Tag Archives: bicycle

A loveseat that leaves you no reason to get up until you want to hit the bed

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 A sofa has come of age from being the white elephant in a living room to allow the space to be used as an additional guest room in the apartment. Convertible sofas that deliver convenience, alter effortlessly back into a comfortable sofa after the guest has had a good night’s sleep on it.

Transforming sofas or couches with built-in storage provide the convenience of usage in addition to storage to put the bedding or PJs out of sight. But what if you are an anthophile; how can your couch give you that additional space to shower your love for the greens? Well, you need a sofa that is called the Cask!

Designer: Ricardo Sá

The first time I read that, before sharing it with you, I thought the couch would be reusing wood from a cask as we know it. It turns out, the sofa is far from that but a crafty rendition of a modern-day couch for an apartment that loves to remain systematized: looking ship-shape and vibrant.

To that accord, the well-upholstered sofa finds open storage space on the front and a shelf on the back to allow homeowners to store and display anything from books and magazines to plants and accessories. What really adds up flair to the loveseat, if I may, is the naked arms on either side, which function as the side table to place your coffee mug or a phone when your eyes a fixated on the television screen.

The bespoke Cask sofa is designed with the idea, as designer Ricardo believes, to “give people plenty of room for storage and spot to put down their coffee,” without compromising the aesthetics of a room even slightly. If you love spending time on the couch with your partner (or by yourself), the Cask ensures you can have all the necessary things around you, without cluttering the center table. How I wish Ricordo considers a power socket somewhere on the Cask and I would never leave this baby ideal.

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Building and Riding a 297-Pound Bike Made Entirely Out of Concrete

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Apparently firm believers that no ideas are bad ideas, the YouTube channel Play To DIY constructed a bicycle almost entirely out of concrete. The behemoth bike weighs an incredible 134.5 kg (~296 lb), and actually balances and rides pretty smoothly, all things considered. Those things to consider are it being made entirely out of concrete and weighing 296 lbs, just to be clear.

I like how it doesn’t have a brake. I feel like with the momentum you could gather on a 296 lb bike headed downhill, brakes might be important. I guess maybe that’s why they decided to construct a concrete bike helmet instead. Fight fire with fire! Or, in this case, concrete with concrete.

For reference, my street bike weighs 19 pounds, so this thing is almost 16 times heavier. Wow! And it’s already hard enough to get motivated to exercise on my bike; I can’t even imagine trying to convince myself to get on this thing. But you can rest assured it would 100% end with me easily talking myself out of it and taking a nap on the sofa instead.

[via TheAwesomer]

ENGWE X26 E-bike conquers all terrains with its 1000W motor and dual batteries

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Plenty of people have taken up biking or cycling recently, some to live a healthier lifestyle, others to escape the traffic of congested highways. Not all bikes are created equal, of course, and most are not equipped to handle different kinds of terrain. Even those that you could use to get to work and back aren’t always ready to face longer treks or rougher roads. Electric bicycles (not to be confused with electric scooters) can give you a leg up in terms of distance, but battery life and power will be perpetual concerns on the road. Whether you’re biking for sport or for work, you will probably want a bike that can handle anything and get you to your destination in comfort and in one piece, which is exactly what this monster of an E-bike brings to the table.

Designer: ENGWE Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $1599 $2699 (40% off). Hurry, less than 48 hours left! Raised over $950,000.

Unlike purely motorized personal transportation like e-scooters, e-bikes combine battery power and leg power to get you places. It’s probably because of that factor that many e-bikes tend to skimp on the motorized parts in favor of a lighter and skinnier body. After all, you can always pedal your way completely if the battery does finally give out. Definitely plausible but hardly ideal, especially if you’re trekking roads that even your mighty legs will have trouble going through. The ENGWE X26 all-terrain e-bike, in contrast, gives you all the power you need to conquer any road and almost any distance.

Conquer Hills with Ease – A 1000W gives you the comfort to glide over sand and gravel without stop and deal with mud and mountains with ease.

