Last year, architects Mihail Klenov and Martin Angelov introduced the world to their Halfbike. Its quirkiness apparently struck a chord with a lot of people, as it was successfully funded on Kickstarter. Now, they're raising funds for the new-and-improved Halfbike II.
Like its predecessor, the Halfbike II keeps the rider in a standing position, with their pedaling motion driving the front wheel via a chain. Steering is managed through the two tiny rear wheels, which pivot as the rider shifts their weight. The back wheels also contain the trike's single brake.
One of the things that made the original Halfbike particularly weird, however, was its vertical broomstick-like handlebar. On the Halfbike II, that's been replaced with a more traditional horizontal bar – albeit a very narrow one. That bar and the plywood section that it's mounted on fold down against the trike's aluminum frame for storage.
Additionally, the Halfbike II has a much more curved, organic shape than the first one.
The whole trike tips the scales at 18 lb (8.2 kg). A pledge of US$349 will currently get you one, when and if they reach production. The planned retail price is $599.
You can see the Halfbike II in action, in the following video. Should you be interested in another take on a little folding stand-up bike, check out the Occam Cycle.
Sources: Halfbikes, Kickstarter
