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{{More citations needed|date=August 2012}}
{{Short description|Type of wheel without a hub}}
A '''centreless wheel''' or '''hubless wheel''' is a [[wheel]] that lacks a centre or hub, instead being supported and driven at the [[Rim (wheel)|rim]].


[[File:ORBIS centerless hubless wheel.jpg|thumb|Orbis centreless wheel]]
== Design ==
[[File:GeoOrbital Wheel for electric bike conversion.gif|thumb|GeoOrbital Wheel for electric bike conversion kit; however, the batteries are included in the setup instead being attached to the bike frame reducing steering capability]]
[[File:Mercedes Silver Arrow, wheel, Automotive 2017 Hungexpo (cropped).jpg|thumb|Centreless wheel on the [[Mercedes-Benz Silver Lightning]] concept car]]
[[File:Volkswagen 'Reset' Convertible Concept.jpg|thumb|Volkswagen 'Reset' Convertible Concept with hub motors perpendicular to the surface]]
Centreless wheels are [[Toroid|toroidal]] in shape and have one or multiple [[Bearing (mechanical)|bearings]] along the rim. Propulsion can be achieved in different ways, such as with [[Gear|gear teeth]] along the inner surface of the rim. They can be made lighter than solid and [[Spoke|spoked]] wheels, resulting in better handling,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=McCosh |first=Dan |title=Automotive Newsfront |pages=15 |work=[[Popular Science]] |date=August 1989 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vAAAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA15 |volume=235 |number=2}}</ref> and less rotational inertia.{{cn|date=August 2022}} The lack of spokes or a traditional hub also allows for more space, which can be used to more easily package a [[Wheel hub motor|hub motor]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=If You're Considering an E-Bike, Let This Motor Guide Explain All They Have to Offer |url=https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a25836248/electric-bike-motor/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Bicycling |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Orbis Greenwheel concept car.jpg|thumb|Orbis Greenwheel with external cover, however an internal cover is needed as well to avoid dirt and dust over their precision mechanical parts]]


A  '''centreless wheel''' is a [[wheel]] where the force is delivered in the perimeter of the wheel rather than in the centre; there are a variety of centreless wheels with their own characteristics including the hubless wheel, spokeless wheel, orbital wheel and rim-rider.
Centerless wheels were built and patented for [[Monowheel|monowheels]] by at least 1869<ref>{{cite web |last1=Self |first1=Douglas |title=Monowheels |url=http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm |website=The Self Site |publisher=Douglas Self |access-date=12 May 2025 |ref=self-site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228052812/http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm |archive-date=28 February 2025 |language=English |url-status=live}}</ref> and were proposed to replace conventional wheels by at least 1890.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thorp |first1=T. |title=Bicycle |url=https://ppubs.uspto.gov/api/pdf/downloadPdf/0436844?requestToken=eyJzdWIiOiJlMmU4MGQxNS0zMThmLTQ5ZmUtYjdhOS0zZTYwMTFlZDNmNzYiLCJ2ZXIiOiIzMjhiNDY5Mi0wYTJkLTRlNDEtYmE2MC0yMGE0NDI1MjI3NDYiLCJleHAiOjB9 |website=United States Patent Office |access-date=22 April 2025 |language=English |date=23 September 1890}}</ref> Prototypes for multi-wheel vehicles were built by [[Sbarro (automobile)|Franco Sbarro]] at least by 1989,<ref name=":0" /> and Paul Lew had started small-volume commercial sales by 1993.<ref name="black-hole">{{cite web |title=Centerless/Hubless Wheels -- Black Hole |url=http://pardo.net/bike/pic/mobi/d.centerless-hubless-wheels/000.html#example:-Black-Hole |website=The Bicycle Museum Of Bad Ideas |access-date=22 April 2025 |language=English |ref=black-hole}}</ref>


