folding bikes

http://hight3ch.com/ingenious-folding-bike/
D: that is the smallest package ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmnkAviUFBU
D: a trike that folds down, apparently with no tools.

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=95
D: I see why my bud Tim bought a Gotham Citybike instead - about a 1000 bux difference!

http://www.velomobiling.com/gallery/OtherVehicles/Folders/?g2_GALLERYSID=77dc78bcec710568fd6b699abbcd025f

D - I started thinking about a folder. My 'stretch limo' SWB RWD 'bent bike concept is gonna have a 60 inch wheelbase - plus the pedals out front! Be nice to be able to fish out the chain from inside the frame, and halve the length.

My later 'oyster' concept bikes will have handlebars and seats that fold down. They won't fold in half with rigid partial fairings.
But they will seal shut against theft and weather. So long as the wheel hubs can only be accessed from inside, they could have quick-release monofork wheels for ease of changes on the road.

http://www.yankodesign.com/2007/09/03/grasshopper-the-folding-recumbent-bike/

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/adams-trail-a-bike.html

http://www.bazookasports.com/beach-3-orange-sold-out-p-12.html?zenid=5dfe09347d8c17c16441c2bba298b2e8
A full size cruiser that folds in the middle.

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Suspension-Folding-Shimano-Silver/dp/B002LTDER4
D: I almost wish I built my Cruzbike around a folder.
The thing is a beast to store.

http://www.oobject.com/category/concept-folding-bikes/
D: there are trail bikes with tiny wheels.
Then 'real' bikes for 'real' roads. With real potholes.

The 'briefcase bikes' are pretty KISS, given that you will want a carry case anyway.

D: the folding 'bent bike pic is useful.
The diagonal packing scheme is pretty sensible.
Though the pic is of a long wheelbase, many aspects apply.
I suspect the front pedals could be on a pivot.
It'd be elegant to have it turn on the front wheel steering tube, but I imagine devilishly difficult.
'n of course, there will be a very long chain to stow somewhere.
A simple way to address steering would be to allow an ergonomic change of position,but to make that joint able to lie flat along the bike body. The seat rear, of course, comes off as a backpack.
D.

nice primer on air resistance. stationary fan.

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/cycling-equipment-the-effect-of-aerodynamics-and-drag-on-cycling-performance-40874

D: this chart is a bit misleading. Sure the air resistance does increase as the cube of speed.
But the other aspects of a bike matter still.
Linear so less and less a part of the total energy required.
But the chart exaggerates the use of a recumbent with fairing.
Particularly when weight is considered!
Let alone other practical considerations.

D: strangely I could not find a decent front profile pic of a bent online. At least not easily. So I took one of my Cruzbike.
Keep in mind my seat position is very upright for a bent.
But is sooo comfortable.
And I improve on the 'aero tuck' cross section in 'lazyboy' comfort!
I once tried to demonstrate the aero tuck to a co-worker. And promptly sprained my neck! WHY?!


http://www.bacchettabikes.com/support/performance/bacchetta.php

But because the power to overcome rolling resistance is linear with speed, and the power consumed by air resistance is a cubic function with speed…by the time you get to 20+ MPH typically over 70% of the overall power you deliver to the pedals will be consumed by air drag!

For example, let's say that the tires rolling resistance power/wattage equals the aero drag power at 12 MPH, which is pretty typical. So at 12 MPH, we have one unit of power going to overcome rolling resistance (RR), and one unit of power going to overcome aero drag at let's say a total of 40 watts at 12 MPH. That would be 20 watts for aero drag and 20 watts for rolling resistance at 12 MPH.

When we double our speed to 24MPH, we now need 40 watts of power for RR because it is linear with speed, or 2 X 20 watts. Since the aero power is proportional to the cube of the speed, when we double our speed the aero drag component becomes (2^3) x20 watts, or 8 X 20 watts= 160 watts.

When we add the aero and RR components together at 24MPH, we now have 40 watts + 160 watts= 200 watts @ 24 MPH.

