1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel - Gizmodo Comments

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

BethanyYardley — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 22:15:00 EDT

Isn't that dodad out the front a brake? He straightens his legs or leans forward, the inner frame shifts, the thing hits the ground and the gentle curve of it means that the mono-cycle doesn't jolt, but slows to a stop.

BethanyYardley

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Trackback — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:22:35 EDT

You may have seen images of this gorgeously crafted "monocycle/monowheel" replica (of an 1873 French design) making its way through the series of tubes. It was for sale, briefly, on eBay (with starting bid at US$13,000).

Trackback

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

gundamsdontkillpeople — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:17:11 EDT

Dude's got no license plate. That's a show stopper.

gundamsdontkillpeople

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

warkrismagic — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:57:05 EDT

Steamboy anyone?

warkrismagic

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

MeesterBell — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:11:28 EDT

hmmm, hamster wheel for midgets.

MeesterBell

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Upsilon — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:23:51 EDT

Just as long as you don't have to pilot it by sticking something up your ass (a-la Mr. Garrison), I'd try it.

Upsilon

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

doinka — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:22:19 EDT

Would love to see video of this in action!

doinka

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

techmuse — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:18:43 EDT

Real life steampunk. Bravo.

techmuse

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

girraffesack — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:28:12 EDT

is there video of this guy taking it off any sweet jumps?

girraffesack

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Trackback — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:17:06 EDT

The "penny-farthing" bicycle, with its enormous front wheel and tiny rear wheel, is a common sight in cartoon scenes parodying the absurdness of antiquity; but less well-known is this amazing early version of a monocycle, pictured above, recreated by a modern-day Spaniard using 19th century plans.

Trackback

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

toyotaboy — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:16:33 EDT

Why is everyone fixated on eliminating wheels? Seems to me that 4 wheels, or even 2 do just fine. If you want to reduce the contact surface area of the wheels to reduce friction, just make them bigger.

toyotaboy

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

whitenerdy — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:39:41 EDT

damn. I would give my kingdom for anything created by a spaniard.

whitenerdy

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

leicaman — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:13:55 EDT

Can't wait to see Woz playing polo on one of these babies! :D

leicaman

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

NickFoote — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:59:37 EDT

that spiky gear looks awful close to his family jewels, i hope he doesn't hit a curd or anything that would cause him to lurch forward into that. Other than that I would love to make one, that would be awesome.

NickFoote

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

MasterYong — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:45:01 EDT

ummmm... anyone watch mister garrison use one of these??? Doesn't look too comfortable what with the anal controls and all.

MasterYong

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

zarchitect — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:13:50 EDT

For 13Large I want it to play MP3s! j/k Agree with Angel - steampunkilicious!

zarchitect

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

ANoel — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:32:15 EDT

In a word... STEAMSPUNKY!

ANoel

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Hunty — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:30:16 EDT

@kevjohn: Steve Jobs? :)

Hunty

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Hunty — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:29:43 EDT

I'm more a fan of the v8 monocycle myself. Seems significantly more dangerous:

[video.google.com]

Hunty

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

kevjohn — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:42:31 EDT

This guy is a great inventor. He reminds me of... what's the name of that other great inventor who invented crap that no one had any use for?

kevjohn

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

luckypictures — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:17:10 EDT

Do you suppose it comes in pink?

luckypictures

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

sammy baby — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:16:25 EDT

Well, better than flying.

sammy baby

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Silenthillnight — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:13:20 EDT

@DominicTheDonkey

That's exactly what I thought! Although it looks way more comfortable, it doesn't have the aerodynamics and simplicity of the multiple dildo control system.

Silenthillnight

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

namegoeshere — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:07:59 EDT

Didn't I see this about 3 years ago? where a man invented of these in his garage? it was totally motorized and went about 60mph?

Yes, yes I did.

namegoeshere

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

wezelboy — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:00:25 EDT

Buyer beware! Check for playa dust before you shell out your 13 large.

wezelboy

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

JohnOB1 — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:51:05 EDT

Does anybody see where the sprocket is located?

If he has to stop short, that sprocket full of bicycle teeth is going to embed itself into the guy's crotch.

JohnOB1

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

ANoel — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:40:30 EDT

needs rollerblades for hard cornering and extreme braking - simply awesome kit.

ANoel

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

jerrt — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:40:26 EDT

wow, i would buy one too. if i had the money.

jerrt

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

zenpoet — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:25:52 EDT

Anyone else remember the "Spiral Zone?" Yeah, me neither...

zenpoet

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

AmishJohn — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:17:56 EDT

You'd steer by leaning; just like a 'traditional' unicycle. Very beautiful; and I hope it continues to be used as intended, and doesn't end up locked away as 'Art'.

AmishJohn

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

o0adam0o — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:16:50 EDT

This will get u all the chicks u need as an inventor.....NONE! Cuz chicks are a distraction.

o0adam0o

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Keebler — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:02:35 EDT

@dominicthedonkey:

Exactly what I was thinking.

"How do you steer this thing?"

Though I also have to agree with Strider and DGDuris... quite impressive.

Keebler

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Geisrud — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:54:32 EDT

I was gonna build one, but this guy beat me to the plans by like 7 minutes.

Except mine would have had a sweet kickstand.

Geisrud

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Collins1990 — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:48:14 EDT

That looks like a deathtrap.

Still beats having to deal with those airlines, though.

Collins1990

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

dgduris — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:36:58 EDT

Really beautiful, as an engineering oddity a beautiful cycle and work of art. If I had the cash I would be all over it.

dgduris

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

strider_mt2k — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:33:37 EDT

Beautiful work.

Just a stunning piece of artistic workmanship.

strider_mt2k

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

jrbd90 — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:32:08 EDT

Didn't General Grievous have one of these?

jrbd90

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

robbo — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:16:29 EDT

@[gizmodo.com] : yeah, sure, all you need is a couple of Doc Johnsons and a bit o' lube, Mm'kay?

robbo

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

schrosa — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:59:58 EDT

@dominicthedonkey: No, not exactly . . .

schrosa

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

PJK — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:50:26 EDT

There is a guy who makes motorbikes like this, not nearly as pretty though. I think it was on Ripleys at some stage.

PJK

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

dominicthedonkey — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:47:02 EDT

That looks exactly like the Mr. Garrison's invention on Southpark.
[www.tv.com]

dominicthedonkey

1873 Monocycle Replica Is a Mechanical and Engineering Marvel

Lorticon — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:19:18 EDT

Interesting Wheelie Bar attachment in the front.

Also, not sure how long tall people can avoid a potential reverse Mowhawk.

Lorticon