Centreless wheels can be powered by an [[electric motor]] by using the entire wheel as a motor with [[magnets]] in the rims or by using a [[wheel hub motor]] or belts, however there's also the possibility of using a [[pistonless rotary engine]] as a [[wheel hub motor]] feed with [[isothermal]] [[compressed air]] that can be made with bioplastic. This would be lighter compared to an electric motor and [[lithium-ion]] battery [[electric vehicle]] and also feed with [[hydrogen]] combustion. The propulsion can be delivered in different ways, for example with a rack embedded in the rim or with a hollow linear guide in the rim with a clamping system.
The mass production of centreless wheels has not been pursued by many large companies due to their complexity,<ref>{{cite web |title=Centerless/Hubless Wheels -- Problems |url=http://pardo.net/bike/pic/mobi/d.centerless-hubless-wheels/000.html#Problems |website=The Bicycle Museum Of Bad Ideas |access-date=22 April 2025 |language=English}}</ref> with their use mostly limited to small companies, limited run vehicles, concept vehicles, and [[Scientific literature|scientific analyses]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Pinto |first1=Sheldon S.N. |last2=Amarnath |first2=Joshua M. |last3=Nair |first3=Jishnu S. |last4=Rajkumar |first4=E. |title=Design and Analysis of a Hubless Personal Vehicle |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303702232 |access-date=2014-12-13 |website=ResearchGate |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Design and Fabrication of Hubless Bike |url=https://studylib.net/doc/25317628/irjet-design-and-fabrication-of-hubless-bike |url-status=dead |access-date=2019-12-13 |website=studylib |language=en |archive-date=2021-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819061751/https://studylib.net/doc/25317628/irjet-design-and-fabrication-of-hubless-bike }}</ref>


The wheels can be hollow or have covers, spokes and have a single or several points of support inside the wheel. The wheel cover is almost mandatory to not expose the precision mechanical elements to dirt, dust and [[corrosion]].
==Examples==


Centreless wheels require less [[torque]] and so compared to centred hub wheels they can have more [[acceleration]], more and faster instant [[torque]] and also be more [[energy efficiency (physics)|energy efficient]], and that's because the rotating axis or shaft is not located in the centre of the wheel, that means they face less radius of [[rotating inertia]] and so it creates more [[centrifugal force]], an issue that also affects centred hub wheels [[cars]] with small wheels or spokes reducing also the weight of the wheel.
===''Black Hole'' Bicycle Wheel===
[[File:Centreless wheel design developed by students of PAACET- Kerala, INDIA.jpg|thumb|Motorcycle with a centreless rear wheel built by students in India]]
The Wear and Tear ''Black Hole'' front bicycle centreless wheel and fork<ref name="black-hole" /> was designed with the goals of lighter weight and better aerodynamics than conventional wheels. It supported the rim with several small rollers, which reportedly wore out quickly - acceptable for a race-oriented product, but not practical for everyday use. The Black Hole was sold starting in 1993. Production was stopped after it was banned by the [[Union Cycliste Internationale]], as the downsides (cost, durability, etc.) meant it was not compelling for general use. One of the designers, Paul Lew, later developed improved lightweight aerodynamic wheels using hubs. Today (2025), conventional wheel+fork assemblies are lighter than the Black Hole. It is unclear how modern aerodynamic wheels compare.


Also they can have a more effective [[braking]] capacity by facing less radius of [[centrifugal force]] to stop. This can increase with the wheel powering source clamped to both sides of the rim as circular guide.
===''Tron: Legacy'' Light Cycle replica===
One real-life example of hubless wheels are those used in the replica ''[[Tron: Legacy]]'' [[Light Cycle]]. The [[Street-legal vehicle|street-legal]] [[motorcycle]] was modelled after the vehicle from the film and sold through [[Hammacher Schlemmer]]. Its hubless wheels are made from former truck tires, and a [[Chain drive|chain-driven]] friction drum provides power and brake force.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |date=2012-02-27 |title=Geek Gifts: $55,000 Street-Legal TRON: LEGACY Light Cycle Replica |url=https://collider.com/tron-legacy-light-cycle-replica/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Collider |language=en-US}}</ref>


They haven't brought by any major company and so there has not been development but there have been some [[scientific publications]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303702232_Design_and_Analysis_of_a_Hubless_Personal_Vehicle|title=Design and Analysis of a Hubless Personal Vehicle|website=researchgate|language=en|access-date=2014-12-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://studylib.net/doc/25317628/irjet-design-and-fabrication-of-hubless-bike|title=Design and Fabrication of Hubless Bike|website=studylib|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref> and small companies, however with today's [[hydraulic]] or [[pneumatic]] [[active suspension]] and by using a wheel cover they can replace centred hub wheels. Also there is the possibility of locating the powering force perpendicular to the surface, improving wheel [[structural integrity and failure]] and reducing need of wheel [[structural]] [[reinforcement]] and so weight, on the other hand centreless wheels can use spokes instead of internal points of support to reduce wheel weight further.
Designed "for casual cruising and slow ride-bys at shows", it consists of a {{convert|996|cc|cuin|abbr=on}} [[Fuel injection|fuel-injected]] [[Suzuki]] [[Four-stroke engine|4-stroke]] [[engine]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Welsh |first=Jonathan |date=2011-02-16 |title=For 'Tron' Fans: Your Very Own Light Cycle |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-DSB-6887 |access-date=2022-08-09 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> in a steel frame covered by a fiberglass body with [[electroluminescent wire]] lighting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edelstein |first=Stephen |title=Functional 'Tron: Legacy' Light Cycle Replica Sells For $77,000 At Auction |url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1098355_functional-tron-legacy-light-cycle-replica-sells-for-77000-at-auction |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Motor Authority |language=en}}</ref>
 
