Double Drivetrain Fixed Gear - 2x Freewheels

So I had this random idea the other day, it was to fit two drivetrains on two freewheels to see if it turned fixed. I had no idea if it would work or not but was keen to try it out anyway. Turns out it works! It looks weird, weighs more and is noisier, so no real benefits but an interesting experiment for me nonetheless. Let me know if any of you have ever done this!
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Waveywheelies

[@DeLaCroix1211]

Want fixed gear experience without the simplicity and ease of maintenance? DOUBLE FREEWHEEL

[@sebikelifeusvetparatrooper]

🤔

[@jaycee30865]

60 more double espressos please.

[@DotAHuskarMaster]

Ok

[@Reomawan]

mtb if using doltrap can it???

[@paultinwell5557]

Why are we even here? Extra weight and cost together with reduced reliability. What a winner.

[@jack002tuber]

This solves one problem, no more non-drive-side pictures!

[@waveywheelies]

I knew there was at least one advantage! Thanks haha

[@JoWe2012]

this is one of those ideas you only get when high

[@whateverbikes]

That's something that only people who get high think. It's nonsense. I've never used drugs of any kind, never been high, but I have ideas like this all the time. In fact, that's one of the reasons I figure it's better for me not to do drugs.

[@rideordie8268]

@@whateverbikes Its a Joke

[@wf2197]

@@whateverbikes Is there any way you might chill a bit? No one is getting hurt as far as I can tell. Good day

[@whateverbikes]

@@wf2197 What makes you think I am not chill? I just don't agree with what he said.

[@whateverbikes]

@@rideordie8268 Oh. Haha.

[@outtadate]

Lowky satisfying how symmetrical it looks!

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

As an ambidextrous person, I agree :)

[@putra6106]

@@Eduardo_Espinoza i love symmetry

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

I'm also OCD :) @@putra6106

[@epilektric]

A friend of mine built one of these many years ago. He called it the redunda-cycle due to the redundant drive train. Definitely good for a chuckle or two.

[@blankroomsoup666]

Redundant except if the RH drive breaks you have to cycle in reverse

[@selimcansakar8251]

see what you did there

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

@blankroomsoup That's where the 2nd chuckle kicks in 🙂

[@swedneck]

@@blankroomsoup666 I feel like this would honestly be pretty nice if you just made proper parts so one side isn't in reverse, just having a backup chain is totally appealing to me.

[@lakelobster]

This is awesome. I've long wanted to build up a left-side-drive fixie purely for the novelty factor, but this takes it to the next level.

[@ItsDaJax]

left side drive is a common bmx thing.

[@pinchflat]

You get that sweet freewheel sound. All The Time.

[@fergusgodsill4039]

Something I’d thought about but definitely never tried, next can you try riding a bike with both cranks at the same angle instead of 180 apart so I don’t have to try that either? 😅

[@ideka9328]

You'll look like a kangaroo bro 😂

[@MrJob91]

with enough grip it shouldwork even standing

[@jpstranger5584]

I saw a guy at a halloween ride do that. He was dressed as a kangaroo so it looked like he was jumping. He had to keep pedaling backwards then forwards because he couldnt get enough strength to do a full rotation, and this was on a lower speed social ride. It worked, but dude looked miserable lol

[@elpretender1357]

@@jpstranger5584 That's some extremely creative concept for a halloween costume not gonna lie

[@WesternUranus]

@@jpstranger5584 Imagine doing this on a fixed gear with a small gear ratio 😂

[@012hotline]

I tried it before two years back I had the same idea but I never finished glad you did man

[@davidellis578]

I remember watching CBC sports about 40 years ago where Jocelyn used cogs on each side, whilst riding a kilo. It was a brilliant idea. Rest in peace Joc. You were an inspiration to us all !

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

If you put a crank arm on the wrong side, be sure to threadlock or tack weld the pedal spindle, or it may unscrew while riding. You can weld a small nut to the crank if it's steel, and install a grub screw to keep the pedal spindle.

[@hoey2323]

sounds like a great way to increase both weight and friction

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

Genius! It'll go twice as fast!