The ENGWE X26’s power comes from two features that are industry firsts for this type of electric vehicle. For one, it has a powerful 1000W motor capable of pushing your speed to 31 mph max. While that’s the maximum power it can dish out, the e-bike also delivers a steady and reliable 750W output that still outruns the average e-bike’s 500W motors. All this power makes short work of rough terrains and inclines, which means that you’ll also be gliding swiftly on smoother pavement.

Climb 30% Inclines – The 1000W motor pushes it up hills just like they were flat ground.

Go from A to Z Faster – The 1000W motor gives it a 31MPH top speed, beating other eBikes that only reach 20-30MPH.

Range Up to 62 Miles – The main battery gives you a full 48 miles, while a second swappable battery adds another 14 miles to your trip.

That heavy-duty motor naturally requires more power, and the ENGWE X26 delivers a whopping 1373Wh for that purpose. The secret to this trick is the two batteries inside, one 48V/19A pack standing vertically beneath the rider’s seat and a removable 48V/9.6A battery inside the top tube. Together, the two deliver a 62-mile range that’s 1.5 times more than your typical e-bike, and you can even go the distance by swapping out a spare battery.

3 times more powerful shock absorbance than normal e-bikes.

Triple Suspension System – Integrated with the solid fat tires for the maximum robust and exciting ride.

The ENGWE X26’s power doesn’t come at the sacrifice of comfort and convenience. 26in x 4in motorcycle-grade fat tires give you the best grip on the road, handling the triple threats of gravel, potholes, and rocky terrains with ease. A triple shock suspension system also makes short work of bumpy rides, absorbing shock three times better than the competition. The Shimano 8-speed gearbox lets you easily pick the sweet spot between performance and efficiency.

Given everything that it packs, the ENGWE X26 isn’t the lightest e-bike on the market, but that doesn’t make it any less portable. Its lightweight aluminum frame can be folded in half, giving access to the removable battery and allowing for easy storage. The e-bike isn’t lacking in safety features either, with a bright headlight and powerful break lights that can be a literal lifesaver in the dark. And to top it all off, there’s a built-in large LCD display to bring you up to speed on your speed, distance, and remaining battery.

The ENGWE X26 All-Terrain E-Bike is designed to be a greener alternative to cars and is built to perform just like one, too. In that context, the $1,599 price tag almost feels like a steal, especially if you’re able to avail of the super early bird discount. Just like this e-bike, ENGWE is also aggressive in its schedule, having shipped the first consolidated batch to the US and the UK last June, with local deliveries in Hong Kong starting in late August. The second batch has already started mass production, and consolidated shipping is expected to begin in August to bring this groundbreaking e-bike to backers.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1599 $2699 (40% off). Hurry, less than 48 hours left! Raised over $950,000.

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TOOB turns bicycle inner tubes into rubbery hand-made accessories

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The interest, purchase, and use of bicycles have seen an uptick in the past few years, but these leg-powered two-wheeled vehicles have been around for decades. Many of their problems have also been around just as long, including the parts that easily get worn down and then thrown away. Although significantly more sustainable than cars or even motorcycles, bikes have parts that are definitely environment-unfriendly. Those range from bits of plastic here and there as well as toxic chemicals used in painting their metal frames. Rubber tires and inner tubes, however, are even bigger sources of pollutants down the road. Fortunately, this line of accessories puts inner tubes to a different use, allowing them to go the distance even after they have served their original purpose.

Designer: Roy Sherizly (TOOB)

Bicycle tires are meant to last a long time, but they do eventually meet their end, sometimes sooner than planned. They get worn down over the years, sure, but accidents might make them completely unusable at some earlier point in time. The same is especially true for inner tubes that can no longer be used entirely when they get damaged. These rubber-based products get thrown out and aren’t biodegradable, so they eventually break down into microplastics that pollute waters and even the soil. That green and sustainable lifestyle you’ve chosen suddenly becomes less so because of these wasted inner tubes.

