Dec 14 2007Bike Has Infinite Number Of Gears, Cool!
'The Ride' is no ordinary bicycle. Nope, it's got a 'NuVinci' transmission that uses ball bearings and metal disks to create an infinite number of gears.
Twist a dial on the handlebar, and ball bearings in the bike’s NuVinci transmission tilt between two rotating metal discs. (Your pedaling turns one disc; the other transfers power to the rear wheel.) As the balls tilt, they touch the discs at varying angles. This changes how fast the wheel spins relative to your pedaling—slowly for low gear ratios, where pedaling is easy but the wheel doesn’t turn much, and quickly for high ratios. The balls can roll to almost any angle, giving you precise control over the bike’s torque (and your exertion).
It's called the NuVinci because da Vinci made a sketch of something similar back in the 1490's. The bikes are available now and cost $2,995 for a standard version and $3,995 for a Signature series. Note: the signature is not da Vinci's. I really want one of these bikes, and I dig their retro styling. I'm tired of my bike, it one has one gear. And only one tire too. Someone stole the other one when they took my seat. It hurts to sit on. :(
'The Ride' Bicycle Has An Infinite Number Of Gears (Thanks To da Vinci) [ohgizmo]
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Reader Comments
1. T. - December 14, 2007 12:18 PM
I saw this at Interbike 2 years ago. They look and feel amazing in person.
2. hank - December 14, 2007 1:52 PM
My bike only has one gear. And that's how I prefer it.
3. Illegal Immigrant - December 14, 2007 2:02 PM
I know people who love riding bikes without the seats. Then again, I live in New Orleans and they're always riding to the gay bar (gay bar, GAY BAR!)
4. guate6 - December 14, 2007 11:02 PM
Awesome. I'm really into biking, and know that I'd love to have infinite amounts of gears...more so the "tougher (read: smaller rear gears, bigger front gears)" gears for the road (racing at times). I'm not sure how much this weighs though. My 2007 Trek Portland weighs about 22lbs and I've topped out at 35mph on it. I'd like to test-ride one of these though...seems like a cool idea. Just like I'd love to drive cars with CVT's (continuously variable transmission), like the Honda Insight.
5. femme mate - December 16, 2007 7:55 AM
That's cool.
6. CLICK HERE - December 16, 2007 2:31 PM
I want that bicycle!
7. jose - January 17, 2008 2:05 PM
f***! no picures!!!
8. dj - March 26, 2008 6:27 PM
problem with that gear is that it is inefficient, you lose a lot of energy riding it...
9. Jamie - March 24, 2009 8:19 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variomatic
been done before in a car, not a new technology, different implementation given its using ball bearings but, along the same vein as ones already in some cars.