[@Duettoholger]

you created something that was not on goolge! Great job!😀

[@caluzzucarrazzi5549]

I’d always thought about this, but never attempted it because obviously there’s not really any worthwhile advantage. It does look pretty sick tho, thanks for doing this so that guys like me don’t have to

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

@RollinRat woah, that's insane, I've always thought people back then came up with this stuff, because they were bored af.

[@waveywheelies]

@caluzzucarrazzi5549 haha no worries!

[@ItsDaJax]

Fixies are all about style, bruh. And Alleycats, lol.

[@tbz1551]

Saves time for the "drive side" photos too 😉

[@klausbrinck2137]

too ??? It´s the one and only advantage !!!

[@tbz1551]

@@klausbrinck2137 by “too” it means accomplishes something other than his initial goal of seeing if it works. Slow down dude… comprehension is important.

[@klausbrinck2137]

@@tbz1551 I understand u, but I insist: Utterly useless, so useless that it´s almost evil, and its only use is to save time for the "drive-side -photos" ;-) ;-) ;-) Would u get deliberately run over by a truck, just to see what happens? No? Then, u also don´t build that abortion, since u already must know what happens. I thought he has some new, never-thought-of-before application for such an, otherwise, abortion, and instead, at the end, I wanted to plug out my eyes... I shouldn´t even be disappointed, cause I clearly should have been smarter...

[@chrisko6439]

This idea is bonkers. Subbed.

[@lih-fk8by]

Real man of genius, we salute you Mr. Take something easy and make it complicated mad scientist guy

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

If you're set on keeping this, drill out the left crank and helicoil the proper threads in. Also, it'd just be a normal freewheel bike unless you swap them, but for another experiment, ACS makes left hand drive BMX freewheels.

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

Why do some BMXs have that? Is it for left dominant people?

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

@@Eduardo_Espinozato my knowledge, it is about which foot is dominant, but not for power transfer. It's for whichever side they're more comfortable doing grinds on so they're not destroying their drivetrain if they miss the pegs

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

@@deeranfoxworthy6069 I see now, thanks! :)

[@dudeonbike800]

Before worrying about helicoil, just re-thread with left-hand tap and see what you get. Chances are better than not that you'll have enough threads for secure pedal torque. A framebuilder friend did this multiple times to make left-hand tandem cranks with no issues whatsoever.

[@bmxscape]

@@dudeonbike800 wtf lol do not run a left tap though an already tapped hole... yes the pedal will thread in... no it will not stay in...

[@Rafskat]

Funny idea! :D you can use different gear ratios on both sides. so pedaling backward would have easier gear or other way around.. maybe for climbing up hills backward. Or.. left side could have higher gear for braking on longer hills.

[@waveywheelies]

I did briefly think of different ratios, but my thoughts were that it might not work. If the LH side was a lower ratio (easier gear) the LH side would want to drive the cranks faster foward that the right side potentially causing some issue or weird chain tensions. Not 100% sure but would have to try it out and see!

[@michaelallan108]

Getting chain length and tension might be tricky but in theory a chain tensioner on the RHS, or even wilder the top of the LHS might work?! Please do this!

[@VyantQuijt]

@@waveywheelies since either side is always freewheeling you shouldn't have any problems running different gear ratios, as long as you sort the chain tension. A tiny chainring and massive freewheel on the left would translate to high leverage on the wheel for very low effort, easy on the knees braking.

[@samsonsclan7439]

​@@VyantQuijt Right 52-16 Left 52-24 are they going to work ?

[@VyantQuijt]

@@samsonsclan7439 I wouldn't know, man. I was thinking more along the lines of a 1:1 ratio on the left for the braking. Only concern for chain tension is that the sprocket centre distance for either of your selected ratios is near enough the same, so you don't end up with one overly tight or slack chain. I'm sure there's some calculators for that online

[@ashhill308]

Nice work, love the lateral thinking + the Malum is a sick frame

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

I think I see what you did there 🧠

[@waveywheelies]

Cheers mate!

