Sisters man invents 'HangRider'

Inventions spring from necessity, but they also come because the inventor just wants to have fun. That's the case with the "HangRider" designed by Nick Cristiano, whose company, AlloyLogic, is based just outside of Sisters.

After three-and-a-half years, quite a lot of money and much fiddling, Cristiano's trademarked prototype is road-ready. Whether the road is ready for it is another question. In a matter of minutes in downtown Sisters, the HangRider drew a crowd of admirers and gawkers and slowed traffic as drivers maneuvered around it, trying to stay focused on their driving while staring at the conveyance.

"It's different and for fun," said Cristiano.

The HangRider was designed for speeds up to 40 mph. The prototype is heavier than the original design intends, so for now he estimates it can zip along at around 20 mph.

There's just one problem: the HangRider is too wide for a conventional bike lane. But it could cruise around town, where speed limits are more moderate.

Cristiano says the two-wheeled conveyance (does that make it a bike?) uses turn-of-the-century technology. Early 20th century technology, that is. The huge wheels are reminiscent of the penny farthing bike, created in the mid-1800s. The gearing is simple, using basic bike parts.

The rider sits in a recumbent frame, adjustable for the rider's height. There is a knack to getting in and out, but once the rider is in, pedaling appears easy.

Turning is accomplished using levers connected to cables that control the speed of the wheels. The inside wheel slows, the rider continues to pedal so the outside wheel speeds up, and a snappy turn happens. The wheels take a lot of pressure during the turns; Cristiano is on the third set of wheels. The spokes are made of steel, adding stability but also increasing the weight of the bike.

Ultimately, Cristiano would like to find a biking entrepreneur with a sense of adventure to continue refining the design. In the meantime, he'll enjoy causing a stir wherever he goes with the HangRider.