Category: Bicycle

A hubless BMX and a helpless designer

I just received an email from Nikolay Boltachev, a beginning graphic designer from Russia. He has been working on a concept for a BMX bicycle with hubless wheels – and it’s starting to look pretty great!

However, to take the next step in his project, Nikolay is now urgently looking for more information about hubless wheels and/or magnetic bearings.

Perhaps any of you have been working on a similar project, and have gained some knowledge about this topic?

If you do, please share it via the comments, and gain some major karma points!

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Alta Bike

The Alta Bike, a hybrid between a classic courier and a mountain bike, was designed as a collaboration project between the Norwegian designers Bleed, Norway Says and Frost Produkt in 2004. Initially the Alta Bike was supposed to be a project with a limited production of 50 bikes but Alta soon got so popular that it became the first serial production single speed bike on the market.

“The initial idea behind the Alta bike was to make a light, timeless, fast and durable bicycle that was designed for city use.”

The single speed design means it performs perfect in urban environment as you have rarely enough speed to need to change gears. In case of need to accelerate you can always rely on the handlebar – Alta Bike’s signature feature – giving you the power to fight hills.

They wanted something back to basics and they succeeded. The result of the collaboration is a great singlespeed city racer with a weight of only 9.2 kg, available in various colors.

The Alta Bike has been bought by the Norwegian National Museum as a part of their permanent collection.

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Cannondale Dutchess

The Cannondale Dutchess is the graduation project of Wytze van Mansum in assignment of bicycle manufacturer Cannondale. Van Mansum is a former student of the Delft University of Technology TU Delft and currently working as a freelance Product Designer.

Dutchess refers to the typical Old Dutch bicycle, the Omafiets, but integrates its form elements in an innovative way. The eye-catching, organic shaped, arch connects the whole bicycle from handlebars to taillight both structurally and visually. I really like the adjustable handlebars, which allow you to ride in different positions – from upright to extremely sportive – and they can be folded together for easy storage. The design of the integrated transmission is great from a visual and technical point of view.

Loyal to the Cannondale philosophy the weight of the complete bicycle is kept under the 14kg by the integration of parts and functions. Wow!

What a pity the Cannondale Dutchess is a concept bicycle and not yet in production; it would have been a great bike for my girlfriend!

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Joep

Bicycle mechanic Joep Salden was frustrated by all the repairs he had to make at old and uncomfortable bicycles. His alternative: the Joep bicycle.

A minimalist bike without all unnecessary luxury like a carrier and a pump. The bicycle is stripped down to the essence of the bicycle and, according to Salden, nearly indestructible.

The Joep bicycle is also available as a women’s model.

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Zero Bike

The Zero Bike was designed in 1988 (!) by Makota Makita and Hiroshi Tsuzaki, then students at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.

Rather than spokes around a hub, this concept bicycle has wheel rims cradled by magnets, using the principle of magnetic superconductivity, also used in high-speed trains that are suspended above rails.

Not only does it look mighty interesting, the absence of spokes it is beneficial for the aerodynamics of the bike. Less is more! ;-)

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Moof Bicycle

Have you ever dreamed about a simple and solid urban bicycle with only necessary elements? I was looking for such a bicycle and I found it in Amsterdam.

Dutch designer Sjoerd Smit designed the MOOF with fixed-gear features leather seat and grips (semi), and has a sleek powder-coated, all aluminium frame. The frame also houses solar powered head and tail lights to keep you safe. You have to activate the lights with the supplied magnetic key-cord. Isn’t that nice and clever?

Accessories like a integrated lock and a luggage rack will soon be available.

I bought one myself and I love it!

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