[@carlwilliams6312]

Good concept , could possibly reduce chain stretch as apposed to a single chain fixie , looks a little funkie but so does my left side drive fixie , keep up the great work and videos 👍

[@waveywheelies]

Cheers mate! It definitely looks a little funkie but was fun to try out! Thanks for the support🙏

[@levrider9558]

When pedaling forward, only one Freewheel will be engaged. when pedaling backwards, only the other Freewheel will be engaged. as long as you don't ride forward and backward for an equal amount of time, you won't have this advantage. it looks cool though.

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

What a load of bollocks

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

Is it shite

[@ItsDaJax]

@@levrider9558 Sometimes the cool factor is all that matters... especially with fixies.

[@ceec2999]

To all the people hating in the comments there's 0 benefit to a regular fixie... But its kinda cool

[@pinchflat]

I am glad someone did this. As a 25 year veteran bike mechanic I have wanted to try this. Obviously not bad enough to do it...but still.

[@waveywheelies]

Haha happy to help! Got anymore weird ideas for me to try?

[@zptro6316]

please god I hope this doesn't become a fixed gear trend. wacky idea and so funny that it works so well. Makes sense when you ponder it

[@miguelemsYT]

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.

[@DualityCF]

Used to have something similar on my Old specialized brand bmx. both hub sides had threads on them, so i fitted an additional sprocket + left hand drive freewheel on. fixed all my issues with chainstrech and "uneven" paddlepressure

[@frater_niram]

dude i had the same idea extacly 2 weeks ago and now it pops up randomly on my feed..... they are listening ^^

[@ItsDaJax]

So that means you probably ran across some post I made about doing a dual chain bike, a few years ago on either BikeForums or RatRodBikes. I still want to build one. Somebody was telling me in my thread I could do exactly like you did, or to some degree, and your build is pretty cool; a free wheel fixie. You actually helped me out on a number of things, for when I can get around to it, 1; I hadn't considered the fact I'd need two rh pedals(surprisingly), 2; that I could use a regular flip flop hub, I thought I'd need this specific BMX hub I found, when I discovered that in the 90s there was a twin drive BMX bike. You just made it easier for me when I can get around to building mine, won't be fixie, but will still be awesome.

[@SecwetGwiwer]

This is absolutely ridiculous and I love it!!

[@waveywheelies]

Haha yeah it is an odd one! Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@eli2685]

This video got me thinking and if you used a left LHD BMX crank and a right RHD BMX crank then you wouldn't have the problem of the pedal backing off.

[@FabianCrownVic]

Daaaaamnnnn, finalyyyy!! I had these idea for so many years! Can't wait to see the video! 😆

[@waveywheelies]

Haha! Hope you enjoyed it!

[@FabianCrownVic]

@@waveywheelies I definitively did! Will yo do a long term review? Just like many guys here in the comments say I wonder how long the left crank's pedal thread will last.

[@macwacs]

EXCITED TO MAKE THIS FROM SCRAP THANK YOU

[@anielyantra1]

Looks cool! It does violate one fixie rule; keep things as light as possible. As far a engineering goes it is redundant. Interesting experiment.

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

I wonder if this could be me made lighter, for a certain application. 🤔

[@911sareforever]

I was so hoping it would be like a sweet spot where you can coast. But I love this

[@waveywheelies]

Yeah that would be cool. Glad you liked it!

[@ComputerRouter]

The duel cranks look cool, especially looking through the side as the pentagonal fixings are opposite phases

[@WatchmakerErik]

Fixed gear without the simplicity, fixie hubs without the robustness, double the weight and complexity with no redundancy. If one of those chain snaps are one of those free Wheels dies you are hosed. I love it.

[@manyhoang]

Good Idea, good job,and good looking man. Nice to see,and thanks for sharing. it gives some good inspiration.

[@chad5188]

Finally my old thought bike idea have finally come true😁😁.

[@waveywheelies]

🙌

[@ichbrauchmehrkaffee5785]

the only actual benefit I could think of, would be, that this setup - in theory - completely cancels out the bending moments on the axle created by the chain under load, but I guess we can safely assume, that those bending moments are nothing the axle couldn't handle

[@nandayokoitse4866]

Mind blowing

[@koos42]

You have to make it so it has an easier gear ratio in reverse, it would mean easier braking!

