Meet the Bisickle, a Commuter Bike Concept(good.is)
good.is
Meet the Bisickle, a Commuter Bike Concept
http://www.good.is/post/meet-the-bisickle-a-commuter-bike-concept/
12 comments
As for (3), the carbon fiber wheels are there, according to the video, to make it easier to build them yourself. The designer wants people to be able to rebuild wheels to fit current trends and/or changing riding conditions. According to the designer, standard wheels are too difficult to maintain and require specialized knowledge.
As an avid cyclist, though, I rarely do much to change out or even maintain my steel-spoked wheels. Once they are well-trued, I usually leave them alone for the season. I certainly never worry about my wheels not looking cool enough.
As an avid cyclist, though, I rarely do much to change out or even maintain my steel-spoked wheels. Once they are well-trued, I usually leave them alone for the season. I certainly never worry about my wheels not looking cool enough.
I couldn't agree more. This thing is a disaster.
A reasonable cyclocross bike with fenders, lights, a rack, some panniers or a trunk box/bag would be cheaper, more functional, 1/8 the weight and made of inexpensive and easily-sourced components. I don't get it.
My Trek 1200 is my main vehicle. It's a 4 year old entry-level road bike with a few hundred dollars of accessories added to it. I ride it 5,000 miles per year and never have any problems finding a place to put my jacket. It has twenty seven speeds, which might be far too many, but you could easily retrofit it with a Nexus 3 speed, Alfine 7/8 speed or some other high end gearbox like the NuVinci or Rohloff.
Many steel and aluminum bikes these days are also made (at least partly) from recycled materials. I really don't see much of a point.
A reasonable cyclocross bike with fenders, lights, a rack, some panniers or a trunk box/bag would be cheaper, more functional, 1/8 the weight and made of inexpensive and easily-sourced components. I don't get it.
My Trek 1200 is my main vehicle. It's a 4 year old entry-level road bike with a few hundred dollars of accessories added to it. I ride it 5,000 miles per year and never have any problems finding a place to put my jacket. It has twenty seven speeds, which might be far too many, but you could easily retrofit it with a Nexus 3 speed, Alfine 7/8 speed or some other high end gearbox like the NuVinci or Rohloff.
Many steel and aluminum bikes these days are also made (at least partly) from recycled materials. I really don't see much of a point.
I had the same thoughts, especially point 4 - the rest you can tweak to get it right, but you just can't ride a bike with a "crossbar" that wide, it's impossible - your knees already knock against the bar on a standard bike.
Also, that thing would be impossible to mount if you're wearing a skirt...
Also, that thing would be impossible to mount if you're wearing a skirt...
My guess regarding the wheels is that the designer was looking at old school BMX mag wheels as a model rather than the current crop of Aerospokes.
Your other criticisms are valid, too, though if you look at what most manufacturers offer as "commuter bikes," they are missing the same key features.
Your other criticisms are valid, too, though if you look at what most manufacturers offer as "commuter bikes," they are missing the same key features.
Low maintenance, water resistance and ride quality is everything in commuter bike design. Electric assist pessimises the first two aspects. Plastic construction seems nice but how does it ride on less than perfect roads?
Traditional bike design is refined through the ages, changing it without a good usability reason will be a tough sell. I'd like to try a prototype on cobbled streets in the rain.
Traditional bike design is refined through the ages, changing it without a good usability reason will be a tough sell. I'd like to try a prototype on cobbled streets in the rain.
I don't understand how this is a step forward; ease of manufacture, maybe? It doesn't strike me as being any more reliable, comfortable or efficient than any other electric-assist bicycle. I do like the thought that's gone into the various luggage compartments, though.
And I really don't get the CF wheels. They're about the last thing I'd want on a commuter bike.
And I really don't get the CF wheels. They're about the last thing I'd want on a commuter bike.
Imagine this with a heavy blow of sidewind...
love the idea, but after trying to ride a 'wide bike' before (with extra large distance between the pedals) I can tell you it's a real pain. it might be an ok position for sitting on a Harley, but not for peddling with any efficiency.
some nice features though, would love to see a prototype made.
some nice features though, would love to see a prototype made.
According to the video, the bike weighs 27kg, which seems a bit heavy for easy pedaling. Add in all your daily luggage and you're pedaling around with something like 35-50kg of extra weight. Except in really flat areas, that seems like a lot to ask of someone.
Movie about the bike by the creator: http://s640.photobucket.com/albums/uu121/karlmcintyredesign/...
I would like to know why the designer thinks this is better than a normal bike that is properly outfitted for commuting purposes.
1) The handle bars have two hand positions, yet no brakes. Dual brakes are possible, but expensive, fiddly and don't work with hydro disk brakes.
2) No mud guards.
3) Why solid spoke carbon fiber wheels when stressed steel spokes work so well?
4) Riding a bike with a 8 inch wide cross bar: a 10 minute mockup of this by sellotaping a lunchbox to to crossbar of a normal bike would reveal why this doesn't work
5) The saddlebag briefcase will interfere with your heel while pedaling: panniers need to much further back.
6) No lights