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New Folding Bike Unveiled

Old 08-04-09, 05:46 AM
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New Folding Bike Unveiled

Interesting concept.
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Old 08-04-09, 06:34 AM
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The fold is pretty cool. I'd love to test ride it if it ever goes into production.
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Old 08-04-09, 07:14 AM
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Does anyone see a drivetrain on that anywhere? Figuring that bit out will complicate the fold design.

The folding handlebar would make me pretty nervous...
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Old 08-04-09, 08:02 AM
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I think it is powered by a drive shaft, though I am not sure.
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Old 08-04-09, 08:07 AM
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Imagine if he made a 16" version. That would be so portable!
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Old 08-04-09, 08:08 AM
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yea a chain wouldn't fold within the back wheel very easily.
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Old 08-04-09, 09:10 AM
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The left crank seems to come off, but he does not show where it goes.
Also, there are no calipers on the disk brakes.

I think that this is an early protoype, so would simply be a proof of concept, then the engineers would be responsible for making the fiddly bits work.
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Old 08-04-09, 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by MitchellH
I think it is powered by a drive shaft, though I am not sure.
Hydraulic actually... can't remember what article I saw that showed / mentioned it.
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Old 08-04-09, 10:10 AM
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Awesome design if all you want to do is coast!
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Old 08-04-09, 10:22 AM
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Very innovative. I like it.
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Old 08-04-09, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by jdmitch
Hydraulic actually... can't remember what article I saw that showed / mentioned it.
Really? That'd be interesting if there really was a drivetrain. On the video he doesn't pedal it at all, seems like it's pretty much just a scooter with a moving pedal.

Edit: It doesn't have a drivetrain, but it's "designed to feature" a hydraulic one, though. Because, you know, it's the drivetrain part of folding bikes that is trivial.

https://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...ionist-folding

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Old 08-04-09, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Griffin2020
The left crank seems to come off, but he does not show where it goes.
Also, there are no calipers on the disk brakes.

I think that this is an early protoype, so would simply be a proof of concept, then the engineers would be responsible for making the fiddly bits work.
Originally Posted by somedood
Really? That'd be interesting if there really was a drivetrain. On the video he doesn't pedal it at all, seems like it's pretty much just a scooter with a moving pedal.

Edit: It doesn't have a drivetrain, but it's "designed to feature" a hydraulic one, though. Because, you know, it's the drivetrain part of folding bikes that is trivial.

https://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...ionist-folding
I noticed the lack of pedaling to. The hydraulic drive train is one of those "fiddly bits" that's going to take the work of an engineer rather than an industrial designer.

My only beef with this design is that there's basically no way to use a rack / pannier with it... a fold this small + an Arkel Bug would be hella-useful.
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Old 08-04-09, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by somedood
Really? That'd be interesting if there really was a drivetrain. On the video he doesn't pedal it at all, seems like it's pretty much just a scooter with a moving pedal.

Edit: It doesn't have a drivetrain, but it's "designed to feature" a hydraulic one, though. Because, you know, it's the drivetrain part of folding bikes that is trivial.

https://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...ionist-folding
Ugh... that should be nice and slow.
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Old 08-04-09, 02:57 PM
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never have to pack your bike again, just tell em its a stroller
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Old 08-04-09, 03:37 PM
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Drivetrain

Originally Posted by lambo_vt
Does anyone see a drivetrain on that anywhere? Figuring that bit out will complicate the fold design.

The folding handlebar would make me pretty nervous...
Not sure, but watch the pedals & rear wheel as he's folding the handlebars. Looks to me as if the pedals are moving as the bike is rolled slightly, like they are connected.
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Old 08-04-09, 04:04 PM
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That is a nice bike shaped object. Not really a bike though.
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