Riding the next wave of bicycles Chainless bicycles, powered by a shaft that ran from the pedals to the rear wheel, were immensely popular at the turn of the century. Women particularly liked them because they could ride without worrying about getting their skirts caught in the chain or sprocket. But with their heavy steel frames and single-gear construction, the chainless models disappeared, except for a few that managed to land in museums or private collections. Now, they're back. Taiwan-based manufacturer Sussex Enter- prises Co. produces and markets chainless bikes with one, three, five and seven gears. And this spring, a Toronto company began distributing the seven-gear bikes, which re- tail for $749. But for that price, some ex- perts say, buyers get a bike that is lighter and requires less maintenance than con- ventional models. – Maclean's, June 1999