The hubless wheel was invented by [[Franco Sbarro]] (who has built a variety of working hubless wheel vehicles, including at least two [[motorcycle]]s and a [[car]], the 1989 Sbarro Osmos), and patented by Globeholding of [[Geneva]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2013}}
 
==Advantages==
They have more [[traction (engineering)|traction]] and faster [[acceleration]] and [[torque]] because the powering source endures less radius of [[rotating inertia]] compared to centred hub wheels.
 
More effective [[braking]] capacity by facing less radius of [[centrifugal force]] to stop.
 
More [[energy efficiency (physics)|energy efficient]] because it requires less [[torque]] and so less engine [[horsepower]] and [[energy]] consumed.
 
They can have lower [[centre of mass]] that increases [[vehicle stability]] and cornering when the wheel power source is located perpendicular to the surface.
 
They can have more climbing performance compared to centred hub wheels for the reasons exposed above.
 
Less weight compared to centred hub wheels requiring smaller powering system as in the case of a [[wheel hub motor]], [[gear ratio|gearing]] and [[brake]] equivalent setup.
 
With appropriate cover they are dust free in contrast hub wheels that usually don't use cover, exposed to the elements and [[corrosion]].
 
==Disadvantages==
Without [[active suspension]] their performance can be drastically limited.
 
For the same wheel diameter they don't keep [[centrifugal force]] or [[angular momentum]] compared to centred hub wheels, however centreless wheels can have bigger diameter which can reduce this trade-off.
 
They can warp or break during a collision if they are hollow spokeless wheels or with a single point of traction inside the wheel.
 
==Examples==
 
===''Tron: Legacy'' light cycle===
One real-life example of hubless wheels are those used in the replica ''[[Tron: Legacy]]'' [[light cycle]]. The illuminated, street-legal motorcycle was sold through [[Hammacher Schlemmer]], inspired by the computer-animated vehicle from the 2010 film ''Tron: Legacy''. Designed for casual cruising and slow ride-bys at shows, it is made from a steel frame covered by a fiberglass [[cowling]] that replicates the sleek look of its computer-generated imagery counterpart.
 
[[Electroluminescent wire]] strips built into the tire cowlings, wheel rims, and body illuminate the cycle. It is powered by a fuel-injected Suzuki {{convert|996|cc|cuin|abbr=on}} [[Four stroke engine|4-stroke]] [[engine]]. Riders lie at a near-horizontal position astride the padded leather seat, with feet on foot pegs that control its 6-speed constant-mesh manual transmission and hands on the handlebars for throttle and braking. The hubless wheels are former truck tires built up then custom-shaped to fit onto one of two counter-rotating rims spinning within each other, providing the broad-tired authenticity of the computer cycles from the movie.{{citation needed|date=February 2012}}


===Skatecycle===
===Skatecycle===
The [[Skatecycle]] is a device similar to a [[caster board]] but with 9" hubless wheels and a 2-axis twisting [[axle]] replacing the function of the casters. The central axle connects the two standing platforms surrounded by 9" polyurethane hubless wheels, giving them the appearance of [[stirrup]]s. In order to move the unit, the rider rotates their feet inwards and outwards, creating a wave-like motion in the hinged frame and providing propulsion. In recognition of the novel design, the Skatecycle received the Bronze 2010 IDSA IDEA award in the transportation category.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.core77.com//posts/18110/Alon-Karpmans-TRON-Inspired-Skatecycle|title=Alon Karpman's TRON Inspired Skatecycle|website=Core77|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>
The [[Skatecycle]] is a device similar to a [[caster board]], but with hubless wheels and a 2-axis twisting [[axle]] replacing the function of the casters. The central axle connects two standing platforms surrounded by 9" [[polyurethane]] hubless wheels, giving said wheels the appearance of [[stirrup]]s. In order to move the unit, the rider rotates their feet inwards and outwards, creating a wave-like motion in the hinged frame and providing propulsion. In recognition of its novel design, the Skatecycle received the Bronze [[International Design Excellence Awards|International Design Excellence Award]] in the transportation category in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.core77.com//posts/18110/Alon-Karpmans-TRON-Inspired-Skatecycle|title=Alon Karpman's TRON Inspired Skatecycle|website=Core77|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>


