Hubless Wheels Could Make This High-Tech Electric Bike The Future Of Mobility
Image by Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
Bicycles are pretty cool. They are fast, efficient, and not detrimental to the Earth the way many other vehicles can be. With a staunch focus on sustainability, it’s safe to say that our society will only be seeing an increase in innovative bikes.
Clearly, these reliable two-wheeled transport solutions aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And why should they, when they’re about to get even cooler than what we’ve already known? (Yes, it’s possible.)
“What will biking look like in the next five to 10 years?” Designer Franz Cerwinka asked himself this question, conducting a “wide gamut” of research to try and reach an answer.
Image via Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
This answer comes clad in 7005 series aluminum. Enter the ‘PILOT’ bicycle, a modern design perfect for high-tech, daily, urban commutes. The aluminum was chosen and incorporated throughout as it retains strength while being lightweight, which is the perfect material for a bike.
Image via Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
Of course, it wouldn’t be a future-facing design without some extraordinary high-tech features. Users would be able to control their ‘PILOT’ bike entirely with a compatible app, allowing them to do everything from locking the bike to tracking the rider’s activity stats from the dock on the handlebar. Oh, and the dock supports wireless charging, too.
Image via Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
Image via Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
But perhaps its most eye-catching features are the wheels.
“From early on I knew I wanted to narrow the design down to a hubless bike due to its eye-catching aesthetic as well as the added functionality,” Cerwinka explains. Various forms were investigated, “from angular and industrial looks to more fluid and organic shapes.”
The hubless wheels were made in collaboration with the designer’s contacts, who specialized in mechanical engineering. This works via an off-center axle and some additional gear which get the wheels spinning at a proper rate while continuing to pedal as you would on a regular bike.
Image via Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
But wait, there’s more; an onboard motor provides an extra boost when the throttle is pressed, which makes traversing inclines in particular a much easier experience.
Taking advantage of all this empty space are the brackets attached to the rear housing of the bike, which allows riders to connect other items to it. For example, a storage bin can be secured to allow for easy transportation of goods. Or, with an adaptor, a kids trailer could be attached it.
Image by Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
With all of this up on offer, the sky is the limit, pretty much. It seems that the bike can do everything except for fly. For now, at least. Who knows what the future will hold?
Image by Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission
[via Yanko Design, images by Franz Cerwinka and featured with permission]
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