I’ve had a bad two weeks with my bike — three flat tires. I have surmised that something is caught inside my tire which is causing the repeated flats. So I was half-jokingly searching around, trying to see if plastic tires (or something that was solid) was available for bikes so that people like me, who live in a part of town where broken glass is as common as grass, can avoid repeated blown tires. Then I came across this cool bike….
The Dekra D-Drive.
The makers have replaced the bike chain with a chainless internal operating system. There are no more greasy chains to deal with — no more annual tune-ups. Not only does it provide for greater safety and clean right pant legs, it’s also a smarter solution than a conventional chain-driven bike because it replaces the parts of the bike that cause the most problems and require the most maintenance — the chain and derailleur.
Here are some details about the bike and here are some reviews.
9 comments
Wow, that’s a great price. The only other chainless bike I’ve heard of is http://www.oxfordchainless.com/store.html
Just remembered some more. Not sure if these are available in Canada yet though.
http://www.zerocycles.co.uk/
http://www.biomega.dk/ >Bikes>Copenhagen is the most copulatable bike I have ever seen!
There actually are air-free tires: see e.g. http://www.airfreetires.com. Supposedly, they’re not as good as regular tires, but I’ve never tried them.
*sigh* It would just get stolen anyway!
I remember seeing a chainless bike at a bike store around christie and st clair. looks interesting
About plastic tires, you can get tire liners at MEC and most bike shops that will prevent the vast majority of staples, nails, glass, and other road debris from puncturing your tubes.
I bought a set of these about 15 years ago after a particularly miserable series of flats and haven’t had a bike without them since. I went from about 10 flats a season to one every two to three years.
I saw that they’re offering free shipping through July 15th. They also offer a lifetime warranty on the frame, forks, and the D-Drive chainless system. This makes me more likely to take the plunge and go ahead and buy one. This bike sounds perfect for recreational riding. Good price too — $300.
They are nice bikes. Sadly however, my Biomega was stolen out of my garage last week – it was a pleasure to ride.
It was an Aspen White Biomega Copenhagen… If you see it, please look up my contact info on Craig’s list or call the police. Thanks
Boo at airfreetires.com!!
I placed an order and they promised to have my tires delivered within a week.
After a month I asked them what’s up, had to send several reminders because they just didn’t respond.
Eventually I just canceled the order after two months, still nothing from them.
A few weeks later the tires arrived!
Postal stamp said they sent them a week after canceling!
I told them I was very displeased with this kind of treatment and they would make arrangements for me, but this was said about two months ago and nothing happens.
Again sent several e-mails, no reply whatsoever!
I seriously suggest not dealing with these people, it seems they want to put themselves out of business.