ROWCYCLE – Das innovative Ruderfahrrad – Rowcycle

Row Forward!

The ROWCYCLE Masterskull is an innovative sporting equipment combining features of a bicycle and a rowboat. It is the result of a feasibility study and a commercial implementation of the ROWCYCLE will not be pursued further.

Row Forward!

The ROWCYCLE Masterskull is an innovative sporting equipment combining features of a bicycle and a rowboat.

Rowing experience

A piece of sports equipment recreating the complex motions of rowing without being dependent on waters

Efficiency

Effective locomotion; use of various muscle sections; the aerodynamic, low sitting position reduces the driving resistance

Flexibility

All season use regardless of weather conditions; suitable for all age groups and every fitness level

Endurance

Effective workout for the whole body preventing partial muscle fatigue; intense training of the athlete’s cognitive and coordinative skills

Driving pleasure

Special riding experience and riding pleasure

Relief

Training easy to the joints; comfortable sitting position that is gentle to the neck

Full range of motion

A special feature of the ROWCYCLE is its steering system. A rowboat on water leans to the left and to the right side. This movement was constructively implemented. As the frame inclines around its longitudinal axis there is a corresponding, immediate movement of the front wheels to the appropriate side. Thus there is no steering wheel or other kind of steer kit. The athlete steers by weight shifting. Due to its steering system the ROWCYCLE is very maneuverable. A course correction is made intuitively by weight shifting.

Since the handle of the ROWCYCLE and its steering system are not directly related, the athlete’s coordinative and cognitive skills are promoted and improved. Due to this special steering system, the ROWCYCLE provides a very own and special riding experience and of course a great riding pleasure.

Individual settings

Foot plate

position and angle of slope steplessly variable

Sitting position

totally variable for a height between 60” and 80”

Resistance

adjustable rowing resistance due to 8 speed gear hub

Handling

individual
customizable
handling

Stay up-to-date

The commercial implementation of the ROWCYCLE feasibility study will not be pursued further.

We are still open for cooperation partners to further develop the project.

Contact

We are still available for inquiries from industrial cooperation partners with commercial intentions.

Technical data

(Lenth/Width/Height) [inch]:	(97/30/28)
Weight [lb]:	approx. 44
Painting:	powder-coated
Gear:	chain
Tyres:	Schwalbe Kojak
Gear changing:	gear hub SHIMANO Nexus with 8-speed
Breaks:	3 x TEKTRO Auriga (twin)
Steering:	ball-bearing mounted floating axel, Uniball mounted steering knuckle
Pedals:	SHIMANO SPD
Seat:	sliding seat (boat accessories), ball-bearing mounted, carbon
Speedo:	O-SYNCE_Mini PC Save

Who is behind this project?

Behind this project is the Automotive Systems Engineer Michael Schmidtler from Regensburg. Since his early childhood he has always been fascinated by all kind of vehicles. His interests have always involved both the driving experience and the technique of a wide range of vehicles.
Michael used to be a competitive rower and thus knows a lot about the everyday training of rowers. Spending countless hours on ergometers in the cold winter months made the inventor think about other training methods. According to Michael the stationary pieces of sports equipment do not recreate a realistic rowing motion. The joy of movement definitely comes off badly. Based on these aspects the idea of inventing an innovative rowing bike was born.
The development and the production of the first prototype began after Michael had finished his Bachelor thesis. He decided to open his idea to the public during his Master studies.
Michael is supported by his colleague and rowing partner Henrik Pahlitzsch, who already recognized the potential of the Rowcycle for an effective whole-body workout in the first prototype. Due to the combination of rowing skills as a competitive rower and the bachelor’s degree in Sports Engineering, he is predestined for the project of bringing the rowing sport on shore.