Cinco by ORTRE: a bike for everyday cycling

Cinco commuter bike by OrtreAlex Liauw contacted me recently about an “everyday cycling” bike that he designed. He mentioned that he was very interested in the “Commuter bike for the masses” design competition held here at Bicycle Design a couple years ago, and that the competition inspired him to design a bike for that market. His bike, the Cinco is now going into production and will be on display at the Taipei Cycle Show next week.

Here is what Alex had to say about his design:

“The Cinco bicycle by ORTRE is purpose built for the baggage of an everyday cyclist. Some people swear by backpacks, some prefer dedicated racks with panniers, and of course there is the ubiquitous messenger bag.  However the team at Sydney-based ORTRE asked themselves “Why cant we just take a normal bag cycling? Why do we need a specific cycling bag?” The answer of course is the bike.

Drawing inspiration from the many design competitions seeking to find the ultimate commuter bike ORTRE came up with their first design project; an everyday, easy to ride bike for making short trips with luggage. Their answer, the “Cinco,” is unique in design where the bicycles curved twin top tubes sweep past the seat tube to form a cargo rack fully integrated into the frame in function and aesthetics.

Using either the Wooden Carrier, or the Custom Basket in conjunction with the cargo rack. The Cinco can manage any luggage you like, be it your workout bag, groceries, or even your carry on bag when you’re off to the airport. This versatility allows the Cinco to fulfill more of one’s transport needs, and cycling to blend more into ones everyday life.

Many see racks, and baskets as detrimental to a bikes ride-ability.  The Cinco maintains precise handling and a nimble feel by placing baggage close to the bicycles center of gravity; thanks to the 20-inch wheels and extra long chain stays. Combined with an upright riding position, and easy flat bar controls, it is a bike that anyone can ride with confidence.

The Cinco is an intuitive mash of traditional porters, townies, cargo bikes and Japanese mini-velo’s; compact and versatile.  Best of all, having met European Standards, it will be on the streets mid 2011.

Seeing cycling’s increased integration into the urban environment, the ORTRE brand was established in 2010 for the development of products for the “everyday cyclist.” The founder Alexander Liauw draws on a background of industrial design in the outdoor sports industry, not to mention many hours in the saddle commuting. The Cinco is the first project to hit the street from ORTRE, soon to be followed by a range of tools and locks for the everyday cyclist.”

Comments

11 responses to “Cinco by ORTRE: a bike for everyday cycling”

  1. Adam Rice Avatar

    Love it. Looks like it sacrificed some strength through triangulation for flowing lines, but still, a mini-velo cargo bike is a great concept.

    1. Alex Avatar

      Thanks Adam,

      Strength wise its actually great. It passes European Standards which are pretty stringent. But more importantly is how it feels – and when I rode the first test frame I was surprised how stiff the frame felt. The lowered seat stays, and the integrated rack do a lot to stiffen the frame, whilst the relatively long seat tube, and larger volume tires do a lot to add smoothness to the ride.

  2. Jos Sluijsmans Avatar

    Lovely bike! I think it would even look better with a shaft drive.

  3. Steve A Avatar

    Hmm. I ride my cyclocross bike every day except when I ride my wife’s 40-year old bike. Should I be concerned and should I not be carrying “regular bags” on these bikes? Inquiring minds want to know what problem this solves that wasn’t solved long ago. And even in folding versions which this one does not appear to do.

  4. Mr, Avatar

    This bike reflects a thought I have had: isn’t the simplest way to lower the load on a bike to use smaller wheels?

    There are performance disadvantages, which do not matter in rides under 5km, which is the majority of what people ride. Basket bikes or other ‘Rube Goldberg’ rides have their place, but are too specific for the needs of most riders.

    There are a few things I would change:
    – more fork rake and a basket on the front, too
    – more than one size, though not more than three
    – moustache bars, or anything but straight bars

    1. Alex Avatar

      Lowering the load really makes a difference. When I ride the Cinco with a child on the back, it is easy to forget someone’s there. If I ride a mountain bike with a child on the back – I really feel the affect on the handling.

      With this bike I had in mind that it would be for short trips up to 5km, but it rides pretty nicely and I have no problem with 40km.

      If all goes well I plan to make different sizes, actually I have a unique idea for this – stay tuned.

      I will try a set of moustache bars and see how it feels.

      Thanks for the feedback

  5. Fenriq Avatar
    Fenriq

    I like it quite a bit. I’ve been coming around to the minivelo concept and this takes it one big step further into the practical realm. Any idea of what sort of price this bike will have?

  6. Lorena Bee Avatar
    Lorena Bee

    This is excellent – any idea if it would work with a Gator bar? I’d like to ride with my kids more but one is a little young to be soloing the distance to school …

  7. smalghan Avatar

    Congratulations on getting a design all the way to production, that’s a great achievement! The smaller wheels make it much easier to get on or off and the tires look big enough not to get stuck in drainage grates. My only reservation is the inclined package surface, it makes getting pizza/takeout/anything with liquid in it less likely to arrive in the same shape it started in.

  8. Mr Colostomy Avatar

    I like the idea, but the geometry doesn’t really suit the idea of it being an “everyday bike.” Give it a North Road handlebar and take the seat-tube angle down to about 68-69 degrees and it’d be better. Also, hub hears, drum or roller brakes, mudguards and a dynamo lighting option would make the bike infinitely more viable for everyday transportation.

  9. Todd Edelman Avatar

    Male designer: Not low-stepover/step-through. Dress and skirt catcher. Agree with Colostomy about geometry, hub gears, etc.

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