Eifel bike
The Eifelrad is a bicycle for art cyclists .
The Eifel bike is a special bike that was mainly built around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century especially for artificial cyclists, among others by the Brennabor company . There were models with one wheel as well as with two wheels. The special feature of such a wheel is that it is around four to five meters high. Therefore, it was - referring to the Eiffel Tower - Eifelrad called (albeit with a f written).
technology
Bicycles of this type can only be driven with a rigid gear ratio , which is why, like other high-speed bikes , they have neither freewheel nor gearshift . The very long chain still requires one or more chain tensioners in order to be able to transfer the movement of the driver directly to the drive wheel. A bottom bracket like with classic bicycles was not common and also not necessary.
Manufacturing
Only a few manufacturers like the German company Brennabor produced such bicycles in small series. There was no market worth mentioning, and the load on the standard frame tubes was so heavy that the wheels were severely damaged in even small accidents. To this day, however, individual pieces are made by hand.
Driving characteristics
Eifel bikes are only partially suitable as a means of transport. They require ascent and descent aids as well as very great driving skills. They are very heavy and if they lose their balance, the driver falls onto the road from a great height without being in control. They are only used as artificial bicycles.
See also
literature
- Renate Franz , Michael Mertins: "Nick Kaufmann - World Champion Driver". In: The bone shaker . Issue 50, 3/2010. Pp. 4-11
footnote
- ↑ Experience report Fahrschule Hochrad (PDF; 35 kB)