Fresh on the heels of my last post, we have a reader submitted design from Roel Verhagen-Kaptein (perfect for a day like today when I am pressed for time).
Roel explains that the City Speeder is “a recumbent bike made for commuting in a fast and comfortable way. The streamlined body makes the bike fast and keeps you comfortable and dry. The streamline baggage compartment can hold your backpack, suitcase or can be used as a child seat. The design layout makes that you can use all standard parts for the driveline.”
In addition to the City Speeder, Roel has another recumbent design in his coroflot portfolio, the Evolution bike which can be seen here. Both the City Speeder and Evolution were originally designed for the International Bicycle Design Competition, which ends with an awards ceremony each year at the Taipei Cycle Show (coming up in just over a week).
As a recumbent cyclist I’d say this could work well as a bike, but I would not want it as a city bike. Bents are generally not very good in start/stop situations, slow moving traffic, and manouvering tight spaces. High bottom brackets and high seats as on this one makes it worse. On the open road it could excel, though. I have a bike with very similar geometry and love it for long distances. In the city I use an upright (wedgie) bike.
Nice concept but it already exist, it’s called the Flevobike Greenmachine! and you can have it with electrique assist also (double eurobike awerded): have a look to this bike: https://plus.google.com/photos/115849451383275579643/albums/5851165498097263041
You are wrong, this bike is front wheel drive and ride, like mine.
But you are right, because it already exist, it called to FWDMBB (Front Wheel Drive Moving Bottom Bracket).
I don’t understand how it’s supposed to keep you dry. The only thing that is covered is your legs, but only from the top. And, as I’ve mentioned before, every time I see a seat like that with zero air flow, all I can think of is the rivers of sweat that would be flowing down my back and pooling in the seat.
I like the Evolution bike much more, probably because I’ve always wanted something like an adult Green Machine. It’s two wheels instead of three, and the front pedal/steering combo can be a little tricky (I’ve ridden a Cruzbike, and it’s not too hard to get used to), but it’s a good start.
Interesting concept! Hmmm… Imagine how cool it would look if the body sat low to the ground. It would involve cutting a big slot in the nose and working out a rear-wheel-steering system, though, so it would be anything but practical to construct and use.
Have been riding the CruzBike Sofride for several years now on the paved trails and beaches of Hilton Head Island. Hands free steering is effortless at this point and I keep wondering if the addition of a hand crank makes sense in order to enlist the upper body a bit more.
Internal shifting is the only way to go in the sand. What are the maximun tire widths. I ride a Pugsley also and really would like to see a set for fatties on any of your models.
This bike design moves and feels very similar to my Honda.
Beautiful work!
Thanks
io userei ruote da 24pollici è più facile gudarla