.