Cycle design project.

[Beardie]

Yeah, I know, but it would be aimed at cycle commuters who would prefer to spend one minute changing the wheel than ten minutes finding and repairing a puncture. It would look slick and efficient and may tip the balance for those currently-non-cyclists who think that punctures are a major issue.
Some of us may be happy to walk home with a flat tyre, others may find it does nothing for their timekeeping, perceived image, and feelings that there is little point in getting a bike if you end up walking anyway.

Failing that, how about a recumbent with under-seat steering that folds to the size of a Brompton?

 

[Dan B]

Bindun. Pennys, obviously, also Cruz recumbents and a few Mike Burrows designs. I'm planning on building a FWD 'bent over the winter, using one and a half old bikes and a dirty great lever...

Don't forget you'll need a place to stand

 

[Arch]

Failing that, how about a recumbent with under-seat steering that folds to the size of a Brompton?

Now you're talking! Although could you make it over-seat? I prefer that.

Of course there was a Brompton recumbent conversion, but I think it folded a little larger than the original bike.

 

[Dan B]

Of course there was a Brompton recumbent conversion, but I think it folded

I suppose that'd be why I've never heard of it

 

[Piemaster]

Failing that, how about a recumbent with under-seat steering that folds to the size of a Brompton?

Ahem

 

[arallsopp]

That's got over seat steering

Doesn't meet the brief.

 

[WeeE]

Invent a new, cheap, lightweight metal and build a Dutch bike with it.

OK, so that's not on. Just what the first guy said - a sturdy, no-fuss, long-lived, fully-equipped lazy-idiot-proof about-town bike that can carry any bag or box that you happen to have, that costs no more than the rest and weighs noticeably less - so that all us middle-age-spreaders can carry it up and down the stairs to flats without busting our love-handles.

We're your market!

 

[WeeE]

Oh - and design it in small sizes. 98% of bikes, even alleged 17-inch frames, seem to be built for people of average male height, average male back-length and average male arm-reach - just right to give a quarter of the entire adult population a stiff neck and sore shoulders.

 

[WeeE]

How about a rear rack that:

1. is broad, strong & flat enough for a bum
2. has either (a) a built-in pop-up folding crate or basket on top that you can fling your loaf-and-milk, your jacket or your packed lunch into
or maybe ( built-in coat-guard / fold-out mesh panniers
or (c) at least a springy thing that actually fulfill's function - big enough to hold a bag and jacket and stop them sliding off sideways. A springy thing with sides.
3. has three or four gate-clips or carbine clips built in on each side so that you can clip on your normal manbag, work case, handbag, shopping bags, overnight bag... (Most bags have either a D-ring or similar at the base of the handles, or have grommets or eyelets.
4. A compartment or cage to stow small pump, tyre levers, spare tube, maybe the lock. (People cut & steal saddlebags just on the offchance there's anything spendable in them.)

 

[WeeE]

oh, and (5) No rattling.

 

[BrumJim]

OK, been having a think recently:
Accessories. I have just got a new bike, and love the simplicity of a diamond aluminium frame with no mudguards or pannier fixings, and gear levers that are integrated with the brake hods and brake levers. However the simplicity is ruined by a handlebar that is populated with a bell, light, reflector and hopefully some time soon a bike computer. I have a mobile phone that has a light, calculator, converter, alarm for the morning, takes photos and messages, and can even make phone calls. However bike accessories do only one thing. I want my bike to look elegantly simple, not adorned with bits and pieces like a grandmothers mantle-piece. So please, integrate everything I would want on my handlebars into one sleek, elegant item.

A bike with a massive rear wheel that extends above the seat height, and therefore is mounted further back. Rolling resistance would be reduced, but this is not about practicality, it is about jaw-dropping looks that could re-create the Chopper-type fashion market.

A tandem where the stoker sits almost pillion-like up-close to the pilot, with arms wrapped around their waist. Tandems are notoriously heavy, so anything to reduce frame weight would help costs and effort. There would be practicality issues, but these can be resolved with a bit of clever engineering. The hard work would be defining the issues in the first place.

And now back to the asylum. Speak to you after my next successful escape...

 

[Archie_tect]

A trike set up like a rickshaw but where all 3 people pedal....think of the power to weight ration that would have all driving the back two wheels with the front [central] person in charge of steering and brakes... could carry a lot of load too.
Could be covered in by aerodynamic polycarbonate too.