Cyclepedia: homage to the beauty of the bicycle.
A brief visual history of innovation in bicycle design. via brainpickings [RK]
Bicycle lights. Bookman.
Stylish, luminous and pocket-sized. A slim, detachable bike light from Bookman, a Stockholm based company that makes accessories for bikes and people on bikes.
The first collection of colors includes: Lemon Yellow, Goblin Green, Heavenly Blue and Pitch Black.
package content:
1 front light (white LED) and 1 tail light (red LED).
3 modes: Slow flashing, fast flashing and steady light.
Batteries: 2 x CR2032 in each light body.
producer: bookman
Fresh bread and bicycles.
While Europe is dealing with congestion and greenhouse gas by turning urban centers into pedestrian zones many American cities are carving out more parking spaces. via nytimes [RK]
Cardboard bicycle helmet. Kranium.
If you notice, more cyclists and inline skaters are wearing helmets. It’s taken awhile to get to this point. And with this increased usage we will probably see more safety testing and innovation to create a better helmet. Here’s one, Kranium, a bike helmet that is made from the same cardboard used for the boxes you find at the supermarket. The concept by design student Anirudha Surabhi was presented in October 2010 in London. The design has already been licensed to major manufacturers and may be available to buy soon.
Pedal power nyc concert. NYC.
Looking for exercise? Like music? This is very rad. Biker-powered generators to power local musician rehearsals. June 26. pedal power nyc [RK]
Alpha – the most high-tech bike ever made.
Designed and built by a group of mechanical engineering students at the University of Pennsylvania, the aptly named “Alpha” bike has been called “possibly the most high-tech bicycle ever” and “the ultimate concept bike.”
High on the long list of heretofore inconceivable innovations is an electronic clutch that allows the rider to switch between fixed-gear and freewheel settings. It also boasts internal electronics powered by the bike itself. Pedaling charges two 120 Farad super capacitors (and you thought only Marty McFly knew what that was) that power two rear LEDs and an LCD screen built into the handlebars, that displays real-time data like RPMs, distance and speed. There’s also an SD card under the handlebars that stores more specific information about the bike dynamics that you can analyze post-ride.
If you want to see some rotating 3D renderings of the bike (aka bike porn) and read all the in-depth information too difficult for non-mechanical engineers to decipher, check out the UPenn team’s dedicated website. No word yet on whether they’re fabricating more for sale, but if they are my birthday is right around the corner (wink wink).
[ bike website ]
The gravity speed bike.
With a locked crank arm, no drivetrain and a metal seat that looks about as comfortable as this bike is strong, the Gravity Speed Bike is not for the faint of heart. Or the average commuter. Or anyone who enjoys creature comforts like pedals or brakes. No, Jeff Tiedeken’s new downhill bike is for those who just want to get somewhere really, really fast. We’re talking 60 mph fast, which Tiedeken reportedly clocked himself.
Bike builders and enthusiasts will appreciate details like the floating locked crank arm that acts as a rear foot peg (i.e. no foot pedal) and sweeping arc of the frame. But this is just Tiedeken’s first effort. For the second version he plans to add a headlight and an iPhone holder – so you can text your friends that you’ll be meeting them in .7 seconds flat.
[ monkey like shiny ]
the "beast" of bikes.
the appropriately named “beast” is the latest model to come from M55, the bike design and manufact – uring powerhouse.
M55 employs a team of electronic and mechanical engineers, industrial designers and finite element analysts to dream up, construct and tirelessly test the most cutting-edge hybrid bikes on the market. At $35,000 the “Beast” is a luxury item to be sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s not capable of performing under intense off-road conditions. A specialized motor works with the rider instead of simply being operated by him/her. “The motor is not a substitute for your human power, but an addition. If the sensor feels that you need some extra torque, the motor switches on to multiply your effort.”
It also boasts some serious components, like motor power and battery capacity above and beyond the industry standard and brakes by Brembo, heretofore found only on Formula1 race cars. After checking out the specs it’s easy to agree with M55’s boast that “if Batman was a nonfictional person, he’d have a Beast in his garage.”
producer: m55
Portland moving towards traffic signals for bikes.
Portland has applied strategic solutions to address the conflicts between motorists and cyclists. Senate Bill 130, which adds green, amber and red bicycle traffic control devices. The signals direct bicycles to take specific actions and are used to address an identified safety or operational problem. [RK]
Inner city bike.
i saw this concept bike over a year ago and forgot about it.
it’s simple, innovative, inspiring. glad to see it may happen.
The story…
“The world doesn’t need another bike redesign—the world needs thoughts on simplification, part reduction and greater product life span. Our lives need attention and care, not the objects that serve us.”
The inner city bike was designed by JRUITER + studio as a project asking questions about ultra short inner city travel. What is needed, who is riding, and how far are they going. At first glance it was a fun aesthetic opportunity in new trends, color, and materials. Our target lived / worked in an inner city environment with minimal space. Bicycling at this level can be more about fashion and culture than speed and performance.
The initial inner city bike was inspired by the “hobby horse” from it’s simplicity and the motorcycle cafe racing culture. Each is an exercise in stripping something down to its core. As it evolved, the design triggered a shift in time, spurring the questions, “Is there an opportunity to change a timeless product?” “Can we go back and try something new?”
The inner city bike rethinks what a “frame” is, getting rid of basic key components, and creating a new type of urban bicycling. The inner city bike’s “essentials only” geometry gives new meaning to “less is more.” Sporting a free-wheel rear hub, 36” x 2.25” wheels, 150mm cranks and an 8” front disc brake hub. The riders position is adjustable, offering riders an adaptable, fun ride for those short commutes.
Before all of the bike fanatics get all fired up, we know this bike doesn’t solve everyone’s personal transportation dreams. Consider it a cafe racer with the performance of a beach cruiser. The positives are easy quick turns, huge power to the rear wheel to go over curbs and up hills, and great start / stopping / sitting situations. We rethought everything 2 wheeled with simplicity in mind. This is as stripped as you
can get.”