Portable bicycle: Difference between revisions
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A '''portable bicycle''' is a [[bicycle]] that has been designed to be small and light enough for easy carrying. |
{{about|bicycles small enough to carry without folding|folding bicycles|folding bicycle}} |
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A '''portable bicycle''' is a [[bicycle]] that has been designed to be small and light enough for easy carrying. It is usually dismantled to make a convenient bundle and the frame often has a [[folding bicycle|folding action]] to facilitate this. The design of a portable bicycle involves a trade-off between ease of carrying and ease of riding. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The first popular bicycles were the large [[penny-farthing]]s. |
The first popular bicycles were the large [[penny-farthing]]s. The pioneering inventor, [[W. H. J. Grout]] of [[Stoke Newington]], invented a portable version in which the large front wheel could be dismantled into four pieces so that they would fit into a carrying bag.<ref>{{citation |title=Bicycle: The History |author=David V. Herlihy |page=314 |chapter=Portable Bicycles |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-300-12047-9}}.</ref> |
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In the 1890s, Captain Gérard of the 87th Regiment of French Infantry was an advocate of bicycles for military use. |
In the 1890s, Captain Gérard of the 87th Regiment of French Infantry was an advocate of bicycles for military use. To enable his troops to operate in rough terrain, he devised a bicycle which could be folded in two and carried on the soldiers' backs; the weight was "between 22 and 26¼ lbs" (10–12 kg).<ref name="Elger">{{citation |author=C. H. Elger |title=The Military Bicycle in France |journal=[[The Navy and Army Illustrated]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2oAhAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Portable+bicycle%22 |date=January 22, 1897 |page=70 ''ff.'' |volume=III |number=29}}</ref> The first time the Gérard portable bicycle was used, it "gave complete satisfaction and justified all expectations".<ref name="Elger"/> The bicycles were manufactured by Charles Morel who commercialised the type.<ref>{{citation |journal=[[The Review of Reviews]] |volume=15 |year=1897 |page=36}}.</ref> |
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In 1919, Charles Haskell Clark of [[New York City]] filed a patent (granted in 1921) (patent US1381281) for a portable bicycle that was easy to carry onto trains or street cars. Additional advantages of small wheels, described in the patent, were the reduced interference with skirts and the ability to dodge in and out among the crowd.<ref>[ |
In 1919, Charles Haskell Clark of [[New York City]] filed a patent (granted in 1921) (patent US1381281) for a portable bicycle that was easy to carry onto trains or street cars. Additional advantages of small wheels, described in the patent, were the reduced interference with skirts and the ability to dodge in and out among the crowd.<ref>[https://books.google.com/patents/about?id=9-8_AAAAEBAJ Google Patents]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Charles Haskell Clark velocipede.</ref> The December 1919 issue of [[Scientific American]] had an article describing Mr. Clark's "city bicycle". |
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== Riding performance == |
== Riding performance == |
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The riding performance of portable bicycles is challenged by the need to make the bike |
The riding performance of portable bicycles is challenged by the need to make the bike small and light. Rider body weight and size, and road conditions, have a strong impact on design and on performance. Typically, portable bicycles intended for the [[East Asia]] market ([[China]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[Taiwan]], ...) can be designed for riders lighter than 80 kg and shorter than 174 cm. [[Northern Europe]] and [[North America|America]] require designs for riders up to 120 kg and 200 cm. City roads are generally smoother in Asian cities, but the bicycle has to be able to ride in crowded city [[sidewalks]]. Many European city streets are paved with [[cobblestone]], so portable bicycles marketed in Europe need to cope with such a pavement. The smaller the diameter of a [[bicycle wheel]], the higher the [[rolling friction]] and the rougher the ride, which is a challenge for portable bicycles as well as for [[kick scooter]]s. New technological solutions are being studied to offer the same rolling friction at smaller wheel diameters. |
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== Carrying and folding == |
== Carrying and folding == |
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The point at which a folding bicycle can be considered a portable bicycle is not precisely defined, and depends on the user. |