Fortunately, inner tubes don’t have to be discarded just because a small part has become damaged. They’re no longer usable for bicycle wheels, but that doesn’t mean they need to meet the end of their material life as well. More economical and efficient than recycling, the upcycling mentality has taken root with many designers, and this line of TOOB accessories demonstrates how even something as simple and unattractive as an inner tube can become a useful and even stylish product.

“Useless” bicycle inner tubes are handpicked from Tel Aviv’s local shops and are then inspected and thoroughly cleaned. Depending on how much damage it has, the useful parts are cut off and then transformed into completely different products. The TOOB Keychains, for example, only need a small part of the inner tube. In addition to the material’s natural durability, TOOB adds a strong button that makes it easy to open and close the keychain to look around belts and bags. The TOOB Strap, in contrast, requires a longer stretch of inner tubing. The accessory takes advantage of the tube’s natural stretchy properties to hold things down onto bike rails or other surfaces.

Inner tubes make the perfect material for this kind of heavy-duty accessory, and their clean appearance and smooth surfaces make for a nondescript aesthetic. The keychain, for example, looks discrete, and its black color blends with almost any pair of jeans or bag. TOOB also supports the local bicycle economy by giving shop owners a better way to dispose of their waste.

Inner tubes don’t last forever, though, and TOOB does admit that the material will eventually wear out and dry. Then again, almost everything does eventually, including materials like leather. Ideas like TOOB don’t completely remove synthetic rubber products like tires and tubing from the picture, but it helps delay their inevitable fate in landfills, at least until we can figure out how better and more sustainable alternatives.

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This electric bike concept can easily switch between battery power and foot power

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Personal transportation for one or two riders has seen an uptick in the past few years. Some of them are in response to the growing congestion on highways, while others are aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles going to and fro places. Of course, motorbikes aren’t exactly more environment-friendly, and the flying cars of the future are still very much in the future. When it comes to economy and sustainability, bicycles and e-bikes are pretty much the name of the game. In most cases, however, you have to choose between a traditional bike or an electric one, and you’re stuck with that choice to the end. Though hybrids that combine the two do exist, they do come with their own drawbacks. There is one concept, however, that tries to remove that limitation, allowing you to choose between a motor and your feet anytime, anywhere.

Designer: Phan Dũng Tín (Alex Phan)

Most electric bikes and hybrids use a motor to either drive the bicycle’s gears or at the very least assist the biker’s pedaling. Unlike motorcycles, these run on electricity and not fuel, so their carbon emissions are reduced although still present. In addition to the power bill, however, you are also paying for the cost of the weight of the batteries and motor, even when you’re just using your feet to drive the vehicle. In contrast, the GRAVITY electric bicycle design concept lets you have the best of both worlds, and riders can easily switch between two modes whenever they need or feel like it.

The pull of GRAVITY, pardon the pun, is that its battery is removable. This is already significant in terms of longevity when you can easily replace dead batteries instead of having to buy a new bike or go through an expensive repair process. It also means, however, that the battery is not 100% critical in operating the bicycle. If you feel like breezing through traffic one day and then giving your legs a workout the next, all you need to do is remove the batteries and be on your way.

The concept, however, goes beyond just the batteries. It also recommends 3D printing the bike’s frame rather than assembling it from multiple parts to have better durability. There could also be other benefits to this kind of production, like being able to choose more sustainable materials that would be more difficult in mass-produced processes. The concept might even be combined with other techniques that could build a bicycle from a single sheet of metal.

The idea behind GRAVITY might not be that revolutionary, and there might even be commercial e-bikes that already sport this kind of removable battery design. It is, however, the small concepts that, when taken together, could help turn the industry toward a different direction, one that has a more sustainable strategy for the future of transportation and commuting.

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MUJI Honda MS 01 electric bike is a no-nonsense urban commuter for minimalists

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While one would consider retail company MUJI, and automotive giant Honda to be polar opposites – apparently, they still have a common ground. The two brands have joined forces to create an ergonomic and highly practical daily commuting electric bike that many will fancy for their daily riding needs.

