Bicycle design and innovations

Roads - Rails - Sidewalks - Bikeways
Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » April 23rd, 2015, 7:14 pm


Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » September 5th, 2015, 11:46 am

I hope this gets read by people with experience with bringing bikes onto the Minnesota LRT.

I'm considering buying a Dutch-style bike with a step-through frame. I want to use it in all weather so I want as much wheel coverage as possible so fenders will be put on.

Do the LRTs require bike to be hung from the hook, front wheel up? How do people with bikes with fenders and bumpers use the Minnesota LRT? My fear is that the rear fender on such a bike would collapse under the weight of being hung front wheel upright.

VAStationDude
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby VAStationDude » September 5th, 2015, 12:01 pm

Yes, bikes have to be hung front wheel up. You're probably right about crushing a large rear fender though I've never used fixed fenders on a bike.

Personally I need drop handle bars so I can switch up my grip position on rides. I hope what ever bike you go with gets plenty of use.

EOst
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby EOst » September 5th, 2015, 1:55 pm

Back fenders do get crushed (or at least bent) when hung in the racks. I've never had anyone tell me that I was required to put mine in the rack (I just stand and hold it), but on a crowded train it might be an issue.

Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » September 5th, 2015, 1:59 pm

That is unsurprising I guess. But feels ironically shortsighted in a locale with "so much winter" to have train transit not accommodate bikes designed for fenders.

Which may be an opportunity for a novel bike share idea. Bike lockers at LRT stations that when used grant Nice Ride use at the other end. Add that to the Nice Ride crowdsourcing idea board.

That works well during the Nice Ride good weather season. But it's something.

VAStationDude
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby VAStationDude » September 5th, 2015, 6:43 pm

http://www.musguard.com

I need this for my fixed gear winter bike.

rmc
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby rmc » September 8th, 2015, 3:01 pm

I have full fenders on most of my bikes and hang them from their front wheel in my garage, much like they hang in the trains. I've never had an issue with the fender being bent or whatnot. My fenders are plastic (poly-somethingsomething) with aluminum cores. They can be twisted into all sorts of shapes and bounce back. If you have some all metal, bright and shiny fenders, then that could be different. But if you are going to be an all weather rider, I'd recommend the poly fenders anyway.

Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » September 17th, 2015, 1:18 pm


Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » January 30th, 2016, 4:38 pm

Bike making is undergoing a "craft" boom.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/01/ ... ion_393545

Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » March 3rd, 2016, 9:38 pm

The Frostbike industry convention got a story in the Strib.

http://www.startribune.com/what-s-new-a ... 370942111/

Nothing revolutionary, but lots of cool new gear.

Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » July 22nd, 2016, 9:48 am

A battery-powered electric wheel that fits into any bike, converting it into an electric bike. Plus USB port to charge devices, tire made of foam to prevent flats.

http://yahoonewsdigest-us.tumblr.com/147791803259

Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » September 15th, 2016, 7:08 pm

The popularity of electric bikes is starting to take off in Minnesota.

http://www.startribune.com/e-bike-sales ... 393581681/

Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » March 22nd, 2017, 7:10 am

Dockless bike share services have boomed in Chinese cities.

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017 ... um=twitter

But not without problems.

Anondson
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Anondson » March 24th, 2017, 7:50 am

This came to my attention when they followed me on Twitter. It's a handle bar for bikes with two head lamps, lights that blink when your phone's navigation app says to turn, a hidden gps to track your bike if it's stolen.

http://velco.bike/

Right now it's in crowdfunding stage, 40% off if an early backer.

cooperrez
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby cooperrez » April 14th, 2017, 12:00 pm

A battery-powered electric wheel that fits into any bike, converting it into an electric bike. Plus USB port to charge devices, tire made of foam to prevent flats.

http://yahoonewsdigest-us.tumblr.com/147791803259
Very cool! Would love to have this to switch on say going east on the Mendota Bridge into on coming traffic with all that head wind it produces on an already windy day. Would make the bridge crossing more enjoyable.

Qhaberl
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Qhaberl » September 25th, 2017, 6:36 am

I know I have set it on another thread in this forum, but I will say it again here. We need to get the new bicycle revolution to Minneapolis. I am talking about the idea started in China and other countries overseas. It is finally coming to the United States, in cities like Seattle, South Bend, and recently Washington DC. I am talking about dockless, station list bike share. I have been consistently keeping up tweeting the different companies. Encouraging them to come to Minneapolis.

What do others think about this type of bike sharing scheme in Minneapolis?


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mplsjaromir
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby mplsjaromir » September 25th, 2017, 7:22 am

I used dockless bike share in Los Angeles. It was not a good experience. I prefer the Niceride style bike dock.

PhilmerPhil
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby PhilmerPhil » September 25th, 2017, 7:31 am

While the details aren't clear yet, Minneapolis appears set to get dockless bike sharing next year.
http://www.ourstreetsmpls.org/dockless_ ... is_in_2018

Qhaberl
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby Qhaberl » September 25th, 2017, 8:33 am

That's wonderful to see. I really hope they do open it up to private companies, as well as nice ride. Private companies would not require much, if any, money from the city.


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LearningAsIGo
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Re: Bicycle design and innovations

Postby LearningAsIGo » November 19th, 2017, 7:31 pm

Accessory for bikes alert traffic sensors to change traffic lights.
http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/10/ ... en/381752/
Nice.
Too bad this wasn't successful, this could be a really cool technology if integrated with other bicycle appliances


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