Continuing our reports from Tokyo Make Meeting 2010, here's a fascinating group of bicycle hobbyists who brought some very creative bike designs to the show. The Tasuke I group were set up in the far corner of the exhibition hall, where they happily brought interested onlookers out the back exit for demonstrations.
The recumbent tricycle featured what was described as a luggage area on the back, useful for anyone who hoping to carry a larger-than-average load by bike. It is also equipped with a smaller basket underneath the seat for smaller items.
With pedals leading out above the front wheel and steering bars protruding upwards around the seat area, this tricycle seems perfect for a lazy Sunday morning grocery trip.
If this big yellow laid-back tricycle was a comfortable ride, the other bike that the group was showing off was anything but. This bicycle challenges the rider to lie down on top with his head leading out front, Superman style. Many thanks to Kanda-san (tech journalist of KNN fame) for kindly allowing me to film while he gave these bikes a shot. Check out the video footage of both bikes in action below.
The Tasuke I group is based in Chiba, and their group includes professors, engineers, IT professionals, and a wide range of other vocations. Members not only exchange information and design ideas with each other, but they also share tools as well for the benefit of the whole group.
On the lie down one...I guess the guy never rode the thing over any rough patches on the road. Imagine what it must feel like getting pummeled in the chest repeatedly for 30 minutes at a time while trying to go for a relaxing bicycle ride!...Yay! More Fun!
And the cargo recumbent weight distribution: Ed, did you actually look at the image video, or did you just fire off when you realised it was a FWD? The way that cargo bike is made, almost all of the rider\'s weight will be concentrated right down through the front fork. It might even have a tendency to tip over the front wheel when breaking, until you put some load in that cargo box. Traction problem? I don\'t think so...
Did anyone ever notice that the doing the face first bike riding looks like he has had the front four teeth knocked out and is wearing a dental bridge?
He is a fun looking guy tho\'.
Bikes are used wherever one needs to go. The better route is not always there. Perhaps the cargo delivery is on that lousy for a biker thoroughfare. Wrecks everywhere because of laughter.....and no zix the riders weight is not \"concentrated down through the front fork. Its \"concentrated\" (sic) directly under his center of mass as it always is, be he on a bike, in the bed, setting in a chair or car, walking, swiming.... And that is where the pedals should be if he is to stand and deliver his utmost horsepowerfull yet sustainable strokes. Basic mechanical physics and basic ergonomics. Two concepts it seems most designers never came across.
Haters? no... Realists !