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Where do I start with this thing? It has some many elements of awesome! It's a model of an old-fashion Penny-farthing bicycle that has been brought in to the modern world with the incorporation of 3 cutting-edge technologies:
- It was built, layer-by-layer, using laser sintering (SLS) rapid prototyping. It's a demonstration project by Italian firm CRP Technology to demonstrate their capabilities.
- It's made out of WindForm XT, a carbon-fiber reinforced polyimide material that's usually used to craft high-performance motorsport racing parts.
- It incorporates a planetary gearing system. Penny-Farthings have large front wheels so that they can travel further on one pedal stroke; by using this gearing, the front wheel can be a more-comfortable 20% smaller. Planetary gears are used in some 3-speed bicycles, but their beauty is hidden within the rear hub.
I love the options that rapid prototyping allows the designer - these handlebars are simple, elegant, and formed as a single piece.
The material used was flexible enough to make the seat, suspension spring, and the body all one piece, too. Alas, it's just a model - just 16 inches long. Here's hoping that someone builds a rideable version.
More details:
I wonder how a unicycle with a gearing system like this would behave (or how a human would react).
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You can get unicycles with a planetary gear in the hub. They're great because you can ride long distances with a reasonably sized unicycle :P
See : http://www.unicycle.uk.com/shop/shopdisplayproduct.asp?catalogid=1062
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isn't bad. Epicyclic gears aren't new. http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/detail.php?id=4
http://www.ssplprints.com/image.php?imgref=10327784
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They're also not limited to three speeds. I have a Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub with essentially the same gear range as a traditional ten-speed.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus.html
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