Comments on: Bendable bike

By: Dave Cherling

Dave Cherling — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:17:28 +0000

Exactly. Frame secure and still there when you come back, wheels long gone.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:53:45 +0000

So the idea is that a heavy, jingus design obviates the need to carry a 4lb lock that could also secure the wheels? This is pure, unadulterated genius.

James, you need to create a section of this blog where you hand out the Dr. Bunsen Honeydew Awards for inventions that solve nonexistent problems, with bonus points for danger to the rider. This would at least be an honorable mention.

By: Euro Biker

Euro Biker — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:55:44 +0000

It looks really interesting and fun, but after all it seems like a good study or design geek…
But… I will be really concerned about my safety if I ride on this bike. Also I can not see how this bike will be theft proof. If thieves can pick any lock they probably will figure out how to still this bike too.
The best way to protect bicycles is to leave it in the protected area…

By: Ross Nicholson

Ross Nicholson — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:55:47 +0000

Um, yeah, I should make better jokes.

By: Richard Masoner

Richard Masoner — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:08:04 +0000

Instead of cable ties, I thought of using a cam for the lever something like quick release levers. Folding bicycles already use them to lock their frames in place, and we don’t typically worry about a Dahon falling apart in midst of a ride.

By: Ross Nicholson

Ross Nicholson — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:41:33 +0000

A simple nylon cable tie could assure the lever is not actuated. Of course, you’d need to carry a pocket knife and some spares. This is a great idea for collapsable bicycles and should be explored.

By: James T

James T — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:54:57 +0000

I mentioned both of those bikes in the comment above. The Puma bike looks similar to the old Slingshots, but it uses a rod (as part of the frame lock feature) instead of a tension cable in place of the downtube.

By: Byron

Byron — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:24:36 +0000

The concept already exists and it was called the Slingshot and now made by Biomega for Puma.

By: James T

James T — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:50:30 +0000

Good points. Your comment about using a using a cable-tensioned tube made me think about the old Slingshot frames from the 80s and 90s, which did just that. The Biomega designed Puma frame with an integrated frame lock that came out several years ago always reminded me of those Slingshot designs, and that bike was similar in general concept to this one. If a bike thief were to cut the lock, which was a structural part of the frame, he would render the bike unridable.

By: Bending frame bicycle « Bike Monkey Magazine

Bending frame bicycle « Bike Monkey Magazine — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:45:15 +0000

[...] James @ Bicycle Design has his thoughts on this design. [...]