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"SWITCH" Bicycle frame concept

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Niels Caris

Niels Caris
Designer at Springtime

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Placed in segment Mobility

Added January 21, 2009 Views 415 Comments 8

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The top part of the frame swivels around a pivoting point, allowing the user to easily switch the frame's geometry from sportive to comfortable. Steering works over the normal axle through a rod inside the frame, connected via ball-joints to the front-fork.

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Comments

Chung Dha Lam
2009-01-06 00:31:24

I find it saver to have a direct link between the steer and the front wheel. Plus I ride a mountain bike because I like to train with it and race with it and don't like it like a city bike. Plus my mountainbike is more expensive then any city bikes. And I use a city bike to go shopping so if it get stolen I won't have a big loss then if my mountainbike was stolen.

Also I don't see it work because it is too much hard mechanics. A bicycle should be easy to repair if the inner joint which controls the steering brakes it very hard to be repaired by anyone.
Remy Boerwinkel
2009-01-06 17:42:55

I think its nice! ... I think there are people who like the best of both world: sport and comfort !
Arne. .
2009-01-07 14:49:02

I'd like to see the mechanism behind (under) the steering because I can't really get a good picture of how it works. It sounds a bit... prone to breaking down when you are pushing its limits.

I think it is mainly the gap under the steer that gives the bike a bit of a flimsy feeling. I could do with some visual support there. Maybe a large spring or something? Give it a more robust look.
Victor M. Aleman
2009-01-12 23:49:36

so nice concept .. and interesting but could you explain more how you turn the fron wheel because i cant see the way it could do turns .. for all the rest i think it is very original.
Mohammad Ghezel
2009-01-14 06:27:09

Nice concept man but I can't get how it will turn the steering... ?!
a bit confused about the mechanism :D
Niels Caris
2009-01-15 10:09:55

Hey guys, thnx for the responses on the concept so far.

These visuals were part of a little 1 week project I did about 6 years ago in my first year at the Design Academy Eindhoven. On my website www.nielscaris.nl I think there's some additional explanatory images to help clearify the steering concept. I agree that the steering is quite indirect and I think in the real world it would proof to be unpractical. The principal does work but the distance from handlebars and headset to the actual base of the front fork is too long to allow for proper handling.
But then again this was just a fun little concept! :)
Enjoy!
Niels Caris
2009-01-15 10:15:20

Oops, thought there'd be some more pics on my site but actually there aren't. Here's some more info about the Switch concept that I compiled for the International Bike Design Competition:

http://tps.tbnet.org.tw/mipis/design/km_message_person11a.asp?password=10-0714175851&store=
Amber Sharlow
2009-04-27 01:35:23

Great concept, would like to see/use the final project if it is produced!