Meet the Muji Honda MS01 electric bike inspired by the MUJI H-Type bicycle. The black and white theme on this one is a testament to the MUJI’s mellowed-down styling – in fact, the company’s artistic director Kenya Hara did most of the design bit of the bike himself. All the equipment and power of the MS01 come from the house of Honda. It is a very balanced collaboration, resulting in this minimalist two-wheeler ideal for city rides and beyond. MUJI has experience in developing automotive products, as in 2019 they launched the self-driving GACHA shuttle bus in collaboration with the Finnish tech company Sensible 4.

Designer: MUJI and Honda

You won’t get any flashy high-tech features on this electric bike – though, just enough to get you from one point to the other in the least possible time, and of course safely. The U-shaped bicycle has compact-sized pedals, classic handlebars, and the most basic headlights as well as tail lights that you could ask for. The two-wheeler powered by a 400W motor rides on 17-inch wheels, propelling it to a top speed of 25 km/h. On board is a 48V/20Ah ternary lithium battery and EBS power that gives it a range of 65 km on average.

For the rider’s comfort, the electric bike has an ergonomic three-point sitting position, with a motorcycle-level high-quality saddle. Then there are features including LCD instrument panel, keyless unlocking and aluminum alloy handlebars. As of now, the MUJI H-Type bicycle is only available in black and white colorways (the dual-tone version is not available yet), and will only be made in 5,000 units for a price tag of ¥4,980 CNY (approximately $744 USD) in the Chinese market. Release in other parts of the world is not yet announced, but we’ll be keeping an eye on any new developments.

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Finally, A Bicycle Ping-Pong Table

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I was just thinking the other day how crazy it was that nobody had made a mobile ping-pong table; then today, I wake up and see this: Le vélo table de ping-pong, an art piece constructed by Benedetto Bufalino. It’s a ping-pong table built on a bicycle for ease of movement between games, or DURING games, although you’ll have to play around the bicyclist. Or just try to hit them in the head; it’s really up to you.

You may recall Benedetto’s previous work of turning a bus into a pool, or, if you’re anything like me, you may not even remember what you had for breakfast this morning, or even if you had breakfast this morning. At least I remembered to put pants on today. I’m chalking that up as a win.

Between Forrest Gump’s running ability and ping-pong skills, I would NOT challenge him to a game on this thing. He’d probably run circles around me, both figuratively and literally. I feel like challenging my nephew would be more of a fair contest because he isn’t that coordinated yet and can’t stand for long periods either.

[via Neatorama]

The revolutionary infinity all-wheel drive bicycle breaks the norms of automotive design

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One first look this revolutionary bicycle seems like the ride of a future world, too ahead of its time for the current era to even think of hopping on to. But then it proves us all wrong with the mechanics working behind to make it possible. An all-wheel-drive system and a construction element – wherein the whole bike is a modern marvel of engineering.

Created by Stuttgart-based designer Stephan Henrich, the uniquely shaped bicycle is an out-of-the-box automotive design by a long way. The all-wheel beach and city cruiser is propelled forward by a monotyre-clip chain system which automatically forms a temporary rim in the wheel sections, as well as a dented belt drive in the interior groove. The monotyre is powered via the central wheel as the crank generates the force required to churn the wheels. The bicycle sets into motion with the help of the short-chain, and an 8-speed gearbox which is nothing like we have seen thus far.

Designer: Stephan Henrich

The name infinity is obviously derived from the shape of the bicycle which in fact is perfect for a sci-fi flick plot. Independent suspension systems on the front and the rear provide the ride with enough dampening to take on the rugged and uneven roads. It’s more like a hubless bike concept that keeps intriguing us from time to time. That said, seeing it on a bicycle is an altogether different ball game – as the Infinity impresses with the one construction element that fluidly changes between functions.

Stephan strongly believes the all-wheel-drive bicycle design here has great potential to shake up the market. Given the requisite funds and strategic partners for manufacturing can give able support, the ride could soon take shape from a concept to a prototype, and then to a commercially viable product for the masses.

