General Cycling Discussion - Is there such a thing as a bicycle steered and powered only using the legs?

Is there such a thing as a bicycle steered and powered only using the legs?

You ever ride hands off? That's it.

I can do that, I was more curious more for cases where you could do it for when you want to use your hands for a couple of minutes. Like for instance, eating a snack causally rather then munching it down as quickly as possible.

There sure is, meet the python (http://en.openbike.org/wiki/Main_Page)

http://dirkb.dnsalias.net/image/pythonserge/ps8.full.jpg

http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/unicycle1.jpg

CNY - that's a UNIcycle, not a BIcycle.:innocent:
Other than that, nice pic.

I can do that, I was more curious more for cases where you could do it for when you want to use your hands for a couple of minutes. Like for instance, eating a snack causally rather then munching it down as quickly as possible.

Get better at riding with no hands.

Smooth out your pedal stroke, hit a good cadence, and you can do it for miles.

CNY - that's a UNIcycle, not a BIcycle.:innocent:
Other than that, nice pic.

this i know but i just couldn't resist the urge to be a smartass :o

Is there such a thing as a bicycle steered and powered only using the legs?

Cycoholic pointed you at the Python recumbent- it's a member of the class known as "moving bottom bracket, front wheel drive" bikes. Take a look at Flevo and Cruzbike recumbents if you're truly interested.

Some people can ride them, some people can't. My friend Jane has a hand-and-foot powered recumbent built on these lines- she says it's impossible to ride without practice. Theftproof: http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3047189840100039462xYxYMI

There sure is, meet the python (http://en.openbike.org/wiki/Main_Page)

*pic-snip*

I had never heard of such a creature, before. But it sure looks cool as hell. :thumb:

I can do that, I was more curious more for cases where you could do it for when you want to use your hands for a couple of minutes. Like for instance, eating a snack causally rather then munching it down as quickly as possible.

You are looking for a touring bike. Try a bike a significant bottom bracket drop, steep head tube angle, long chain stays and oversize wheelbase. On such a bike you can hit potholes while eating a PBJ sandwich and not miss a beat.

Once you get used to the pedal-steer effect, moving bottom bracket recumbents are supposed to be steerable with the legs only. Since the bottom bracket is out in front of the head tube, it can be moved left and right like a tiller.

I had never heard of such a creature, before. But it sure looks cool as hell. :thumb:
Yeah, that was my reaction too.

As an engineer (professional tinkerer according to Mrs. cyclaholic :D) it's on my list of future DIY projects.... I could live 5 lifetimes and still not get through that list. LOL.

Yeah, that was my reaction too.

As an engineer (professional tinkerer according to Mrs. cyclaholic :D) it's on my list of future DIY projects.... I could live 5 lifetimes and still not get through that list. LOL.

As a semi-professional sorta-retired bike mechanic I gotta say: you're way ahead of me!

Tom Traylor has an excellent set of plans for DIY FWD moving-bottom-bracket recumbents. Google him.

I can do that, I was more curious more for cases where you could do it for when you want to use your hands for a couple of minutes. Like for instance, eating a snack causally rather then munching it down as quickly as possible.

There was a YouTube video posted here a while ago featuring a girl who did the following while riding her bike to work: poured a bowl of cereal, poured milk (she took the food out of her backpack), ate the cereal with a spoon, put the dishes away in the backpack, then pulled out a newspaper and read it until she reached her destination. Everything done with no hands on the bike once she started pedaling.

The Python is an old design that does not have positive stability (due to the steering axis geometry, it is not stable at high speeds). It was never produced by any company and sold commercially, it has only ever been a home-built design.

It was originally intended for touring, which is by nature low-speed riding (~15 mph). For that it works well and many people have rode them many miles. They tend to wobble and crash at higher speeds though, no matter how careful the rider is. Pythons taken above their safe speeds tend to suddenly jack-knife.

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Another one (produced commercially) is the Cruzbike recumbents. Most developed is the Silvio model:
http://www.cruzbike.com/silvio.html

The Silvio does not have any instability issues at any speed, and owners say you can ride it no-handed for long periods (-as long as you don't need to brake or change gears-) but the steering wanders left-and-right somewhat as you pedal.


I don't own one, but the Cruzbikes are (IMO) a really neat piece of work.
Cruzbike began as a conversion kit for turning a full-suspended cheap mountain bike into a recumbent, and over two major redesigns have evolved into something very specialized and refined. If you study the photos, you will see that there are a few features on the Silvio that you won't find on most other bikes, or even most other recumbents.

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There are also a couple trike designs that can be used independently by people with no arms at all. Of the couple I remember, one is a lean-steer delta and the other is a Cruzbike-style delta. Both use IGH coaster-brake hubs and have a lever near the pedals for changing gears.

http://static.flickr.com/132/322030292_73dcefc07f_o.jpg

http://www.sixdaybicyclerace.com/images/Audy_News.jpg

If you need a recumbent to ride no-handed, don't go to Europe.

[mg]http://static.flickr.com/132/322030292_73dcefc07f_o.jpg[/img]

img]http://www.sixdaybicyclerace.com/images/Audy_News.jpg[/img]

If you need a recumbent to ride no-handed, don't go to Europe.
These photos may be bad for your health. By that I mean, I'm tempted to try something similar next time I'm on my bike.

As a kid, I could ride my single speed down the road, up a driveway apron, along the sidewalk, down the next driveway apron, across the street and up onto the sidewalk on the other side of the street...

Modern geometry makes this tough because of the currently-fashionable steep steering angles, even on hybrids. Maybe mountain bikes are a bit better in that respect?

I tried a Cruzbike. Maybe practiced riders can do it hands-off, but beginners need wide bars for extra leverage. Pedal steer is horrendous, and at least at first it's almost uncontrollable.