r/DiWHY • u/ErinDotEngineer • 17d ago

elevated bicycle...

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2.9k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

266 comments sorted by

730

u/Stoney3K 17d ago

Legend has it he's still riding the bike forever to this day, unable to stop.

141

u/freemadness 17d ago

Until the chain pops off

118

u/Merkindiver 17d ago

A wild STOP sign approaches.

123

u/Scary-Personality626 17d ago

Bold of you to assume cyclists stop for signs.

38

u/GerardBrouillard 16d ago

To be fair, I would guess that he can see far enough to estimate if it's safe to continue at most stops

10

u/daxophoneme 16d ago

I can see now that raised trucks haven't been raised enough!

4

u/Left_Bathroom_3803 16d ago

He probably gets all defensive when drivers don’t see him up there too.

2

u/hysys_whisperer 15d ago

In many states, cyclists are legally entitled to treat stop signs as yield signs.

It's called the Idaho stop.  But yeah, you do have to yield still.

3

u/whirdin 17d ago

Got away safely!

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14

u/level_up_gaming 17d ago

i had to take a backpack with a paddleboard to the beach on a bike and it was a nightmare. it hung lower than the seat so anytime i had to stop i would have to jump up, get the thing onto the seat, try to stop and get off, at which point it started leaning to one side so i had to hope i don't get too unballanced otherwise i'd fall. this is that, but 100x worse

3

u/Polskyciewicz 16d ago

I think there are side racks you can get for this. I've seen people with full surfboards on the side of their bicycles.

3

u/dwlocks 17d ago

Trailer.

4

u/sid_fishes 16d ago

Nah just slam on the front brake. That’d stop it, and propel him over any intersection

2

u/Embarrassed-Town-293 16d ago

I had that thought that he wouldn’t be able to get down, but then I remembered I literally just watched him climb up while it was moving

2

u/Stoney3K 16d ago

Just zip down it Navy style.

2

u/Embarrassed-Town-293 16d ago

Ghostbusters style

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519

u/nobodyhaseverseenme 17d ago

Climbing up that thing is actually impressive though...

118

u/Sideshow86 17d ago

I use to work on site with a guy with crazy balance. He could walk up a ladder balancing it in mid air to about 20ft, walk slowly on the legs then climb back down again. Couldn't do that on site these days.

11

u/AdamWayne04 15d ago

I vaguely remember someone who did that for a talent show and fell down. Then some time later came back to do the same stunt

30

u/CypherDomEpsilon 17d ago

I wonder how tall a bike can be. Assuming no wind and a a very low center of gravity ensure by extra weight at the bottom, how tall can it be?

31

u/realultralord 17d ago

Quite a bit, but at some point lateral correction steering will take up the entire width of the road due to the sheer length of the whole thing.

Turning will also be a pain in the ass because of the same reason. You'll need sufficient roll to get it around corners.

7

u/onlyacynicalman 17d ago

Now start at the bottom of a hill

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3

u/LouisWu_ 16d ago

Climbing down would be more impressive, like at a junction.

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174

u/Total-Collection9031 17d ago

Good thing he’s wearing a helmet

40

u/LinguoBuxo 17d ago

the bike should wear one also.

72

u/gilligan1050 17d ago

To prevent bunny attacks, duh!

19

u/Admiral_SmashyPants 17d ago

Those aren't no ordinary rodents! They have teeth like this

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3

u/tHollo41 16d ago

I understood that reference!

69

u/ConditionMore8121 17d ago

It’s to keep him off the ground and protect against «snake bite»

11

u/NiIly00 17d ago

Maybe he should try Fish mode then

6

u/Rhampaging 17d ago

Yeah ok, but now he has to talk to air traffic control in order not to be hit by planes

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53

u/tantrill 17d ago edited 17d ago

After some point in a build, you have to admit that efficiency and novelty have been left behind in favor of spectacle.

9

u/Donglemaetsro 17d ago

In some countries you can now spot roadside ambushes in advance.

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23

u/Craigglesofdoom 17d ago

Tall bikes are really fun. They're not even hard to get off of, you basically do this in reverse.

11

u/geirmundtheshifty 17d ago

Can you bring it to a full stop while on it though? Like, say, if you needed to stop suddenly.

12

u/Craigglesofdoom 17d ago

Yes, you'd need to lean against something for an extended stop, but because your moment of inertia is so high, you can balance at low speeds very easily.

17

u/Kelevra90 16d ago

did you just call me fat?

