Close Menu
    France

    Are Chainless String Drive Bicycles a Genius or Terrible Idea?



    String Drive is a chainless bicycle drivetrain that uses ROPES to propel you forward! 📘 The Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide: https://www.cyclingabout.com/bikepacking-bike-buyers-guide

    📕 The Touring Bicycle Buyer’s Guide: https://www.cyclingabout.com/touring-bicycle-buyers-guide

    Like my videos? Patreon supporters get early access to my films and exclusive access to my Q&As:
    🌱 PATREON: https://bit.ly/3vVaioW
    ⚡️ PAYPAL (One-off donation!): https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=AK5GDWZEHBY5S&source=url

    I have a lot more videos on bicycle drivetrains for you to watch! 🤌🏻
    🧡 5 New Bicycle Gearbox Drivetrains 2023 — https://youtu.be/pyeMBKJLtWI
    🖤 Shimano Alfine internal gear hubs — https://youtu.be/qf9tFJFXV5o
    💜 Enviolo CVT internal gear hubs — https://youtu.be/3jZkTlDfK8E
    ❤ Rohloff hub vs Pinion gearbox — https://youtu.be/W_hx4V9mYuw
    💛 Belts are now BETTER than chains — https://youtu.be/PhXTl7gApVA
    💙 Effigear Mimic gearbox — https://youtu.be/F08bDBK7U7A
    💜 Chainless shaft drive bicycles — https://youtu.be/eimLIkJaNFM
    💚 Chainless digital drive bicycles — https://youtu.be/r-Zyp6jX0HM
    🧡 2024 Pinion Gearbox — https://youtu.be/IoWpFLfAZq4

    🔥 INSTA: http://instagram.com/cyclingabout/
    🌎 FACEBOOK: http://fb.com/cyclingabout/
    🚵🏻‍♂️ CYCLINGABOUT (endless bike travel info!): https://cyclingabout.com/

    0:00 – Intro
    1:52 – How Do String Drive Bicycles Work?
    3:43 – The Advantages of String Drive Bicycles
    6:34 – The Disadvantages of String Drive Bicycles
    9:43 – Why Didn’t String Drive Take Off?
    10:25 – Other Interesting String Bike Quirks
    11:51 – Summary

    View 43 Comments

    43 Comments

    1. @Cyclingabout on

      There's a LOT of research & development going on in the CVT, digital drive, combined motor+gearbox, and hydraulic drive spaces! What bicycle drivetrain tech would you like me to cover next? 🎉

    5. @garettanderson6772 on

      I had an old Bridgestone bicycle (I think it was Bridgestone) that had back and forth pedals that worked similar to this, but used a chain. I think that bike was dated in the 1970's, maybe 80's.

    6. @rogercook2292 on

      chain drive is more efficient. Ropes stretch when torque is applied thus using part of the energy for stretching the rope and not for propulsion. Some motorcycles use a kevlar rubber belt which is stiffer than rope.

    7. @JusCals on

      LOL…. the usual overcomplication of a already tried and true design. Why not re-invent the wheel while their at it. These type of ïdeas are not sustainable. I do not support using materials and resorces attempting to use "pass me down" technologies to re-invent a system that runs into obsolescence when one takes it away from money and civilisation.

    8. @davewallace5008 on

      "It's completely grease and oil free" and yet oil was used to make the string, or a derivative of it. The frame was also made using machines that used to oil to lubricate them.

    9. @ChroniclesofKToyoda on

      The feel of an oval drive is simply a Godsend for those of us who weren't biking by choice

      When you're a light kid with an active lifestyle but need to bike anywhere&everywhere mile upon mile, that oval drive becomes a must!!

    15. @asdfasdfadfasdf2979 on

      admittedly i skipped around the video a bit, but i don't think it's mentioned whether or not these bikes can roll backwards at all?

      In flatland bmx the freecoaster hub is common to allow bikes to roll back without moving the pedals, and pedal-back-brake hubs do the same, but surely this system uses simple ratchet freewheels that will put massive tension on the ropes when rolling backwards?

    24. @hundovir on

      Reusable? Recyclable? Biodegradeable? Or just more stuff that will end up in landfill or degrade into micro pollutants to be found all over the planet?

    27. @jacksparro3150 on

      That part where the lever meets the pedal arm is subjected to high stress and friction. All the mechanical load exerted by the cyclist is focused on a small point. I don't think that will last very long. Can't call the strings maintenance free if you have to replace it every 1000 miles. For most casual cyclists, a good chain drive can easily last a lifetime.

    32. @hashbrown777 on

      I just think it's funny that we have two "arms" (legs) pushing on the pedals to convert to circular motion, then we translate that to these two cam arms back to pulling linearly on the strings, which then acts on the ratcheting sprocket to finally convert it back to circular…again

      it'd be interesting if this took off, there would be the equivalent "fixies" (gearless bikes) that simply ditch the circular pedals + cam arms and simply have a step exercise machine pedal setup connected straight to the strings

    38. @Shishou_Shi on

      I don't think this could be ridden in mud or dirt…
      The large D cranks would tear themselves apart worse than chainrings because with chainrings the dirt gets pushed out.
      The strings would get dirty quickly no matter the coating and then grind against the rollers, tearing quickly.

      It's a neat concept and I'd love to find a way to make it work in an efficient circular motion but I don't think there's any way to solve the poor resistance to dirt, mud and grime…

    39. @garyseckel295 on

      Absolutely incredible video!
      Two Rohloff hubs and a Shimano hub here on my 3 "Hase Lepus" recumbent trikes.
      This video is Incredibly over the top in BOTH Content and Description!!!
      This video should be awarded recognition for its level of achievement!
      We are experiencing the BEST EVER years of BOTH cycle-powered innovations and bike/trike purchase dreams!
      Thank you so much, CYCLINGABOUT!

    Leave A Reply