Hub-center steering

Complex linkages tend to be involved in the steering process, and this can lead to slack, vague, or inconsistent handlebar movement across its range.

After so many years of telescopic forks, people are used to riding a bike that handles in a specific way, and almost expect the limitations, and compensation is part of the experience.

Also, there is a depth of knowledge known about fork-based chassis design that attempts each year to get around the limitations through technological advances on the current system.

The hub-center steer concept is a very old one used as early as 1910 by the British James Cycle Co, and in 1920 by Ner-a-Car, and enjoyed an aftermarket vogue in the 1970s through the work of Jack Difazio in the UK.

His average speed of over 117mph on the twisty and undulating 37.73 mile long hedge and wall-lined street course was very reputable at an international event, on a machine built in his garden workshop during his spare time away from work.

Michael Tryphonos also built a prototype based on the Difazio system that did race at the Isle of Man with some success reaching 11th in the Senior TT.

Royce Creasey, the designer of feet forwards motorcycles, is an ardent advocate of hub-center steering.

In 2011 Elian Cycles developed their cargo bicycle called "Cargobike" with hub-center steering to the wheel.