Alt Bike Culture - Strange "Bike"

Is anyone familiar with this machine?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/985409920.html

That's a new one on me.

looks fun!

picture is gone, posting has been deleted by author.

what was it?

It was a small wheel bike with no seat and two bottom brackets. Had long pedals with two axles each that connected the two sets of cranks. Basically a stair climber on wheels. Other than being a little easier on the ankles, it looked like it would be functionally the same as riding regular bike standing up.

The accompanying text said you started it like a bike then rode it like a scooter.
Here's one of a similar concept, but doesn't have the double bottom brackets and cranks.
http://www.gadgetgrid.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/stiarcycle2.jpg
This was a factory-made item, not a home-made deal.
Wasn't it a Raleigh? I've been googling and can't find one like it anywhere. Does anyone remember what it was called?

The accompanying text said you started it like a bike then rode it like a scooter.


Stranger than this-

A boardrunner?

http://www.electrikmotion.com/boardrunnersm1.jpg
/hotlinked

Sounds like it, it looks like it's $160 new from overstock.
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Step-Cycles-Kids-Boardrunner/688361/product.html

Yeah, that's what it was, or if not that exact same model, it was set up just like that on the pedals.

And duh, it wasn't a "Raleigh", that post was in the Raleigh Craigslist!

That reminds me of a silly skit I saw on tv once. It was a fake infomercial for a threadmill powered bicycle. A bicycle that you have to run on to power and keep balanced at the same time.

That reminds me of a silly skit I saw on tv once. It was a fake infomercial for a threadmill powered bicycle. A bicycle that you have to run on to power and keep balanced at the same time.

http://www.bikeforest.com/tread/treadmillbike.jpg

Bike Forest Treadmill Bike (http://www.bikeforest.com/tread/index.php)

I can't believe that thing is real! They want $2500 Canadian for it! That's what happens when you try to re-invent the wheel. I would be interested in one if it was a wheel that you run inside of. Of course that would be really interesting because you wouldn't be able to see directly where you are going.

I get the impression that the reason for the price is that they just really don't want to fool with making another one of them (don't they rent it out?), but if you just force enough money onto them, they'll go ahead and do it. I think their approach is more about the humor than trying to move the product, as it should be in this case.

How about the elliptigo http://www.elliptigo.com/index.php

Interesting concept. Hard to say how worthwhile it really is. It doesn't look like it really works your calves.

I doubt that it will ever make it cept for exercize, cause the casual rider wants to be able to sit and rest...and the real bike rider will not like the concept...and those of us who are using our bikes for exercise want to sit and rest once in a while.

I saw the elliptigo (or something very similar) at the makers fair..... wierdly enough it looked graceful when ridden...it had kind of a swooping gs skiing type of look, with the rider up high and on the platforms. My guess is this will mostly be in the "cool toy" type of category. I can see people riding them on venice beach to similar

they sell the boardrunners at Dick's (saw one at the Dick's in Knightdale around Christmas time)

That elliptiGo thing looks like a very fun workout. Imagine doing something like the MS150 on that thing?

This has inspired me to build the nordic cycle. Maybe with aerobic string steering? A combination of cycling and skiing = skicling.