Although the technology is not exactly new, I still find the look of a spokeless/hubless bike wheel somewhat spell-binding. When combined with a frame design that wouldn't look out of place on the pages of a Marvel comic strip, the effect seems positively extra-terrestrial. Such is the case with the INgSOC concept from Edward Kim and Benny Cemoli, a very strange-looking human/electric two-wheeler design sporting sharp lines and some dangerous-looking edges.
The popular and trusted diamond frame design has served bicycles and riders well for more than a hundred years. Nevertheless, designers regularly attempt to break away from this successful shaping - examples of such diversions include Raleigh's iconic Chopper from the 1970s, the strangely pleasing arc frame of the PiCycle, the frankly odd RoundTail and the design that combines classic (if all-but-abandoned) styling with modern technology, the YikeBike.
The INgSOC bike's frame looks like a bony alien finger pointing the way forward. Behind the seat is a removable battery pack, with a battery charge level indicator on the handle. This is the power source for the bike's electric motor underneath. The rider could choose to zip through traffic powered solely by the motor, or ensure a smooth pedal action by getting some assistance from the motor, or pedal only for those occasions when the battery runs dry or the cyclist feels like keeping fit. While in pedal-only mode, some of the energy generated by the rider would be directed to the battery pack to charge it.
The designers see frame strength being supplied by lightweight carbon fiber reinforced polymer that's been specially cured to improve core strength. Kim and Cemoli say that INgSOC offers the flexible handling and comfort qualities offered by more traditional bikes while also benefiting from the aerodynamics of triathlon designs.
There's a smartphone dock on the hump of the upper part of the frame to keep the rider in touch with the world while on the move or perhaps act as a GPS or wireless performance monitor. Lighting is included in the design, with direction indicators built-in.
Although still a concept at the moment, the designers are currently looking into taking the INgSOC rendering to the prototyping stage with the help of Steven Mora from Digital Fabrications Laboratory at the University of New Mexico. Progress updates will appear on the design blog.
Source: Inhabitat
When I look at this bike, I wonder, how awesome it would be if it wasn\'t sticking out its chest. This could be so awesome if they just used simple tubing, simple handlebars. A lot of those angles and ridges are really just extra weight . I know some of the pieces are needed for support but most are just silly.
That said if they made this exact bike, I would still be happy. I don\'t know if it would be superior to current designs but we won\'t know until someone makes it.
Damn it\'s ugly! it looks like a prop for a C-grade sci-fi movie..
I work with CAD software (computeraideddesign..) all day as an engineer, but I can\'t help sometimes hating it for giving people the opportunity to make these kind of \"concepts\".
head-in-the-clouds concepts were NO thoughts on production or functional use have been made.
What is the point of this bike?? what can it do better than the one I have standing in my basement? pointless..
and don\'t get me started on the hubless wheels, again: the point is??
More complex (never good on a bike), no doubt several times as heavy as a conventional wheel, and last but not least: the friction is goanna be a (concept) killer, how about coasting to a stop from 30km/h in 5 meters??
yeah hubless wheels look really cool, but I can\'t mention ONE positive functional payoff, just a lot of drawbacks!
If these two guys came in to my prototype shop and asked me the make a one of these I would kick them out laughing!
again: what is the point of this concept??
More mechanical engineers, fewer \"designers\" please