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EB14: Varibike Goes Off-Road, Mountain Bike with Your Feet, Your Hand, or Both

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Varibike offroad mtb hand cycle  (2)

In spite of appearances, the fork on this bike is not backwards. This is a Varibike – the bike you can pedal with both your hands and your feet. The German company has been around for a few years now and is expanding their line of bizarre looking bikes. Why all the extra equipment? Studies have shown that the system allows riders to put out up to 31% more power while increasing endurance. It also allows rider to get a better workout in a shorter period of time, which is beneficial if fitness is your main goal for cycling.

Having offered a few pavement oriented bikes in the past, Varibike is now expanding into offroad riding as well as more performance based pedaling. Connect the dots on the drivetrain next…

Varibike offroad mtb hand cycle  (1)

At first the front end of a Varibike is pretty bewildering until you realize the functions are actually pretty simple. Under normal riding you would hold onto the center grips just as you would a normal bike for steering. When you want to use your arms to pedal you switch to the red cranks which are independent.

That allows pedaling with both hands clocked at the same position, clocked at 12 and 6 like a normal bike, or just one side at a time. You can also just use the hand cranks to pedal and not use your feet at all.

Varibike offroad mtb hand cycle  (3)

varibike (1)

Obviously if you’re using your hands to pedal, using them for steering input will be difficult so all the bikes are built with a return spring to keep the wheel centered. Road going models use a steel spring while the new mountain bike FR3 uses two rubber cylinders to allow it to track over rough terrain. This is also why the fork has a reverse rake since it helps to keep the wheel centered and enables the concept.

Varibike offroad mtb hand cycle  (5)

The hand drive system propels a chain that is attached to the main crank with a freewheel. This is what allows you to pedal with your hands but not your feet.

Varibike MTB

The off road FR3 is their first bike to use disc brakes and it looks like the company will be using a 29+ wheel and tire set up, though this is still being finalized.

varibike road

varibike tandem
Images from Varibike Facebook.

Varibike is also introducing a Road Race Bike as well as a tandem which use the same technology. Along with their original Trekking model Varibike now has 4 different models which range in price from 3-5,000 Euros.


varibike.com

 

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dimpled pig
dimpled pig
10 years ago

I think it’s cool as hell. I’d like to see how this new road model works, with the arm cranks back off the handlebars.

satisFACTORYrider
satisFACTORYrider
10 years ago

jager. it makes fun happen

Mr. P
10 years ago

What is the rake on that fork?

michael
michael
10 years ago

What kind of “off road” riding uses 12″ bars on a 29er or any bike?
Guaranteed to go flying over those tiny handlebars on the first bump with that negative offset fork.
This is wins the April Fools joke award.
Dumbest idea I have seen in awhile

Bent Udder
Bent Udder
10 years ago

More efficient – but gives you twice the workout? Uh-huh. Right. Something smells of bovine effluent.

chasejj
chasejj
10 years ago

Looks like something a sketchy character in town who has too many DUI’s would ride.
That fork rake cannot be safe on any bump bigger than a piece of gum.

Ilikeicedtea
Ilikeicedtea
10 years ago

The geometry of everything is as squirrelly as can be.

It’s an alright concept, but damn, negative rake and 12″ handlebars??

scentofreason
scentofreason
10 years ago

there are 167 day until april 1st, this was posted waaaaaaayyyy to early…

David
David
10 years ago

For those that have reduced leg strength, for whatever reason, the option to add your arms as a secondary/primary power source can make the difference between a good ride and no ride at all. The bars are narrow so they can fit between the hand cranks. Negative rake [a.k.a. a shit-ton of trail] is likely there for extreme stability at low speeds [if you’re relying on arm power to climb hills, you won’t be moving very quickly], and to reduce steering inputs when using the hand cranks. Is it good for hucking and shredding singletrack? No, but it’s likely just fine for gravel roads and dirt paths in the woods.

If you want to shred on a hand-cycle, you’ll want one of these: http://www.pinkbike.com/video/231964 The video is from the company that made the trike for Tara Llanes. Hers has an electric-assist motor on it so she can climb hills more quickly.

Dave
Dave
10 years ago

It does look squirrelly as hell until you remember that decreasing rake increases trail. So the bike in the video bike has a massive amount of trail and the steering should be slow as hell.

Archived Aardvark
Archived Aardvark
10 years ago

It seems a lot of people don’t understand steering geometry. A negative rake fork doesn’t equal bad handling on it’s own.

aaron
aaron
10 years ago

It might be neat if they could get the arm cranks to steer and drive the front wheel of the fatbike, extra traction.

Jack
Jack
10 years ago

Really?? I mean REALLY?? Why?

