![Prone bike at MSOE](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Prone_bike_at_MSOE.jpg)
A prone bicycle is a
bicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.
Bic ...
which places the rider in a
prone position
Prone position () is a body position in which the person lies flat with the chest down and the back up. In anatomical terms of location, the dorsal side is up, and the ventral side is down. The supine position is the 180° contrast.
Etymolog ...
. The
bottom bracket
The bottom bracket on a bicycle connects the crankset (chainset) to the bicycle and allows the crankset to rotate freely. It contains a spindle to which the crankset attaches, and the bearings that allow the spindle and crankset to rotate. The ch ...
is located at the bicycle's rear; the rider lies either on a pad or in a hard-shell seat. The prone position of the rider's body can reduce aerodynamic
drag and therefore increase the efficiency of the vehicle. It can also be more comfortable or ergonomic than other bicycles.
The first prone bicycle was developed and marketed by the American company Darling in 1897, but most prone bicycles are do-it-yourself constructions. There are few series-production models.
In May, 2012,
Graeme Obree
Graeme Obree (born 11 September 1965), nicknamed The Flying Scotsman, is a Scottish racing cyclist who twice broke the world hour record, in July 1993 and April 1994, and was the individual pursuit world champion in 1993 and 1995. He was known ...
announced that the bike he was building for his attempt at setting the human-powered vehicle land speed record is a prone bike.
The attempt was originally to take place in Britain and the current record speed is 82.8 mph. However, he competed in the 2013 World Human Powered Speed Championships in Battle Mountain, Nevada, where the current record was also set. He achieved a speed of 56.62 mph on September 12, 2013.
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See also
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Outline of cycling
:''This article is an outline about the activity of cycling. For an outline about bicycles themselves, see outline of bicycles.''
:The following ''outline'' is provided as an overview of, as well as a topical guide to cycling:
Cycling, al ...
*
Recumbent bicycle
A recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. Most recumbent riders choose this type of design for ergonomic reasons: the rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by ba ...
References
External links
Prone bike ''Prone Low-Profile''
Cycle types
Road cycles
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