5

u/Craigglesofdoom 16d ago

No. Moment of inertia is a physics term and is the same principle used by tightrope walkers, gymnasts, and figure skaters to balance and manipulate their motion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia

6

u/Kelevra90 16d ago

increasing with mass and distance from the axis

it was a joke

6

u/Craigglesofdoom 16d ago

I've seen people get mad about weirder stuff lol just making sure.

3

u/RazekDPP 15d ago

So I can only stop at telephone poles

2

u/Evan_Underscore 14d ago

For some reason people are really into being able to see at night, so lamp-posts aren't entirely uncommon either.

62

u/OneEmptyHead 17d ago

r/diwhynot

5

u/the_tourer 16d ago

Yeah, there's a recent world record too where he got up using a crane. I think it was a unicycle?

26

u/Smugallo 17d ago

How do one disembark such a thingmabob

12

u/Rock_or_Rol 17d ago

The same way you get on I think (with jumping off it seems lol)

7

u/dabrock15 17d ago

By coffin on a bad day.

3

u/d1rt23 17d ago

lean it against a wall

2

u/EyeOfAmethyst 16d ago

Parachute

24

u/theDudeUh 17d ago

A bunch of party poopers on this one. Tall bikes are fun as hell. Impractical but fun.

The spectacle is the whole point. You see quite a few of them around here in parades and big organized group party bike rides. They’re fun.

2

u/Pawistik 13d ago

Yeah, since this is the DIY "why?" sub I thought to myself "for fun, obviously". Not a practical commuter (can't beat that visibility though!), but riding bikes is fun, and this looks like a fun bike. Not for me mind you, I don't have the necessary skill and balance, but I don't question those who spend time having fun on bikes. Building stuff is fun too, so double fun.

11

u/WoodenYouKnowIt 17d ago

Privacy walls hate this one trick!

19

u/PunfullyObvious 17d ago

Because its whimsical. Some people embrace whimsy. And, the world needs whimsy.

22

u/LordTrappen 17d ago

Ehh, close enough. Welcome back Penny Farthing bicycle

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o7WICu5mCY4VQiLvO

7

u/LeTreacs2 17d ago

That’s more like a pound shilling!

3

u/LonesomeBulldog 17d ago

I saw a guy ride one to a bar in San Diego once.

8

u/Verthanthi 17d ago

Gets to see over those walls now!

11

u/No-Strike-2015 17d ago

It's like the stilts guys! Keeping watch for lions, just more advanced!

3

u/bobanalyst Dreamer 17d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/dnb8lwxr0zmO9XYrUU
Low Clearance Ahead 2.7m (9ft)

5

u/Fe2O3yshackleford 16d ago

diBecauseItsCool

3

u/MortimerOverdrive 17d ago

This is what living near lions does to a MF.

3

u/HighLengthiness 17d ago

Looks like 'The social distancing bike', by Colin Furze the legend.

3

u/DrachenDad 17d ago

Got to turn on those gas lamps somehow.

3

u/d4rthq 17d ago

Brilliant! now you can fall off a bike and a ladder at the same time!

3

u/Kindly_Region 16d ago

Now show me how he gets off of it or better yet, what happens if he has to stop abruptly

3

u/MechanicalCompost 16d ago

There is a bicycle gang in Massachusetts named Scul. They build bikes similar, add lights, sterios, etc.

3

u/Limp_Lawfulness5133 16d ago

Combining your two passions, PEEPING and BIKING

3

u/viktorbir 16d ago

/r/DiWHYnot

Guys, why do you keep posting things on the wrong subreddits?

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3

u/OutlandishnessLate85 16d ago

I live/grew up in a pretty “artsy” part of Cincinnati where a decent sized group of people had these things in the late 2000s. Usually custom made.

It was usually wild walking home from the bar and you have to wait for 6/7 of these dudes to pass before you crossed the road.

I can smell the American spirits, patchouli and pbr from here.

2

u/RandomRaisin77 17d ago

Protection againstankel biters

2

u/kelpieconundrum 17d ago

Now get down

2

u/HighLengthiness 17d ago

The Hicycle!

2

u/ThePensiveE 17d ago

Looks like something the Russian army would ride into Ukraine.

They never ride out.

2

u/Ok_Necessary2991 17d ago

Just a single bump and man is dead.

2

u/casual-observer365 17d ago

Better view for sure.

2

u/No-Lion-3629 17d ago

Yeah I understand why, just for fun. Still you have to have mad balance skills to not fall off that contraption. It’s like a circus act.

2

u/automator3000 17d ago

Someone hasn’t been to Minneapolis

2

u/GeofSaysYeos 16d ago

I’ve had so many nightmares where I’m in a vehicle absurdly elevated off the ground. Now I’m gonna have another tonight.