===Zero Bike===
===Zero Bike===
Another example of a hubless vehicle is the Zero Bike, a lightweight hubless bicycle whose non-functional prototype won an [[Industrial Design Excellence Award]] in 1991.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEED61F3EF93AA1575BC0A967958260 "A Bicycle Far Ahead Of the Pack"], New York Times, 29 August 1991</ref> Designed by then-[[ArtCenter College of Design]] students Makota Makita and Hiroshi Tsuzaki, it is based on the principle of magnetic [[superconductivity]], also used in high-speed trains that are [[Maglev|suspended above rails]].
Another example of a vehicle with centreless wheels is the Zero Bike, a lightweight hubless [[bicycle]] whose non-functional prototype won an [[Industrial Design Excellence Award]] in 1991.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Louie |first=Elaine |date=1991-08-29 |title=CURRENTS; A Bicycle Far Ahead Of the Pack (On Paper) |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/29/garden/currents-a-bicycle-far-ahead-of-the-pack-on-paper.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Designed by then-[[ArtCenter College of Design]] students Makota Makita and Hiroshi Tsuzaki, it is based on the principle of magnetic [[superconductivity]], also used in high-speed [[Maglev|maglev trains]].
 
===Ujet===
Ujet<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ujet.com/|title=Ujet - From material science to ultimate e-mobility products|website=www.ujet.com}}</ref> electric scooter is mass produced in Luxembourg since 2018, featuring front and rear orbital wheels connected to a frame with torsion suspension system, and in-wheel electric motor. Such setup is communicated to benefit from minimal energy loss in transmission. In 2019 Ujet won both [[iF product design award|iF Gold]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ifworlddesignguide.com/search?search=ujet#/page/entry/259245-ujet-electric-mobility-solutions|title=UJet - Electric Mobility Solutions|website=iF WORLD DESIGN GUIDE}}</ref> and [[Red Dot]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1098305315/Ujet-electric-scooter-wins-Red-Dot-Award-2019|title=Ujet electric scooter wins Red Dot Award 2019|website=menafn.com}}</ref> awards for its design.


===Hubless wheel in India===
===Ujet One===
A working prototype of a centreless wheel was shown at India bike week 2014, in [[Goa]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Ajay|title=Now, a ‘spooky’ bike without spokes|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Now-a-spooky-bike-without-spokes/articleshow/28695709.cms?referral=PM|accessdate=21 March 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=12 January 2014|location=Jaipur}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Choudhary|first=Neha|title=En Route to Goa: Having Modified the Royal Enfield 535cc, Bike Enthusiasts from Pink City Are Optimistic about Their Success in the Upcoming India Bike Week|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3179247261.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611094743/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3179247261.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 June 2014|accessdate=21 March 2014|newspaper=DNA : Daily News & Analysis|date=13 January 2014|agency=Highbeam|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The prototype was designed by a Freedom Sprints. The company uses [[ball bearing]]s to complete the model. The members of the development team include Abhishek Sharma, Ankur Tiwari, Sarvesh Khemka and Yashodeep Yadav. The wheel was driven around 300&nbsp;km for testing purpose.
The Ujet One electric [[Scooter (motorcycle)|scooter]], produced in Luxembourg since 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Case Study — Ujet One |url=https://www.ujet.com/case-study/ujet-one |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.ujet.com |language=en}}</ref> features front and rear centreless wheels connected to its frame with [[Torsion spring|torsion-sprung]] suspension, as well as an electric hub motor. Such a setup is communicated to benefit from minimal energy loss in transmission. In 2019, the One won both the [[IF Product Design Award|iF Gold]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=iF - UJet - Electric Mobility Solutions |url=https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/ujet-electric-mobility-solutions/259245 |website=iF WORLD DESIGN GUIDE}}</ref> and [[Red Dot Design Award|Red Dot]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1098305315/Ujet-electric-scooter-wins-Red-Dot-Award-2019|title=Ujet electric scooter wins Red Dot Award 2019|website=menafn.com}}</ref> awards for its design.


