Folding Bike

Overview

A folding bike collapses into a compact package so it can be carried onto trains, stored under a desk, or kept in a small apartment. The design trades the large wheels and rigid frame of a conventional bicycle for small wheels and a hinged structure that folds in seconds. Despite the small 16-to-20-inch wheels, a geared hub and an upright riding position make it a practical urban commuter.

The bike folds at two main points. The Folding Frame carries a central Frame Hinge & Latch with a cam-lever clamp that splits the main tube, while the Folding Handlebar Assembly uses a Folding Stem that drops the bars alongside the wheel. A telescoping Seatpost Assembly often doubles as a latch that holds the folded package together, helped by a magnetic catch. Two identical Wheel (16-20 in) units, a chain Drivetrain, and front and rear V-Brake Set V-brakes complete the rolling bike.

Construction

The frame hinge is the heart of the design: two machined plates pivot on a single pin and lock together under a cam clamp, putting the joint in compression so it behaves like a solid tube while riding. Gearing lives inside the rear wheel as a Internal Hub Gear, a three-speed planetary unit that lets the rider shift while stopped and needs no exposed derailleur to snag during folding. A small rear Suspension Block of coil and elastomer takes the sting out of the short-wheelbase ride, since small wheels transmit road shock more sharply than large ones. Mudguards and a rear rack keep the bike practical for daily commuting in any weather.