I will see your Bird of Prey good sir and raise you the Flying Rider...

[CampyorBust]

A guaranteed cure for cyclist node, also a perfect solution for those who find recumbents too goofy!

http://www.gizmag.com/flying-rider-bicycle/32562/

https://youtu.be/lNdmtxLCWGI

[fiamme red]

Those look like vintage bike-boom components, safety levers and all.

[jh_on_the_cape]

looks comfy.

http://img.gizmag.com/flyingrider-2.jpg?fit=max&h=670&w=770&

[tumbler]

Again... what could possibly go wrong?

[velomateo]

Hopefully none of test rider Josh's riding buddies saw him on that ridiculous thing - he may no longer be welcome on the group ride.

[jmoore]

"He welcomes inquiries from manufacturers wishing to license the design."


Good luck with all that!

[CampyorBust]

Those look like vintage bike-boom components, safety levers and all.

Yup, I can understand the bike boom components, even the cottered cranks (?), it was the prototype and he had to make do with the junk he had laying around. But the reflective lights on the wheels and handlebar are inexcusable.

[fiamme red]

Still not as weird as BodySail or Surf Bike. ;)

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/weird_bike_stuff.htm

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/weird_bike_stuff2.htm

[CampyorBust]

Still not as weird as BodySail or Surf Bike. ;)

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/weird_bike_stuff.htm

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/weird_bike_stuff2.htm

Ooooo touché. Very cool! We should just have a funky bikes thread. There must be a Thighmaster bike out there somewhere?

[Anarchist]

I can hardly wait to do a 100 miles on that thing, would be "comfy" ......

[guido]

"Schwartz claims that the harness is more comfortable than a saddle"

Spoken like someone who has not rappeled a century before...

[MattTuck]

Sweet. Does anyone want to invest in my chain of specialty fit studios focused on the Flying Rider?

Looking for start-up capital, but will entertain franchise inquiries also.

[JAllen]

Why are people trying to reinvent a mature invention? If you don't like an upright bicycle get a recumbent! If you don't like that? I guess stay at home. :p

[notsew]

Still not as weird as BodySail or Surf Bike. ;)

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/weird_bike_stuff.htm

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/weird_bike_stuff2.htm

Some of those look pretty fun. I'd like to try the sail bike (on a very large, treeless, grassy field, in a very slight wind). And, the crazy modular bike system looks like it would be awesome for kids that are into legos and the like.

This hanging bike thing just seems like a death trap. Even falling over at two miles an hour would probably break a rib or something.

[ultraman6970]

"Death trap"... try to imagine trying to steer that bike really hard, or getting hit by a car, now instead of flying over it, you will get trapped under it.

4 to 6 hours ride in that thing... doesnt look fine but people with back problems and money will buy it for sure.

Wish the guy luck tho.

[CampyorBust]

Why are people trying to reinvent a mature invention? If you don't like an upright bicycle get a recumbent! If you don't like that? I guess stay at home. :p

Here is another funky ride...

http://cruzbike.com/quest.html

This is a recumbent I would not ride. Cant even imagine making a u turn on this thing. I guess a Jean Claude Van Damme split would be one way to do it.

Saw one for sale on the local CL, so someone did actaully buy one.

[unterhausen]

there was a French guy trying to sell a bike where you were in a superman position just like the Bird of Prey. The video was a hoot.

I was thinking about posting the flying rider in the BoP thread. It's a bit clunky, that's for sure. Getting into it is more involved than I imagined.

[bobswire]

Here is another funky ride...

http://cruzbike.com/quest.html

This is a recumbent I would not ride. Cant even imagine making a u turn on this thing. I guess a Jean Claude Van Damme split would be one way to do it.

Saw one for sale on the local CL, so someone did actaully buy one.

Did they think this video would help sell that bike?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzxDKo9-f4Q

[Keith A]

Did you notice on the hanging bike how the front support tubes are completely in the way? They are right underneath the rider's arms -- can't imagine this is very comfortable or give you many options for your hand position on the bars.

