Francesco Bordin—creative director and co-founder at Dudebike—best explains the recipe that led to the increasing success of its new creation: “Take a typical Italian folding bike of the ’60s and ’70s with 20-inch wheels, take away…
by Dora Haller When a navy blue Aston Martin with a cream-caramel interior stopped in front of Heritage-Paris’ atelier, founder and owner Cyril Saulnier figured the driver must be lost. Turned out it was a…
This short movie by Danish animator Thallis Vestergaard traces the history of the bicycle from its invention in the eighteenth century up to the present day (+ movie).
Produced by Visual Artwork, a studio based in Denmark, Evolution of the Bicycle is a brief look at the different variations the two-wheeler has gone through in its 200-year history. It highlights how the design of the bike changed through the innovations and whims of different inventors.
The sequence starts in 1790 with the Velocifere by Frenchman Comte Mede de Sivrac. His invention featured two wheels, a piece of wood and a horse saddle, and is said to be the first instance of a bicycle, but had no steering.
Sivrac’s creation was improved upon by English inventor Denis Johnson, whose Dandy Horse, unveiled in 1818, attached a steering bar, increased the size of the wheels and made the bike lighter than Sivrac’s.
In 1839, Kirkpatrick MacMillan, a Scottish blacksmith inspired by steam locomotives, created the world’s first pedal powered rear-wheel driven bicycle.
Then in 1869, Frenchman Eugene Meyer created the Penny-Farthing, whose name was a reference to the oversized front wheel and disproportionately small rear one. He is also credited as the inventor of the wire-spoke tension wheel which is still used today.
Designers continued to play with the idea of different sized wheels, including G.W. Pressey’s American Star bicycle. This version swapped the large front and small wheel round, making it easier to steer.
It wasn’t until 1885 that the public first saw what would become the standard shape for a bike. J.K. Starley’s Rover Safety Bicycle featured two identically sized wheels, a saddle perched between them, and peddles attached to a crank, which drove a chain to turn the back wheel.
The design was refined by C.D. Rice before the development of the racing handle bars and simple saddle attachment we know today, which feature in the final evolution of the animated bike before it cycles away.
While there’s been no shortage of innovations in the bike light category in recent years, there’s always room for improvement. Taking a rather unorthodox approach to the bicycle safety essential, UK’s Paul Cocksedge hopes to introduce the );…
Like the groans and gripes that winter will never release its grasp, the temperatures around NYC (and the Northern Hemisphere in general) have finally begun to ease up. While T-shirt weather is still some time away, now is the right time to bring…
As longtime supporters of Tokyobike and their “less is more” approach to bicycle building, we took special note of their upcoming spring 2014 release: the New Singlespeed. While aesthetically similar to its predecessor, the fresh release will introduce a more classic swept…
For their spring product theme of “Getting Around,” Portland’s Table of Contents online and brick-and-mortar retail platform linked up with the Berlin- and Paris-based design studio recordOutboundLink(this,…
Since its founding in 2006, Brooklyn’s Affinity Cycles has made quite the name for themselves worldwide thanks to a knack for developing innovative track and road frame designs—not to mention an impressively stocked Williamsburg shop. While…
Bird Industries’ skirt garter isn’t a new concept, but this unassuming accessory certainly is a valuable item for any skirt-wearer riding on two wheels. The elastic band fits around…
Whether you like to ride and race, tackle tough terrain, or lean back in leisure, one of Oscar Navarro’s wild concept bikes will suit your style! The collection pulls aesthetic and functional influence from a variety of eras and utilities, but applies each in an entirely modern way. From the blinging dual-sport to the chromed-out cruiser, there’s a riding and aesthetic model for the most unique of tastes.
Designer: Oscar Navarro
– Yanko Design Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world! Shop CKIE – We are more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the CKIE store by Yanko Design! (Offbeat Bikes was originally posted on Yanko Design)
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