A chainless bicycle gets reimagined thanks to desktop fabrication. Sergii Gordieiev, creator of the YouTube channel The Q, has offered a mechanical revival of a non-functioning chainless bike, designboom reports. Using a series of interconnected, 3D printed plastic gears, Gordieiev created the entire Chainless Bike – Gears Edition project, which replaces the traditional chain with a row of precisely aligned gears to transfer motion from the pedals to the rear wheel.
The setup includes “a large gear and four mini ones,” interlocked in a row. “When the large one rotates, it transfers motion to the smaller gears,” effectively driving the wheel like “a clockwork mechanism.” Accuracy is critical. “If one gear slips, the system fails,” Gordieiev said in the video, emphasizing the importance of careful measurement and alignment before installation.
To produce the parts, the creator uses a Phrozen Arco FDM 3D printer equipped with high-flow engineering nozzles that push melted plastic quickly and consistently. Before mounting the gears onto the bike frame, the maker tested them on a wooden slab, screwing them into place to check rotation and spacing. The final small gear is fixed to the rear wheel’s hub, completing the chainless transmission system. Originally printed in white, the plastic gears are painted orange to stand out visually during the ride.
Beyond the novel approach, the project demonstrates the practicality of replaceable and custom parts you can create with a 3D printer. Viewers are shown how to measure, print, and assemble the components themselves, giving an idea of the future where cyclists could regenerate worn parts at home. While only the gears are 3D printed for now, the concept hints at further customization.
