drive systems(wasRe: [CR](CR) Interesting crank/arms on Ebay

(Example: History)

From: <ABikie@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 12:33:12 EST
Subject: drive systems(wasRe: [CR](CR) Interesting crank/arms on Ebay
To: renault68@hotmail.com, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
cc: Schubley@aol.com

In a message dated 1/7/04 11:51:57 AM Eastern Standard Time, renault68@hotmail.com writes: Those PMP L (pimple?) cranks show up every once in a while. The idea was that they would "center" your pedal stroke. Of course, all they actually did was add weight. At around the same time, there was a company selling an oval shaped chain ring that was supposed to do the same thing. I've never seen a bike built with either one. Has anybody on the list any experience with that oval 'ring? I would think there would be shifting issues...to say the least! Richard Reno Green Bay (wind chills of -15F) Wisconsin Between John Schuberty and myself, we'bve compiled many of these ideas and actual cranks and pedaling oddities. He has the pimp crank, I'm ISO. Last three years at the Euro and US shows there were about four more. some stranger than others. One was a spring loaded 'bikedrive', and another was a very pricey 'rotor' system whose news releases i still get and it's aimed at the top heap pro market. I rode it and it was interesting and might have merit, although kludgier than I'd use. My most interesting system was pre-CR (if there's syuch a timeline) and involves a handlebar that pivoted at the stem. two connecting rods went through an oversized downtube to the bb- which resembled that of a small two-cylinder motorcycle engine. The outside of the bb axle had normal flats or squares to hold the cranks. The Q factor was standard but the Downtube went from a diameter of 1.5" at the head tube toalmost 3" at the BB.

This idea actually resurfaced at this year's Interbike. Uning arm motion to help the pedaling. A bike in the Pont Du Gard Museum in France has a propeller behind the rear wheel that runs off the drive chain, and another hasd three rocket engines off the back. These two date from the 30's and my two cylinder possibly from the teens

Larry Black
Mt Airy, Md