Swivel Head - Folding for Full Sized Bicycles
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 02.12.08
A while back we were pummelled for a post on the X bike, a design concept, with many saying it was impractical. But MAS Design, who conjured up that particular idea, do have other more commercial designs. At least that is the view of Pacific Cycles of Taiwan, who bought the rights to use their Swivel Head patents, which allow for the folding of full sized bicycles.
The technology will get its production debut at a bike trade show in March 2008 when Pacific Cycles launch three models under the ‘IF’ branding. And it is possible this will spur a new interest in folding bikes, because both companies have significant background in the alternative bike market. MAS Design created the Strida, while Pacific Cycles produce frames and parts for well known niche bicycles like Birdy and Airnimal, (as well as their own line of rather phantasmagorical bike creations)
The Swivel Head technology allows bikes to quickly fold into manageable commuter or storage sizes, with the added benefit that the compacted package can be easily wheeled along. As a general rule, although as always there are notable exceptions, most folders use small wheels because this leads to a tinier compacted size. Pacific will initially release the design in 20”, 26” and 29” (700c) wheel sizes. ::Pacific Cycles
NB. you can see more pics of the hinging design itself at the Swivel Head link above. The unfolded bike pictured above is from Ming Cycle, who had access to the rights before Pacific Cycles. We haven’t yet unearthed pics of their new models.
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uh.....this is not new. Dahon has been making full size folding bikes for years. Check out the "jack" and the "cadenza" on their website.
Sorry Jonathan, we weren't suggesting that these were the first full size folding bicycles, only that this particular swivel design was new and different.
Video of a large wheel swivel head cycle showing the folding and unfolding:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXrjaXFVqc
Pacific posted low resolution renderings of an early version 20" wheel version here:
http://www.pacific-cycles.com/news_detail.asp?nowbtn=1&brandbtn=1&cat0=2&cat=21
I would expect some details to have changed before production.
The folding mechanism is jaw droppingly clever. One of the most innovate pieces of Industrial Design/Engineering in bike design in the last couple of decades.
Drew
Why would anyone want any other folding bike than the Brompton???
Joanna
Still not a Bike Friday :)
Regarding Brompton and Bike Friday... the answer would be money. Not everyone can afford them. I know I can't.
This swivel head design is interesting, but I suspect it will come at a premium... which means I'll stick with my cheap used folder.
--sam