Interesting minimalist bike from the Michigan-based designer J. Ruiter. According to J’s web site:
Our project, simplicity in inner city bicycling, was at first glance a fun aesthetic opportunity in new trends, color, and materials. Our target lived / worked in an inner city environment with minimal space. Bicycling at this level can be more about fashion and culture than speed and performance.
After the first few brainstorm sessions we knew there where bigger opportunities. The project ended up rethinking what a “frame” meant, getting ride of basic key components, and creating a new type of compact bicycling. Inspired by the first the “hobby horse” from it’s simplicity and secondly the cafe race scene. Each is an exercise in stripping something down to its core.
More photos here at the J. Ruiter site and here.
Not sure how comfortable the seat is on the derriere, but I’m loving the design. What do all of you think?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Matthew // Nov 7, 2009 at 5:00 am
Just like old people need walkers, old unicyclists need this.
2 Meg - Sydney // Nov 7, 2009 at 11:00 am
Haha, that’s totally crazy looking. I’d like to have a test ride but I know my knees wouldn’t cope for long in that position.
3 Marie // Nov 7, 2009 at 11:32 am
Ha Matthew! Yes, I think it would hurt my bum, but it looks cool… And looks are what really matter, right?
4 Claire // Nov 9, 2009 at 7:04 am
Totally ridiculous! I can see half of East London on it next summer!
5 Renee - Boston // Nov 10, 2009 at 7:57 am
Ridiculous is right! Reba front shock and mechanical disc brakes on a “minimalist” city bike?? Definitely different.
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