Gizmodo: folding bike

Is a Bike With Collapsing Wheels Really a Good Idea?

Mark Wilson — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EDT

We know, this pitch of a folding bike with collapsing wheels sounds a tad precarious, but this sequence showing how the wheels fold up is pretty darn convincing:

Well, it's convinced us that the wheels fold up, at least. But when you're weaving in and out of city traffic with just a few pounds of metal and rubber differentiating you from the pavement, that very function will be your primary concern. Trust us. [Treehugger via DVICE]

Montague Paratrooper Tactical Folding Bike Can Survive 1000-Foot Jumps

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Can your mountain bike survive this 1000-foot jump? Mine can't. In fact, I don't even have a mountain bike. Much less one that is used by the US Marines, folds, and looks as badass as the Montague Paratrooper Tactical Bike.

Frame: Double butted 7005 Series Aluminum Front and Rear Triangle
Front Suspension: RST CAPA-T8 Suspension, disc mount, adjustable preload with CLIX™ Ramps
Folded Size: 36" x 28" x 12"
Color: Cammy Green
Gearing: SRAM 24-Speed

I always thought that folding bikes made you look like an oversized clown named Zappo, but the Montague Paratrooper Tactical Folding Mountain Bike is different. It may be the combination of its design and the cammy green finish, but it just looks good enough to buy one, even if it costs $800. [Military Bikes—Thanks W]

The Backpack Bicycle For Ultra-Portable, Potentially Dangerous Transportation

Sean Fallon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:40:00 EDT

The idea of a compact, folding bicycle is nothing new, but designer Chang Ting Jen is hoping to take the concept even further with his Backpack bike. According to the specs, a production version would weigh around 12 pounds and fold into a backpack that measured just under 2 feet in length. Naturally, that means that you could pick up and carry your bike around just about anywhere.

A bicycle as compact as this version promises to be would definitely be appealing—especially when gas prices are as high as they are right now. However, the plans call for plastics to be used in the frame instead of metal to keep the weight down. With all of the technology going into bike frames these days, you would think that a more advanced material could be used in the frame to add strength and drop weight. By the looks of things, this bike could be deadly to someone weighing over 150 pounds. [The Design Blog via Tech Digest]

Cannondale Jacknife: Hydraulic Fold-Up Bike

Mark Wilson — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 13:08:24 EST

We have seen the fold-up bikes before, and lusted after their ease of portability while traveling (in a method other than biking). But then we remember, eventually the bike will be unpacked and we will have to ride it...in public.

The Cannondale Jacknife is a concept meant to appeal to urban-dwellers from ages 20-35. Apparently the center bar can twist 180-degree, which has us both confused and intrigued. Most of all we appreciate the hydraulic pedaling system, preventing our clothes getting covered in chain oil when we try to shove this into our carryon. Now all we need is for everyone to comment that this is the best bike ever so Cannondale will actually put it into production. – Mark Wilson

Another Take on Folding Bikes [treehugger]

Folding Electric Bike

tgrumet — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 05:00:15 EST

Maybe you don't have room for a normal sized bike, or just like the idea of a bicycle that can be carried around under your arm, but either way, you'll get a kick out of the eZee Bikes Quando. When fully expanded, this bike weighs 57 pounds including the NiMH 36V 9AH battery.

In terms of speed, you should be able to get up to 20 mph with a cruising speed of 15mph, which sounds good to me. And the company says it only takes 30 seconds to unfold, though I assume that depends on how savvy a bike unfolder you really are. There are a lot of other wacky folding bikes in case you're curious, but the Quando will run you about $1,300.

eZee Quando - A Folding Electric Bike [Treehugger]