==Orbital wheel==
===Freedom Sprints motorcycle===
The '''orbital wheel''' was designed in 1989 by Franco Sbarro in France in an attempt to reduce the number of moving parts by removing the center shaft and [[bicycle wheel|hub]] of the wheel and relying on a circular or star-shaped framework inside the wheel to support it instead. The orbital wheel was created by using two circular [[bearing (mechanical)|bearings]] inserted inside of each other. The inner bearing provides steering, support, and attachment to the frame. The outer bearing consists of a tire with a brake ring also fixed in. Some of the advantages seen by this design are more accurate steering, less weight, and enhanced braking.
A working prototype of a centreless wheel, using [[Ball bearing|ball bearings]], was shown at India Bike Week 2014 in [[Goa]]. Attached to a customized [[Royal Enfield (India)|Royal Enfield]] motorcycle, the prototype rear wheel was designed by a team by the name of Freedom Sprints, which included Abhishek Sharma, Ankur Tiwari, Sarvesh Khemka, Yashodeep Yadav, and Mohammed Ansar.<ref>{{cite news |last=Choudhary |first=Neha |date=13 January 2014 |title=En Route to Goa: Having Modified the Royal Enfield 535cc, Bike Enthusiasts from Pink City Are Optimistic about Their Success in the Upcoming India Bike Week |newspaper=DNA : Daily News & Analysis |agency=Highbeam |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3179247261.html |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription |accessdate=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611094743/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-3179247261.html |archive-date=11 June 2014}}</ref> During testing, the bike was ridden from [[Ajmer]] to [[Jaipur]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Ajay |date=12 January 2014 |title=Now, a 'spooky' bike without spokes |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Jaipur |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Now-a-spooky-bike-without-spokes/articleshow/28695709.cms?referral=PM |accessdate=21 March 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Direct-drive mechanism]]
* [[Hub-center steering]]
* [[Monocycle]]
* [[Motorcycle wheel]]
* [[Motorcycle wheel]]


Latest revision as of 20:33, 5 November 2025


A centreless wheel or hubless wheel is a wheel that lacks a centre or hub, instead being supported and driven at the rim.

Design[edit | edit source]

Centreless wheel on the Mercedes-Benz Silver Lightning concept car

Centreless wheels are toroidal in shape and have one or multiple bearings along the rim. Propulsion can be achieved in different ways, such as with gear teeth along the inner surface of the rim. They can be made lighter than solid and spoked wheels, resulting in better handling,[1] and less rotational inertia.[citation needed] The lack of spokes or a traditional hub also allows for more space, which can be used to more easily package a hub motor.[2]

Centerless wheels were built and patented for monowheels by at least 1869[3] and were proposed to replace conventional wheels by at least 1890.[4] Prototypes for multi-wheel vehicles were built by Franco Sbarro at least by 1989,[1] and Paul Lew had started small-volume commercial sales by 1993.[5]

The mass production of centreless wheels has not been pursued by many large companies due to their complexity,[6] with their use mostly limited to small companies, limited run vehicles, concept vehicles, and scientific analyses.[7][8]

Examples[edit | edit source]

Black Hole Bicycle Wheel[edit | edit source]

Motorcycle with a centreless rear wheel built by students in India

The Wear and Tear Black Hole front bicycle centreless wheel and fork[5] was designed with the goals of lighter weight and better aerodynamics than conventional wheels. It supported the rim with several small rollers, which reportedly wore out quickly - acceptable for a race-oriented product, but not practical for everyday use. The Black Hole was sold starting in 1993. Production was stopped after it was banned by the Union Cycliste Internationale, as the downsides (cost, durability, etc.) meant it was not compelling for general use. One of the designers, Paul Lew, later developed improved lightweight aerodynamic wheels using hubs. Today (2025), conventional wheel+fork assemblies are lighter than the Black Hole. It is unclear how modern aerodynamic wheels compare.

