Comments on: Switch Folding Bike Design Is The Best Collapsible Bike I’ve Seen

By: Mick

Mick — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:28:37 +0000

It’s a nice design but I reckon it’s a bit of a stretch to claim that it will satisfy the railway authorities. The Brompton is the benchmark for that and this one doesn’t even come close. For one thing, it’s still huge after it’s folded. Nor can it sit unobtrusively in a space no bigger than a large briefcase. It can’t even sit on its own without being held or leant against something. The fold around the bottom bracket looks suspiciously like the Brompton fold. That’s integral to the Brompton patent. Even the Brompton’s nearest competitor, the Birdy, doesn’t use that fold simply because it’s patented by Brompton. As for the earlier comment about small wheels, don’t knock them till you’ve tried them. The Moulton is the best example of why they are superior in so many ways. Even the dorky Brompton demonstrates the advantages in its exceptional low speed handling.

The Switch does seem like a good response to the needs of some bike riders but I think if it’s to go to market there are lots of issues to be addressed.

By: Shanon Pirchmoser

Shanon Pirchmoser — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:36:02 +0000

Hi there,
We’ve noticed this product concept from the 2009 Australian Design Award-James Dyson Award has caught your interest and we wanted to say thank you for the write up.
Just to give you a quick update, this project is now one of thirteen Australian product concepts that have made it through into the global James Dyson Award- a competition that spans 21 countries to identify the best young inventors from around the world. From now through till the 20th July 2009, your readers can vote for this project or another entry in the James Dyson Award on http://www.jamesdysonaward.org. FYI- From each country, the project which receives the most votes will get an automatic entry as a shortlist and the chance to win the grand prize of £10,000 for themselves and another £10,000 for their university!

By: SydneyGirl

SydneyGirl — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:34:06 +0000

OMG – Montague are having a sale. Apparently this NEEEEVER happens and they only have a few models of each left. Thought I’d let the rest of you know if you were really interested!
Have a peek at http://www.montaguebikes.com.au

By: Michael Fink

Michael Fink — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:24:35 +0000

If people would care to even briefly compare how the Switch, iF and Montague bikes fold before implying that the Switch is a rip-off then frankly they wouldn’t sound so silly.

Did this guy invent folding bikes? – of course not. Did he come up with an apparently new way of doing so? – quite possibly. Is it the best way? – hard to tell at this stage.

But from looking at the Awards site I think it’s fair to conclude that the criteria for the awards wasn’t ready-to-go-to-market.

Well spotted to the commentator who noted the front wheel was missing in part of the video – I missed that myself. It would be interesting to know what problems existed that meant they took the front wheel off for the video, and b) were these problems addressed with the latest iteration of the design?

And It would be nice to see a video featuring the carbon fibre version that appeared in the publicity photos being folded (is it a working prototype, or just a fairly good looking show-only creation?).

By: SydneyGirl

SydneyGirl — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:59:35 +0000

Funny you mention IF Bikes. I saw them in Taipei and I could have sworn they look just like this Dyson-awarded bike…..

By: SydneyGirl

SydneyGirl — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:57:12 +0000

Comments about Montague are intriguing and certainly question whether the judges did their homework or just fell for “beauty”.

I also just found the (finally) Aussie supplier at http://www.montaguebikes.com.au so I’m going to look into the Paratrooper – it is very very nice.

I wish Gizmodo would write something about those.

By: Lawrence Lagarde

Lawrence Lagarde — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:39:59 +0000

Why did he feel it necessary to fake getting the bike onto the train? Obviously, the wheels do not line up exactly parallel so was the bike prone to falling sideways?

If this folding bike goes to production, some changes would be needed but it’s very interesting nonetheless, especially if it were produced out of carbon fiber. Man would that be light. Meanwhile, I’ll stick with my IF MODE.

http://ridethisbike.com/products/P-Cycles/IF-Mode-folding-bike.htm

By: IFmode

IFmode — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:53:53 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8IkohMLb8s

Err…check out above bike by Mark Sanders, creator of the Strida. This is his new design called IFMode.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:05:44 +0000

You are correct, he faked the train part – that bike has only one wheel. A full-size folding unicycle! If people are looking for a good quality full size folder, try Montague or Swissbike. I have a Montague MX and use it to get to work. I put it in the car trunk for the first part of my commute, then park and ride the rest of the way. When it’s raining or I’m late, I just drive all the way. It’s great. They have two (or more?) web sites at http://www.montaguebikes.com and http://www.swissbike.com. You can also take these bikes on the train – and with two wheels – although I find combining driving and riding is easier for me.

By: Smells Something

Smells Something — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:18:46 +0000

I wouldn’t trust it in the least bit. Any bike the relies on my body weight to not crumple up scares the hell out of me. What happens if you hit a pothole or for some reason a wheel leaves the ground and your weight is no longer holding the frame in place?