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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 20:07 
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Sorry -= but I cannot supply a link as neither me nor Wildy can recall where we spotted this story. :( Maybe someone out there in cyberspace can point us in the right direction to acquire one of these :lol:

What am I on about? :scratchchin:

Well.. we have heard that a NEW gadget is about to hit the A list and is linline for a GADGET PRIZE! The ultimate in fold-up bikes which can be "taken for a walk" by its owner and /.. AND :o :shock: :o :D fit into a SMART car with room to spare for Wildy's "designer - girly-girl "Mama Cat" got "alles in Ordnung" "handbag :bunker: ...


This bike does not just FOLD .. it folds into its own wheel :bow: A normal wheel :lol: of a 26 inch circumference and you can wheel it and not have to carry it! :bow:

Rumour has it that this bike will cost just £400 when on the market i- hopefully in 2010 off memory of what I read somewhere.. and I just cannot recall whether or not I saw this in UK press or EU press. :roll: And a googly threw up some other fold ups .. but not this one which is still in "gadget exhibition land - pre mass production stage"

I am sure it will be a best seller all the same. And I gather the brainchild of a UK Royal College of Art graduate as part of his post graduate work. :bow: Well . only a Brit could come up with something funky and practical :lol: :bow:

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 21:04 
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My Dahon fits into the Smart, not as cool as this though.

Two things-

How does the drive get to the rear wheels?
Would that frame take a 105Kg me?

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 22:17 
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Oh cheers. That's the one :cloud9:

It's just what we all want :lol:


I confess.. I'd buy one each here. :lol: :cloud9:

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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 07:10 
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You can wheel a Brompton on two small castors

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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 18:53 
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Well - yep. We do have a fold up Brompton - which has proven its space in the boot before now :lol: (Especially in Stag who can be a bit of a "temperatured" b:censored:r at times. :roll: )

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 15:20 
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toltec wrote:
How does the drive get to the rear wheels?


hydraulic drive


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PostPosted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 20:22 
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ed_m wrote:
toltec wrote:
How does the drive get to the rear wheels?


hydraulic drive


:yesyes:


I think this Contortionist has edge though. But sorry .. me und Ted see it somewhere. WE FORGET where as we on holiday at time :roll: We know it exist - we did see a story when browsing a news update in hotel room prior to dinner dance there. :roll:


I am sorry we cannot provide the link.. we google for this It elude as neither of us hit the right notes here. :banghead:

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 21:03 
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ed_m wrote:
toltec wrote:
How does the drive get to the rear wheels?


hydraulic drive


Hypothetical hydraulic drive. In the video he never actually pedals the bike and there is no evidence on any drive train. no more than a folding scooter.

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 21:36 
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dcbwhaley wrote:
ed_m wrote:
toltec wrote:
How does the drive get to the rear wheels?


hydraulic drive


Hypothetical hydraulic drive. In the video he never actually pedals the bike and there is no evidence on any drive train. no more than a folding scooter.


yup but easy enough to do.


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PostPosted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 22:24 
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yup but easy enough to do


But I wonder what the efficiency is?

Efficiency is everything for a bicycle.

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 23:26 
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ed_m wrote:
dcbwhaley wrote:
ed_m wrote:

hydraulic drive


Hypothetical hydraulic drive. In the video he never actually pedals the bike and there is no evidence on any drive train. no more than a folding scooter.


yup but easy enough to do.


Through a hinge?

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 07:05 
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ed_m wrote:
dcbwhaley wrote:
Hypothetical hydraulic drive. In the video he never actually pedals the bike and there is no evidence on any drive train. no more than a folding scooter.

yup but easy enough to do.


Then i wonder why it has never been done. Probably because of weight and low efficiency.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:11 
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i'll have to dig up some notes but i seem to recall hydrostatic drive (as used on various bits of specialist machinery) is pretty efficient.

most likely a weight penalty over chain drive but then chains dont fold that well either :wink:

hinge is ok, flexible hosing should do the job.

the only thing i'm struggling with is what smaller scale systems such a drive would be already in use in to poach parts from.... making them bespoke doesn't bear thinking about!
maybe something in robotics or factory automation.



(i rode a bmx once with shaft drive.... looked clean but weighed a tonne)


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:44 
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'll have to dig up some notes but i seem to recall hydrostatic drive (as used on various bits of specialist machinery) is pretty efficient


I wonder if it could incorperate some sort of CVT without sacrificing too much efficency?

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:58 
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Doesn't appear to have brakes either - just the discs and the levers.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 15:08 
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Dusty wrote:
Quote:
'll have to dig up some notes but i seem to recall hydrostatic drive (as used on various bits of specialist machinery) is pretty efficient


I wonder if it could incorperate some sort of CVT without sacrificing too much efficency?


hydraulic drives generally have some form of CVT anyway with a variable displacement pump.


i was flicking idly through "bicycle science" (i think it was called) in borders, one for the bookshelf some day!

and came across a transmission section, current derrailleur gears get up to (an amazing) 98% efficiency.
i stand corrected on hydrostatic drive with each motor/pump typically having a max of 90%..... so about 80% for the coupled system.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 09:01 
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i stand corrected on hydrostatic drive with each motor/pump typically having a max of 90%..... so about 80% for the coupled system.


Sounds like hard work! Be a bit like going up hill all the time!

Nice concept though, if it can be made to work (Bit like electric cars)

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