Custom dewheel bike with moving rings rotates back and forth
Sam Barker creates the DeWheel custom Bike With two large rotating rings and a plastic bucket seat that rotates the user without having to pedal. Using metal fabrication, 3D printing, and suspension design, the pilot and content creator aimed to create a bike that could move forward and backward while the rider remained seated inside the moving rings without swinging. The project starts with the idea of improving an earlier monowheel prototype, which had balance and structure problems. For this new version, Sam Barker decided to use two large circular rings made from 5 mm thick, 100 mm wide mild steel tubing. These rings form the outer rolling parts of the machine, and they are bent and cut by a metal fabricator in Sheffield, then welded into perfect circles.
Inside these rings sits the internal frame supporting the seat, suspension and rollers. The frame is also made of 5 mm steel plates and box sections, and it connects to the outer rings with rollers that allow the frame to rotate freely inside the moving rings. The rollers are printed in nylon using a 3D printer, which is stronger and more durable than earlier PLA plastic versions that break quickly. The material creator must adjust the rods using a homemade setup consisting of a 3D-printed adapter and a drill to ensure that the bearings fit properly. Once the rollers and bearings are complete, they are pressed into the roller mounts and installed on the frame of the dewheel bike with the moving rings.
All images courtesy of Sam Barker
plastic bucket chair for rider seat
The suspension system is another important part of the dewheel bike with moving rings. In uploaded videos, content manufacturer Makes the frame of your ride with H-shaped brackets to hold suspension units and connect the internal frame to the external structure. These parts allow movement and help absorb shocks, keeping the ride stable and balanced. The plastic bucket seat comes next, which is placed inside the internal frame and will later include a five-point harness for safety.
The seat is positioned low to keep the center of gravity near the bottom of the rings to ease rolling and prevent tipping over. Sam Barker also plans to add a top brace and a motor system with batteries, although these have not been installed yet, at least not with the first part of the video (a follow-up will be coming in the near future).
Sam Barker produces a custom bike dewheel with two large rotating rings
The final version of the ride comes with an electric motor
During assembly, each outer ring weighs approximately 60 kg, and the two rings together surround the inner frame, forming a dual-wheel or di-wheel structure. The frame is inserted into the rings using a ratchet strap to preload the suspension, and Sam Barker tightens the top rollers to secure everything in position. Once assembled, the machine can rotate back and forth on flat ground, while the seat remains flat inside the ring.
To complete the structure, he grinds off the rough welds on steel rings to smooth the rolling motion for the bearings, and adds 3D-printed spacers to keep the bolt and roller positions aligned. The content creator says the final version will be powered by electric motors with about 60 kilowatts of total output, and so far, he hasn’t shown any testing in the first part of the YouTube video, or whether his DeWheel bike with moving rings works.
Inside these rings sits the internal frame supporting the seat, suspension and rollers
Plastic bucket seats are mounted inside the frame and will later include a five-point harness for safety
The seat is positioned low to keep the center of gravity near the bottom of the rings to make rolling easier
The two rings together surround the inner frame, forming a double wheel.