And how do you get in this position?

http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2014/06/SaganTuck-660x440.jpg

[unterhausen]

it's funny, the support rods are always hidden by the rider's arms so I hadn't noticed that they were in the way. The riders always looked awkward on the bike though. I guess they need it to replace the top tube, but it would be a lot better if there wasn't a full cage

[CampyorBust]

I am sure I am not the only one. When I first saw it I thought it worked like a scooter where swing back and forth and push off with your feet. Like so...

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j49/PedalPusher33/photo-1_zpssvyhrejb.jpg

[Keith A]

The other thing that seems challenging would be your "saddle height" or "hanging height". If you are up too high, then you wouldn't be able to apply the amount of force to the pedals as you would like. If it's too low, then you would always be sort of standing up.

[rwsaunders]

Hey, they laughed at the Wright Brothers too, but personally I think that it looks like the designer modeled his design after the hotel cart.

[jmoore]

4 to 6 hours ride in that thing... doesnt look fine but people with back problems and money will buy it for sure.



No one is going to buy this thing. I'd be amazed if he sold a dozen of them in total.

[Rekalcitrant]

http://www.bikeforest.com/cb/index.php

[fiamme red]

http://www.bikeforest.com/cb/index.phpThey have some great stuff on that website, like this:

http://www.bikeforest.com/tread/index.php

Have you ever wished you could get a quality treadmill workout without paying expensive gym prices? Look no further than the Treadmill Bike by the Bicycle Forest. The Treadmill Bike offers the same fat burning benefits of a conventional treadmill without the membership fees!

Still not convinced that the Treadmill Bike is right for you? Consider these key benefits:

When the weather's nice, the last place you want to be is cooped up in some stuffy gym. Imagine running through evergreen forests or strolling down country roads. All of this is possible thanks to the rugged design and all terrain tires on the revolutionary Treadmill Bike.

The Treadmill Bike's hard wearing belt offers a sure grip while protecting your feet from dirt and other contaminants commonly found on the earth's surface.

Because the Treadmill Bike is also a mode of transportation, use it instead of your car for everyday tasks such as shopping, and traveling to school or your place of work.

Thinking of taking the Treadmill Bike to the grocery store? Be sure to stock up on ice cream while you're there. You will have earned it.

Treadmill Biking is fun for the whole family. The variable resistance feature* means that treadmill bikers of different abilities can workout together and no one will get left behind.

Today's urban landscape is increasingly dominated by large SUV's and multilane roadways. The Treadmill Bike's elevated running platform means you'll be seen over the hood of even the most heinously overbuilt motor vehicle.

[Black Dog]

They have some great stuff on that website, like this:

http://www.bikeforest.com/tread/index.php

This is the best reason to buy a treadmill bike (from their site):

The Treadmill Bike's hard wearing belt offers a sure grip while protecting your feet from dirt and other contaminants commonly found on the earth's surface.

[CampyorBust]

This is the best reason to buy a treadmill bike (from their site):

The Treadmill Bike's hard wearing belt offers a sure grip while protecting your feet from dirt and other contaminants commonly found on the earth's surface.

+1

Mwahaha now all the running KOMs shall be mine!

https://youtu.be/JWU_md2wmAM

[CampyorBust]

These guys just took the funky bike to a whole new level...

https://youtu.be/zJTaaBqcMjU

[jimcav]

but if someone ever makes a recumbent that "steers" like the green machine I rode in 1979, I'd be tempted

[David Kirk]

Needs carbon brake rotors and ceramic headset bearings.

dave

[andrew+]

This is the best reason to buy a treadmill bike (from their site):

The Treadmill Bike's hard wearing belt offers a sure grip while protecting your feet from dirt and other contaminants commonly found on the earth's surface.

:banana::banana::banana:

[andrew+]

Do not miss the Treadmill Bike video!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=reyt3uiQqI8#t=15