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Strida3 – Design & development of a Folding bike

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:14:46 +0000

Describes the design process and philosphy of the Strida3 , a radical triangular folding bike, that folds up into a long thin stick that can be wheeled along – like a rolling umbrella. For more info see www.strida.com

Strida3 – Design & development of a Folding bike

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:46:54 +0000

Brompton for hire

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:24:34 +0000

Image taken on 2006-04-26 19:38:18 by Danny McL.

Bicycle fitting instructions

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:16:12 +0000

Riding a bike is a great way to get in shape, save money, and keep the planet green. However due to comfort issues, people do not ride their bikes as often as they would like. We describe how to properly fit a bicycle to anyone. Following the easy to understand pictorial instructions will also make the bicycle at least 10% faster. Part I Stem Adjustment Set the stem angle to make sure you are sitting on your sit bones. Riders that overextend to reach the handlebars will lift their sit bones off the saddle. Many of these riders will misdiagnose fitting discomfort with a saddle problem. Bringing the stem closer to the shoulders will allow the rider to sit back on their sit bones and will solve most comfort issues. Follow the remaining steps to optimize comfort. Step #1 Look at the stem and decide on the changes you want to make. Step #2 Loosen the 5mm allen bolt on the stem to change the angle from 0 to 60 degrees. Step #3 Change the stem angle as desired. Lift the angle higer, closer to 60 degrees,if you want to sit upright. Make the angle closer to 0 degrees if you want to ride in a tuck position. Step #4 Tighten the allen bolt. Step #4 ( Optional ) Riders that want to sit completely upright, emulating a cruiser bike can do so on a folding Downtube. First remove the handlebar from the stem by removing the four 4mm allen bolts. Then loosen the two 5mm allen bolts that hold the stem to the steerer tube. Rotate the stem so it points toward the rider. Then tighten the two 5mm allen bolts attaching the stem to the steerer. Step #5 Compress the right hand grip by pushing the shifter into it. This will give the right side cables more room to bend naturally. Step #6 Move the brake lever towards the shifter to give the cables a more natural bend. Step #7 Replace the handlebar with four 4mm allen bolts. Once finished the stem of the bike should look like the picture below. Becareful not to kink the cables when doing this operation. When completed, you will have a comfort bike feel on a suspended folding bike. Part II Saddle Angle Adjustment Set the saddle angle so that it will be level under compression of the riders weight. If it is not very comfortable you should set downward angle on the saddle not more than 5 degrees. Saddles that have an upward angle will almost always feel uncomfortable. Additionally, with a large downward angle ( greater than 10 degrees ) the rider will slide down the saddle while pedaling causing discomfort. Step #1 Look at the saddle and decide on the changes you want to make. All adjustments should be made while seatpost is on the bike. Do not remove the seatpost to adjust….it will most likely end up uncomfortable. Step #2 View the 6mm bolt on the seatpost from the below the saddle Step #3 Loosen the 6mm bolt with an allen wrench. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen. Step #4 Once the allen bolt is loosened the saddle can slide forward and back. If you have short arms pushing it forward will be more comfortable. If you are tall with long arms you will need to slide it all the way back. Step #5 Adjust the saddle angle by tilting the saddle up or down. Ideally the saddle should be level while riding. Keep in mind the riders weight compresses the back of the saddle, hence the front should be tilted down at an angle of 5 degrees ( while not supporting a rider ). Step #6 Tighten the 6mm allen bolt by turning clockwise. Stage III Seatpost Height Setting the proper seatpost height will allow the rider to ride faster with less pedaling force. The riders leg can never be completely straight while pedaling, this may cause cartilage damage if ones leg gets locked in the straight position. Additionally ones leg should not have too much of a bend while riding. A large bend at the knee will make pedaling hard, and will not be good for ones joints ( it is highly likely to cause knee pain ). At top dead center, the furthest pedal position from ones hip, the rider should have a 30 degree knee bend at the bone ( not at the surface of the skin ). Without a measuring device the knee should have a slight bend at the furthest point The ride will be amazingly comfortable once the seatpost height is properly set. The proper knee bend ( which equates to saddle height ) is measured with the pedal at top dead center. The below picture has the pedal at top dead center, the furthest position from ones hip. The riders leg can never be completely straight while pedaling, this may cause cartlidge damage if ones leg gets locked in the straight position. The below photo has the riders leg in a dangerous straight position with the pedal at top dead center. This rider should lower his saddle slightly. Ones leg should not have too much of a bend while riding. A large bend at the knee will make riding hard, and will not be good for ones joints ( it is highly probable to cause knee pain ). The below photo shows a rider with too much bend in the knee with the pedal at top dead center. This rider should set his saddle higher. The rider should have a 30 degree knee bend at the bone ( not at the surface of the skin ). The ride will be amazingly comfortable once the seatpost height is properly set. The below photo has a perfect knee bend with pedal at top dead center, hence a perfect saddle height. Stage IV Saddle For-Aft Adjustment The final stage will put your body in optimal position for power transfer to the pedals. When the pedal is in the 3 o’clock position the rider should have the bottom of his/her patella tendon directly above the ball of their foot. If it is not properly aligned push the saddle forward or back until it is properly aligned. This will set your power stoke, so you will ride with as much power as possible with minimal effort. This is part of an advanced setup. It is not required for most riders. One will need a couple feet of fishing line and a fishing weight as pictured below. While the pedal is in the 3 o’clock position the rider should have the fishing line hang from the bottom of his/her patella tendon ( as pictured below ). The weight should contact the rider on the top of the foot, directly above the ball of their foot as pictured. Slide the saddle back, if the weight is in front of the ball of the riders foot, or slide it back if the weight is behind the ball of the riders foot.

