Experiments In Speed and Pushing The Limits

"Experiments in speed. Inspired by those great men of the salt flats, those men that in the 60s pushed the Land Speed Record from the 300s up towards the 600mph mark in jet-propelled cars built in their sheds. We decided to do what we do: build a bicycle, but this time, in the spirit of those pioneers of speed, build it to see how fast we could go…"

donhoubicycles.com
spindleproductions.co.uk

Director | Greg Hackett
Editor | Tim Swaby
Production Company | Spindle Productions
Sound Recordist | Adam Williams
Camera Assistant | Greg Harris
Production Assistant | Dickon Ireland
Aerial Cameras | Ben Kenobe Ben Sturgess Chris Ridley
Photographer | Tristan Conor Holden
Composer | Daniel J. Harvey


Experiments in Speed from SpindleProductions on Vimeo.

Turn Scrap Cars Into New Bicycles

Scrap heaps, junk yards and rural properties all over the globe are littered with old machines that are ready for a new life. Any time we see an old vehicle on a property while out cruising, there is always the what if question. What would the dude take for the car or where in the hell could we even put it amongst all of our current projects. 

Coming across a site such as BicycledBikes.com is what gets us thinking on cool projects. Each bike they are putting together is unique as it stems from what ever parts they find to build a new bike. Dig into what they are about and if you are looking for a cool new pedal powered ride, maybe this could be your solution.

Can You Really Ride A Cardboard Bicycle?

Sustainable materials are all around us. Now, it is just a matter of reformulating their original purpose and repurpose these materials into new and challenging solutions. Who woulda thunk that cardboard could be crafted into functional bicycle or that wood could be potentially stronger than kevlar or carbon fiber?

Necessity is the mother of invention and hearing about stories such as a bike being built from cardboard keeps us awake at night. We know of the amazing building properties within bamboo, concrete, hemp and an array of other materials, so now we are seeking out a plethora of interesting stories such as this.

Neil Fallon sings it best in the Clutch song You Can't Stop Progress

Link to short film on Vimeo

Izhar cardboard bike project from Giora Kariv on Vimeo.

Questions and answers, original post and info here

What was the biggest challenge in working with cardboard?

The biggest challenge of the Cardboard Bike project was to learn and develop a whole new know how of cardboard. Our challenge was to take the cardboard material, and pass it through a set of treatments, to replace the raw materials of plastic, wood or metal.

What did you learn from the experience?

What start up nation learned: That Nothing is impossible if you have patience and you are persistent.

How far along is the development of the Cardboard Bikes?

The development started 3 years ago. Since there was no know how with regards to the cardboard material, the first 2 years were devoted to learning the properties and behavior of the material; from all aspects of engineering tools, strength calculations and analysis and establishment of the IP that protects all of this know how. The "packaging box on wheels" as seen in our video was the third prototype, the Alfa commercial model (with the letter A on the chassis), is the first operational model that is made of a 100% recycled materials (with the electric motor as an add-on option).

Is it patented?

All know how, working procedures and production techniques are fully patent protected worldwide by Israel’s leading patent Reinhold-Cohen.

When will the company get to the point where it is manufacturing?

The Company is now in the process of raising funds that will bring the company within 6 months of investment to the point in which we will have a full and detailed manufacturing plan for the first 2 platforms. The commercial/Urban bikes (BOM – $9, 9 KG), and the kids/youth bike (BOM - $5, 3.5 KG). These models will be made of almost 100% recycled materials and will have the option of adding an electric motor. At this stage we have only the prototype for the commercial bikes as shown on the video.

How do you have the knowledge to take it from here to the market?

The inventor, Mr. Izhar Gafni, is a mechanical engineer and a multi-disciplinary systems developer. Izhar developed the recycled cardboard bikes combining his knowledge in 2 main areas: being an expert in building and designing custom made carbon fiber bikes for high end riders and his experience as a production line expert. Izhar is known for his former developments of the Pomegranate Peeling Machine (for which he has won a prize by the American Association of Engineers), a Smart Robot for sewing shoes, a Disabled Climbing Machine and more.We believe we have the knowledge and the ability to reach our goals and that nothing is impossible.

What is your vision?

Cardboard Technologies is all about making a better world for us to live in by two main principals: creating the ability to produce almost any daily product from at least 95% recycled materials and building auto production lines, with a simple post production assembly that will be performed by people with difficulties or disabilities.

Unlimited and incentivized raw materials and incentivized manpower will help us create working places in every location which we will find a local partner at. Our vision is also to bring the factories back from China (starting with the green ones).

What is your business model, and what will be the end user cost of your bikes?

The principals of our vision above, will allow our partners and manufactures to receive almost all of the of the production costs of our products back from governmental and global incentives, making our products available to almost any person in any philanthropic or commercial business model.

We can add any design or logo to the bike chassis for example and with by adding a simple electric motor, making it the most classical urban clean transportation.

This will allow our bikes to be given away as a commercial transportation or as a gift for Christmas from your Mayor.

Another important attribute of our bikes, is that they need no adjustment or maintenance, making them available directly to consumer at low price, and not through the regular marketing chains that will bring it to an end cost of X5 post assembly."

Doing Things By Hand, From Sign Painting To Bicycle Frames

Personally, there is nothing more satisfying than the art of creating an object by hand. You could build a dog house, craft a gas tank out of sheet metal or even do a killer hand painted sign, but in that process of bringing something new to fruition, there is a feeling of satisfaction of a job well done that tends to permeate the finished task. Next time you are building something or looking for ideas, don't rush through to the finish, maybe think on the old traditional ways of doing things and have an appreciation for craftsmanship.

Check out Golden West Sign Arts 

Dig into SoulCraft Bicycles

Jack Daniel's meets The Signpainter from Travis Robertson on Vimeo.


FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft from michael evans on Vimeo.

Derringer Cycles - Modern Day Boardtrackers

Nothing could be better to us than finding something new and distinct in an area that is already mined to the max. Every bike style imaginable or at least the ones with a solid past have been recreated and folks find a style they can get into, emulate or design from. It could be a bobber, cafe racer or the period correct and over hyped 70's stylized choppers that are finally starting to fade away. To us, we dig all the styles, as we are purveyors of two wheeled entertainment.

While reading one of our favorite magazines the other day, which happens to be Wired, we came across Derringer Cycles. What struck us immediately was the aggressive lines of the bike and how much fun it looks to ride. Not only could we pedal start it, but it looks damn good going down the road compared to the hornets nest of ugliness that is most 49cc scooters that many consider to be their main mode of transport as of late. The clubman bars, the gas tank, the frame style and that distinct motor all point to a well thought out and articulated design. This is the perfect city bike and one which seems ready to be customized in many cool ways.

Tech Specs 

Engine Overhead valve 4-stroke engine displacing 49cc,
CARB and EURO 2 emission compliance,
up to 180 mpg depending on usage. EZ-Start^® Recoil
 
Transmission
GGB gearbox with centrifugal clutch and freewheel,
Freewheel allows pedals to remain stationary while driven via engine

Brakes
70mm drum front brake, coaster style rear brake

Capacity Fuel Tank
1.8 US Gallon, 87 Octane

Engine Oil
26 US Quart

Dimensions Length: 70"
Width: 24" (Board Track Style Handlebars)
Seat Height: Varies by saddle and seatpost type
Wheel Diameter: 26"
Bar Height At Stem: 36"

Find out more about Derringer Cycles

Derringer Cycles window display

Derringer Cycles gas tank

Derringer Cycles Bespoke Collection

Derringer Cycles Bespoke Collection

Derringer Cycles Custom Commission

Derringer Cycles Custom Commission