The future of commuting bike?

[cwah]

I've just come across this shopping bike:

[video=youtube;ZA0Gk6bTV8w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZA0Gk6bTV8w#![/video]

Note that the bike doesn't fold particularly well. But it once folded, it accomplish perfectly its function:
- Help people to carry it around (lift, doors, hall)
- Can be used as shopping cart. It seems so easy to just stop and go to any shop when required. Personally, it's a big hassle for me to park and lock the bike to go to any shop.

I sent an email to see if they are selling that. But I was looking for a while for something useful like this with a bigger size wheel.

 

[jerrysimon]

The adverts always make it look simple/perfect.

I agree it seems to wheel well but you would get stopped trying to wheel it into shops etc with dirty wet wheels.

Regards

Jerry

 

[Mussels]

Apart from being a zimmer frame with a shopping basket I can't see anything new here, it looks like it would be combersome if you went anywhere without disabled access.
The video show the lady with the amxma storing it easily but the bloke with the much smaller folder struggling to find somewhere to put it.

 

[jerrysimon]

The video show the lady with the amxma storing it easily but the bloke with the much smaller folder struggling to find somewhere to put it.

Agreed the video is actually very misleading as they often are when trying to over hype and push products that are not really fit for purpose.

Regards

Jerry

 

[oigoi]

I like it as an evolution of folding bike design, it is intelligent to make a folding bike easy to wheel along when it is folded, often this is overlooked.

 

[cwah]

Jerry, do you think the bike doesn't worth it?

Because I'm in contact with the manufacturer and I may purchase it.

Maybe this video is more compelling:
[video=youtube;RFzg1KoQR3o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFzg1KoQR3o&feature=player_embedded#![/video]

With foldable rack:
[video=youtube;YQG4ImFFO9g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQG4ImFFO9g&feature=player_embedded[/video]


Bike specifications:
- 8S(Shimano) 20" 8-SPD ALLOY FRAME FOLDING BIKE
- Aluminum 7005
- Patent
- Snap Fastener
- Foldable Basket Carrier and other
- Parts: Neutral Gear, Foldable Roller
- 11.5 kg net weight (excluding Foldable Basket, Carrier)
- 300 USD bike + 250 USD shipping cost = 550 USD total


Ps: mussel you said there is nothing new, but apart from the brompton, which bike can be used as a shopping cart?

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Despite its bulk, the Zimmer bike gives useful support to the infirm walker.

When shopping, a Harry Potter style house elf is needed to push the trolley with the real shopping was well the loaf of bread and two pints of milk in the Zimmer basket.

Also needed is an invisibility cloak to get the Zimmer into the shop in the first place.

Facta minores duobus monitos apparatus!

 

[shemozzle999]

Facta minores duobus monitos apparatus

Any chance of a translation? Google translate does not make any sense.

 

[jerrysimon]

Exactly those videos are even worse!

Fact is its unlikely any shop would let you wheel those around. If I used a bike for main shopping I would get a full sized bike, with good luggage capacity, a decent lock and leave it outside.

I haven't done it yet, but I have seen where people put their Brompton or other "small" folding bike in the shopping trolley and push them round the supermarket.

As I have said my Brompton is the only bike I would carry into a shop and pick up the odd item. The Brompton is probably one of the best small folding bikes but even it has limitations.

I doubt the perfect carrry/wheel into shop bike exists. It would probably need to be small, light and deflatable so you could fit it in your pocket

cwah the only slightly interesting feature is that little wheel at the back. The Brompton has a similar setup in some ways and goes further in that it keeps the main wet/dirty wheels off the floor. Seriously as I said in my other posts its all about compromise. If I know I am going shopping for big stuff I take the car or if I am going in and out of lots of shops and spending a lot of time walking around town, I take one of my bikes that I am happy to lock up in a cycle rack without worrying about if it gets nicked.

PS Just watched the second video "With foldable rack:" hilarious. I wonder if they realise the tryes and innner tubes also fold if you take them off


Regards

Jerry

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

It is an attempt at the spell that Hermione would cast to rescue Harry and Ron as they trundle their bulky Zimmer bike around Waitrose, namely

'Become smaller, two wheeled machine!'

