by Larry Lagarde

Last summer, a Chinese folding bike designer sent me some sketches of a new, extraordinary design for a folding bike he intended to produce. The sketch depicted a folding bike that was so small, so light, so fast to fold and so practical that it could possibly revolutionize personal mobility.

Naturally, revolutionizing anything (especially the bicycle) is hard so the odds are against bringing a new product like this to market; however, yesterday, I received word that this folding bike was set to go into mass production in the next 30 days.

Following are a series of photos shot at a recent trade show in China of the Carryable Folding Bike. This 19 lb machine transforms in 10 seconds from a single speed bike into a rolling pod or capsule the size of a carry on bag. A retractable handle and special roller wheels are built into the design so the compact, encapsulated bike can be pulled along like a piece of luggage.

If what I'm told is true, this is the smallest, most ingenious folding bike yet. When folded, all of the bike bits that could potentially snag on clothing, etc. remain hidden and protected within the capsule's magnesium and plastic shell (which, in the folded state, resembles an art deco style floor vac more than a bike). But how does it ride?

Since I haven't seen this folding bike in person, I don't know how well the bike rides but I have been offered a video of the bike in action. As soon as I get that, more photos or concrete specs, I'll be posting the info right here at RideTHISbike.com.

By the way, the rumor is that this bike will retail for $900. That's a lot more than the 22.5 lb $179 E-Z Pack folding bike but a lot less than Mark Sander's new $2500 IF Mode full size folding bike...

Labels: carriable-folding-bike, carryable-folding-bike

Featured below are the first photos of the exciting, new, extremely light (sub 18 lbs.) yet strong, magnesium aluminum alloy, diecast, Carryable Folding Bike. These photos depict the essential metal elements of this folding bike in unfinished form.

Photos of a finished version as well as pricing and specs will be available in the near future; production is slated to begin in about 2 months.



For a rendition of how the finished bike will look and function when complete, see this animation. Once I have one to review, I'll shoot video of the bike in action in the real world too.

LL

Labels: carriable-folding-bike, carryable-folding-bike

A little over a month ago, I broke the news of the coming Suitcase Folding Bike. Since then, I've received over 100 comments concerning that folding bicycle - some good, some bad but all entertaining. One visitor even said the bike looked like a vacuum cleaner. I didn't see the resemblance; however, with the new "Carriable Foldaway Bike", it's unmistakable.



Carryable Folding Bike
The above images are depictions of the "Carriable Foldaway Bicycle". I just learned of the bike today so details are scarce. Here are the facts as best I can tell:

Name: Carriable Folding Bike
Description: Folding bike similar to the Suitcase Bike but in a smaller form factor when folded.
Weight: 17 lbs (8 kg)
Carry Capacity: 220 lbs (100 kg)
Materials: Alloy frame & components; plastic shell

Folded Dimensions: Unknown
Availability: Unknown
Price: Unknown

Notes: Design includes a telescopic pull handle on one side of the folded bike and fixed mini wheels on the opposite end so the bike can be pulled along like standard rolling luggage.

Perhaps this folding bike is just another design concept; however, if it is small enough to take aboard a plane as a carry on and rides as well as a Mobiky Genius, it is bound to gain a following no matter what it looks like.

Labels: carriable-folding-bike, carryable-folding-bike