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Top 10 bicycle accessories trends of 2022

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If in this era of pollution, pandemic, and panic, you aren’t already a bicycle person, it’s high time you convert into one! Bicycles are slowly becoming people’s preferred means of transportation. People are ditching the fossil fuel consuming and air pollution causing automobiles for the more eco-friendly option of bikes! Not only are bicycles a boon to the environment, but they also promote good health and ensure we get our daily dose of physical exercise done. In fact, you can even upgrade and amp up your bicycle with some fun and functional accessories! From an ingenious folding helmet to a multi-functional bike lock that doubles up as a taillight and tire inflator  – these accessories are the perfect sidekicks to your bicycle!

1. reTyre

“You’re used to changing your shoes and jacket to match the location or weather. Why shouldn’t you be able to do the same with your bike?” reTyre’s zippable tire-tread system gives your city bicycle the versatility to work off the road too. A simple zipping mechanism allows you to add a secondary, tougher tread on your tires, letting you go from riding on smooth asphalt to traversing through tough terrain. No matter the speed, the distance, or the condition, reTyre’s selection of treads make it the only set of wheels your bicycle needs… and in turn making your bicycle the only bicycle you’ll need too. reTyre’s special bicycle tire comes with a zipper lining and a selection of treads or skins that you can clad on your existing tire. The original tire works great on asphalt, and the wide variety of skins allows you to ride your bicycle on mud, gravel, rocks, or even snow.

2. Folding Helmet

This minimalist helmet keeps things as intended without sacrificing the shape and design. Nor does it make things complicated as far as function goes – thereby, making it a perfect accessory for emergency situations in a wide array of fields. Designed by Tokyo-based R&D Mak, the intuitive design of the folding helmet falls flat like flat-pack furniture. It’s basically a helmet that you can squeeze like a burrito for keeping in backpacks, drawers, or closets. The simple pull mechanism to unfold it is the simplest I’ve seen thus far. To squeeze it to a compact form, just pressing the button on the rear section does the trick.

3. Omnilock

Omnilock multifunctional Bike Lock is a unique bicycle accessory that performs double duty as a bright taillight and tire inflator as well. This multiple utility of the accessory means – the rider has less to worry about – if he/she is an avid bicycle user. Someone who likes to pedal to the mountains or spend a whole lot of time going for extended bike runs in the morning for fitness. Safety is another important thing that the bike lock addresses as the taillight adds another layer of visibility for motorists to take note of when on the go. That means the bike lock sits right under the saddle when in commute, and when you need to park it, simply take out Omnilock and lock the rear wheel.

4. Vento

Inspired by his desire “to reinvent the ways we use and produce energy,” on small-scale levels, Vento is not merely a bicycle light, as Bestenheider describes, but “a power plant, a way to question energy consumption, and an object to connect like-minded individuals. Vento is a mindset.” Composed of four main components, Vento is like a miniature wind turbine. Constructed from recycled plexiglass and aluminum, Vento’s microturbine harvests wind energy while the bicycle is in motion. Then, the energy is converted into electricity through electromagnetic induction that takes place in the turbine’s generator. The bicycle light’s battery then stores this energy and the LED bulb generates light. While moving in your bike, the wind is always whipping past you, so the light will always work when needed. Positioned conveniently right between the handlebars, Vento also features on/off and blinking switches for day use.

5. Garmin Bicycle Computer

This Garmin bicycle computer takes a detour from the design language for the brand’s current line-up of Edge GPS bike computers for bicycle riders. Industrial designer WuShuai has thought of a refreshing design for the next Garmin computer for your ride to next get stranded on any hiking trail. His design has a more contoured aspect to it, the convex display is a telltale indicator of the fact. Being a bike enthusiast himself, Wu wanted to create a softer design language for a future Garmin Edge product. However he himself admits that the screen is more susceptible to breakage in this new form if there is an accidental fall. That’s a story for another day if this design is referenced by Garmin for consideration.

6. The LingMou

Meet the Lingmou intelligent portable air pump designed by Yifanzi J for awkward situations on unknown roads. Keeping in mind that motorists need to keep a check on their vehicle’s air pressure levels in all the tires, the portable air pump is a must-have without any questions. Tire bursts on freeways account for accidents, and no one wants to jeopardize their, as well as other motorist’s lives, do they? This proposed concept design is meant for Generation Z who like things as simple and time-saving as possible – not to forget the styling quotient.

