Concept Bikes & Bike Innovation - for better or worse

I was thinking that but assumed there must be some good reason for it that I was too stupid too see

The first version is probably easier to manufacture, because the two ratchet rings are identical and the splined insert which threads into the hub shell only has to be centred well enough to allow the spline clearance float to take up the slack and allow the ratchets to be lock together concentrically. Mk1 has this float in both the shell and the freehub rotor, effectively doubling the allowable tolerance.
The new one has a short plain section on the insert to centre it in the hub shell, which is necessary because it also locates the centre of the drive side main bearing. With only the float of the moving ratchet ring to take up the slack, the ratchet must be made more accurately concentric on both the fixed and moving rings. If the ratchet rings can't self-align, any eccentricity results in all the drive load being taken by a small number of teeth, leading to accelerated wear.
These are related questions to the failure of the iQ² power meter - you can't rely on a threaded connection for accurate radial positioning.

Not a new one but cool nevertheless

Not strictly a concept product as it was in production. But the concept of them is cool

Unlike a standard pair of cranks that always remain at 180 degrees relative to each other, the ROTOR system varies this angle through the circle of motion. The left and right crank arms speed up and slow down independently, relative to the chainrings during the pedalling cycle. The mechanism causing this is designed by ofsetting the axis of rotation of the crank spindle and spider, then connecting the spider to the individual crank arms via two independent links.

As the crank rotates, the distance between the axle and spider varies. By placing a pivot point on the crank arm and the spider and connecting these via linkages, the varying axle to spider distance pivots the linkages up and down, pushing the cranks forward and pulling them backward relative to the chainrings during the rotation. This increases and decreases the effective gear the cyclists' two legs push as the crankset rotates. The effect of these movements eliminates the dead spot (where little power is produced) at the top and bottom of the pedaling cycle, and reduces knee strain. The manufacturer claims that power output relative to heart rate is increased, amongst other claimed benefits.

^ Is that what's shown in the animation here: https://twitter.com/transportgovuk/status/1136323528079368203 ?

;)

Can't even think of something witty to say. That is just so shit

https://www.ceramicspeed.com/en/driven/

Umm.

1 Attachment

They didn't bother figuring out how you could shift though so it was essentially single speed

I'd not realised this - I can see how that might be a bit tricky to accomplish in the current configuration.
I'm also not entirely sure what they're aiming to achieve here - presumably they're pitching themselves as disruptive to gain exposure and boost sales of jockey wheels, BBs and chains

Supposedly less friction and more aero although those tiny bearings don't look like they'd be very durable

Probably also too expensive to have special bearings made for a proof-of-concept prototype.
Also, it's probably only going to make sense for TT'ing on a professional level (which won't stop mamils from buying it mind) which makes durability less important. There's going to be mechanic replacing those bearings before every TT anyway.
Kinda like the UFO chains from Ceramic speed.

Are people still dragging that POS up from the past, where it should have been buried?

Oops - I did do a thread search for ceramicspeed before posting, must have misspelt it.

I'm sorry @mdcc_tester but the fork people are at it again

https://singletrackworld.com/2019/04/structure-cycleworks-carbon-linkage-enduro-bike-with-wtf-suspension/

Telescopic forks are like democracy-a bit shit but probably the best we’ve got all things considered.

That said there’s lots of linkage stuff doing the rounds at the mo and there are performance advantages...if not aesthetically everyones’ cup of tea

Have we had this...

Additional designs by Ruiter include the Inner City Bike 36, a minimalist bicycle that has a seat, grips, brakes and two wheels – all of which are tightly arranged. The human-powered vehicle provides "only what is essential for cutting through short, circuitous routes punctuated by highly populated spaces".

1 Attachment

Tight wheelbase

@amey

looks like at least a 36" wheel, unless its a tiny saddle - edit, derp its in the name!

fucking architects

Instead of toe overlap you get knee overlap?

2011 >>>>>>>>>>>>>

for cutting through short, circuitous routes punctuated by highly populated spaces

Ideal for Crystal Palace crits

"only what is essential for cutting through short, circuitous routes punctuated by highly populated spaces".

What a sentence

If it's direct drive and a 36" wheel then it's <33 gear inches i.e. about 34/28 on a 700c bike with similar size tyres.

Your saddle height is going to be about 50cm and unadjustable, so an inside leg of ~45cm. So this would be about the right size for someone who is 3 ft 4".

Effective top tube would be like 800mm (WTF? have I got this wrong?)