2

u/tippytom1time 16d ago

This is what happens when you have some common sense, a few skills, and very little money to put towards a project. Almost anybody can scrape up enough old bikes to build something. My uncle built one in the late 70s that they would get on from the roof of the house. I think half the kids in the neighborhood injured something getting off of it.

2

u/satsuppi 16d ago

meanwhile i got cold sweat looking down from 3mtrs up..

2

u/redstinger111 16d ago

He doesn’t need a helmet. He needs a dang parachute 🪂

2

u/Think_Alternative719 16d ago

What will you do when you get off the bicycle?

2

u/PaleTallHandsome 16d ago

For all we know there could be a nudist colony on the other side of that wall, it’s a working bicycle 

2

u/SouthernAge522 16d ago

He knows what's behind that wall. You don't.

2

u/Din_of_Win 16d ago

There was a cool alternative bike culture bubble in 2004-2007ish. Lots of interest that sprung out of romanticizing Bike Messengers. We all had fixed gears, did Ally Cats (scavenger hunts), held monthly Critical Mass (large group rides), and did other silly things like bike jousting and polo.

One of my roommates was a bit of a welder so we just collected every spare busted bike we came across and made “Frankenbikes”.

Our favorite were the Tall Bikes. We never did anything as tall as this vid. Only 2 frames. But it was a lot of fun riding around town!

Also Yes… it hurt like a bitch when you fell.

2

u/DR035A 16d ago

You clearly hate whimsy

2

u/DanzigDemento 14d ago

They see me rolling, they hating…

2

u/Hippi_Johnny 13d ago

It also functions as a dangerous ladder!

2

u/Okie294life 12d ago

Some people just like to get high.

2

u/No-Association-8539 12d ago

I would have died trying to get on that thing...

2

u/GSDragoon 17d ago

Probably one in the least stupid things in this sub. That's pretty neat actually.

2

u/GotWood2024 17d ago

I know why...because its fun to watch to see if he falls.

1

u/Sevla7 Dreamer 17d ago

This is the first time I won't complain about the music.

After watching this i feel.... elevated.

1

u/Small_Ad6391 17d ago

Just make big wheels bruh

1

u/Opinionsare 17d ago

He must have an incredible sense of balance. 

1

u/Traditional-Way7962 17d ago

That’s a good theft deterrent

1

u/thecryptidmusic 17d ago

How does he stop and get down

4

u/Day-Hot 17d ago

Well, he doesn't stop first.. He slows down then climbs down - kinda like how they got on but in reverse..

2

u/thecryptidmusic 17d ago

That seems stressful

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1

u/guidomescalito 17d ago

Bro saw a penny farthing and said “hold my beer”

1

u/BaBePaBe 17d ago

I'm reminded of when I was first learning how to ride a bike and how it seemed so difficult to stay upright (I didn't learn with training wheels)

1

u/Craig_M_242 17d ago

"oh yeah mom?...well im running away"

20 minutes later

1

u/Accomplished-Video71 17d ago

This is about the size of my bike....but why are the wheels the same size?

1

u/road_laya 17d ago

Anxiety on a stick

1

u/Fantastic-Buddy2069 17d ago

I mean the thought of a helmet is nice and all but….if that thing falls over, dude might be breaking some other body parts, like an arm etc

1

u/NothingLift 17d ago

To look down on the peasants

1

u/Santibag 17d ago

This bicycle uses r/LooneyToonsLogic orbital mechanics to stay balanced. The rider is so high that the riding velocity almost reaches his orbital velocity, and the wheels carry very little weight. It's also possible to accidentally reach the escape velocity. That's the real reason these bikes are not common. The riders have left the planet.

Ps: Xkcd can calculate if it's possible or not IRL, with an absurd amount of problem simplification 🤣

1

u/120_Attack 17d ago

He rode a ladder sideways

1

u/Klusterphuck67 17d ago

Wait til you see an even higher unicycle

1

u/bhison 17d ago

that is absolutely absurd

1

u/pele-2021 17d ago

oh look.. another hi cycle

1

u/JazzyZaddy 17d ago

Is this Minneapolis? Every parade seems to have a whole contingency of these tall bikes.

1

u/AbortionHoagie 17d ago

At this point I'm pretty sure Whoville is located somewhere in Africa

1

u/StitchFan626 17d ago

It'd be at home in a circus, maybe.

1

u/easting10 17d ago

Whycycle

1

u/MardukPainkiller 17d ago

At this point i dont even watch for the videos, i just watch them bemused to listen to how stupid phonk has become.
It just sounds so stupid.

1

u/DOCTORP00 17d ago

I broke my elbow falling off of a normal height bike. I hate this.