7. Ray

Cha Hongkun, a designer from China has pondered over tweaking the design of a portable light to an extent where it addresses an even wider array of activities. Cha calls it the “Ray” – an outdoor accompanying portable light with a never before seen form factor. It’s essentially a wide strap that can be hooked onto your bike, backpack, or anything one can think of. It goes without saying – Ray is an outdoor essential accessory that’ll never let you down. The ease of use and portable credentials make it one accessory I would want in my absolute essentials for a trip anywhere. The portable LED light can be charged with a USB-C compatible power bank or via a wall outlet. What’s got me hooked on here is the cool choice of colors the designer has penned for Ray.

8. Airban

Christened Airban, the urban bike helmet aims to take on the unavoidable air pollution crisis. The advanced helmet sucks polluted air, filters it, and then beams pure air onto the fixed face shield that’s at a slight distance from the face. As the rider keeps moving forward, the air passes through the front vents on the front and enters the air channel. Simultaneously air is drawn from the rear via a small brushless fan that projects the air to the breathable position. Air entering the Airban helmet from both these channels is filtered through the HEPA filter which removes 99.97% of 0.3 μm particulates. The activated carbon layer eliminates any smoke, odors, or other pollutants – therefore, beaming the rider with clean air even in the most polluted environment.

9. NASA-inspired Airless Bike Tires

No one wants a flat tire while mowing the lawn or playing golf and the chance for a flat tire is far higher in places like construction zones and building demolition sites. It makes sense that some vehicles prioritize airless tires and some don’t, but what about bicycles? The Q, popular science and DIY YouTube channel, asked the same question and looked no further than an old PVC pipe and some nuts and bolts to answer it. Before constructing his airless tires, The Q was sure to pick a PVC pipe that had enough density to support a rider and ride well on different terrain. Settling on a ½” thick PVC pipe, The Q then sliced the PVC pipe into two-inch wide rings. From there, the DIY YouTuber connected all of the rings into a single link after drilling three holes into each and joining them together with nuts and bolts.

10. The BUCK

This bicycle has a super cool accessory attached to it! The BUCK electric bike has a laptop stand that elegantly conceals beneath the bike frame when not in use. The moment you need to perform an important task – just park the bike, swivel the laptop stand in position and your mobile standing workstation is ready. You just have to slide it out of the bike frame’s section and attach it to the saddle which can be moved to a 90 degrees position to give up space for the stand.

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Ingenious folding helmet unfolds at the pull of a string, making life safer for bike riders everywhere

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How often have you wondered, the helmet could have a more compact shape when its core purpose is not required? In fact, when you are carrying other life-saving equipment and the helmet, could be flattened for easy storage in the backpack make life just so much easier!

Helmets have become the first line of defense for a plethora of activities and for obvious reasons. The first respondent teams and natural disaster missions are prime examples. But this life-saving accessory is not always needed and takes up space to store which could have a better solution in the technology-dominated world we live in. A folding helmet is a logical answer to the storage woes, and implementing the idea is not as simple as it might seem.

Thus comes into the picture a minimalist helmet that keeps things as intended without sacrificing the shape and design. Nor does it make things complicated as far as function goes – thereby, making it a perfect accessory for emergency situations in a wide array of fields. Designed by Tokyo-based R&D Mak, the intuitive design of the folding helmet falls flat like flat-pack furniture. It’s basically a helmet that you can squeeze like a burrito for keeping in backpacks, drawers or closets. The simple pull mechanism to unfold it is the simplest I’ve seen thus far. To squeeze it to a compact form, just pressing the button on the rear section does the trick.

So, practically speaking we are talking about storing two folding helmets where only a single helmet would occupy the same space. The final product is a result of repeated prototyping until the most satisfying result was achieved for the team at R&D Mak. It is a god-sent solution for emergency respondents who now don’t have to carry the bulk of a bloated helmet all the time.

Designer: R&D Mak

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