Tron: Legacy Light Cycle replica[edit | edit source]

One real-life example of hubless wheels are those used in the replica Tron: Legacy Light Cycle. The street-legal motorcycle was modelled after the vehicle from the film and sold through Hammacher Schlemmer. Its hubless wheels are made from former truck tires, and a chain-driven friction drum provides power and brake force.[9]

Designed "for casual cruising and slow ride-bys at shows", it consists of a 996 cc (60.8 cu in) fuel-injected Suzuki 4-stroke engine[10] in a steel frame covered by a fiberglass body with electroluminescent wire lighting.[11]

Skatecycle[edit | edit source]

The Skatecycle is a device similar to a caster board, but with hubless wheels and a 2-axis twisting axle replacing the function of the casters. The central axle connects two standing platforms surrounded by 9" polyurethane hubless wheels, giving said wheels the appearance of stirrups. In order to move the unit, the rider rotates their feet inwards and outwards, creating a wave-like motion in the hinged frame and providing propulsion. In recognition of its novel design, the Skatecycle received the Bronze International Design Excellence Award in the transportation category in 2010.[12]

Zero Bike[edit | edit source]

Another example of a vehicle with centreless wheels is the Zero Bike, a lightweight hubless bicycle whose non-functional prototype won an Industrial Design Excellence Award in 1991.[13] Designed by then-ArtCenter College of Design students Makota Makita and Hiroshi Tsuzaki, it is based on the principle of magnetic superconductivity, also used in high-speed maglev trains.

Ujet One[edit | edit source]

The Ujet One electric scooter, produced in Luxembourg since 2019,[14] features front and rear centreless wheels connected to its frame with torsion-sprung suspension, as well as an electric hub motor. Such a setup is communicated to benefit from minimal energy loss in transmission. In 2019, the One won both the iF Gold[15] and Red Dot[16] awards for its design.

Freedom Sprints motorcycle[edit | edit source]

A working prototype of a centreless wheel, using ball bearings, was shown at India Bike Week 2014 in Goa. Attached to a customized Royal Enfield motorcycle, the prototype rear wheel was designed by a team by the name of Freedom Sprints, which included Abhishek Sharma, Ankur Tiwari, Sarvesh Khemka, Yashodeep Yadav, and Mohammed Ansar.[17] During testing, the bike was ridden from Ajmer to Jaipur.[18]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 McCosh, Dan (August 1989). "Automotive Newsfront". Popular Science. Vol. 235, no. 2. p. 15.
  2. ↑ "If You're Considering an E-Bike, Let This Motor Guide Explain All They Have to Offer". Bicycling. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  3. ↑ Self, Douglas. "Monowheels". The Self Site. Douglas Self. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  4. ↑ Thorp, T. (23 September 1890). "Bicycle". United States Patent Office. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Centerless/Hubless Wheels -- Black Hole". The Bicycle Museum Of Bad Ideas. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  6. ↑ "Centerless/Hubless Wheels -- Problems". The Bicycle Museum Of Bad Ideas. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  7. ↑ Pinto, Sheldon S.N.; Amarnath, Joshua M.; Nair, Jishnu S.; Rajkumar, E. "Design and Analysis of a Hubless Personal Vehicle". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  8. ↑ "Design and Fabrication of Hubless Bike". studylib. Archived from the original on 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  9. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (2012-02-27). "Geek Gifts: $55,000 Street-Legal TRON: LEGACY Light Cycle Replica". Collider. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  10. ↑ Welsh, Jonathan (2011-02-16). "For 'Tron' Fans: Your Very Own Light Cycle". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  11. ↑ Edelstein, Stephen. "Functional 'Tron: Legacy' Light Cycle Replica Sells For $77,000 At Auction". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  12. ↑ "Alon Karpman's TRON Inspired Skatecycle". Core77. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  13. ↑ Louie, Elaine (1991-08-29). "CURRENTS; A Bicycle Far Ahead Of the Pack (On Paper)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  14. ↑ "Case Study — Ujet One". www.ujet.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  15. ↑ "iF - UJet - Electric Mobility Solutions". iF WORLD DESIGN GUIDE.
  16. ↑ "Ujet electric scooter wins Red Dot Award 2019". menafn.com.
  17. ↑ Choudhary, Neha (13 January 2014). "En Route to Goa: Having Modified the Royal Enfield 535cc, Bike Enthusiasts from Pink City Are Optimistic about Their Success in the Upcoming India Bike Week". DNA : Daily News & Analysis. Highbeam. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  18. ↑ Singh, Ajay (12 January 2014). "Now, a 'spooky' bike without spokes". The Times of India. Jaipur. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
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