Comments on: A recycled plastic bike

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:48:00 +0000

This would be great for developing countries, not only because of the cost effectiveness of it, but if the frame could somehow be manufactured to carry clean drinking water that would be double rad.

By: Nitin

Nitin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:09:00 +0000

This would be a great product to showcase in India. How can I contact Matt Clark?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:30:00 +0000

that photo was taken at the Art Center campus in Pasadena. Is this guy a student at Art Center?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:09:00 +0000

Hello

My name is Toni Abram, I am an Open University student in the UK, currently studying Design and Innovation.

A large part of my course is a project and since February I am been researching the design of an all terrain vehicle for a child with a disability – you can read about my work on my project blog at http://tonilouisa.wordpress.com/.

I am now coming towards the end of my course and have just started to write the final project report. However, I need to write a little about materials, production and costings and I wonder if you can help me this?

I need to discuss:

* whether the product, device or system can be made practically and any special production requirements, machines, test equipment or facilities.
* any supply, production or distribution issues.
* the economic viability of my idea.
* the environmental and social sustainability of my design.

And:

* Identify any life cycle environmental issues raised by your project, for example the environmental impacts of the manufacturing process, the impact of the product in use, the disposal of the product at the end of its useful life.

Would you be able to offer me any advice on this, particularly on the best materials to use in my design for a sustinable product.

Thank you for any help you are able to offer.

Toni Abram
http://centronuclear.org.uk

P.S.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:53:00 +0000

Please make your ‘bents out of plastic. Save steel for bicycles.

By: robb

robb — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:29:00 +0000

interesting. I wonder if the same process could be applied to a recumbent design. One of the big drawbacks is the relative low volume and complex assembly, both of which might be addressed with this kind of construction.

By: Velotopia

Velotopia — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:37:00 +0000

Man, this is ugly. And I hate plastic, yet this somehow has some appeal. Cheap bikes for the masses, I suppose. As long as it is a use for recycled plastic, and not another reason to use more oil and make more plastic.

By: bikesgonewild

bikesgonewild — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:26:00 +0000

...anon 9:54pm...great points as regards empowering less fortunate people around the world by bringing simple manufacturing to them...

...given the opportunity, ingenuity can lead to other creative solutions...

...of course, that thought also goes back to matt clark & hopefully he'll continue being creative...
**************************************

...i was just about to post the above when i noticed anon 1:09am's entry...interesting info, no doubt...i'd still go w/ metal over plastic but the use of both technologies would undoubtedly benefit many in "third world" environments...

...thinking practical solutions but watching 'le tour' at the same time...

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:09:00 +0000

actually, plastic can be welded.I wouldn't call it common knowledge, but it's true.

http://www.malcom.com/

for all the reasons you mentioned it could be great for that application.

1. Hot-air plastic welders are generally less expensive than metal welders

2. They require less voltage

3. No welding helmet/goggles needed(it's not harmful to eyesight)...hardly even need gloves

4. The plastic welders are arguably easier and safer to use

5. A person or group could be trained quickly to use one

I don't know if it's reinventing the wheel...but it makes you wonder...

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:54:00 +0000

I can't see that as repairable as a steel frame, which is a real issue in much of the world where they need to repy on the ability to shop weld tubes back in place crudely. Also, plastic ('carbon fibre' is encased in a plastic resin solution) rides like crap already, and this doesn't even have the carbon matrix.

If you want a reliable bike for Africa, start steel frame production there. Beside the fact that labour will be cheap, the labour will employ locals, and bring expertise to the community. As it is, the rumours are that if you want to tour in the developing world, take a steel frame, because you can always find a steel welder.

Don't reinvent the wheel when the wheel is just fine, just take the wheel to them.