Bicycle Design

City Speeder recumbent by Roel Verhagen-Kaptein

Roel Verhagen Kaptein City speeder 01Fresh 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).

Roel Verhagen Kaptein City speeder 04

Roel Verhagen Kaptein City speeder 02

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11 responses to “City Speeder recumbent by Roel Verhagen-Kaptein”

  1. Gunnstein Lye Avatar
    Gunnstein Lye

    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.

    Reply
  2. CycleEnTransition Avatar
    CycleEnTransition

    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

    Reply
    1. Shang Avatar
      Shang

      You are wrong, this bike is front wheel drive and ride, like mine.

      Reply
    2. Shang Avatar
      Shang

      But you are right, because it already exist, it called to FWDMBB (Front Wheel Drive Moving Bottom Bracket).

      Reply
  3. Impossibly Stupid Avatar
    Impossibly Stupid

    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.

    Reply
  4. What if... Avatar
    What if…

    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.

    Reply
  5. John Campbell Avatar
    John Campbell

    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

    Reply
  6. Reidea Avatar
    Reidea

    io userei ruote da 24pollici è più facile gudarla

    Reply
  7. Bicycle Design with James Thomas | Whidbey Island Bicycle Club

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  8. John Campbell Avatar
    John Campbell

    I want to build this bike. It is the perfect evolution of the front wheel drive https://cruzbike.com/. I have enjoyed my older entry level Sofride for several years now.
    The frame has been stretched in order to accommodate the Xtracycle cargo rack http://www.xtracycle.com/family/ and the rear dropout widened to accept a true 135mm rear hub [MOTOR].
    This configuration provides the rider with superior vision of surroundings, the ability to stop with both feet on the ground, and the additional safety of never going over the handlebars in a collision. Not to mention the most fun of anything you ever experienced on two wheels. The lightness of the rear wheel almost begs for an electric hub which I suspect will reduce the learning curve for new riders.
    This bike rides very much like a motorcycle only with half of the wind resistance. Accordingly, it has the pulling power of a small locomotive on fairly level surfaces. Adding the electric hub will enable its rider to crush hills and/or pull heavier loads.
    Since the frame is already articulated with the bottom bracket, turning radius is nimble, and the next step beyond the long missile shaped traditional Velo mobiles.
    I’m ready to order a rear hub motor. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  9. My Current Prototype | www.marleybikes.com

    […] https://bicycledesign.net/2013/03/city-speeder-recumbent-by-roel-verhagen-kaptein/ […]

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