DownTube is a folding bikee manufacturer and offers top of the line folding bicycles.

Strida3 – Design & development of a Folding bike

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:40:56 +0000

The 2008 IZIP EZGO Electric Folding Bicycle

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:10:26 +0000

This is my first video. I bought this electric folding bike to get me to work and I really like it. The bike weighs about 50 lbs and goes about 20 mph. You don’t need any kind of License or tag or anything to ride it. There is a new federal law that makes it street legal.

The WTF! Show Live: Xootr Swift folding bicycle review

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:15:35 +0000

mrbrown of wtfshow.com reviews the Xootr Swift, a folding bicycle from the guys who gave you the Xootr kickscooter.

Coast Lines: Dec. 10, 2009

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:51:48 +0000

Coast Lines: Dec. 10, 2009
CAPITOLA Mayor will be chosen tonight The Capitola City Council will decide at 7 p.m. tonight who should succeed Mayor Bob Begun.

Suitcase Folding Bicycle

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:11:37 +0000

Charming bike – “suitcase-folding bike” Here, we can see a very special bike, accurate, this is a folding bike —–” suitcase-folding bicycle. ” Designers believe that if the bike can be folded into the case, then, the folding bike on meaningful. “Suitcase-folding bicycle” has so far in the global bike industry the most thorough folding function, after the folding bike into a complete sense of the suitcase, open or folding only 10 seconds to easily completed. And light weight, small size …

Lightweight Folding Bikes: Efficient, Convenient And Affordable.

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:13:56 +0000

Many people these days are opting to travel on lightweight folding bikes opposed to driving cars, motor bikes or on standard bicycles. This is because this type of bike can be stored away neatly and also can be carried on trains and buses easily. Choosing the best bike for you can be a challenge especially if you live in an apartment. That is where lightweight folding bikes are a great option.

You will find these bikes are made from light weight aluminum. They can come in different sizes and styles to suit every one. Don’t think that because they are folding that they are an inferior bike as you will be happy to know that you can still zip around on them knowing you have gears to help you out. And if you are the sort of person who wants the convenience of a bicycle but does not want to do much physical work then there are electric versions to help you out also.

You may be thinking right now that yes these bikes are convenient and efficient but are they cheap enough for the average person to purchase. Well just like anything they can be expensive if you do not take the time to shop around for bargains. That’s where shopping online comes into play. Looking for bargains can be done quickly and easily this way. We have already checked out some of the better suppliers of lightweight folding bikes for you to look at.

And if you are not sure whether this type of bike is going to suit you the best then take a look at other options such as mountain, racing, tandem or even stationary bikes that can be found online at very reasonable prices. The best way to go about finding the right bike for you is to take the time and check out a few of suppliers online and see what they can offer you then do some comparisons before you make any decisions.

Susan Dean is the webmaster and publisher of
http://www.discount-bike-shop.com Visit her site for discount bikes.