dror peleg: frii plastic bike
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dror peleg: frii plastic bike
Jul 24, 2011
first image
'frii' recycled plastic bike, designed by dror peleg
israeli design student dror peleg has designed 'frii' for for his degree at bezalel academy of art and design, jerusalem.
focusing on the mass production of bicycles with limited resources, this single speed city bike is made with various
recycled plastics using injection molding technology. compared to the construction of the traditional metal bicycle,
this process is less labor-intensive and more accessible: it can be customized to characteristics of local industry--
its abilities, advantages and disadvantages.
to construct 'frii', bearings are inserted into the mold before injecting, and tires are 'full' material, injected over the rims,
making them 'flat tire'-proof. the saddle is injected in different sizes to accommodate various heights of riders.
this alternative material dictates a new aesthetic as well: 'frii' features smaller wheels, 20 inches in size, which calls
for a shorter fork and adds strength. additional strength is created by plastic ribs, which are used throughout
the design. the frame also includes a pyramid-shaped bottom by the crank for stability.
1:1 scale model of the bike
3/4 rear view
3/4 top view
an enlarged main bar-frame hinge reduces pressure on the plastic
cutaway look at the mechanics
the design process lends itself easily to the custom specification of colours, and the durable 20-inch wheels are interchangeable
recycled materials give strength to the bike's structure
concept behind the project
designboom has received this project from our 'DIY submissions' feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.
'frii' recycled plastic bike, designed by dror peleg
israeli design student dror peleg has designed 'frii' for for his degree at bezalel academy of art and design, jerusalem.
focusing on the mass production of bicycles with limited resources, this single speed city bike is made with various
recycled plastics using injection molding technology. compared to the construction of the traditional metal bicycle,
this process is less labor-intensive and more accessible: it can be customized to characteristics of local industry--
its abilities, advantages and disadvantages.
to construct 'frii', bearings are inserted into the mold before injecting, and tires are 'full' material, injected over the rims,
making them 'flat tire'-proof. the saddle is injected in different sizes to accommodate various heights of riders.
this alternative material dictates a new aesthetic as well: 'frii' features smaller wheels, 20 inches in size, which calls
for a shorter fork and adds strength. additional strength is created by plastic ribs, which are used throughout
the design. the frame also includes a pyramid-shaped bottom by the crank for stability.
1:1 scale model of the bike
3/4 rear view
3/4 top view
an enlarged main bar-frame hinge reduces pressure on the plastic
cutaway look at the mechanics
the design process lends itself easily to the custom specification of colours, and the durable 20-inch wheels are interchangeable
recycled materials give strength to the bike's structure
concept behind the project
designboom has received this project from our 'DIY submissions' feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.
dror peleg
07.24.11
POPULAR TODAY DESIGN
Nice idea, but design could be better!
In such a products I would like to see more images of actual model. Especially someone riding a bike. Just to realize the proportions etc. Renderings do not really tell much and are easy way of “cutting corners”.
“compared to the construction of the traditional metal bicycle, this process is less labor-intensive and more accessible:…”
Perhaps less labor-intensive, but how come a machine that is capable of producing such a huge injection moulded piece is more accessible than welding equipement?
cleaning it would take too much. time is such an important factor in today´s lifestyle
The seat looks very uncomfortable.
Wow, looks like we have a few negative-Nancys up in this comment thread.
This bike is EFFIN BRUTAL! and a refreshing approach to the ever-so-popular “bicycle reboot project.”
Amazing project!! Looks great, and let me tell you, I would buy it ( and even clean it!!)
Love the color palette! The first pic is my favorite
Good job!
Smart construction, it looks a bit like Barbi bike. But maybe that’s a good thing
Israeli design rocks!!
You can simply wash it in the yard with a hose. Cleaning a product was never a factor for me. It’s simple and smart, you have my vote.
Proud of you Drorito!
