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'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

newatlas.com

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Re: 'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

#131

Post by hnthrow289570 »

uncertainrhymes wrote: post #35

I swim because I enjoy it, not because I'm trying to get somewhere fast. This seems awkward and I bet you have to use your arms just to counterbalance the twist you'd get on each 'stroke' of the leg. So even though I think it's goofy, I bet I'd like whoever came up with this. Someone who put a ton of effort into building something they thought would be interesting despite a thousand people telling them it's goofy. Go…

It's pretty neat. I'd want to try a version with a linear motion that drives the propeller for the counterbalance reasons.

I could see this as an alternative to fins offered at snorkeling places. That would make a great test environment too.

Re: 'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

#132

Post by causal »

RajT88 wrote: post #111
causal wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I think for most uses I would still prefer fins for their agility. Cool idea though, and we probably haven't seen peak efficiency here.

Peak efficiency probably looks like this: https://newatlas.com/marine/jetcycle-hydrofoil-pedal-bike/

Nice - yeah that looks more optimal to me.

Re: 'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

#133

Post by delfinom »

csours wrote: post #123
pge wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting that the CIA conclusion for a device very similar to the article is "Not recommended for operational use due to its discomfort and very slight gain in speed over that of a swimmer equipped with fins."

probably should read "trained swimmer with fins" It can take some time to get used to fins and the motions needed. Many more people have ridden a bike

Training isnt a problem for government run operations which is their context

Re: 'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

#134

Post by matt_heimer »

rrobukef wrote: post #63
neerajk wrote: post #27

> The nominal mode enables motion through the water at 3.6 km/h, and for speed-seekers, the SEABIKE can reach a maximum of 7.9 km/h – much faster than normal swimming speeds or even flipper-assisted swimming. https://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/seabike/product-68606-564117... Pretty fast, but "superhuman"? For short distances Michael Phelps can swim faster :)

Imagine how fast Phelps could swim with this!

Given that he optimized his training for swimming and not cycling I think he might do better with fins. His top speed of 7.2 - 9.6 km/h is freestyling without fins. He reached somewhere around 13 km/h using a Lunocet monofin.

Re: 'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

#135

Post by wood_spirit »

lupusreal wrote: post #124
wood_spirit wrote: post #83

It’s obscure but there was such a contraption trialled by the seals and cia in the 1950s http://www.hisutton.com/CIA_Water-Air_1958.html Here’s a pedal powered smuggling submarine from the 1940s http://www.hisutton.com/Swiss-Pedal-Powered-Smuggling-Submar...

"Wartime paddleboards" is not a phrase I ever expected to read.

My memory is fuzzy but I think the Australian SAS or SBS made raids on the Japanese using paddle boards in the Second World War.

It’s described in the H I Sutton book, from the website above, but I think it’s out of print now

Re: 'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

#136

Post by LtWorf »

uncertainrhymes wrote: post #35

I swim because I enjoy it, not because I'm trying to get somewhere fast. This seems awkward and I bet you have to use your arms just to counterbalance the twist you'd get on each 'stroke' of the leg. So even though I think it's goofy, I bet I'd like whoever came up with this. Someone who put a ton of effort into building something they thought would be interesting despite a thousand people telling them it's goofy. Go…

If you live somewhere with currents, it could be good to be able to swim at all.

Re: 'Underwater bicycle' propels swimmers forward at superhuman speed

#137

Post by LtWorf »

lupusreal wrote: post #129
Broken_Hippo wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My favorite way to swim is with those flippers - because I go fast. Going fast doesnt mean not enjoying it.

Yep, going fast with flippers feels great.

Feels less great for all the people in the pool that you kick.
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