August 16th, 2008

Variable Exercise Bicycle from vcasa.net

SteveintheUK in Bike Design, Products, Tech Info, Video

YouTube Direct Link: Variable Exercise Bicycle

Ideally suited for rehabilitation of an injured leg, targeted exercise of specific muscle groups, or simply a new experience in range and variety of motion; The Variable Exercise Bicycle (VEB) combines options that are currently available only on stationary devices, with the mobility of a bicycle. Extendible arcuate pedal shafts can be moved independently of each other to allow an injured leg (hip, knee, or ankle) to be held still at first and to have motion and force introduced gradually as the healing-process allows. The pivot points of the pedal shafts can be repositioned relative to the frame and the seat and handlebars can be moved forward and rearward to vary the exercise regime. The VEB has an infinite array of possible gear ratios for the efficient transfer of energy to the rear wheel regardless of the direction or degree of pedal travel. In this configuration the right pedal shaft is extended to serve as a kickstand, the oval-shaped plates onto which the pedal shafts pivot are in the second positioning notch (slightly clockwise), the seat and handlebars are mid-range, and the gear ratio is low as evidenced by the minimal radial distance of the pulley-carrying bracket on the pedal shaft and the one near the top of the oval-shaped plate, from the pivot point of the pedal shaft.