Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
Direct drive has been obsolete since the 1890s when the chain drive came in. With direct drive, you need a huge front wheel to get any sort of reasonable "gearing." These bikes were very dangerous mainly because the rider sat so high off the ground.
Sheldon "Chain Drive Is Best" Brown
Maybe we're not talking about the same thing? Here's an example:
http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/. Not sure what you mean by "too high off the ground". Or maybe I was too vague - "shaft drive" is also another way I've heard these bikes being described.
Sorry if I caused any confusion.
-gb