We only doubled our speed from 12 to 24 MPH, but the power required went up by a factor of 5 (40 to 200 watts) because of the dominance of the aero drag at higher speeds.

-----
Mechanical chain drive for a fan for a stationary bike resistance unit.

D: I have a nifty 200 bux on sale magnetic stationary unit.
It works. I guess.
But it is just not the same as the wind whistling past me.
I'd say ruffling my hair but I just went bald LOL.
Anyway, there are plenty of electricity generator schemes online.
But I just want to run a long chain forward to an industrial fan.
Shouldn't be too hard to get a decent match to air resistance.
Plus it cools you.
And psychologically I MISS that air movement!!!

I'm just thinking thru wais required to DIY.
A long chain. I imagine a bent owner already has one for RWD.
A floor guide for components. 2x4s and nails should work, with some plywood.
An additional chainring or two.
An adapter to switch movement direction at the fan back.
Tear the guts out of the electric motor.
A busted unit will suffice, so long as the bearings are fine.
A coupla lengths of chain 'n rings to get that power there.
Voila.
I imagine welding guides for all that to the stand on an industrial fan is simplest. Or bolting/strapping.

Hmm. Now I wanna build it...

transformer bike upright/bent

http://www.solidsmack.com/product-design/tzweistil-recumbent-converting-bicycle-3d-cad-design-mock-up/

very neat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCxSUg12RLc

D: i had some similar ideas.
One switches between short and long wheelbase.
Necessarily is FWD with a simple pivot for chain.
The curved rails for the fairing make it pretty slick looking.

I have another idea for re-arranging components to convert a mid-steer to front steer.
Be nice to switch from over to under easily too.

Thinking on turning radius for effectively long wheelbase, midsteer.
Using handles that pivot attached rear a la Triton trike, could increase sharpness of possible turning radius.

Thinking about mid-steer, maybe placing seat on third bar attached midway fore and aft.Result is the rider does not end up on outside of turn attempting to flip bike on turn. Always stays inside the turn - and more inside as turn become sharper.
That was an idea to try to keep legs sufficiently in line with pedal on a thru-front-wheel-pedal layout. But likely works better without this fancy setup.

Still, intrigued by thru-front-wheel layout.

I'm trying to figure out is a Rohloff hub could be easily modified to take pedal attachements. But have never played with one- any ideas?
This would pretty much necessitate a mid-steer layout.
The elegance makes it worth pursuing.

I priced out capactiros and they are about 20 bux per for a c-battery size.
Doable.
Inspired by John Tetz. But my idea for a low-speed high torque only brief duration is unique.
1) you can lose all that big heavy gearing.
2) no battery. at all. regenarative braking for recharge. again, compact, light.
also cheaper.
A 'bent bike really only needs a help from a stop and a killer granny gear.
This temporary boost provided at high power output from an ultracapacitor array would not last long enough to overheat and fry a motor.
It is good for 100,000s of recharge cycles.
! likely cold-resistant. I killed more batteries winter cycling.
The regenerative braking function - assist really -not enough resistance to supplant a good rear brake (maybe just on front? I don't like the front tire to lock up.) could be used otherwise to power lights sans battery al a dynamo. And consumer electronics like a cell phone or music player otherwise.
I think we are not thinking of the right 'power assist (vs supplant) for a 'bent.

D: this summer, I nearly ate a small asian woman. Not like that! >;
She didn't look and leisurely biked onto the main multiuse trail from a dirt side path. I haul on the brakes - both - hard - in panic. ...
My Cruzbike promptly became a unicycle on the front wheel. The rear tire flipped into the air and wobbled sideways. I managed to stop within a foot of hitting her.
Dumb bitch. ALWAYS look.

Also the reason I am thinking about a battering ram on the Cruzbike. Seriously.
Cars to the edge of the bike lane.
Why should ruin my godawfully expensive chainring setup on FWD bike?
Better to leave ding in their car door.
I had some idiot jump in front of my bike. Hauled on brake, couldn't risk swerving into car lane without knowing if I'd eat a car.
He was drunk with buddies. Easy enough to kick me in the head.
Lot harder if I break his knee cap.
Sorry, it is a cold hard world out there.

