Innovative?

Sean Kerslake wrote:
A bit off off topic I know but.......

Have a look at the pictures at:
http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~cdspk/index.html

This is one of my students projects which we are currently marking and
having heavy debates about.

Its looks are 'wowwing' my colleagues into giving it a very good mark
and I'm being the spoil sport because having seen alot of bike
designs from the last 100 plus years, I don't think it is that 'wow'.

I think the student made the mistake of pushing the frame aesthetics
and not the flat pack delivery, self assembly part of his brief.

I was just wondering what people thought of it and if they had seen
[specific] similiar designs which I could cite.

It rather reminds me of one Mike Burrows does, the name of which temporarily
escapes me... ah yes, the 2D
URL:http://halffg.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/foldsoc/CRW_0163.jpg

The handlebars on thta are designed to turn thhrough 90 degrees to make a
narrow package which can be more easily stored in confined spaces like
corridors.

--
Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
A complimentary biro(tm) is /not/ to be sniffed at.

Sean Kerslake wrote:
A bit off off topic I know but.......

Have a look at the pictures at:
http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~cdspk/index.html

This is one of my students projects which we are currently marking and
having heavy debates about.

Sean Kerslake
Design and Tech
Loughborough Uni



Funny you should mention the iPod in your post, this looks to me like
the iBike maybe....
-Overall if one picks an unusual material, then there should be some
justification for use of that material that would not be practical with
the usual choice. This basic design could have been made of metal and
would have had all the same advantages except the looks (if it used tube
metal) or the price (if it was some fancy extrusion or multiple-welded
structure! $$$)... I would suggest you note the advantage of plastic
over metal--that it can easily and cheaply be molded into shapes that
would be expensive or difficult to produce in metal. I realize that if a
working-example is required then there may be some limitations of what
can be accomplished by a student for that reason--but I am thinking
right off: for a utility bike, why not add an integral rear cargo rack.
And the rear fender integral--that's two things the customer doesn't
have to put on then, as well as two things that can't come loose and
fall off. Also--since this is not a performance bicycle anyway--get rid
of the wire-spoke wheels thanks, plastic 5-spokes for them too. Never
break or adjust any wire spokes again, and you're getting rid of a lot
of parts there for just one too.

What about some sort of quick-release mechanism. You could use something
like a traditional bicycle quick release or something more like what is used
for ski boots. This would allow for even more rapid assembly / disassembly
as well as being somewhat easier.

If the frame parts are high-strength plastic then they could be
injection-molded, cheaply made, and basicly disposable when they wear out.

Jeff