Commuting Survey

[iab]

I don't know how many of you are familar with the Oregon Manifest. It is a contest to design and fabricate a "utility" bike. I learned about it this year and there are definately some interesting entries.

I am an industrial designer and although I design mostly medical devices, I was inspired to enter in the 2013 competition. My commuter is a complete kluge and I see very little integration in other designs. I don't know if there will be a contest in 2013 nor do I know if I will have the money to make a custom bike. The design only requires my time, I'll worry about implementation in 2 years.

To start, I need information. Below is a link to a short survey about your bicycle commute. It should take you under 5 minutes to complete. I will appreciate any information you would like to add in this thread. Thank you.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22DDUNAVFGZ

[jr59]

done

[Sixty Fiver]

That sounds like fun... will not be into the new frame shop until December and have many more weeks of physio to complete to know for sure if I will be able to handle things on my own.

One day I will have to enter... if they accept entries from Canada.

[Sixty Fiver]

Survey done... pm me if you have any technical questions or need any professional help with this or that.

We might be looking at the BF uber commuter here...

[no1mad]

That sounds like fun... will not be into the new frame shop until December and have many more weeks of physio to complete to know for sure if I will be able to handle things on my own.

One day I will have to enter... if they accept entries from Canada.

You have a built in loophole already. Just have your bride enter and you'll be her consultant. .

[Sixty Fiver]

You have a built in loophole already. Just have your bride enter and you'll be her consultant. .

If things go as we hope, she will be in Canada within the year and she does not know how to use a torch.

She is my consultant as she is research girl and has some excellent ideas on construction as it pertains to designs for women... could not have wished for a better partner.

[no1mad]

Done. My B-Day is less than a week away and took the liberty of advancing my age to the next bracket.

[cyclokitty]

Completed the survey and good luck withe the competition!

[fusilierdan]

I want a bike that is lightweight and versitile. Oh and looks cool.

[iab]

33 responses. Thank you every one. My apologies also. Seems like this forum is inundated this week with pinhead designers like myself.

[j_a_espo]

Done. Good Luck!

[mgw189]

Done good luck

[hiyer1]

done...but for question 2 I think you need a a few shorter time span options (1-2 years, 2-3, less than a year, etc.). I suspect most everyone is selecting option A

[iab]

done...but for question 2 I think you need a a few shorter time span options (1-2 years, 2-3, less than a year, etc.). I suspect most everyone is selecting option A

Thank you for completing the survey. And while option A is the most chosen, there is an excellent range including 3 people commuting for over 20 years.

[jril]

done!

[wez312]

Filled in! Good luck!

[zeppinger]

Done but I didnt really understand question 11....

[Indigo Mule]

I hope the input proves useful. It's an interesting question, though, what qualifies a bicycle to be classified as a utility bike. To me, a utility bicycle is more on the "cargo" end of the spectrum, and a commute bicycle is closer to the touring zone. Looking at this year's judging, they agree with you, though, and didn't seem to give as much weight to cargo-carrying capacity.

The main differences between my commute bicycle and my utility bicycle are the commuter has a wider range of gears (11 speeds versus 8), is lighter (35 pounds versus 75 pounds), and has less load-weight capacity (45 to 50 pounds versus 200 pounds). The commuter is designed to accommodate more climbing and distance, and be more easily wrangled onto public transportation. The utility bicycle is for transporting heavier and bulkier loads, along mildly hilly to flat terrain.

You didn't ask what features we consider essential for a commute bicycle. Do you already have all of that planned out?

[justtom]

did it

[Juha]

Moving this to Surveys (from Commuting).

--Juha, a Forum Mod