D.

alfine 11 sg 700 - price

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=google-alerts&gl=us&hl=en&num=50&oe=utf8&q=%22sg+s700%22+alfine&cid=571166582403510933&os=sellers#p

600 bux

Bikeman.com 21 seller ratings New $599.99
SmartBikeParts.com

Again, will pass if there is no direct drive.
I'll use price difference to put downpayment on a Schlumph mountain drive.

diy or kit cargo bike extensions

http://www.instructables.com/id/Xtends-Convert-Your-Bike-Into-A-Long-Cargo-Bike/

This is a welded kit.
Chop up 2 bikes carefully and you might manage a front boom/ SWB bike.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cargo-Rack-Bike-Sport-Hauler/

Bikes that Haul People

In East Africa, there is a population of small business entrepreneurs known as "Boda Boda" operators who use bicycles as taxis. Most start their business by purchasing a standard bike and retrofitting it with a locally manufactured seat post and special seat cushion to accommodate passengers in

back.http://bikefriendlynorthshore.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/longtail-cargo-bikes/

D: I saw an extracycle in town. A mother was shopping with it. She said she can put 2 kids on it.

Why I was thinking of it?
I just went to great effort to reattach a bike rack to my Cruzbike kit.
The Mongoose chassis is a cheap supercycle.
The frame geometry is unusual, being rectangular.

I use the 'assit mount' to carry all the weight.
The aluminum part sheared, so I had custom steel replacements made.
Which never quite lined up.
So much tapping and drilling later, it is finally on again.
... standard frame geometry is a MUST for accessories!

I see recumbent bikes in town, and their frames never allow standard upgright bike accessories to be attached. Why reinvent the wheel?
I was thinking about this when I saw the cargo bike extension.
Is there any reason a 'bent bike could not also take a cargo bike extension at the rear?
This would allow me to have a long-wheel-base SWB for touring, with cargo capacity.
But then- take it off- a standard wheelbase SWB short wheel base.
Obviously, this makes the design tricky. It could still be a Flevo Greenmachine knockoff, sans frame suspension.
(A thudbuster, though not cheap, is still far cheaper. Assuming it works.)

I am also considering having some internal storage in the bike frame. Just use pressed sheet metal or plastic to enclose the chain area, with mount points.

The detachable-externa-frame-rucksack-seat-back is enouraging a fat-ass-granny bike seat on the bottom portion. I saw some ridiculously oversized ones at McPhails.
I don't see the point of a seat bigger than my ass, though.

Hmm, variable steering -at least maybe a swap-out cog for long/short wheelbase mode- would duplicate car 'power steering' in some respects.

I continue to ponder the left /right weight symmetry and how to get various structural elements to add up correctly, including both top and bottom chains.

alfine 11 price

http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP9760.aspx?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=comparison&utm_campaign=PMP

D: 307 pounds sans shifter.
That's um..
Um US about x1.5 so... um call it 450.
A bit more Canadian.
Of course, with shifter, this goes well about 500.

Still a fraction of the price of a Rohloff.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rohloff-Speedhub-Electronic-Gear-Shift-/330468483958?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf174e376
D: hmm electric pushbutton R-hub shifter.
Neat. Pointless, but neat.
Now if it was AUTOMATIC like a car...

http://www.gizmag.com/shimano-dura-ace-di2-electronic-shift/11407/
D: good reviews though. For Shimano type.

D: the NuVinci lends itself to automatic adjustment.

shimano alfine 11 gear sg-s700

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/0/alfine/product.-code-SG-S700.-type-.html

It tripped my Google search term alert.

5th gear is direct drive- I think.
.995%.
VERY nice for a day tour bike!
Yup. I'm in love.
Waiting on price.

You heard it hear FIRST.