Gadgets and just Gadgets

The BIKE by Leonardo da Vinci

Look at it! Simply called ‘The Ride’ this retro styled bicycle actually has an advanced transmission that most riders would drool over. The ‘NuVinci’ transmission uses a ball bearing and metal disc system that can mimic an infinite number of gears and it got its name because it was inspired by a 1490’s sketch made by Leonardo da Vinci himself. Basically, the NuVinci allows the rider to dial in the perfect gear ratio, rather than being limited to just 21 with a standard chain-driven transmission. Here’s how it works:

Twist a dial on the handlebar, and ball bearings in the bike’s NuVinci transmission tilt between two rotating metal discs. (Your pedaling turns one disc; the other transfers power to the rear wheel.) As the balls tilt, they touch the discs at varying angles. This changes how fast the wheel spins relative to your pedaling—slowly for low gear ratios, where pedaling is easy but the wheel doesn’t turn much, and quickly for high ratios. The balls can roll to almost any angle, giving you precise control over the bike’s torque (and your exertion).

The balls can roll to almost any angle, but the bikes cost $2995 for the standard version and $3995 for the Signature Series. Seeing as regular fancy bikes can cost a couple grand already even without infinite gears, this doesn’t seem all that bad.

Tags: The BIKE, Leonardo da Vinci, NuVinci transmission, Nuvinci, signature series, bike