Kickstarter-- saddle-less folding bicycle

[Acer]

Gave me an OCD attack

"where...seat...must...sit..." :eye:

[Black]

RAMd®d wrote:
When I saw "saddle-less" I wondered what one would be sitting on…

When I saw "saddle-less" I wondered what it would be like to be constantly standing on the pedals.


I would have to try a model before I give them money.

That would be a given, for me.

The weight seems biased to the rear. It's possible some people might be more prone to be launched on hard braking, if they were careless, of if they hit some object that stopped them hard. The handlebars are adjustable so unless one is also very tall as well as uncoordinated or unlucky, I don't think the Flying W is a big risk.


Or is that why it is geared so low and has no leverage, you can't go fast enough to hurt yourself....

That's a leap. The overall gearing is a result of the small rear tire and not the sprockets' ratio. I'm guessing that the idea was to keep the bike compact, not to limit it's speed. Same with the short crankset; it's a most likely a compromise for portability, not safety. As for no leverage, a bit of an exaggeration. It's designed for urban use so I'm guessing (again, yeah, I know) that a large percentage of the target market could find it an acceptable compromise. It's not a mountain bike.


but wet weather would cut use a huge amount.

I'm not the bicyclist I once was, not that I was a big-time cyclist, but it seems to me that's a problem with most all bikes that don't have some kind of shroud or canopy. Fenders are available though tire selection may be nil. Even with wearing rain gear I got soaked and gave that up in a hurry.


I wonder if inductive charging of super capacitors to supply energy for climbing hills would fix the gears/leverage problem.

That probably wouldn't be much help until you add a motor. Now you're talking more weight, any maybe size, certainly complexity, the need for charging, and expense. I have no idea what this bike will cost if it gets off the ground.

Personally, I like this. It would be adequate for a lot of parks near me that allow bikes and don't have dedicated bike trails. I don't ride a bike anymore because of traffic concerns. But something like this could be tossed in the trunk and taken to a location conducive to safe/safer riding.

And I would ride this on the sidewalk if I wanted. Illegal, but it's small size would be pretty much like riding a scooter.

Yes, I see a lot of good things about this bike. Here's hoping it goes commercial and doesn't cost more than I'm willing to pay.

(tu)

[Black]

Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
I would have to try a model before I give them money. It looks too easy to go over the handlebars. Or is that why it is geared so low and has no leverage, you can't go fast enough to hurt yourself.... Light weight is the main attraction but wet weather would cut use a huge amount. DIY 3D printing of fiber composites could make it a success. I wonder if inductive charging of super capacitors to supply energy for climbing hills would fix the gears/leverage problem.

I want to try one as well. A big question mark-- does the design pretty much eliminate spills/crashes? Or does it introduce a whole new risk?

I think I recall fenders are a "stretch goal" (don't feel like looking again.

[RAMd®d]

I think I recall fenders are a "stretch goal" (don't feel like looking again.

Ah, you're probably right.

I think some of options/accessories were contingent on reaching various funding goals.

Still I'd take the bike naked (the bike, not me) as I'm a fair weather rider.





pesky bracket

[OWC Jamie]

cbelt3 wrote:
So basically it's a scooter / stepper ? Yeah.... no thanks.

call it what you will
or a sidewalk trials/jumper bike



just about anything with wheels is an advantage over walking

[sekker]

I love the concept of Kickstarter. It allows a group of creative engineers to try out this kind of product.

[Black]

sekker wrote:
I love the concept of Kickstarter. It allows a group of creative engineers to try out this kind of product.

When things go well.... I saw one (can't remember for what) that was funded and there was extreme frustration with the glacial pace of getting the product into people's hands.
Some are entertaining though..... look through these rewards...
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/116...f=category

[Surfrider]

Front forks are too straight up and down, it would a twitchy ride and very, very easy to pitch forward.

I see no advantage to it being saddle-less.

[gabester]

Black, thanks for bringing this to our attention. Since they seem to be Chicago local, maybe those of us interested in funding should take a field trip to try out a ride...

Did anyone see if they mentioned what kind of weight these were going to be? I had a folding bike inherited from a friend who hated it because it must have weighed 40 pounds.

A "mini" version of these for kids could be great!
g=

[wave rider]

Most bikes and motorcycles (and cars too) depend primarily on their front brake due to weight transfer during braking.

For this application, given short wheelbase and higher center of mass of anyone standing, I would imagine the front brake only prototype in their video would send you over the bars in a flash. The opening photo on the page shows front and rear brakes, seems much more sensible even if it adds a little weight.

"By making the height of the handlebars adjustable the Occam Cycle is ready to accommodate riders of all heights."

Fat chance it will adjust tall enough for me.

=wr=