Bicycles

FUBifixie looks like most bikes, but folds up in seconds

FUBifixie looks like most bikes, but folds up in seconds
Apart from that black bit, the FUBifixie looks relatively normal
Apart from that black bit, the FUBifixie looks relatively normal
View 8 Images
Apart from that black bit, the FUBifixie looks relatively normal
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Apart from that black bit, the FUBifixie looks relatively normal
The FUBifixie reportedly folds and unfolds in eight to ten seconds
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The FUBifixie reportedly folds and unfolds in eight to ten seconds
Features of the FUBifixie include a Cr-Mo 4130 frame, Shimano 105 brakes, an SRAM S100 crankset, and 700x23c tires
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Features of the FUBifixie include a Cr-Mo 4130 frame, Shimano 105 brakes, an SRAM S100 crankset, and 700x23c tires
The FUBifixie has a total weight of 11 kg (24 lb)
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The FUBifixie has a total weight of 11 kg (24 lb)
When folded, the FUBifixie can be rolled along on its wheels
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When folded, the FUBifixie can be rolled along on its wheels
A bracket on the back of the FUBifixie's saddle allows it to be tipped back and parked seat-down
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A bracket on the back of the FUBifixie's saddle allows it to be tipped back and parked seat-down
The FUBifixie's flip-flop hub
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The FUBifixie's flip-flop hub
The FUBifixie should ultimately be priced in the range of $450 to $500 for the complete bike, or $200 to $250 for the frame only
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The FUBifixie should ultimately be priced in the range of $450 to $500 for the complete bike, or $200 to $250 for the frame only
View gallery - 8 images

When most people think of a folding bicycle, they likely picture something with small wheels and a funny-looking frame. That's why several years ago, Finnish designer Ulf Laxström created the FUBi – it's a folding bike with full-size wheels and a more-or-less traditional-looking frame. Now, his son Zakarias has introduced the FUBifixie. It's even more normal in appearance, plus it offers some other advantages over the original.

As its name implies, the FUBifixie is designed primarily as a fixed-gear bike. That said, it has a flip-flop rear hub that allows it to also serve as a freewheeling singlespeed.

In its non-folded mode, it looks not unlike most other flat-bar road bikes – save for its stability-adding diagonal strut. By unlocking a quick-release mechanism adjacent to that strut on the down tube, however, it quickly folds sideways so that the front and back wheels are sitting side-by-side.

Once in that configuration, it can be wheeled along like a suitcase on one or both of those wheels, depending on whether it's been set up as a fixie or a singlespeed. A bracket on the back of the saddle allows the bike to be subsequently tipped back and parked seat-down.

The FUBifixie reportedly folds and unfolds in eight to ten seconds
The FUBifixie reportedly folds and unfolds in eight to ten seconds

Other features include a Cr-Mo 4130 frame, Shimano 105 brakes, an SRAM S100 crankset, 700 x 23c tires, and a total weight of 11 kg (24 lb). So, what makes it different than the original FUBi, besides a lack of gears?

For one thing, it stays in one piece when folded – the original requires the fork to be taken off. It also uses regular components, allowing users to replace or upgrade bits as needed. In fact, plans call for a frame-only version to be offered, so buyers can just transfer across components from an existing bike.

And yes, it looks more like a normal bike. This means that it doesn't fold down quite as compact as the FUBi, but it still gets the job done.

Zakarias tells us that he plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign in the first week of February, although an exact start date has yet to be determined. Assuming that the project is successful, the FUBifixie should ultimately be priced in the range of US$450 to $500 for the complete bike, or $200 to $250 for the frame only.

The folding mechanism is demonstrated in the video below.

Source: FUBifixie

FUBifixie - Turn your bike into a folding bike

View gallery - 8 images
2 comments
2 comments
Daniel Stefanovic
Nice looking but nothing new. :) Only good advertise. Long time ago. In ´70s and ´80s we were driving bikes like these one. It was 30 - 40 years ago!
http://www.audioifotoarhiv.com/fotografije/bicikl.html
Wolf0579
I can only laugh at people who would spend big bucks for one of these.
The simple coaster/brake was an IMPROVEMENT over these things. The multi-speed transmission is head and shoulders above these "fixies". Only a moron would feel "cool" riding one.