Friday, July 30, 2010

Brompton model

Amuro Lee notes on bikeforums.net that the October edition of Hobby Japan Magazine will include a 1:6 kit of the Brompton.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Brompton DVD

British Local Histories have produced a DVD on the history of the Brompton. According to Brompton's website the film follows the company from its beginnings to the present day, and features interviews with the Brompton's inventor Andrew Ritchie and footage from the factory, the Brompton World Championships and more. The DVD is in English with subtitles in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch. Running time is 71 minutes. It can be ordered from British Local Histories for £15+ £1.20 p&p and will be available from Brompton dealers from Monday 2nd August. A 90-second trailer can be seen here.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Origami ride - Didcot - 14th August

Our August Origami ride starts in Didcot on Saturday August 14th at 10:30 for 11 am - all welcome. More details are here - please note that we're starting from Boswell's Cafe and not the station.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

'Bendy bike' invented by Leicester design student wins award

Kevin Scott, a final year Product Design student at Leicester's De Montfort University, has won a runner-up prize in the 2010 New Designer of the Year Awards, which took place in London. The bike is based on a conventional frame in which sectional tubing is used allowing the bike to be bent around a lamp post or similar pole, after which a single lock can be placed through both wheels and frame. The judges awarded the prize to 'encourage the further development of this unique and striking idea'. More information can be found here.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Strida - 25th Design Anniversary - Original Thesis and Business Plan published

We were contacted recently by Mark Sanders, designer of the Strida folding bike in connection with the publication of his original Imperial College/Royal College of Arts Masters Degree dissertation, which contains the original designs for what was to become the Strida. It is now 25 years since the first public showing of the dissertation. This will be of interest to both Strida fans and others with an interest in folding bike design as many other designs are discussed; it thus provides a snapshot of the folding bicycle world of 1985. He has also published a Business Plan written 6 months after the original release of the dissertation.
Strida is now 100% owned and controlled by Ming cycles (of Tiawan), who have distributors around the world. Mark reports that sales of the Strida are up year-on-year and doing particularly well in Asia. Mark tells us that he and his son both entered the recent Smithfield Nocturn folding bike race riding Stridas. Although he didn't make the final 5 others did, all riding belt-driven machines! You can see pictures of Stridas in the Nocturne here and here.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Views on the Neobike Access and Dahon Vitesse D3

Folder owner Gunnar Carlson from Sweden describes his early experiences with a budget folder and later upgrade to a Dahon Vitesse in a new report here.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Melton Mowbray Origami Ride - Report

A select band of 8 riders including 2 new faces met for the Melton ride, on one of the hottest days of the year so far. Moultons dominated with two New Series, a TSR and an F-frame. Other machines included 2 Bromptons, a Pacific Reach and a Dahon Mu. We were joined at the lunchstop in Hose by a ninth rider with a Trice recumbent. The pain of a couple of hills was rewarded by views over the Vale of Belvoir. More details here.
Melton Origami