Monofork?
 

Hi guys,

I'm designing a pubilc bicycle for uni and was wondering about this partricular feature found on the Strida folding bike; It features mono-forks, or some other name im sure they have, where by the wheels only have a member on one side, not like the traditional fork.

I'm after some more information; how do they work and why arent they common.....like are there wheel ballancing problems etc.

Thanks,

Mark S

They would require a non-standard hub, which limits them greatly. It's more gimmick than anything else.

Non standard parts are an advantage in public-bike schemes.
The monofork is a good design. It was used on the carbon fibre Lotus bike in the 1982 Olympics. You need a hub with a fairly fat axle. There are no particular problems with balance but you need to be careful with the alignment of the axle.
You can repair a puncture without removing the wheel.

There's that little matter of availability, as well as weight limits and brake alignment.

Check out the Cannondale line for some reverse engineering clues. They've been marketing mountain bikes with one side "Lefty" forks for several years.