The latest example of “beautiful spindly things that will never be built”, the “ThisWay” bike by designer Torkel Dohmers, is imagined to be built of flax fiber and carbon fiber with a clip-on battery charged by rooftop solar panel for assisted recumbent cycling.
Had it not first caught my eye as wooden (it is not) and then intrigued me by color choice (it’s a very ranch-style ’60s shade) I probably would not have linked to it. Caramel might look good on plastic.
You know what vehicle some Scandinavian design needs to reimagine in sinuous simulation? The Big Wheel. I’d ride a modern version of that around town.
remember when they added the handbrake to the big wheel? you could do some wicked spins/skids.
@3: Visibility is not a problem; even though it’s lower than a regular bike, if you saw a garbage can laying in the road, would you run over it? no, you’d see it easily and be able to avoid it
@7: There’s lots of areas to improve in modern, normal bikes. Recumbents are an improvement. The seat is comfortable, they’re more aerodynamic, and they hold the world records for speed. They can be built lighter and more aerodynamic, the same way airplanes can be improved.
The concept driving this recumbent appears to be shaft drive.
mightymouse1584: Well, this design has the chain problem licked, since there’s no sign of a chain. The power is transmitted from pedal to wheel by the magic of “concept”.
Mmm, roll cage. Probably necessary for mass market, fast electric bikes.
I expect to see something that looks like this become our primary mode of transport once battery technology advances a bit.
True you probably wouldn’t run over a garbage can laying on the road.
However if a garbage crept beside you while you were stopped at the lights and then you changed lanes…
this would be great for someone who wants to be one of those recumbent bike people.
AJ: Um… that would be one of the reasons for the lights on the back, now, wouldn’t it?
Adult size Big Wheels for sale:
http://bigwheelrally.com/store/adult.htm
Oops, my bad. Quick little buggers, you all are. I have to stop working for a living here.
so put a tall flag on the tail.
You didn’t. You linked to the Big Wheel, but not to anything else. Please do?
Check out the Razor Scream Machine or Razor Rip Rider. A few mods and I’m sure you could make it work for an adult. This Big Wheel Rally site, put together for an event in Boulder, CO, might also give you some inspiration .
Looks a lot like a bicycle version of the BMW C1 (sadly discontinued, but much beloved by estate agents in my city).
Adult size big wheel? Check out this bad boy:
http://www.atomiczombie.com/product-gladiator.htm
This guy’s website has all kinds of goodies you can make, pretty cool stuff.
sometimes i feel like trying to improve a modern bicycle is like trying to improve a modern wristwatch. its already a perfect gadget and any attempt to mess with the formula just ends up overdoing it.
@3 AJ,
not to mention that there are a lot more things that can go wrong with a recumbent bike. I find chains are generally a problem area, and recumbent have a lot of chain.
@#7: I’d agree with you if it weren’t for the continuously evolving area of material technologies, among other things. But I do get your point.
Except nobody can see you. Recumbent bikes are really nice on bike paths, but on the street, they seem far more dangerous than the standard version.
AJ-
Those that would sacrifice Safety for freedom deserve neither.
But they do deserve a nice coffin.
This concept was the winner of the commuter bike design competition on my blog:
http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2009/01/we-have-winner.html
You can see the other 5 finalists here:
http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2009/01/finalists-in-commuter-bike-design.html
looks designed by someone who doesn’t ride a recumbent.