cmcanulty
01-23-08, 09:33 AM
Check out this interesting invention
http://www.duncfitz.co.uk/wheel.html
http://www.duncfitz.co.uk/wheel.html
View Full Version : Folding Bicycle Wheel!
geo8rge
01-23-08, 11:35 AM
The wheel goes from circle to elongated ellipse, but is it's area really reduced any? The ellipse might be a more convient shape for some bikes.
StephenH
01-23-08, 11:41 AM
It's smaller in one direction, longer in another. Seems kind of a marginal improvement.
My idea is a segmented wheel. The key is that you only need the segments on the bottom. So as soon as a segment passes the contact point on the ground, you can pop it off and put it on the front again.
I first saw the headline that said "Folding Bicycle Wheel" and thought, "Big deal. They all fold. It's the unfolding that's the problem!"
My idea is a segmented wheel. The key is that you only need the segments on the bottom. So as soon as a segment passes the contact point on the ground, you can pop it off and put it on the front again.
I first saw the headline that said "Folding Bicycle Wheel" and thought, "Big deal. They all fold. It's the unfolding that's the problem!"
jur
01-23-08, 12:39 PM
The need to invent such a wheel is based on myths, on the front page.
Bikes with larger wheels have superior performance but cannot fold up smaller than the size of their wheels. Folding bikes with smaller wheels can fold up very well but are slower, less stable and less comfortable than a full size bike.
I have experience with both bike types and I know that these are simply false.
Don't expect this invention to stay around...
Bikes with larger wheels have superior performance but cannot fold up smaller than the size of their wheels. Folding bikes with smaller wheels can fold up very well but are slower, less stable and less comfortable than a full size bike.
I have experience with both bike types and I know that these are simply false.
Don't expect this invention to stay around...
makeinu
01-23-08, 01:22 PM
The need to invent such a wheel is based on myths, on the front page.
I have experience with both bike types and I know that these are simply false.
Don't expect this invention to stay around...
Well, smaller diameter tires have more rolling resistance. On the other hand, skinnier tires also have more rolling resistance, yet they're all the rage on performance bicycles so rolling resistance obviously isn't everything.
I have experience with both bike types and I know that these are simply false.
Don't expect this invention to stay around...
Well, smaller diameter tires have more rolling resistance. On the other hand, skinnier tires also have more rolling resistance, yet they're all the rage on performance bicycles so rolling resistance obviously isn't everything.
rhm
01-23-08, 01:25 PM
The need to invent such a wheel is based on myths, on the front page.
I have experience with both bike types and I know that these are simply false.
Don't expect this invention to stay around...
Yeah, that was my reaction too. On the other hand, it is true that wheel size limits fold size. If they could make a good 20" folding wheel, that might be something useful. But if it folds up unexpectedly, such as when you hit a pothole, that would not be good.
I have experience with both bike types and I know that these are simply false.
Don't expect this invention to stay around...
Yeah, that was my reaction too. On the other hand, it is true that wheel size limits fold size. If they could make a good 20" folding wheel, that might be something useful. But if it folds up unexpectedly, such as when you hit a pothole, that would not be good.
LittlePixel
01-23-08, 02:26 PM
To coin a phrase... reinventing the wheel!
A valiant effort, but I can't really see this being successful; Idea looking for a problem if you ask me.
Something so central to the success of a bikes' whole must really be 100% structurally integral, and the second you start messing with that you end up with something that can fail, and in the most spectacular way.
To me this is one of those ideas you have, dwell on for a couple of moments and dismiss. I'm amazed it's got to such an elaborate prototype stage without the form/function idea puncturing his bubble.
The best new thing done with wheels I've seen is that cgi doing the rounds where the wheels are different sized alloy with offset hubs that allow one to be surrounded by the other, making two wheels fit in the space of one. I don't much care for the rest of that bike either but the concentric wheel idea is true innovation in the name of space saving.
A valiant effort, but I can't really see this being successful; Idea looking for a problem if you ask me.
Something so central to the success of a bikes' whole must really be 100% structurally integral, and the second you start messing with that you end up with something that can fail, and in the most spectacular way.
To me this is one of those ideas you have, dwell on for a couple of moments and dismiss. I'm amazed it's got to such an elaborate prototype stage without the form/function idea puncturing his bubble.
The best new thing done with wheels I've seen is that cgi doing the rounds where the wheels are different sized alloy with offset hubs that allow one to be surrounded by the other, making two wheels fit in the space of one. I don't much care for the rest of that bike either but the concentric wheel idea is true innovation in the name of space saving.
cmcanulty
01-23-08, 04:00 PM
The use I see is you can then fit a 26" wheel in an airline legal suitcase
jur
01-23-08, 04:18 PM
Yeah, but my point was, why would you in the first place? The design premise is not based on established fact.
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