Posted on 10/16/2012 12:35:59 PM PDT by grundle
Edited on 10/16/2012 12:43:21 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Izhar Gafni, 50, is an expert in designing automated mass-production lines. He is an amateur cycling enthusiast who for years toyed with an idea of making a bicycle from cardboard.
He told Reuters during a recent demonstration that after much trial and error, his latest prototype has now proven itself and mass production will begin in a few months.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Ugly looking thing.
I really like the cogged belt , chains are expensive to make and aren’t as good at transferring power with minimal friction loss as their grease collects dirt.
Simple, works, and cheep - nice.
It cannot be 100% recyclable. There have to be some metal components, I’d imagine, as stress will factor into things like a chain drive, sprockets, etc.
There will likely be a weight limit as well. My 300 lb. body has destroyed several “high end” mountain bikes in my day. I’d likely turn this thing into packing material after a few minutes.
You can buy a decent bike at Target for 150 to 200 that you can ride for thousands of miles, is not flammable, is adjustable, many gears and won’t make you look like a dork.
And this thing is better because?
And he's being hailed as a genius, yet.
GM was way ahead of this man.
I had a few cardboard Chevys and Pontiacs during the malaise era.
The first Honda’s had cardboard door panels
It sounds OK until you realize it will just give liberals one more reason to want taxpayers to pay for nice smooth paved bike paths.
I ride the dirt roads around here and that bike wouldn’t last a mile.
I watched the “inventor”’s vid. I just can’’t wait for a picture of the ultimate fem-dork, nobama, on this thing. A cardboard person on a cardboard cycle. LOL.
I thought that Segway thing was supposed to “change the world”.
If you don’t think metal is recyclable, stop by the nearest scrap yard. You might be surprised.
The only place I’ve seen a lot of Segways was in Wash DC when I was there on vacation. I think the fedgov must have bought a lot of them to help the grossly obese security staff members get around.
Its far more economical to recycle most metals than it is to mine and refine it.
I wonder if it will stay waterproof and durable after the inevitable scratches and dents. That being said, for $20, might be worth a shot.
... sure ... until it rains ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.