A Cyclist's Complaint?!

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  • simonaspinall
    simonaspinall Posts: 645
    EmBrooke wrote:
    Hi there,
    My name's Emily, I'm a final year Product Design student with the biking bug... I have chosen "Urban Cycling" as the theme for my major project, so will be looking to research, design and produce a biking product.
    SO, as a fellow cyclist I need you help to kick things off. What frustrates you on your daily commute? What causes you annoyance/discomfort on your bike? Do you feel safe cycling? How do you cope with the weather?
    ANY observations, complaints or comments are welcome!!
    Thanks in advance,
    Em.

    If you're looking for designing a product around problem identification i'd look for some sort of sealed derailleur - Is there a way a standard rear or front derailleur can be sealed from the elements or a light knock? That way you've got the felxibility and utility of incremental gear changing and the benefits of hub gearing in low maintenance. Admittedly the chain will still get dirty but derailleur cleaning is bl**dy annoying!

    That or some sort of signalling lighting device to cars for those not confident to use hand signals or integrated handlebar light controls so you can flash/dipped/full beam light pattern from your bars.

    Third suggestion - An easier way to add visibility strips to anything! Hate the way they're always poor adhesives, sew-on etc....Some way of attaching them to clothing or bags fuss-free.
    What wheels...? Wheelsmith.co.uk!
  • Chrissz
    Chrissz Posts: 727
    stonehouse wrote:
    Belgian and The Netherlands

    So you are happy cycling along pavements along with pedestrians, as that is what you get in Belgium?

    We were quite happily cycling along a quiet country road (Belguim) until a Policemen came along and made us use the cycle lane, which was actually the pavement!

    LOL I had exactly the same thing happen to me in September - nice smooth road, 20mph+ or grotty, tree-root infested plavement/cycle path! Belgian cops are not renown for their sense of humour :(

    And if you drove on the roads, cars & trucks would deliberately close-pass with horns blaring! A couple got a swift introduction to basic manners :):)
    http://coastalcommando.wordpress.com/
  • stevo1602
    stevo1602 Posts: 43
    Hi

    You know those speed check signs that light up and say 30MPH when a car drives past at 30MPH + ?
    Well could you design one of these signs to be fitted in to the flap top of a messenger bag or bike ruck sack, with a switch on the bag strap at the front, so when you enter a 20mph or 30mph limit area you can switch it on for 20mph or 30mph.

    Then when cars comes up behind you doing nearly 50mph it flashes on and says :
    30 MPH....Changes to SLOW DOWN....Changes to WANKER.
  • deptfordmarmoset
    deptfordmarmoset Posts: 3,118
    simonaspinall wrote:
    EmBrooke wrote:
    Hi there,
    My name's Emily, I'm a final year Product Design student with the biking bug... I have chosen "Urban Cycling" as the theme for my major project, so will be looking to research, design and produce a biking product.
    SO, as a fellow cyclist I need you help to kick things off. What frustrates you on your daily commute? What causes you annoyance/discomfort on your bike? Do you feel safe cycling? How do you cope with the weather?
    ANY observations, complaints or comments are welcome!!
    Thanks in advance,
    Em.

    If you're looking for designing a product around problem identification i'd look for some sort of sealed derailleur - Is there a way a standard rear or front derailleur can be sealed from the elements or a light knock? That way you've got the felxibility and utility of incremental gear changing and the benefits of hub gearing in low maintenance. Admittedly the chain will still get dirty but derailleur cleaning is bl**dy annoying!

    That or some sort of signalling lighting device to cars for those not confident to use hand signals or integrated handlebar light controls so you can flash/dipped/full beam light pattern from your bars.

    Third suggestion - An easier way to add visibility strips to anything! Hate the way they're always poor adhesives, sew-on etc....Some way of attaching them to clothing or bags fuss-free.

    I thought that part of the reasoning behind having dérailleur hangers made of softer metal was so that in fally-off mode, the hanger goes - well, bends - before the frame or the dérailleur itself. A sort of deliberate weakest link....

    If you had a more highly-protected, rigid dérailleur plus casing and you experienced one of those unscheduled dismounts, wouldn't the impact be transferred more towards the frame?
    Looking for a cycling buddy?
  • stigofthedump
    stigofthedump Posts: 331
    It seems to me that part of the problem of getting cycling to the masses is that most cyclists are (aspiring/ fanciful) Racers and the majority of bikes are designed that way. Deralliers, close frames, lightweight/ expensive materials are great in their place, but for a commuter or someone looking to use a bike in place of a car they lack basic weather protection, a place to carry a lock or any shopping or to generally be a useful transport solution. Even hybrid bikes rarely come with mudguards and look like a road bike with the drops replaced by flat bars.
    My kids bikes have multiple chainrings and poor front suspension. They weigh about twice as much as my mountain bike they are trying to emulate, the kids loved them in the shop but dont like riding them as they are so heavy. The same design criteria seems to go into most BSO's, with the same drawbacks (heavy, unenjoyable ride - ill take the car)
    If you get away from designing bikes for racing and start designing bikes for everyday use you would take a big step towards a cycling scociety

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