Is there a latinist available (or wizard, of course) who could improve it?


Edit: crossed post with Jerry, who sums up the (muggle) position exactly.

 

[cwah]

Ok, I look hilarious but consider this:

It was an electric scooter I purchased but now it's not working anymore. However, when it was working, it was really convenient.

With this electric scooter, I was able to enter every shop around my flat. Tesco, groceries, Sainsbury, Iceland...

I didn't fold the scooter, I was just carrying it by hand (rolling it) and they all let me in. Even with dirty wet wheels. I put the shopping basket in the area where I used to put my feet and just shop around.


With my bike and my 3 locks, I need around 3 mn to park the bike. And that's really a hassle to do that every time.

 

[flecc]

At one time I had a pair of hooks and a latch on the carrier of my Giant Lafree which locked a supermarket wire basket in place. I'd get my shopping, walk out with the basket without wasting plastic bags and go home with the basket on the back. Did that for over four years while I owned the Lafree.

No, it didn't deprive Sainsburys of a basket, I inputted a free* one from a DIY store at the outset.

*In a Payless DIY store one day, I saw some of their baskets on a sales display platform, so I mischievously asked an assistant how much they were. Looking suprised he said "Oh they're free". So I took one!

 

[jerrysimon]

Yes I saw that when you first posted it and it looks like fun. Again though it has its limitations in terms of carrying capacity and how far you can ride it comfortably. I would not like to use it to do my 10 mile round commute each day.

Its unlikely you are going to find a single fit for all your requirements. At least you are looking round at the various options. Firstly I think you need to decide what you want to use the bike/scooter for.

For example

1. Does it have to fold/be portable ?
2. Do you have storage space at home ?
3. How much do you want to carry on it ?
4. How far do you need to cycle ?
5. Do you want it assisted ?

etc.

Regards

Jerry

 

[Mussels]

Ok, I look hilarious but consider this:

It was an electric scooter I purchased but now it's not working anymore. However, when it was working, it was really convenient.

With this electric scooter, I was able to enter every shop around my flat. Tesco, groceries, Sainsbury, Iceland...

I didn't fold the scooter, I was just carrying it by hand (rolling it) and they all let me in. Even with dirty wet wheels. I put the shopping basket in the area where I used to put my feet and just shop around.


With my bike and my 3 locks, I need around 3 mn to park the bike. And that's really a hassle to do that every time.

Good idea and with the new law changes coming they will be legal.

 

[shemozzle999]

Thank you Andy for your explaination.

 

[timidtom]

Facta minores duobus monitos apparatus

Any chance of a translation? Google translate does not make any sense.

Facta minores, circulus?

 

[cwah]

Jerry, I agree with you. I should have multiples bikes. Probably 1 electric brompton and 1 electric Jetstream

But I live in a small flat (not a lot of space) and I have limited budget. So I'm trying to find a good compromise between comfort, speed and convenience.. This one was almost good for me need lol

Basic need is for commuting, shopping and going out. I usually don't do more than 15 km. But I often need to lock my bike outside and I have to carry it though 2 floors. Brompton seems to fit, but it's such a thieft magnet I would always be afraid of parking the bike... so I'm looking for alternative.

Mussel, do you know when is it going to be legal? This scooter was quite convenient to go to grocery stores

 

[jerrysimon]

I would never leave my Brompton locked up outside anywhere, though I do see them locked up unattended sometimes.

The Jetstream has 20" wheels so will be larger folded than the Downtube 16" wheel you are also looking at. There are Dahon 26" wheeled folders which may fit your bill if you need to carry it up stairs to your flat. There is a conversion on here of one somewhere if I recall.

They are also cheaper and you could leave it locked up with less concern I guess.

Regards

Jerry

 

[cwah]

I already have a full size folding bike I'm carrying through the stairs:

it weight 24 kg and it's quite tough!!!

That's why I want to change it to a smaller size bike. And lighter of course!

 

[jerrysimon]

Ah nice lol

I did not realise you already owned an electric bike

Well as you say just down size it to the Downtube FS

Regards

Jerry