He could be stringing us along
 

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/02...2&viewall=true

http://www.wired.com/reviews/wp-cont...tringbike6.jpg

Kinda crazy, but man, I'd be a little paranoid using a string as a drivetrain.

http://i.imgur.com/s2z0p.png

Yeah. I don't understand the mechanics and I'm sure the builder knows its spec. Even if its safe, I wouldn't trust it.

Looks awesome though.

http://www.wired.com/reviews/wp-cont...tringbike3.jpg
lol

Yeah, I don't deny that it looks cool and is very innovative either. I'm in the same boat as you, I just wouldn't ride it myself. Hahaha

lol'd xD

edit: @the dude riding it

"current 28-pound curb weight"

That's pretty crazy. Awesome design, though I am inclined to call it over-elegant.

The "strings" are cables that are plenty strong to carry loads in tension. The problem here is not reliability or strength, but the unnecessary complexity and expense of the design. About the only possible advantage that I see is the biopace effect of the cams.

i'd trust it but would much much much rather have a belt drive or chain. if it ain't broke, simplest is usually best, etc.

The KISS principle trumps complexity every time.

http://www.wolf-howl.com/wp-content/uploads/kiss.jpg

Had to do it, but I agree.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but...

My son put me onto StringBike and so I thought I'd see what the collective BF had to say about it. Looks like quite a bit early on, but not much for the last few years.

Most substantive (i.e. not ridiculing, dismissive or not trusting the strength of a piece of string) objections seem to ignore the gearing.

AFAIK there are very few options out there for bikes that offer 19 progressive gears. Not that I've spent a lot of time looking for a holy grail, but my recollection is that the current practical limit is 14 with an IG unit. Depending where/how/why you ride may make this a moot point, but for the average person who rides hilly terrain I see this as being a big advantage.

Is it worth the extra money? I have no idea, having never ridden one. In addition to the actual mechanical benefits/durability/advantages of the drive mechanism, there is also the whoooole rest of the build. Frame design/construction being paramount among them...

You guys are analyzing the Stringbike as a bike you might ride. I see it as a piece of art you might ride. If I could readily afford a $3,600 piece of art, I'd buy one.

Looking for current reviews, the most recent I find is from 2014. Any current references?

Stringbike | E line

Nope.

Wow. Talk about overkill. An extra bottom bracket and four extra sets of bearings. Whatever. :rolleyes:


http://www.stringbike.com/_img/magic-stringdrive-01.gif

As an engineer myself, I do enjoy the inventiveness of this system, even if it is somewhat impractical. The basic derailleur system with all its limitations, remains the best solution so far.

You deliver power through half the pedal stroke? Am I seeing that correctly?

yes and no.

Yes, like any bike, you deliver power only on the pedal downstroke.
No because there are two droves, one for each crank.

Lol...another bike idea that will fall on the wayside never to be seen again.

Well, unless you have clip/-less pedals, and pull up....

Pretty much like a any other(?) system.

Thanks for the animation. And by moving the front pulley up and down, one changes the gearing.

A lot of the drive could be done with a typical offset crankshaft, but this funky drive system probably gives it more or less constant linear drive motion, as well as producing power through a full half stroke (which is then picked up by the opposite side).

There will be some parasitic loss with all the bearings, as well as the ratcheting mechanism on the rear spools.