Another Friday, another Dumbest Product of the Week
09-12-08, 11:19 AM
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Another Friday, another Dumbest Product of the Week
People here seemed to have enjoyed my posting last week about the Bontrager carbon fiber seat post rack, so I thought I'd let you know about this weeks nominee for Dumbest Product of the Week, the DryBike. This is an umbrella attachment for your bike. I've written more about it here: https://austinbikeblog.org/?p=671.
So, does riding with an umbrella on your bike sound like a good idea to you?
So, does riding with an umbrella on your bike sound like a good idea to you?
Last edited by bikinpolitico; 09-12-08 at 11:32 AM.
09-12-08, 11:33 AM
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Would probably work fine if you didn't go more than 2 mph.
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09-12-08, 11:34 AM
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I think you're missing the most important applications of this product:
- Taking short cuts off the top of a building with the umbrella open will allow you to gently glide to the bottom without the hassle of going down stairs or parking ramps. This would be great for both crime fighters and villans.
- With big tail winds just point the umbrella forward and you can wind-surf(bike?) your way with ease! This of course would be after signing the disclaimer about possible decreased visibility from open umbrellas.
09-12-08, 11:36 AM
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That's so stupid! You could just use a clear umbrella, duh.
09-12-08, 11:43 AM
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These go to 11.
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09-12-08, 11:45 AM
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Sounds like a great idea if you like death. First crosswind gust, that thing will toss you right in front of a truck.
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09-12-08, 11:48 AM
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09-12-08, 12:05 PM
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Looks like another solution looking for a problem.
It's so obvious, we all know that the best solution to keep dry is the helmet mounted umbrella.
Everyone forget I said that.. I'm off to invent the helmet mounted umbrella and make a million bucks, too bad the clever marketing term Drybike is already taken. Anyone have ideas for a name? Humbrella? Hatbrella? Umlet? 
It's so obvious, we all know that the best solution to keep dry is the helmet mounted umbrella.
Everyone forget I said that.. I'm off to invent the helmet mounted umbrella and make a million bucks, too bad the clever marketing term Drybike is already taken. Anyone have ideas for a name? Humbrella? Hatbrella? Umlet?
09-12-08, 12:11 PM
#9
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I bet there are more people using this in the world than there are bicycle commuters in the USA. A friend of mine bought one of these in at a market stall in China selling bike parts and said that there were quite a few cyclists over there sporting this (to them) useful accessory. Bet the dood in the fail photo above wishes he'd thought to get one of them...
09-12-08, 12:25 PM
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Looks like another solution looking for a problem.
It's so obvious, we all know that the best solution to keep dry is the helmet mounted umbrella. Everyone forget I said that.. I'm off to invent the helmet mounted umbrella and make a million bucks, too bad the clever marketing term Drybike is already taken. Anyone have ideas for a name? Humbrella? Hatbrella? Umlet?
It's so obvious, we all know that the best solution to keep dry is the helmet mounted umbrella.
Everyone forget I said that.. I'm off to invent the helmet mounted umbrella and make a million bucks, too bad the clever marketing term Drybike is already taken. Anyone have ideas for a name? Humbrella? Hatbrella? Umlet?
09-12-08, 12:38 PM
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I bet there are more people using this in the world than there are bicycle commuters in the USA. A friend of mine bought one of these in at a market stall in China selling bike parts and said that there were quite a few cyclists over there sporting this (to them) useful accessory.
09-12-08, 04:51 PM
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+1 ... I saw a ton of people using things like this when I lived in Japan and there was no carnage in the streets (or sidewalks). It is only dumb if you try to use one while zipping through heavy traffic at speed. It is perfectly useful for people moving at a more casual pace in places where it rains a lot (e.g., Japan, Holland, etc.).
09-12-08, 08:33 PM
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apocryphal sobriquet
09-12-08, 08:39 PM
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09-14-08, 06:40 PM
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09-14-08, 07:14 PM
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i used to have one of those... when i was kid my parents had a bunch of random cool bikes. this one was a standard 80's road bike with an extra large umbrella on top. it worked rather well. you clearly can't commute for speed with it but it would be good for urban stuff where its not worth changing your clothes at each trip end.
09-14-08, 07:48 PM
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People here seemed to have enjoyed my posting last week about the Bontrager carbon fiber seat post rack, so I thought I'd let you know about this weeks nominee for Dumbest Product of the Week, the DryBike. This is an umbrella attachment for your bike. I've written more about it here: https://austinbikeblog.org/?p=671.
So, does riding with an umbrella on your bike sound like a good idea to you?
So, does riding with an umbrella on your bike sound like a good idea to you?
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09-14-08, 07:52 PM
#21
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Sorry OP, you're completely wrong.
The last time I visited China, I saw numerous bicycles with these attachments. They're great for the slow, urban riding they do. I also saw lot of people ride around in huge ponchos.
The last time I visited China, I saw numerous bicycles with these attachments. They're great for the slow, urban riding they do. I also saw lot of people ride around in huge ponchos.
Last edited by Yan; 09-14-08 at 08:06 PM.
09-14-08, 09:28 PM
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ROFL!
This is classic! Probably one of the dumbest things I have seen.
I Love that fail photo.. I guess if I had to choose between being that poor Asian guy or riding with one of those crazy devices-I would choose the later.
This is classic! Probably one of the dumbest things I have seen.
I Love that fail photo.. I guess if I had to choose between being that poor Asian guy or riding with one of those crazy devices-I would choose the later.
09-14-08, 09:48 PM
#23
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Not dumb at all.
I literally just rode home from work Friday on my non-fender bike with umbrella in hand. I rode slow, and it kept me nice and dry.
Obviously this product has it's limitations by limiting your speed and doing any riding with serious wind, but other a fine product to slow riding in rain.
I literally just rode home from work Friday on my non-fender bike with umbrella in hand. I rode slow, and it kept me nice and dry.
Obviously this product has it's limitations by limiting your speed and doing any riding with serious wind, but other a fine product to slow riding in rain.
09-15-08, 01:08 AM
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This photo has a rather notorious pedigree. Apparently the photographer staked out that particular location, knowing that in the rain someone would fall like that. He got his photo.