OMG. This "future bike" just won a competition to be mass manufactured.

[snagglepuss]

http://www.wimp.com/futurebike/

[taterguy]

1. OMG, a link with no info

Not gonna click on it.

Not gonna happen.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. Yup

[NYC_SKP]

37. This page has more info and some of the other contending designs:

.
http://oregonmanifest.com/and-the-winner-isdenny/

Cool stuff!

[Lochloosa]

4. You should. Cool bike.

[snagglepuss]

10. its from wimp. What is there say. its a legit site

[antiquie]

11. Here ya go...

Geez.

[yuiyoshida]

13. Awesome looking bike..

might be a great little item to pick up if they have a deal in SF!

[66 dmhlt]

20. Cool bike - thanks for adding the video

[Owl]

35. Quite awesome!

[kentauros]

3. Looks like a good design.

I don't understand how the "minimal fender" works, but everything else I like. Still, it will be "the future" before I get one. Need to wear out my existing bike first

[winter is coming]

6. Yeah, I wondered about the fender, too.

I think you'd still end up splattered all the way up your spine on wet days.

[kentauros]

7. When I first saw that part,

I figured it was a motorcycle-style kickstand. I'd probably put some kind of true fender back there, especially if I lived in the PNW. Wet days are a majority of days

I do like that they replaced the chain with a belt, but I hope that it's easier to change than belts on a car...

[Needa Moment]

25. I wonder if it's based

on some of the way scooter's now days run w/out gears. More of a tension based wedge expander CVT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission

I had a scooter not long ago that had this before I had to sell it off. Never hear a high engine whine or feel any gear transfer. was kind of cool.

[kentauros]

26. CVTs are pretty cool,

and have been around for years (haven't looked at your link mostly because I have been reading about them for many more years )

The bike seems well-designed all over, so I would guess they took into consideration a need to change the drive-belt periodically. Hopefully, it can be done by the owner. Otherwise, will we see bicycle repairs shops on every corner in the near future?

[Needa Moment]

29. That wiki page

went much further into some of the cvt designs than I had known were out there.

I mean wth... a 'Toroidal or roller-based CVT (Extroid CVT)'?


Surprised me

[kentauros]

30. Yeah, it did cover much more than I've read.

And I saw that image, too, though I'm still scratching my head about how it even works. I'd probably have to see a working model to understand the mechanics of it...

[trof]

8. Looks like a squeegee to me.

Wipes the tire.
Would need periodic replacing.

[passiveporcupine]

17. I think it's more like a brush

I think it might work very well.

[kentauros]

27. I'd still be happier with some kind of fender,

even if it's just a fine mesh. That would stop a spray of water and anything else, and still be easy to clean

[winter is coming]

5. Interesting. If they had a crank forward model, I'd try one.

The handlebars-as-bike-lock is a nice touch. Not sure how I feel about automatic gears.

[trof]

9. Lemme guess. About $1000 each?

Maybe mass manufactured but not mass appeal.

[Brother Buzz]

12. Umm, just replacing that carbon composite drive belt can set you back $200

All in all, there are some cool, innovative ideas in that bike, but belt drives and internal gears doesn't float my boat.

[JDPriestly]

23. It could have mass appeal in cities.

[DotGone]

28. Not a chance it sells for under $3K.

The electronic shifting system alone costs more than $1000. I see this more in line with Specialized's Turbo e-bike which is in the $4K - $6K range.

[loudsue]

14. Holy shit!! That is awesome!

[magical thyme]

15. I'll consider it when they make a tricycle version

I worry about balance -- haven't ridden a bike in 5 decades or so.

[littlemissmartypants]

16. Bike.

What's that?
~wink~

[silverweb]

31. I just bought an e-trike.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Love it! I ride around with a huge, silly grin all the time.

[mackerel]

18. I want one!

[tomm2thumbs]

19. I like the lock/handlebar concept - quick and easy

[IrishAyes]

21. I really enjoy my own bike although I understand why many wouldn't.

It's an old lady's bike with wide tires and coaster brakes, the kind I grew up with. 24" tires. Handlebars set so I can sit upright when pedaling. Heavy duty wire saddlebag baskets on back, big wire basket on front. You don't want to know how much cargo I can haul on that thing. I've even hung shopping bags from the handlebars. It's definitely the glue factory reject of the bike world. If I'm really lucky, I might be able to get an electric motor on it before I get too feeble to pedal, and some adult-size training wheels for stability.

Just thought I'd post that for comparison so real bike enthusiasts could feel fortunate by comparison.

[JDPriestly]

22. Add air conditioning side and rear view mirrors and a shower and it will be perfect.

[KG]

24. hipster bait...

[Helen Borg]

32. In the rain...

This bike will sling a lot of mud and water up your back. The rear tire does not have any cover to protect from that...

[glinda]

33. want

[Beowulf42]

34. FAQ

What is the estimated retail price going to be?

[Iggo]

36. I like the front rack. I like the lights and signals. I LOVE the handlebar lock!!!

[HooptieWagon]

38. I'll keep my Raleigh Sports, thank you.

The newest is over 40 years old. They'll easily last at least another 40, outliving me. No maintenance other than occasional cleaning and a few drops of oil. Built like a tank. 3-speed hub allows shifting into low gear while stopped. Comfortable padded seat, and upright bars. 40 spokes on rear, and steel rims, mean you never bend a wheel. My neighbor across the street with a high tech carbon fiber bike has been begging me to sell him one. Probably the best urban bikes ever made.... made for British working class at a time when a bicycle was their only transportation, and had to be reliable.