New folding bike concept--what do you think?

It's called the "Occam Cycle."  If you are familiar with his razor, you will understand why! 

 

I couldn't get video embedding to work, so the picture is a link to a demonstration video.  If somehow that's not working, here is a regular link.  And here is their facebook page. 

 

So, first, let me get my bias out: I'm friends with the inventors.  They are a group of awesome, brilliant mechanical engineers.  It's Chris, Jimmy, and Sean.  I'm just adding names so I can explain their connection.  Chris and Jimmy are childhood friends, who grew up in Chicago.  Chris and Sean went to college with me.  Sean moved here after graduation.  So, woo, Chicago-based innovation!

 

Anyway, I think it's pretty badass, but as noted, I'm biased.  This is just a prototype, and they just released the video last night (although I believe Sean frequently rides the Occam Cycle to work; has anybody seen him on the streets?  Or perhaps someone saw us at Bike the Drive?).  

 

Anyway, I think it's awesome, and I figured that other cyclists would like to see/comment on it :)  I could ramble on about all the reasons I think it is awesome, but I don't want to seem like too much of a shill.

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Permalink Reply by Davo on July 26, 2013 at 4:00am

It looks interesting, seems like it might be a little rough if you ran into some potholes or rough terrain by surprise. You probably could do some wicked bunny hops or tricks with it as well. I do get tired with kickstarter type videos that use the first 20 sec setting "mood" it also would have been nice to see someone actually folding and unfolding it. Just my 2 cents.

Permalink Reply by Christine (5.0) on July 26, 2013 at 4:02am

Heh, I agree about the "mood" setting.  Wadsworth Constant strikes again.  I was actually planning to talk to them about it.

Permalink Reply by Davo on July 26, 2013 at 4:08am

Ha I didn't know there was a term for that, I figured it was just my short attention span. But really, I get it they are in Chicago show me the damn bike :P

Permalink Reply by Christine (5.0) on July 26, 2013 at 4:12am

If you want to see more of the "damn bike," there's pictures! (the picture is a link.  Apparently I'm a fan of picture links.)

Oooh, random fact: the prototype pedals were made by their 3D printer.  And the frame was made by Legacy Frameworks.



Davo said:

Ha I didn't know there was a term for that, I figured it was just my short attention span. But really, I get it they are in Chicago show me the damn bike :P

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 26, 2013 at 5:08am

Bikes have a saddle you can sit on, that abomination is more of a folding elipti-go than a folding bike.

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on July 26, 2013 at 5:14am

Makes me tired just looking at it.

No seat? No thanks.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on July 26, 2013 at 5:43am

Not for me, but I would think it might appeal to people who are attracted to the eliptigo or to people who want something really small to carry with them to then ride short distances.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on July 26, 2013 at 6:09am

At the right price point an interesting bike to train, train to work vehicle for rides similar to a one station (30 min) Divvy ride. A step up from a scooter.  Beyond that, I don't see much use, but then again, I am not in anybody's demographic.  Too old and too fat.

Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:

Not for me, but I would think it might appeal to people who are attracted to the eliptigo or to people who want something really small to carry with them to then ride short distances.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 26, 2013 at 6:52am

Exactly.

Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:

Not for me, but I would think it might appeal to people who are attracted to the eliptigo or to people who want something really small to carry with them to then ride short distances.

Permalink Reply by Christine (5.0) on July 26, 2013 at 8:51am

Sadly I don't know if they managed to get any footage of it, but there's been two "old" (in body, not in spirit) people who have test driven it, and both got the hang of it perfectly.  They did better than me, I'm ashamed to admit :(

David Barish said:

At the right price point an interesting bike to train, train to work vehicle for rides similar to a one station (30 min) Divvy ride. A step up from a scooter.  Beyond that, I don't see much use, but then again, I am not in anybody's demographic.  Too old and too fat.

Permalink Reply by Thedutchtouch on July 26, 2013 at 10:43am
+1 on thinking its pointless and not for me. But that means it'll probably sell well.

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