Living Car Free - New 21st Century Swiss Made Concept Shopping Bike

In order to live an ideal car free (or at least car light) life, you must have the proper equipment and knowledge. This concept smaller wheeled (easy to mount/dismount) bicycle just might fit the requirements with gusto. It's cheery color (bright yellow), low center of gravity, double prong or legged kickstand, and most important of all, baskets built right in the bike's frame rather than hanging off something or another gives this bike a special edge over the others somewhat like it.

It makes me glad to have something like it in my 1970s Raleigh Twenty shopping bike-although I know the steel frame will be heavy-but very very tough and long lasting.

Links With Photos Aplenty
http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/content/awesome-bike-design-day (http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/content/awesome-bike-design-day)

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/11890/christophe-machet-camioncyclette-transportation-bike.html (http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/11890/christophe-machet-camioncyclette-transportation-bike.html)

Although one commenter on the above link did comment quite accurately that, ".....Love it ! Would've been perfect for the days (in NYC) I used to ride my baby daughter on the back, groceries and errands spilling over the front basket. Only caveat, how long would it stay on the city streets without getting swiped!....."
-g. rigelhaupt 10.22.10

One very important reason why more people here in North America don't ride bikes as serious transportation.

So awesome! The rear basket area would make attaching an oversize/odd-shaped object to the bike difficult. Otherwise? I would so buy this.

I like it well enough but are disks breaks really necessary for a bike just to go shopping? Often times these concepts look really cool but so much extra bling and technology is added that they ended up costing 2k or more. I doubt many people are going to give up their cars to buy a 2k bike to haul their groceries.

I too am wondering if disc brakes are necessary. A internal hub with just 3 speeds may not be enough for a fully loaded ride. The concept is nice but end price would play a major factor.

I like it well enough but are disks breaks really necessary for a bike just to go shopping? Often times these concepts look really cool but so much extra bling and technology is added that they ended up costing 2k or more. I doubt many people are going to give up their cars to buy a 2k bike to haul their groceries.

Disc brakes don't really cost any more than rim brakes now, and they perform much better, so the question should be why would anyone want rim brakes. A braking system that won't stop my bicycle safely when wet, and eats it's way through the rim sidewall, qualifies as useless bling.

I like the disc brakes also. The color is ap problem for me, and also the lack of fenders. I wish we had more info on the gearing (if any). The small wheels are reat for lower center of gravity and the "frame is the basket" concept is ingenious. The small wheels would probably give a much rougher ride, but there is a lot of steel to soak up the vibrations.

http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/userfiles/basket2.jpg

I like the disc brakes also. The color is ap problem for me, and also the lack of fenders. I wish we had more info on the gearing (if any). The small wheels are reat for lower center of gravity and the "frame is the basket" concept is ingenious. The small wheels would probably give a much rougher ride, but there is a lot of steel to soak up the vibrations.

http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/userfiles/basket2.jpg

Haven't bothered looking for the spec's but the rear hub is an IGH, looks like a Shimano 8speed. I too would want to see fenders and some other colour options. However I am pleased to see it comes equipped with lights and a dyno hub. The small wheels shouldn't be a problem as far as ride quality, I routinely ride on small wheeled bikes and the ride isn't any worse than on my larger bikes under most conditions. The small wheels help keep the overall size of the bike down making it lighter and keeping it compact for storage.

The overall package is extremely well thought out and executed. The designer obviously has some cycling experience or listened to someone that does.

Aaron :)

That rear basket looks so sturdy and large that I want to sit in it and be chauffered around.

That rear basket looks so sturdy and large that I want to sit in it and be chauffered around.

Not too far fetched. I saw a blog post somewhere that had someone riding in the basket...

Aaron :)

Disc brakes don't really cost any more than rim brakes now, and they perform much better, so the question should be why would anyone want rim brakes. A braking system that won't stop my bicycle safely when wet, and eats it's way through the rim sidewall, qualifies as useless bling.

I would love to see a set of disk brakes that cost the same as rims brakes. However did people stop their bikes before disk brakes were invented by marketers? :)

I would love to see a set of disk brakes that cost the same as rims brakes. However did people stop their bikes before disk brakes were invented by marketers? :)

Crash into bushes and cars :D Actually I learned to plan my braking and ride conservatively. Most of my bikes growing up had coaster brakes or rim brakes on chrome steel rims. I did have a drum brake on my Schwinn Heavy Duty that supplemented the coaster brake, but on long hills it was subject to fade.


Aaron :)

I would love to see a set of disk brakes that cost the same as rims brakes. However did people stop their bikes before disk brakes were invented by marketers? :)
I remember riding on wet steel rims and it was always an adventure. I think as disks get cheaper they will be a welcome improvement, just as aluminum rims were..

I remember riding on wet steel rims and it was always an adventure.

But they were so much better than brake spoons and rod brakes. And all you had to do with them to make them work in the rain, was to make sure that you start pressing your brake levers 15 minutes before you needed them. Let em build up steam. ;)

That chain should really be replaced by a belt drive. It looks like the frame was designed for it. Notice how the rear stay design would allow a continuous belt to drop in without needing to break either the frame or the belt.

That chain should really be replaced by a belt drive. It looks like the frame was designed for it. Notice how the rear stay design would allow a continuous belt to drop in without needing to break either the frame or the belt.

Good eye. They may be trying to hit a design price point and currently belt drive is expensive. But it does look like they have planned for it.

Aaron :)