The point at which a folding bicycle can be considered a portable bicycle is not precisely defined, and depends on the user. A benchmark for portability are the [[Brompton Bicycle]]s, medium-size bicycles that fold well and are the world's most numerous built on a single design. A bicycle easier to carry than the Brompton C3 can be considered portable. |
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Many portable bicycles weigh below 6 kg and fold in less than 20 seconds. |
Many portable bicycles weigh below 6 kg and fold in less than 20 seconds. Above these figures the risk is that the bicycle is too heavy for easy carrying, or takes an inconveniently long time to fold. Folding and unfolding has to be easier than is needed for ordinary full-size folding bicycles, because portable bicycles are used for shorter trips than full-size folding bikes. |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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Image:Zerobike_01.jpg| |
Image:Zerobike_01.jpg|Zerobike |
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Image:Zerobike_02.jpg|Zerobike folded |
Image:Zerobike_02.jpg|Zerobike folded |
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Image:Mini125 02.jpg|Mini 125 |
Image:Mini125 02.jpg|Mini 125 |
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* family fun |
* family fun |
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* [[pit bike]] |
* [[pit bike]] |
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* short-distance travel |
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Bicycles can |
Bicycles can reduce [[fossil fuel]] [[exhaust gas|emissions]] by shortening or eliminating car trips, and by extending the reach of [[public transportation]] as part of a [[mixed-mode commuting|mixed-mode commute]]. Portable bicycles often can be used also by children and so can be kept for a lifetime. |
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== List of portable bicycles, commercially available (present and past) == |
== List of portable bicycles, commercially available (present and past) == |
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Many portable bicycles are |
Many portable bicycles are or have been commercially available; they include: |
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{{div col|colwidth=22em}} |
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{| |
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* [[A-bike]] |
* [[A-bike]] |
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* [[Mini125]] |
* [[Mini125]] |
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* BikeaPack |
* BikeaPack |
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* Bickerton portable |
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* [http://www.carryme.es Carry-Me] |
* [http://www.carryme.es Carry-Me] |
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* Handybike |
* Handybike |
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** Kallima |
** Kallima |
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* Cocolofoo CB-2E |
* Cocolofoo CB-2E |
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| ⚫ | |||
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| ⚫ | |||
* 17bicycle EX Walker |
* 17bicycle EX Walker |
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* Panasonic |
* Panasonic Traincle 6500, 7500 |
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* [[Strida]] |
* [[Strida]] |
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* Skoot |
* Skoot |
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* Giatex |
* Giatex |
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* Mobiky |
* Mobiky |
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{{div col end}} |
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|} |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[Kick scooter]] |
* [[Kick scooter]] |
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* [[Outline of cycling]] |
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* [[Small wheel bike]] |
* [[Small wheel bike]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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* [http://www.realmancyclingchallenge.com/best-folding-bike/ 5 of the best folding bikes] |
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* [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-10-best-folding-bikes-8683766.html The 10 Best folding bikes] |
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{{Human-powered vehicles}} |
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[[Category:Folding bicycles| Portable bicycle]] |
[[Category:Folding bicycles| Portable bicycle]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:50, 12 December 2024
A portable bicycle is a bicycle that has been designed to be small and light enough for easy carrying. It is usually dismantled to make a convenient bundle and the frame often has a folding action to facilitate this. The design of a portable bicycle involves a trade-off between ease of carrying and ease of riding.
