Bicycle Mechanics - Trick bicycle question

I recently seen a bicycle that had reverse steering. When you would turn the handlebars to the right the wheel would turn to the left. When you would turn the handlebars to the left the wheel would turn to the right. It was done by some device on the stem/neck of the bicycle. Does anyone know what that is? Can it be purchased? Can it be made?

One question. Why?

I saw this in a circus way back when Moby Dick was a minnow. Why would anyone want to do this? It would be matter of simple gearing.

Simple gearing? I wouldnt say simple...

since it was seen in a circus, maybe this makes it easier to steer when an elephant is sitting on the pegs? Just a thought......

Such steering is fairly common on long wheelbase recumbents and in that scenario is called "tiller effect". The front wheel axis is 24- 30" from the hands and it takes a bit to get used to it but, once learned is intuitive. Steve

Originally posted by sch
once learned is intuitive. Steve

Humm. You turn the bars one way and the wheel turns the other? Sounds more counter-intuitive!:D

I have seen this at the Big E (New England state fair) It was in the midway games section. You paid 1$ for a chace to win $100. All you had to do was ride the bike 25 feet around a barrel and back to the start. I tried.....

It would be easy to build if your handy with machine tools and a welder. If you really want one let me know it sounds like a fun project.....

Tiller effect has to do with the swing of the handle bar on a LWB recumbent. It has nothing to do with what Info123 is asking about.

Seems pretty worthless to me...

Throw off your flow on the trail.

As if you would ride it on a trail. Its hard enough to stay upright when you are steering in the correct manner :)