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Topic: A Bike That Grows With the Kid  (Read 1506 times)

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Offline Dracho

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A Bike That Grows With the Kid
« on: September 10, 2009, 10:00:15 am »
Such a simple idea.. sheesh..

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547661,00.html


Parents, Breathe Easy: New Bike Grows With Children

Popular Science

The tricky thing about buying a bike (or anything else) for a kid is that there's a 99.9-percent certainty they'll outgrow it. The genius behind the Kilobike is that while they're between the ages of 6 and 12, the bike will grow with them.

The Kilobike, a concept by German firm Kilo Design, comes with swappable joints in the frame's top tube, which expand it out diagonally. When teamed with standard seat- and handlebar-height adjustments, these joints allow the bike to grow right along with a child's ever-lengthening limbs while ensuring they ride with proper ergonomics. Not to mention saving mom and dad a few dollars over the years.

It's one of those conceptual designs that seem so simple that they would have to have existed in the mainstream by now, right?

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Offline Nemesis

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Re: A Bike That Grows With the Kid
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2009, 10:49:31 am »
Quote from: Dracho on September 10, 2009, 10:00:15 am
It's one of those conceptual designs that seem so simple that they would have to have existed in the mainstream by now, right?

Nope.  It is cost effective for the consumer NOT the manufacturer.  No planned obsolescence, fewer repeat purchases, less income. 
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Offline Dracho

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Re: A Bike That Grows With the Kid
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2009, 03:41:53 pm »
Quote from: Nemesis on September 10, 2009, 10:49:31 am
Quote from: Dracho on September 10, 2009, 10:00:15 am
It's one of those conceptual designs that seem so simple that they would have to have existed in the mainstream by now, right?

Nope.  It is cost effective for the consumer NOT the manufacturer.  No planned obsolescence, fewer repeat purchases, less income.

It's cost-effective for a start-up wanting to carve a market niche away from major players.  Also, think about the potential here.. since the parts are interchangable, the company can make designer and customer parts and actually up-sell.  The kid'll need 3 different sets of handle bars, 4 designs of upper frame, mage wheels.. etc..

It's genius..they'll sell twice as many bikes 1 part at a time, and won't have to pay assembly labor..
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Offline candle_86

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Re: A Bike That Grows With the Kid
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2009, 02:41:59 am »
now make one from ages 3-65 please, and whats the point, I was riding an 18speed when I was six, we lower the seat and I wore blocks on my feet, and my dad bent the handle bar into a U for me, when I got about 10 I could reach the handlebar front so he just bought a new one and I took the blocks off my feet, still using that same bike and they said for ages 16+
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