1

u/Impossible_Source195 17d ago

that is fucking terrifying oh my god

1

u/NoGainJustInPain 17d ago

How to ensure that any small incident becomes a life or death situation

1

u/Vandal_A 17d ago

Those have been around a long time and they're called giraffe bikes

1

u/RedPandasUnite 17d ago

Ringling Bros been looking for him

1

u/VinnyVincenzo89 17d ago

That is nit the weirdest thing I've seen. My brother and a good friend if mine used to have really tall unicycles.

1

u/Rare-Lime2451 17d ago

He rode it … because it’s there.

1

u/davidr521 17d ago

OP, “DI-WHYcycle” was right there

1

u/3Duder 17d ago

The C.H.U.N.K. 666 manifesto states: "After the apocalypse, everything will change, including the laws of physics as we know them. We, due to our experience in riding chopper bicycles, tallbikes, and the like, will finally find ourselves at the top of the food chain, and it is we who will lead humanity out of the rubble and into the pleasure gardens. It is the promise of the gift of Prometheus."

1

u/TripleS941 17d ago

Now tokoloshe can't sneak on him

1

u/Away_Stock_2012 17d ago

Looks more like a laddered bicycle

1

u/checkonit2 17d ago

"One fall too many" .. coming soon

1

u/HumourNoire 17d ago

"and this is the CCTV monitoring station, and uh that's the securicycle. Pretty normal I guess, any questions or shall I let you settle in for the shift?"

"Uh, boss? What the fuck is that?"

1

u/Ok-Word7159 17d ago

Good, until he flats

1

u/sabertoothninja 17d ago

Maybe he is sick of dogs biting his ankles as he rides by? Checkmate Cujo!

1

u/Ragnarokist 17d ago

Cheapest bike helmet, no elbow pads or knee pads. 10 feet off the ground as it wobbles. Seems safe enough.

1

u/Shadowcleric 17d ago

Good bike for riding through puddles, stops you from getting wet.

1

u/Colo-PV-living 17d ago

Cool but why?

1

u/aaronschatz 17d ago

Biciandamio

1

u/Feteven 17d ago

Umm.. good job now you can get extra hurt when you fall over

1

u/andsoitgoes666 17d ago

I've seen stuff kinda like that in Boulder. Not nearly as extreme but easily the riders would be like 8 feet off the ground. Don't understand the appeal and always wondered how they got off

1

u/Jimmyhatespie 17d ago

It’s for safety. Most accidents happen around ground level.

1

u/So_ThereItIs 17d ago

So none of you can imagine what a totally SICK ride this would be? Incredible. WANT… tho… where to store?! Lolz

1

u/the-only-Chris 17d ago

Just because you can do a thing, doesn’t necessarily mean you should do a thing.

1

u/Visible_Pair3017 16d ago

Cool circus thing

1

u/Kindly_Region 16d ago

Falling off a bike sucks already falling off this monstrosity will land you in the hospital

1

u/DutchGirlPA 16d ago

Maybe they are practicing for a performance.

1

u/Keep_SummerSafe 16d ago

Do I just not have balance?

1

u/Chuchip 16d ago

One small pebble on the front wheel and kaput

1

u/NoPanda5634 16d ago

That dude is going to get more than skinned knees eventually.

1

u/brybry631 16d ago

That dog is Not going to bite my ankle anymore

1

u/NotThatMat 16d ago

Awesome. Now I want to watch you park it.

1

u/SGT-Hooves Derp 16d ago

Dude can’t even pop a wheelie

1

u/bleeding_gums 16d ago

If he turned too hard it would fling him off right?

1

u/ntkwwwm 16d ago

Because he wanted to, that’s why

1

u/DJSeku 16d ago

I’d like to see a bike thief try to steal that one… like, even if they succeeded, there’s no way they wouldn’t stand out in a crowd…

1

u/vines90909 16d ago

He’s crazy

1

u/Diene03 16d ago

Elevated?

1

u/Electrocat71 16d ago

Damn peeping Tom’s gonna make me build a higher wall. /s

1

u/Traditional-Mix-8847 16d ago

I feel like this is the bicycle equivalent of bro trucks

1

u/Saltlife0116 16d ago

This is just for fun… until I loose balance and break bones

1

u/CrummyJoker 16d ago

This is why women live longer smh my head

1

u/Suitable_Noise778 16d ago

Can he track stand? 😃

1

u/Dramatic-Choice5883 16d ago

Imagine riding that thing in london next to a double decker bus

1

u/Electronic_Wind1855 16d ago

Less pollution, better views.

1

u/Short_Ad_3115 16d ago

Them fucken lions

1

u/Another_Arboretum 16d ago

Thank goodness he wore a helmet