A-Level Final Project - Bike Workstand

Pushbiker

I’m studying product design at A-level and I have decided to create a Bike Workstand aimed at the home mechanic.

This is just preliminary research to see what features I need to include.

If anyone has any comments please complete this short survey so that I can get an idea of the needs of my target market.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Paul

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=L ... YHZA_3d_3d

nicklouse

Mechagnism

Mmmm.

ride_whenever

You have also made your decision already, that is obvious from the fact that most of the questions were answered vital. You need to think around the subject and broaden the areas that your are looking into.

neil_sheehan2000

Er, so what your survey is essentially asking is: "Should the bike workstand that I am building be, in actuality, a bike workstand?" Obviously all the features you mention are vital, otherwise it's not a bike workstand. It's a bit like asking "Should the table I am building have legs, and an area on top to facilitate the placement of objects upon it?"

On a serious note though, I think you should have the clamp go on to the seatpost, as it's the only fairly standard bit that all bikes have nowadays in roughly the same shape and size, if you see what I mean.

big_southern_jesse

Added features:

tool tray?
magnetic tray for nuts and washers?
Light fitting?
built in extension lead?
adjustable height?
left- and right-handed?
protective feet to limit damage to floors?
rotatable?
workbench/table mountable?
mount on a tow ball on the back of a car?
clamp tightens in one movement with one hand? Saves holding a bike in the air for too long, or even a clamp that supports the weight of the bike even before being tightened. Allows you to lift the bike into place, then muck around tightening the clamps without holding the weight of the bike.
Aiming for road or mountain bikes?
how tall is your user?
specific markets? - full sussers/29ers/ particular manufacturer?

That's just a few minutes thinking, but I think they are all things you need to consider, even if you reject them.
Sorry, did pruduct design and manufacture as an A-level, then uni, then another course, and use that sort of stuff for work all the time. Helps you to think of all the possible considerations.
With the A-level, however great a design you already have in your head, make sure you write notes/have sketches etc of every possible idea or permutation, however odd, to show evidence of the design process.

If you've got good mental visualisation like me, you can have a reasonably practical idea in your head before even putting pen to paper, but that does no good as far as the teacher/customer goes. They need to see all the steps on paper. Enjoy the A-level, and make sure you post back here when you get to your final designs. It'll be interesting to see.

ride_whenever

I'd also have a look at how the concept rowing machines have wheels on, really neat idea and makes for a solid base, that is also easily moveable.

captainchucky

As has been stated above.

Consider changing your problem.

i.e. instead of saying you want to look at building a bike stand.

Look at the problem: Its difficult to repair/fix/clean a bike while sitting on the ground.

Then look at how the problem is currently dealt with, and then consider what could be improved.

The idea of a towbar mounted stand is good, although it may have a fairly limited market. (Although in saying that, theres a good chance that alot of home mechanics may well make up alot of that limited market)

For me at home the two most important things are how sturdy the stand is, and how easy it is to clamp.

As regards to tools, i think the best thing is an apron.

dirtbiker100

neil_sheehan2000 wrote:

On a serious note though, I think you should have the clamp go on to the seatpost, as it's the only fairly standard bit that all bikes have nowadays in roughly the same shape and size, if you see what I mean.

I did a two bike stand and frame clamp for GCSE I think or AS or A2. Was pretty crap but was ok. bad point was that I clamped around the top tube and what with funny shaped top tubes these days it was obsolete with my next bike. seat post clamp for sure.
If I come across a pic of it i'll send it to you.

Pushbiker

Thanks for all your help guys

I have thought about tow bar mounting but as you said it would reduce the market size. The reason i did the questionaire was for preliminary research to prove that all of the features i had put in my specification were vital. I will do another survey that includes all of the added features from jesse and go from there. The clamping mechagnism idea i have in my head i willl draw on paint now in 2d form so that you can see it and see what you think.

Thanks again

tomfraserb

ITS MECHANISM!! There is no G in it!

Another point of clamping around the seatpost is that if you over tighten it, you only damage a seatpost, not the frame. Much cheaper to replace!

An idea - what if the clamp could operate via a foot-switch? Hold the bike in place - hit a button and its clamped!?