Originally Posted by
alextide
Hi Stadjer
Again thanks for the thoughtful reply. Apologies, there were several autocorrection in my last post that messed up some of the meaning, but I think you understood.
No worries, I don't believe there was one, but misunderstandings aren't that much of a problem anyway.
I've never seen a compact bike like that, it looks pretty nimble. Do you notice any difference with a solid/cast wheel versus a traditional wire spoked one? How much do you ride it? 10km, 5 times a week?
I've used it a lot lately, because I was repairing my regular bike and that took a while. But it's a spare one, I like to have a bike available for visitors and this one fits all sizes and is easy to get in and out of the storage. I'm 6ft4 and it's not too small for me, but the saddle can get very low and the handlebars can tilt towards the saddle. I don't know about the wheels specifically because the bike as a whole has a bit of a BMX feel to it. Very agressive and nimble. I like it for short errands into the city centre, but for 3 to10 km journeys, which is long for me, I prefer my vintage upright 3-speed with it's big heavy wheels steamrolling at 20km/h in 3rd gear. The compact has no gears and feels quick on hard tyres, but on longer rides I'm very sensitive about the reward in speed for the energy spent, and it feels a tiny bit too slow. I certainly notice the difference with wire spokes, because the O-lock keeps getting blocked by one of the 3 spokes, then I have to turn the wheel and my fingers get dirty from the aluminium. It's also out of true a little, and I've no idea how to correct that.
It was a bit of a wild design in the late 90's. It came with a laptop backpack that fitted onto the handlebars. It wasn't a success and terminated quickly, probably because it had some design flaws. The rear fender was too short, wetting your back, I solved that with a mudflap. The O-lock, a necessity in the Netherlands, only leaves room for the key, anything connected to the key touches the heel. It was aimed at professionals with a laptop and probably in a suit but you don't want to put a naked metal key in the pocket of a wool suit, but the bike left no space to connect a leather poach to the key or another key for a chain lock. The chain guard was also a bit minimal for riding in a suit.
Yes, I imagined people would need a test ride, or loan to be convinced. Valid concerns on dirt/dents rendering any of those designs I posted unusable. "Is a foldable big wheel better than a solid small wheel?" - That is the question.
I'm genuinely curious about the answer, I like fresh ideas, I'm just not very confident any of these will be better.
Very cool that you designed a bike, and I like your focus on the use, not a headline figure of size or weight. Is that picture of a train in the Netherlands?
Yes, but I don't know if the luggage space is standardized for all the different types of trains. But they have the rule that if it fits in a luggage space the bike counts as luggage, and the 6 euro for taking a bike doesn't have to be paid. The Netherlands probably isn't very interesting to the folder market, but if you have a standard luggage space in a different country's railroad network a bike that only just fits in there might be a great commuter's solution.
Re. non-air tyres. They are a compromise. I've read some long term reviews that point out pro's and con's. I've tried Tannus for a short spell and I think they have their applications. The rent-a-bike companies have switched to non-air tyres such as nexo without too many complaints (or I missed them). Most people that knock non-air tyres seem not to have tried them, or be a different market.
Thanks for the thoughts, very helpful.
Enjoy your day!
I've never tried them, but don't forget that the air helps spreading the force over the whole rim too. So you'll probably need a stronger wheel for non-air tyres even when it doesn't fold.
Are you designing a folding bike, or just folding wheels, or are you researching the market?