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Flotspotting: Mathew Zurlinden's Legato GT recumbent bicycle

By Rain Noe - January 7, 2009

in Object Culture

Up above is the Legato GT recumbent bicycle concept, designed by CCS grad Mathew Zurlinden. We like Zurlinden's blend of practical and fanciful: he's thought out details concerning the transmission as well as spec'ing out existing components (Shimano Dura-Ace brakes, for instance), and the hub-less wheels, while not yet mass-manufacturable, look pretty kick-ass.

Click here for Zurlinden's Coroflot portfolio.

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Ponderberry

15 years ago

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How would a person true a wheel without spokes? How long would a spoke-free wheel stay in true?
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Paguristes

15 years ago

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I have a FlevoRacer that is designed to work pretty much like this in terms of mid hinged steering and minimizing chain mass by front wheel drive. Also see Pythons which are even lower. Of course this design radically deals with chains by eliminating them rather than being a great leap forward in frame configuration. The steering configuration here is by rod to the rear wheel pivot which, though various people have experimented, I am not aware of anyone who was particularly successful. Nice clean lines. Agree about not using a belt transmission too but this is the CVT gearing system so pros and cons... Therefore I look forward with interest to actual implementation.
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An anonymous Linear owner

15 years ago

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I actually quite like the idea of this. The centrally-articulated steering may seem awkward, but it seems to work on the Flevo Bike.

No-one seems to have realized that if a wheel is hubless, you could theoretically carry luggage inside it. The extra volume freed up is small, but the extra flexibility given to the room either side of the wheel could make carrying stuff for a camping trip much easier than it is now. If the central steering could be made part of a folding mechanism. it would be easier to get it on the train,too.

The only thing I have my doubts about design-wise is the transmission, which seems to have a belt drive in it. Don't! They soak up energy like you've got the brakes on all the time.
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Ouch

15 years ago

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I hate to be a hater, but I have to agree with NURB. I don't see much well thought out design or innovation. This seems to have been "designed" without any purpose or intention. It's pretty easy to spec existing parts and it certainly doesn't doesn't deserve any accolades. anyone can open Shimano's catalog and say "Ooooh, Oooh. Dura-ace is the best. That what I'll use." The hub-less wheel design doesn't look like it allows for adjustment for riders of different sizes. Disc brakes probably would have been a better choice --oh wait their is no hub to attacher them to so you are FORCED to use calipers. I would say that the rear wheel steering system should also be reconsider for better handling, but the proprietary front wheel drive system wouldn't allow for front wheel steering to even remotely efficient for numerous reasons. I could go on, but I digress.
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Steve

15 years ago

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Sweet frame design. Unfortunately you'll still look like a tool riding it.
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NURB

15 years ago

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Come on. Another hubless wheel? Why not design your own components for your fantasy bike? And a recumbent bicycle at that? Way to take a perfectly designed, extremely efficient product (i.e. standard bicycle) and completely screw it up. This style of bike is for fanny pack, Oakley eye shade, 1985 helmet wearing weekend bike club riders. Not enthusiasts.
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