Crossbreed folding wheel development and testing

The Crossbreed folding wheel, showing initial testing on a bike and proposed development in carbon fibre. This product is now also being developed as a wheelchair wheel.
Finalist in the Saatchi & Saatchi World Changing Ideas Award. For more information please see http://www.duncfitz.co.uk/wheel.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Folding
• wheel
• wheelchair
• bike
• bicycle
• saatchi

[ideasoner]

looks way to dodgy to me, looks like a pinch puncture nightmair and what if it colapses while you ride!?

[duncfitz]

@ideasoner Well, it's been through a lot of testing and no pinch punctures yet! Using a tubular tyre inflated at 120 psi this really isn't an issue, as pinch punctures are usually as a result of riding on an under-inflated clincher type tyre. It's not possible for the wheel to collapse whilst in use - The latest prototypes can only be unlocked for folding when you're off the bike.

[thibaulthalpern]

The problem with this type of wheel on a bicycle is that it cannot be trued. Bicycle wheels need to be trued over time. A collapsible wheel like this might work for a wheelchair where truing isn't important.

[duncfitz]

In fact this wheel can be trued. It is an essential part of the design. When locked into it's circular configuration, the entire wheel is a tensioned system and as such can be trued in exactly the same way as a spoked wheel, by adjusting how this tension is applied. On the crossbreed wheel this can be done with a regular allen key... you don't even need a spoke key!

I'd also like to add that it is just as important to have true wheel on a wheelchair as it is on a bicycle!

[fonfa]

Do you have to deflate your tires in order to fold it?

[duncfitz]

No, it folds and unfolds with the tyres fully inflated! The wheel being tested on a bike in the video had 100psi in the tyre.

[xexorz]

A very unique solution to a very annoying (for many) problem.

This has application and should (will / is?) being developed further.

I hope you found venture capital - let us know when you go public!

[djphanatic213]

that is not a smart wheel. Can you imagine rolling at full speed and that shit folds on you! f-that. Looks really heavy. Folding and unfolding many times will pretty much weaken up the glue on the tubular tire and cause a separation from the rim (major accident), not to mention the blade looks like it can chop off a finger while spinning. sorry dude, looks nice, but may have many complications.

[WEBSURFER801]

Sorry, but i've never wanted to but my bike tire in my pocket....

[Individualism101]

Very cool design. Can see many applications.

[98snakeeater]

Re-inventing the wheel, eh?

Very cool

[benzy411]

makes no sense,why do you need a foldable wheel?

[ideasoner]

@duncfitz ah glad it has tubular tyres!

[ChuffChuffWoo]

Impressive piece of engineering. Not as compact as my bus pass though!! ;-)) Just kidding, its neat.