"V" Bike Sweden's Answer To City Cycling
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 02.29.08
Small balloon tires, a low-rider frame and lots of hauling attachments are the features Swedish cycling company Skeppshult felt would be most needed in a short-trip urban bike. For the new Skeppshult V, which will be released later in March, Skeppshult worked with designer Björn Dalhström to depart a little from its classic pastto create a cross between a Swedish postal carrier cruiser and an Italian '50s feel. "We had the bike's purpose in mind," says Skeppshult's Sven Andersson. "He added the graphic thought and form language to make V what it is."
With an all-steel frame construction and weighing in at 17 kilos (42 pounds), the three-gear V might feel like a pair of hefty toddler twins if you try to lug it up a lot of stairs day in and day out. But V's maneuverability and its front and back hauling attachments are pretty nifty. There are extra-wide package racks (widely used in Sweden) that can fairly easily be positioned into either frame end, and black or silver attaching boxes with lids that can take about a 20-pound load, as well as metal attachable baskets. Base bike to be priced at around 4,800 Swedish crowns (around US$775). Via ::Skeppshult.se
so you can bike and watch youtube at the same time!
I don't like the small wheels! Big wheels are better!
Also, those pedals look pretty low to the ground. I would be afraid that they would hit a curb if you had to squeeze by a car (or bus).
Finally, why the hell would you want to put your laptop our there on the front like that? Even when stationary, that seems like a bad idea ...
The small wheels allow the load to be mounted lower, improving handling. It's a good way to handle heavy loads in a compact design.
Whether this bike accomplishes that is unknown. Send it to me and I'll test it. I've never met a bike I didn't like.
Using a laptop as a bumper sounds like a terrible idea
Get a grip folks, where you carry your laptop is entirely up to you. Surely we don't need disclaimers ("laptop not included"?) on this site!
I see a robust and practical urban transport solution.
Easy to mount and dismount.
Reasonably compact.
Accomodates almost any type of clothing.
Easily carries a load.
The only glaring problem would appear to be the price, when one can buy a cheap mountain bike for a couple of hundred dollars, this one seems pricey.
You could mount all manner of stuff from the front and rear carriage attachment sites - its time to accessorize - V-bike jousting? snowplough? cow catcher? tinted gull-wing canopy anyone?
I cant beleive a bike like this gets attention on a page like this. It is so ugly it is unbelivable! What is going on with the Scandinavian design!!!!!
OK all you treehuggers, this bike is form that follows function. Great luggage carrying capability, small footprint so you can roll into your workplace or an apt., and it looks relatively comfortable. I live in Honolulu, Hi. and have a road racing bicycle (big 700c wheels), a commuter bicycle (big 700c wheels) and a Bike Friday (451 BCD 20 inch with small wheels). Guess which one I ride to work into downtown Honolulu? The Bike Friday. It rides great, is fast, and super easy to carry up the stairs to my office. And it's so small (even when not folded) that I keep it inside close to my desk! I applaud the design, and welcome thinking outside the box for car free living.
I’d be interested in trying it out. I have been bike commuting 16 miles round trip on a cheap(target brand) bike. I like the low pedals and unusual frame> I am concerned that gears wouldn’t be enough to handle the wind, hills or plain bad day commutes. The price is out of my range too! I am considering spending up to1 thousand US dollars, when I upgrade to a ‘real’ commuter type bike.
i have this bike and although the wheels are small, it's just like riding a normal sized bike. incredible. i thought that i could only use it for short distances but...yeah... it's just like a bigger bike, only cuter and easier tio handle in traffic. the pics do not do it justice, believe me. it's been nominated to the swedish deisgn award and i hope it will win,