I would be careful with the forms used in the rear triangle. there is significant torsional loading in this area and the sharp triangular shapes and sharp corners could lead to catastrophic failure. The stress concentrations possible with section reductions towards critical areas is maybe not the best of ideas. On top of this, the large number of weld-lines created by the eighties inspired shutter/shade features would probably not help. There have been quite a few attempts at plastic bikes in the past, and in general they end up being significantly more flexible than a comparable steel or aluminium framed bike. this is not to say it cant be done, it just requires having different goals to achieve (ie. don’t expect a race ready bike with good power transmission, and that is not the goal here I presume… indeed you could try using the flexibility to your advantage). Given that at best the young`s modulus of a continuous glass reinforced polymer is ~25GPa and Aluminium is ~70GPa (lets for the sake of it call it stiffness), you start to get an idea of the design challenges (and I’m being generous with 25GPa as this is not necessarily easily processable in all shapes and forms…). To design with polymers, sections need to be increased dramatically to get a comparable stiffness. One other thing, although not critical, it would be an idea to maintain an uneven spoke pattern on the rear wheel. This will, with a bit of luck, ensure a greater deal of circularity. This is because the shrinkage along the spokes will be higher than where there is not a spoke, and bizarrely, this helps to keep things round. If you have two spokes aligned across the diameter of a circle, you can end up with a clover leaf shaped wheel… not so great for vibration. But other than that, quite cool. I like the chunky style to it. (and take my advice for what it’s worth, I mean, what do I know…?).
Experimenting is nice. The “thing” is a fail. I wonder what the premises were ….
I praise the intent and execution. Design is a collaborative process and is only when you present an idea to a diverse panel like this that you are able to get different perspectives so you can improve and grow as a designer. As bryan stated, the design has some flaws that could be overcome by reconsidering some elements and now you have some solid advice. You are now in a great position where utilizing some of the constructive commentaries on this thread can lead you to a refined idea. After all, you have done the bulk of the work and this is what it takes to arrive at a great solution, great job
maybe first some more research after contemporary bicycle trends. then you would know that this design would never sell.
good idea though!
I want one
Greate Project!
Man, there’s something wery wrong with this design.
I love the project! way to go Dror!!!
I want one today… though I’d want to choose my own color palette so I didn’t necessarily have to look as though I were riding a Trapper Keeper circa 1986.
The goat says: Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad design!
most definitly, the large injection parts would be more expensive than traditional bike
manufacturing. The plastic parts would have to be made out of Nylon, or, POM which are nessasery for strength, however, not cost effective if you have a mass production in mind.
I do appreciate the out of the box thinking, however.
Yuki
Honestly, can this guy no longer tell what is visually appealing and what isn’t?
This thing looks like the underside of a cheap plastic rake.
Fail sir, pure fail.
Side note: if I was 3, I’d probably ride it.
This would be pretty easy to steal as well.
I think the title should be: “Frii really ugly plastic bike”, it fits better.
Maybe it´s less labour in the building, but it raises more problems then it solves.
I’d like to see what the rider weight limit is.
I love it! But I agree with some that there shouldve been some more pictures verifying the practicality of this bike! Still a great effort!
We are at 2011. Design is not any more doing pretty objects. Every product need his “raison d’etre” and it’s not there.
This bike designed to be at design magazines and will never meet a road.
How could we become a distributor in the USA
mikedomino@hotmail.co[email protected]
This design looks so 90′ to me. I made something similar for an international contest (http://goo.gl/OhIEA). Also the idea was just a concept a starting point for something more. I really like this one, in particular the way that some details are solved, I like even more that my desing in some aspects. All the the comments here are very interesting, I wishid to have comments like these when I was designing the bike would have been very good. I also think the same that R.D. This kind of desing hardly go to production. To bad. -.-
Looks terrible, The lines are stodgy and clumsy. It has no aerodynamics. Just terrible..
well – volvo was there in the 80′ies – it didn’t work back then! – volvo itera LOL
PS. I DO LOVE IT
Sure it’s colorful,…. but strength and flexibility, I don’t think are the same of a traditional bike, let alone elegance and there is one big question I have: How much does it weight?
I’m interested in this idea,so i want to talk about it with the designer.
And who knows DROR PELEG? Please tell me ,thanks.
Also you can contact me by email: [email protected]