[@jonasmeiner5007]

Nah, in order to tension the chain correctly they need to be the same length

[@koos42]

@@jonasmeiner5007 the chain doesn't need to be perfectly tight, you can get it about right with a little luck by taking links out of the chain, and trying different combos of gears. A little slack in the chain is common on fixed gears and single speeds. It would likely mean one freewheel is always racheting, which would be a little fun.

[@lucywucyyy]

@@koos42 chain tensioners could work too maybe getting the left freewheels tension correct then using a tensioner on the right to take up the slack

[@bikepackingadventure7913]

So like a fixed gear bike but twice the weight 🙄😂 A solution developed from no problem

[@waveywheelies]

Yep exactly haha!

[@JonathonToon]

Some said it wasn't possible. Wavy made it possible.

[@MarioXcore1]

problems inherently are the +-slop ( which is why the chains were weirdly loose ), and also the reverse-reverse thread that will slowly unthread the pedals lol sick regardless

[@ashokchorge6954]

Nice Try! I hope this set up goes well with Mid Drive Motor without Peddles. Keep It Up Bro!

[@marklogan9849]

Cool set up, who knew that it had been done before! A frame had a chain stay so short that the bottom bracket would have rubbed the rear tire so they split the frame for clearance and had to use two chain rings and cranks just like your set up! Look it up in Vintage Bikes.

[@bryanvos1590]

So u ended up getting rid of the coast function of a freewheel?

[@waveywheelies]

Effectively yep!

[@lostcarpark]

Definitely an interesting experiment. I'm struggling to understand how this is different from a fixie - apart from being more mechanically complex.

[@vladislavpodolyako9787]

Если бы было 2 fix звезды, то нагрузка распределялась на них равномерно. А так,я тоже не понял, кроме симметрии

[@lucywucyyy]

it isnt lol its just a more complex fixie for the novelty

[@rufusgillespie9940]

Smack on a left hand side drive train next, love the vids man keep em coming

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks mate! Sweet idea, I’ll definitely try that out at some point!

[@manueltome-p4e]

Double chain bike could be a good idea for making the bike walking front or backwards, depending the way the pedals are moved. Interesting idea for mounting a bike for rail track configuration.

[@andrewpintar1620]

Mad scientist stuff! Nect up, retro direct build

[@the.master.kid132]

Pretty cool I remember that same set up back in the late 70s early 80s it was called Clem twin cranks n hub used on bmx bikes

[@tevemullins8156]

Creative!! Very Mad Max like. Well executed with excellent video/audio. Thanks for sharing!!

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the nice feedback. Much appreciated ✌️

[@rancidmarshmallow4468]

if you had different gear ratios, could it give you a lower gear when breaking or going backwards? could be interesting!

[@lucywucyyy]

i really wanna see this too!

[@KoyotBravo]

Ah, yes. Now I can get my trousers dirty evenly!

[@rodrigomaero]

Never thought about double drive train but I did thought about installing the drivetrain on the left side on my fixed gear everyday bike

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Kinda nuts. I once built a retro directe' drivetrain. Pedal forward in one gear and pedal backwards for the second gear. Google it ,it's odd but fun to ride once you get used to pedalling backwards. I have a short youtube video of it

[@waveywheelies]

Oh that sounds cool! I think I’ve heard of that before, I’ll check out your video! Sounds like something I should try out

[@stuarthibberd6549]

Have people never considered why we have left and right threads on pedals. The reason they are like that is so that if the pedal bearing locks up then the pedal will unwind on its thread while you are pedaling forwards. So to say that the left hand pedal will gradually come loose is incorrect as any binding in the axle will cause it to tighten not loosen. If anything the right hand pedal should loosen! So on a normal bike both pedals should gradually come undone but this will only happen if an axle binds up so consider this as a safety feature built into your bike. Next time you take off a pedal hold your peddle spanner horizontal and rotate the crank in the forward direction using the spanner and surprise surprise your pedal will come off.

[@altus1226]

You can do this entire thing in a single pedal axis- without the additional chain. Each pedal would be directly engaged with a freewheel which then would engage with the chained sprocket to a fixed sprocket on the wheel

[@berserkerfunestus]

I need to try this set up with mixed gear ratios for dem sick skidz!

