Design-Italia bike links

Fred of Fred and Friends (it is not bike related, but check out his company’s site if you haven’t seen it) forwarded me a copy of last week’s Design-Italia newsletter. That last issue of the weekly design newsletter was full of bike content, so I want to pass the links along to all of you.

Smog is the unlikely name of an urban bike designed by Alessandro Gnocchi for the Italian furniture company Casamania. I am not sure that I understand everything in the short Design-Italia description (like how the 3 speed Nexus hub eliminates the need for a chain guard). Maybe someone can explain that to me.

The newsletter also pointed out a wooden bike from Spain (pictured here). 4 students at the Wood Consortium School of Encinas Reales (CEMER) created this prototype wooden bike, which is to be made of recycled and recyclable materials.

Also in the Design-Italia newsletter last week was a piece about the Bianchi/Ducati collaboration and a mention of Manhattan Portage Messenger bags.

While I am mentioning bike content from design sources, I’ll point out that Cool Hunting mentioned another fixed gear project yesterday. Personally, I don’t understand the idea of sloping the top tube down to install a riser bar, but I guess it about fashion over function. Maybe someone can explain that to me as well. Speaking of Cool Hunting, they recently posted about the Lagombra Bicycle Rollercoaster that is currently set up in the Netherlands. I don’t know how safe it is, but it looks like a lot of fun. I wonder if my wife would object if I built something like that in the back yard.


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7 responses to “Design-Italia bike links”

  1. jofegaber Avatar
    jofegaber

    From Spain.

    We can assure you that if you do not see as the mine gets whenever the amount scalextric (www.scalextric.es).

    Thank you for your work. Indeed as I subscribe via e-mail?

  2. erik k Avatar
    erik k

    perhaps the true meaning was lost in translation. I have a theory that chain guard, really is referring to the lack of need of a pie plate with internal gearing. So of coarse they wanted everyone to know their design is BSNYC approved

  3. JIM N Avatar
    JIM N

    You know what are good bike materials that is highly recyclable and has very high rates of reuse (higher than plastic or wood)? Steel and aluminum.

  4. Casey Makovich Avatar
    Casey Makovich

    just please make sure any bike has a SEAT! seems obvious no?
    apparently not:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz3q_6lkD8s

  5. jimmythefly Avatar
    jimmythefly

    Wow, someone needs to forward the bicycle rollercoaster guy a couple of north shore videos.

  6. James Avatar
    James

    erik k, I am pretty sure you are right that something was lost in the translation. I like your pie plate theory.

    jim n, you are right about the recyclability (and praticality) of steel and aluminum. I don’t necesarily think wood is a better material, but I like to point out different ideas when I see them.

    jimmythefly, I want to get up there and ride some of those North Shore trails some time. I’ve seen a lot of pictures but I’ve never been riding in B.C.

    carlos, thanks for the link to those additional shots of the CEMER bike.

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