Cannondale Jackknife
What do you make of this concept urban bicycle? It is more than just a simple restyling though. It’s a foldable bike, and it’s axis of folding is pretty unusual – the seat tube itself rotates 180 degrees so that the front wheel flips to the back. What is more unique, however is the absence of any chains (or even chain equivalents like drive shafts). Instead, it is hydraulic powered – no chain = no grease, no hanging bits as you fold bikes, fewer parts and less maintenance… though I do wonder whether the feeling of riding a bike would be markedly different. I’d have to get on one of these before I know.
The saddle arrangement is nothing new…very similar to the Zipp Beam and Trek Boom-a-rang bikes. It will feel very different from a “normal” bike. A very smooth rider will be rewarded with a shock absorbing cushy cruise but everyone else will feel as though they are on a pogo stick. As to the drive system: The current design of the bicycle is the most efficient means of transportation on the planet. I am guessing (without any real data on the new system) that the hydraulic drive of this bike will lower that efficiency and require more energy from the rider to cover the same distance. I think that if I were commuting I would opt for a Bike Friday – quick, light easy to fold and efficient if still a bit greasy.
Hi Duegi,
When I first saw that it was hydraulic I too thought the same – it seemed to require a lot more energy compressing fluid as you push the pedal – though I’m not an engineering major, so I’d have to get on a real bike to try out. The current design no doubt is a continual refinement over the past century – though I’m still itching to see new bicycles that’d completely shatter our paradigms on wheeled manual transports.
Thanks for dropping by!
the physicist sitting on the couch next to me seems to think an hydraulic drive system would be more efficient than the conventional chain drive.
I’d say stuff like “it will feel different”, but I’ve never ridden, nor seen one upclose, so it would simply fall into the ass-u-me category of speculation.
Let alone to speak of any visual perception (or imagination) of “efficiency”.
Current roller chain drivetrains are so mechanically efficient that there is really little room left for improvement. I’d bet money this presumably master and slave pump arrangement will in practice prove far less efficient.
In fact, there is very little room left for significant improvement left in bicycle design. All the low hanging fruit were picked 100 years ago and aside from efficient multiratio gearing, little of great functional significance has been developed since.
Those looking for significant innovation in bicycles will probably have to content themselves with fresh styling licks, new and ambiguously useful design compromises and mostly different just for the sake of different stylinf/engineering that will be lucky to even match the functionality of its predecessors.
quote: it seemed to require a lot more energy compressing fluid as you push the pedal
Fluids are essentially incompressable, the friction losses from hydraulic drive will likely occur as the necessary sliding seals to keep the fluids in place drag across surfaces.
[...] Urban Bicycle Concept Unique foldable bike with no chains (or even chain equivalents like drive shafts). Instead, it is hydraulic powered. No chain = no grease, no hanging bits as you fold bikes, fewer parts and less maintenance. [link] [...]
[...] Urban Bicycle Concept Unique foldable bike with no chains (or uniformhomogeneous chain equivalents uniformhomogeneous drive shafts). Instead, it is hydraulic powered. No chain = no grease, no pendulouspendent bits as you fold bikes, fewer parts and less maintenance. [link] [...]
С какой стати настолько особенно и однобоко? Думаю, почему не раскрыть этот обзор.
Объясните почему вот так то? Ищу, каким образом раскрыть этот обзор.
[...] Unique foldable bike with no chains (or even chain equivalents like drive shafts). Instead, it is hydraulic powered. No chain = no grease, no hanging bits as you fold bikes, fewer parts and less maintenance. [link] [...]
[...] Urban Bicycle Concept Unique foldable bike with no chains (or even chain equivalents like drive shafts). Instead, it is hydraulic powered. No chain = no grease, no hanging bits as you fold bikes, fewer parts and less maintenance. [link] [...]
To exercise, this is a good idea.