[@floppycheese96]

you should try to make the reverse freewheel a lower gear ratio than the forward one, you'd be able to reach higher top speeds while being able to skid more easily (or am I wrong? this is all mental anyway haha)

[@DaBinChe]

That is correct...main thing to figure out would be chain tension. You'll have to fine gear ratios that have the same chain tension or very close cause different gear ratios will have different axle to bb distance.

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

@DaBinChe I wonder if a math formula could be made to find the distance between the center of the 2 cog/chainring. 🤔 Maybe we can generalize that similar ones are slack & vise versa

[@waveywheelies]

I did briefly think of this but wasn’t sure it would work, my thoughts were that if the LH ratio was lower the LH free wheel would want to rotate faster foward than the RH side, causing some kind of issue, so I’m not sure the chain tensions would work. Maybe I should try it out and see

[@floppycheese96]

@@waveywheelies well we're all thinking it now haha, maybe a part 2 video idea?

[@MTBkid42]

I wonder what a mixed ratio setup would do. Maybe let you have different ratios forward vs backwards?

[@sechsnine4556]

I guess it would block itself or snap a chain. Reversing wheel itself engage any freewheel. Lets say forward ratio is 2:1 and reverse is 1:1 ratio. Going forward is then impossible. While at reverse crank chain ring make 1 rotation, freewheel make 1 rotations, wheel itself make 1 rotation AND reversed forward freewheel makes 2 rotations(it wont engage because wheel is slower than it). And when we try to pedal forward. Chain ring try to make 1 rotation, freewheel tries to make 2 rotations and wheel itself is trying to do 2 rotations AND THEY CANT because they are stopped by slow freewheel that is doing only 1 rotation just like the chain ring itself. Its going to get stuck on itself because wheel cant go faster than reversing low gear ratio. Oh what a BRAIN EXERCISE!

[@robertrjm8115]

one problem you might face in the longer run is that the left pedal might be come unscrewed since it now has the wrong thread direction for the non drive side. This is a common problem on unicycles when riders don't watch out and always use the same side to go forward. (the saddle can be rotated by 180 deg and hence it is not always immediately obvious which is the correct direction) .

[@waveywheelies]

Yep definitely! Interesting about the unicycle, never thought of that

[@andreyisakov1811]

An interesting experiment. The left pedal will definitely twist off the connecting rod during the trip.

[@vlebe]

Great way to staim both my legs with chain grease when commuting 😊

[@TanichthysAlbonubes]

great setup 😍

[@connorm9176]

Congratulations you have invented the double flywheel

[@waveywheelies]

😮

[@oko.b.3085]

Lockring from bottom brackets will match the freewheel thread so you could create double fixed system

[@russellzauner]

With three freewheels you'll get forward reverse and neutral (neutral is when two of three line up in the reverse direction of the other, so it works in both directions - technically you get *two* "neutrals" but since they're both neutral it seems like one). You could also use a *unicycle* geared hub, which has freewheel/lock options as well as heel operated gear shift options.

[@bmxscape]

wow there are geared unicycle hubs? that is sick

[@Chungleas]

Probably been suggested but a tandem crankset would allow you to have double chainrings and correctly threaded pedals.

[@waveywheelies]

Yeah great call, that would solve the issue!

[@ideka9328]

Everyone expects flying cars, but they get a much better one - double drivetrain bicycles

[@justinecooper9575]

I'll give you points for a cool look.

[@brilog69]

Such a Kool idea!

[@EMNM22]

On the one pedal you could drill a hole where the pedal threads in, then tap the some threads and insert a bolt to lock the pedal i n place.

[@B.A.512]

Pretty cool that you tried this! I welded a freewheel once to build a fixed gear. Whats next? Retro direct? 😉

[@waveywheelies]

Cheers! Yeah retro direct does look pretty interesting, I think I’ll have to try it out as some stage

[@13opacus]

Looks cool if nothing else👍

[@newoldsteel]

WOT in tarnation?! Good job though and it looks surprisingly good. You may just have started a new trend lol

[@redalert2834]

There is a benefit: if one chain snaps or starts to skip, you can still get home. Also you may find that the components last MORE than twice as long, saving money! Plus the bike is more symmetrical, making it easier to balance!!

