the stringbike uses a rope and pulley drive system instead of a traditional chain

hungarian company stringbike has developed a bicycle that uses a rope and pulley drive system instead of a traditional bicycle chain and sprockets. back in 2011, designboom reported on its initial sketch and prototype phase, which has now been realised in four various models: the e line carbon, a line aluminium, s line single speed, and d signers limited series. ‘say goodbye to the greasy chain, the dangerously sharp sprockets or delicate derailleurs.’ explains the bike company. ‘no more greasy palms, greasy wrists, cuts, scrapes or soiled clothes.’

designed by herczeg zoltán, the ultra light carbon frame is carefully wrapped in snake skin textured leather

the benefits of using the stringbike is that the strings are transferring the leg power to the rear wheel on a silky, smooth way, while filtering all vibrancy. the pedalling experience is improved by the symmetrically balanced drive system. the ‘string drive’ system has 19 different non-overlapping transmission ratios within an integrated gearbox. gears are selected by moving the rope wheels up and down. the upper position gives maximum and the lower gives minimum transmission ratio.

the E line carbon bike

the asymmetrical characteristic of stringdrive increases the usable gear during the power portion of the pedal stroke between the 1 and 5 o’clock positions of the crank. stringdrive is highly efficient, as the power transmission between the pedals and the rear wheel is a pure rolling motion with the smallest possible friction loss. the ‘string’ is made of a high density polyethylene cord (HDPE). the efficiency is not affected by the actual position of the gears, thereby retaining its’ high value in all gear positions.

designed by alligator designers, this model is painted with a dark gray alligator skin motif

inspired by spring nature, this bike features highly detailed hand painting with vivid colors
the D signer bike model is painted in the colors of the hungarian flag

the bike’s mechanism