Nooge
Nooge
10 years ago

To all you critics: think of how this can help people with disabilities, going through rehabilitation or missing a limb. Now does it seem like such a terrible idea?

ifbikes
ifbikes
10 years ago

I think this might win you something closer to a Darwin Award.

Dirty-d
Dirty-d
10 years ago

They should five one to Jens Voight and sponsor his retirement:

“Shut up arms!”

Ryan
Ryan
10 years ago

LOL @ Dirty-d

Hope one wouldn’t have to stop quickly; finding the brakes could take critical seconds.

Scott
Scott
10 years ago

If the design is about efficiency, should the demo show a clipped in rider. The 31% gain is lost going with platform pedals.

Matt
Matt
10 years ago

I can’t wait for the first guy to show up with one of these for the Sunday group ride. If guys with tri bars get some serious stinkeye, I am not sure what they would do to a guy riding this bike.

desnrd
desnrd
10 years ago

Welcome to 1984!

Topmounter
Topmounter
10 years ago

I’ll keep my South Park references to myself, but yeah, that is what came to mind.

Kovas
10 years ago

I agree with Nooge – this could be a game changer for those with disabilities, amputees, etc…

That being said, it wouldn’t work on the trails I ride, where you need the ‘predictive steering’ of both hands on the bars…

JBikes
JBikes
10 years ago

Holy Jeebus people. The bike is not for the Red Bull Enduro circuit. Its for people that want to try one and for people where hand-cycling is necessary. It will/can be ridden on gravel roads. It will surely be fun. And most important, it will not be required for anyone to buy one…

Out for a Ride
Out for a Ride
10 years ago

But Topmounter, at least it’s better than using the airlines!

EpicThroatBeard
EpicThroatBeard
10 years ago

Just…NO!

mtb4me
mtb4me
10 years ago

Now pat your head and rub your tummy!!!!! Do it NOW!!

Timquila
Timquila
10 years ago

Amen JBikes! It never ceases to amaze me how the BR haters have no ability whatsoever to distinguish the intend use or user of a product from their little boxes of repetition of the norm.

Matt
Matt
10 years ago

Hey all, I’m the USA Distributor and I invite you haters and skeptics to give me a call and arrange a Varibike Ride. I’m an avid road rider and tour guide. I live in New England where hills and mountains are common. My near daily ride includes 2.5 miles plus of 11% grade. Come one, come all, I challenge you to join me! My experience has found an overall increase of 2 to 4 mph sustained, not to mention respiratory stamina way beyond what I had just four months ago. Sorry MTB riders, but the FR3, our original model won’t make the jumps the way a fully suspended model does, but you’ll be eating its dust on dikes, and trails. The Spring and Reverse Raked fork create one of the most stable rides in the industry, if you have the ability to wrap your head around the concept, and make the transition. But you miss the point. Varibike is a replacement if you choose it to be for your road, or other bike. More likely you’ll find that you enjoy both, you’ll just enjoy the Varibike more. I still ride my other bikes (6 and counting). The Varibike has just made me able to ride the others better, faster, longer and easier. Don’t take my word for it, come and give it a try….if you dare! Our number is readily available on the Varibike site, we are the Distributors in the USA

Саша
Саша
10 years ago

Я езжу на таких велосипедах по Москве 30 лет. Поэтому могу дать пояснения. — Они хороши для физкультуры. , Для улучшения работы сердца. , Уменьшение чрезмерной нагрузки на суставы ног. — Какие бывают конструкции — Вы можете посмотреть- http://forum.velomania.ru/showthread.php?t=183286

Саша
Саша
10 years ago

I ride on these bikes in Moscow 30 years. So I can give explanations. — They are good for physical education. , To improve heart function. , Reducing excessive load on leg joints. – What design — You can look – http://forum.velomania.ru/showthread.php?t=183286

Drew
Drew
10 years ago

I’m interested. Bad knees now prevent me from riding on anything but absolutely level surfaces when I used to be a climber. The area near my home doesn’t have enough flats to make it worth suiting up for a ride so I’ve quit riding altogether. I’m absolutely lost without my bike and have been searching all over the interweb for a way to return to what I love so much. Would anyone within a few hours of Kansas City have one for me to try?

Robert Crowell
Robert Crowell
3 years ago

I’ve been riding my arm and leg bicycle (which I invented) for 30 years. I’m an avid cyclist and also ride a Specialized Tarmac. I like to compete with other cyclists and honestly rank pretty well especially in my age group ( I’m 65). Like most cyclists , I look for every advantage in cycling. I think arm and leg cycling ( a&l cycling) is going to be a popular cycling activity in the future. And that is due to the fact ( I believe) that they will be competitive with today’s highest performing “leg only ” cycling. That’s usually what it takes. Hopefully we’ll keep seeing it evolve like in these products. If I can help with my experience with a&l cycling let me know.

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