No Tech Magazine

Continuously Variable Bicycle Gear Hub

"The NuVinci hub is a unique internal gear hub in that it utilizes a continuously variable planetary (CVP) transmission. This means that the hub does not have specific gears but instead can be dialed in to any particular gearing in it’s capable range. You can think of it sort of as an analog radio tuner as opposed to a digital tuner with its particular increments."

"When compared to traditional continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), the NuVinci CVP is less complex, has considerably fewer parts, offers more stable control and scalability across product lines, is better packaged, and is less expensive to manufacture and assemble."

The NuVinci N360. How it works. Reviews of 2007 and 2010 models: 1 / 2 / 3. The gear is used on the flywheel bicycle mentioned last week and can also be applied in light electric vehicles and wind turbines. Thanks, Johan.

Flywheel Bicycle

Maxwell von Stein's bicycle invention uses a flywheel to store energy. Instead of braking, he can slow the bicycle by transferring the kinetic energy from back wheel into the flywheel -- which spins between the bars of the frame. Then Max can send the flywheel energy back to the wheel when he wants a boost. Watch the video. Thank you, Rasmus.

Related: Job Ebenezer's Dual Purpose Bicycle, mentioned in the article on pedal powered machines.

Pedal Powered Machines

1. Pedal powered farms and factories: the forgotten future of the stationary bicycle
2. Bike powered electricity generators are not sustainable
3. The short history of early pedal powered machines

Pedal Powered FlatBed Truck

"Originally designed to serve the load carrying requirements of the Tri-Sled factory, the FlatBed Truck is a high-bulk load carrier. We use one of these for getting around our local industrial estate, transporting frames and fairings to our powder-coating and painting contractors, or picking up steel and other oversized materials."

"The FlatBed Truck is far more convenient than carting large items to and from a car or van. With this maneuverable vehicle, you can simple roll straight in and out of your business or factory. It even serves as a handy rolling work bench for working outside on sunny days."

"The FlatBed Truck is also incredibly easy to store. Just flip it up on its end when not in use, and use the rear rolling wheels to move it against a wall or into a small space. The rolling wheels also serve as a back bump stop." Trisled FlatBed Truck.

Bicycles & tricycles; an elementary treatise on their design and construction (1896)

"Bicycles & tricycles; an elementary treatise on their design and construction, with examples and tables", Archibald Sharp (1896).

Tom Wilson's Monster Bikes

Monster Bikes. Via Treehugger. Previously: Macho Pedal Power.

Tricycle with Foldable Fairing

The Hase Klimax has won the Eurobike 2010 award. The Klimax is a recumbent trike with a foldable fairing and electric assist. Beats any electric city car in terms of efficiency.

Hase Bikes

Wind Powered Trikes

Pterosail Trike Systems is sailing and cycling over 3,000 miles from coast to coast across the USA this summer. The Pterosail is a street-legal recumbent tricycle with sails. It can reach up to 40 mph in good winds. No wind? Pedal. See also: the Whike, a Dutch made sail assisted trike. Related: Guido Vigevano's wind car / Sailing rockets / Kiteboating / Velomobiles.

Tandem Cargo Tricycle (1940) & More Vintage Dutch Carrier Bikes

Mechanics from the Dutch telecom department PTT (1940). Found at Transportfiets. The blog has more pictures of old Dutch carrier bikes, some of them below.

Belgian Recumbent Tricycles