Anyone fancy one of these?

[joolsybools]

'Commuter bike' in line for award

Mr Hargreaves hopes to sell the bike for £400

A bicycle that can be folded up into its own wheels has been shortlisted for a £10,000 design award.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8182356.stm

Looks pretty compact...could give Brompton and the like a run for their money.

 

[tdr1nka]

More on it here.

Having watched the vid, I wonder how many times you'll pinch your hands/fingers in the hinges before you get it unfolded/thrown in the Thames?

 

[joolsybools]

n + 1?

 

[Bigtwin]

I like that. Very clean and simplem, and practicle. Nice design work.

 

[Crankarm]

A great try and interesting, but where are all the cables, gears, brakes, chain, chainset and transmission and other essentials such as mudguards which will all affect the folding, portability and weight? Even if it's a fixie it should have a chain, sprocket and front ring. Using pause/play I thought I might see some indication of the transmission or brake lines inside the tubing but there doesn't appear to be anything. If you notice he doesn't actually pedal to drive himself forward on it.

It made my LoL when I heard this story on BBC news radio yesterday afternoon describing this bike as revolutionary. No it isn't BBC you are just f**kwits. There are already numerous folding bikes on the market the best and most compact of which is the Brompton .

 

[Origamist]

It's reminiscent of Mark Sanders' IF Mode:

http://www.minusfive.com/industrial-design/775/mark-sanders-if-mode-for-areaware

 

[Bigtwin]

Even if it's a fixie it should have a chain, sprocket and front ring. .

All the cabling can be internal - it enters at the top of the head-tube, and I'd put a belt on it, but this is internal.

 

[CopperBrompton]

I can't see it competing with the Brompton - far too slow and fiddly to fold/unfold, and no luggage.

Might compete with full-size folders, though.

 

[Bigtwin]

I can't see it competing with the Brompton - far too slow and fiddly to fold/unfold, and no luggage.

Might compete with full-size folders, though.

If you put Brommie style hinges on that, it would be about as quick.

Where it's going to score is on maint, lack of oily chain, and ride quality on poor surfaces, which is the only complaint I have with my Brommie.

Oh, and probably weight too.

 

[gaz]

A few flaws.

It currently doesn't work, the pedals are planned to drive the rear tyre by some sort of oil system which should work, but no one has done it..

you have to take the left crank and pedal off every time you want to fold the bike.

 

[TheDoctor]

I like the look of it - all monostays in a Mike Burrows stylee - but I can't figger out how the drive works.
I'll stick with my Brommie. If the ruddy thing ever gets delivered...

 

[CharlieB]

If the ruddy thing ever gets delivered...

+1

 

[jimboalee]

I won't be in the queue.