[@Zero.Crusader]

Add a motor/dynamo on the rear-drive (left) side and you have a regenerative braking/generator ready.

[@madpeddler8263]

I checked the Velominati and it would appear that you haven't broken any rules

[@XEDAP88]

Tips Goood

[@B_COOPER]

Bro how do you torque up your bb without slipping or bracing the bb tool with your palm? You’re a master!

[@d.christianrathjens7209]

ATTENTION: right side pedal mounted on left side will not hold. It will destroy the thread on the long run very ugly. Can say from experience on a tandem.

[@Horstelin]

As an engineer, i like the symmetrical loading of the drivetrain... That this is sadly missing out on because of the freewheels 😂 jokes aside, different gearing for backwards and forwards would actually be interesting. Maybe you can find a cog large enough that it compensates the 2 added links exactly so the rear wheel is in straight?

[@AndresLopez-zi1ww]

I've been thinking about this for yeas thanks for doing this

[@waveywheelies]

No worries, happy to help! Got any other ideas I should try? Haha

[@kojoydesu4107]

2 freewheel create fixedgear..this is BALLERR

[@waveywheelies]

Haha cheers!

[@pjcanfield8]

Oh great now I can get my left shoelace caught in the chain now too

[@peterliljebladh]

I've been thinking of doing the same thing, but with two fixed gear cogs. The point for that being the power strain will be cut in half and hopefully allowing the chain to live much longer. The trick will be to position the cog precisely enough to match the other side.

[@hfdcjiirjmcfi]

Do you wear out chains that fast? They're also very cheap!

[@conradmcmahon9323]

Yes, the wear will be "cut in half", but you're buying two drivetrains at the start. That's the same as replacing one drivetrain, yes? 🙄

[@hfdcjiirjmcfi]

@@conradmcmahon9323 my other thoughts. Half wear on 2 chains is the same as normal wear on 1. I suppose you have twice as long between buying replacements but when you do it's 2x the price

[@waveywheelies]

Yeah I think chain tensioner would be key!

[@rickguerrero2282]

Nice work! It was cool to see the chain problem resolve by changing 1 if the chains by 1 link!

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! Yeah I was very relieved by that haha

[@schlass265]

THIS is what I like

[@lucywucyyy]

id love to see this with two very different gear ratios

[@juna61]

Imagine getting both of you pant legs getting between the chains at the same time xD

[@paullacey2999]

Next Video Wavy,you could widen the frame and forks and run double wheels,theres a challenge for you!

[@waveywheelies]

Interesting, or maybe double rims? 36h hub with two 18h rims? Haha

[@piratepete-thetruthisforevery1]

Use lock-tite on the pedal thread if it loosens up...

[@americanautoduelist2233]

I think dual ovals, offset, would be interesting on this build.

[@lestatmauhay4444]

Great experiment!! 🔥 May I know what size your bottom bracket my brother?

[@MrJasonodonnell]

This was a thing in BMX racing for a bit, the theory was o.k but the cons were also obvious at the time.

[@waveywheelies]

Oh interesting I never knew that, what were the advantages for bmx racing?

[@MrJasonodonnell]

@@waveywheelies theory was bike had equal flex and better transfer of power from your “off leg” and ideally better punch just out of the gate, I had an article on this way back, I think testers were dropping chains and hated the weight obviously. 2-3 company’s had a crack at it, sometimes true innovation is figuring out what wont work…..

[@cadecarp11]

Next, you should try the same setup but with two different sized chainrings and see if it moves at all. I think it would freewheel one side a little bit when pedaling one direction and then lock up when pedaling the other direction.

[@cadecarp11]

@@CalmoOmlac I definitely think you are wrong.

[@cadecarp11]

@Calmo Omlac I see what you're getting at.

[@elijahschool2725]

what would be cool if you could on a bmx have one chain and sprocket but be able to disengage the ratchet pawls by like a dropper post lever and maybe engage a second set of pawls to be able to pedal backwards

[@lomotiki]

Super cool!

[@waveywheelies]

Cheers!