I meet a guy the other day who owns a company called incline but they may switch thier name they have a few systems of chainless bikes they are very interesting they use a shaft like in a car. i saw a few prototypes

Have they got a website, pics, information??

Dave.

I just found some that look like the ones i saw
http://www.inclinebikes.com/

I meet a guy the other day who owns a company called incline but they may switch thier name they have a few systems of chainless bikes they are very interesting they use a shaft like in a car. i saw a few prototypes

i used to stock inclines... they suffered from a fundamental flaw in the drive system, where after about three months of riding the bottom bracket shell will be wallowed (sp?) out and the bike will be useless, also if the rear wheel isn't installed just right the nicely machined gear will get chewed up and the bike will ride like $hit.

they have not answered their phone or returned their emails in almost a year now. they fired all their reps a little while ago... all in all, unless they come up with some really amazing innovations to save this idea, i would stick with a chain....
plus the shaft is uber-heavy and not nearly as efficient as a chain.


on the plus side... you don't have to roll up your pant leg.

on the plus side... you don't have to roll up your pant leg.


I'm sold.

Fantastic idea, and the design looks promising. Guess they just have to work out the wrinkles.

Im not sure it will be replacing chains for racing any time soon

I meet a guy the other day who owns a company called incline but they may switch thier name they have a few systems of chainless bikes they are very interesting they use a shaft like in a car. i saw a few prototypes
From Sheldon Brown's Glossary:

An alternative drive system, replacing the chain and sprockets with right-angle bevel gears and a shaft running inside the right hand "chainstay."

Shaft drive was briefly popular around 1900, and occasional attempts are made to revive the design. Unfortunately, shaft drive turns out to have more problems than advantages.Ê A shaft drive requres heavier frame construction around the bevel gears to maintain their precise alignment under load.Ê The drive system is heavier and less efficient than a good chain drive.

Most of the advantages touted by proponents of shaft drive are only advantages compared with open-chain, derailer gear systems.Ê These same advantages can be obtained with chain drive using a fully-enclosing chain case, as with old English roadsters.