History
[edit]The first popular bicycles were the large penny-farthings. The pioneering inventor, W. H. J. Grout of Stoke Newington, invented a portable version in which the large front wheel could be dismantled into four pieces so that they would fit into a carrying bag.[1]
In the 1890s, Captain Gérard of the 87th Regiment of French Infantry was an advocate of bicycles for military use. To enable his troops to operate in rough terrain, he devised a bicycle which could be folded in two and carried on the soldiers' backs; the weight was "between 22 and 26¼ lbs" (10–12 kg).[2] The first time the Gérard portable bicycle was used, it "gave complete satisfaction and justified all expectations".[2] The bicycles were manufactured by Charles Morel who commercialised the type.[3]
In 1919, Charles Haskell Clark of New York City filed a patent (granted in 1921) (patent US1381281) for a portable bicycle that was easy to carry onto trains or street cars. Additional advantages of small wheels, described in the patent, were the reduced interference with skirts and the ability to dodge in and out among the crowd.[4] The December 1919 issue of Scientific American had an article describing Mr. Clark's "city bicycle".
Riding performance
[edit]The riding performance of portable bicycles is challenged by the need to make the bike small and light. Rider body weight and size, and road conditions, have a strong impact on design and on performance. Typically, portable bicycles intended for the East Asia market (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, ...) can be designed for riders lighter than 80 kg and shorter than 174 cm. Northern Europe and America require designs for riders up to 120 kg and 200 cm. City roads are generally smoother in Asian cities, but the bicycle has to be able to ride in crowded city sidewalks. Many European city streets are paved with cobblestone, so portable bicycles marketed in Europe need to cope with such a pavement. The smaller the diameter of a bicycle wheel, the higher the rolling friction and the rougher the ride, which is a challenge for portable bicycles as well as for kick scooters. New technological solutions are being studied to offer the same rolling friction at smaller wheel diameters.
Carrying and folding
[edit]The point at which a folding bicycle can be considered a portable bicycle is not precisely defined, and depends on the user. A benchmark for portability are the Brompton Bicycles, medium-size bicycles that fold well and are the world's most numerous built on a single design. A bicycle easier to carry than the Brompton C3 can be considered portable.
Many portable bicycles weigh below 6 kg and fold in less than 20 seconds. Above these figures the risk is that the bicycle is too heavy for easy carrying, or takes an inconveniently long time to fold. Folding and unfolding has to be easier than is needed for ordinary full-size folding bicycles, because portable bicycles are used for shorter trips than full-size folding bikes.
-
Zerobike -
Zerobike folded -
Mini 125 -
Pacific Cycles CarryMe -
Mobiky
Use
[edit]Frequent uses for a portable bicycle include:
- last mile scooting from a far away parking lot
- city district riding
- subway or bus station shuttle
- family fun
- pit bike
- short-distance travel
Bicycles can reduce fossil fuel emissions by shortening or eliminating car trips, and by extending the reach of public transportation as part of a mixed-mode commute. Portable bicycles often can be used also by children and so can be kept for a lifetime.
List of portable bicycles, commercially available (present and past)
[edit]Many portable bicycles are or have been commercially available; they include:
- A-bike
- Mini125
- BikeaPack
- Bickerton portable
- Carry-Me
- Handybike
- Handybike 8
- Zero Bike
- Bridgestone
- Transit Compact
- Transit Super Lite
- Frog
- Kahenseki
- Koma
- Kallima
- Cocolofoo CB-2E
- Moulton
- 17bicycle EX Walker
- Panasonic Traincle 6500, 7500
- Strida
- Skoot
- Bike Friday (Oregon)
- Alessandro Belli Bike
- Piccolino, UGO
- Vikkino P
- Cherubim Ultramini
- JD Bike RB300, R100
- Giatex
- Mobiky
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ David V. Herlihy (2006), "Portable Bicycles", Bicycle: The History, Yale University Press, p. 314, ISBN 978-0-300-12047-9.
- ^ a b C. H. Elger (January 22, 1897), "The Military Bicycle in France", The Navy and Army Illustrated, III (29): 70 ff.
- ^ The Review of Reviews, 15: 36, 1897
{{citation}}: Missing or empty|title=(help). - ^ Google Patents[dead link] Charles Haskell Clark velocipede.