The "ultimate urban bike"
This looks cool, I wonder how it rides...
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My ultimate commuter bike has a rack, gears for hills, fenders and disc brakes, and will fit wide tires. Open ended tubes will allow water to get inside the frame, so hopefully it's designed with drain holes. Don't see one of these in my future.
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I does look pretty. The idea of pull-out rack or fender flap is somewhat clever, though I wonder how usable that rack is. But just like Alan S' comment above, lacks the "ultimate" stuff I'd want to a commuter or general use bicycle.
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I like the idea of a competition for a better urban bike. Here is the url for the site where you can watch a video of the different bikes and vote:
Vote // The Bike Design Project |
I ended up voting for the "Denny", which seemed a bit more practical.
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Why the need to look different? An urban bike should have full fenders, real luggage carriers, a chainguard, single speed or IGH, dynamo LED lighting, be able to mount tires up to 2", a reliable stand. That's all IMO.
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An Ultimate Urban bike has no need of fenders, racks, or lighting, so this bike is a misguided attempt based on erroneous initial assumptions.
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Interesting bike. the "pull out" fenders and rack are creative, but seem a bit gimmicky. Why not just mount regular ones? Personally I would pass on that feature and mount a real rack that could handle a pannier better.
I would also prefer some gears for hills over a SS/FG bike. I may work in SF, but I am not a hipster and I go up hills. That said, this bike does check a few "ultimate" boxes for me. Specifically 1. Steel 2. dynamo lights 3. Integrated USB charger |
There are things I like about this bike. The tubing that extends past the head and seat tubes is interesting, allowing for integrated mounting of lights or other such things. Other aspects, like the pop-out rack, not so much. It's got the same infection that all design-project bicycles have: these people ALWAYS put design before function, even if the design is not that exciting. And the result is something that might look interesting (though not always!) but has no functional advantage over existing bicycles. A disappearing rack and fender look cool, but they don't look as though they would be very effective or sturdy.
It's a damn shame, because there's really a lot of potential ground to cover in bicycle design in the area of finding a way to make something functional and beautiful in new and interesting ways. But these designers always seem to go straight for the twee stuff, like retractable racks and fenders, rather than really doing something bold. |
An ultimate urban bike can fly over obstacles, like in ET. Does this one do that? I think not!
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Originally Posted by treadtread
(Post 16982308)
An ultimate urban bike can fly over obstacles, like in ET. Does this one do that? I think not!
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Looking at the contest page the Blackline and Evo both look very interesting as well.
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Looks gimmicky to me. That rack is not going to be strong enough to carry a full load of groceries, not by a long shot. It's also more of a racing style bike from the build and not an upright bike.
No real fenders No full chaincase No coat guard No o-lock (also known as a rear wheel lock, or frame lock). Problem is "ultimate" is highly subjective. For ME this is the ultimate, just add a front rack. Royal 8i | Electra Bikes http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396070 |
That retractable fender is worthless. It's too far off the tire,and only going to stop you from getting a stripe. Won't do anything for your drivetrain. The rack is also worthless;where are the sides to keep panniers out of the wheel?
Also,SS? Yeah,I really want to climb DC's hills on a SS with a loaded rack. Not. |
good looking bike
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Originally Posted by harshbarj
(Post 16983293)
Looks gimmicky to me. That rack is not going to be strong enough to carry a full load of groceries, not by a long shot. It's also more of a racing style bike from the build and not an upright bike.
No real fenders No full chaincase No coat guard No o-lock (also known as a rear wheel lock, or frame lock). Problem is "ultimate" is highly subjective. For ME this is the ultimate, just add a front rack. Royal 8i | Electra Bikes http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396070 |
Originally Posted by NormanF
(Post 16984048)
A Dutch bike is the ultimate commuter. A workhorse utility bike like the Gazelle Toer Populair is expensive and at 50 lbs its a beast. But its practical every day transportation if not in the least because of its plush Cadillac ride which makes you forget its not a lightweight road bike.
Given that opinion on what makes the best "urban bike" is so variable, I'm willing to give the headline writers a bit of a break on this one. I object to the bicycle because it has utility trappings that ultimately sacrifice function for twee design details. |
I am curious as to why people think complicating the basic & simple design of a bike & making it harder to customize is a good idea. A dutch city bike or flying pigeon plus accessories is all you need if you want to design something for mass market commuting.
- Andy |
It's all like Real Estate .. Location, Location, Location.. where do you live, where are you going, and what do You want to carry ?
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Originally Posted by NormanF
(Post 16984048)
A Dutch bike is the ultimate commuter.
I dropped somebody on a bikeshare cranking up Wisc Ave today. I was on my Big Dummy with a load of groceries,including 3 12pks of soda. I'll stick with my 3x derailleur drivetrains. |
DC has Hills ? somebody tell the geologist?
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Originally Posted by dynaryder
(Post 16986866)
I dropped somebody on a bikeshare cranking up Wisc Ave today. I was on my Big Dummy with a load of groceries,including 3 12pks of soda. I'll stick with my 3x derailleur drivetrains. Love the classic Dutch - never go outta style. |
Originally Posted by dynaryder
(Post 16986866)
To you. We have similar bikeshare bikes here in DC. They suck on our hills. I've also worked on Euro bikes at my clinic,and anything that requires more than one tool and parts removal to remove the rear wheel is all fail.
I dropped somebody on a bikeshare cranking up Wisc Ave today. I was on my Big Dummy with a load of groceries,including 3 12pks of soda. I'll stick with my 3x derailleur drivetrains. |
Originally Posted by boattail71
(Post 16987296)
Love the classic Dutch - never go outta style.
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