Portable Bikes

Ever-Growing Technological Advancements In Portable Bikes

The ever-growing technological advancements of today are astounding. The development of the iPod and other portable devices are results of constant research and peoples?interest to make items more convenient. Even bicycles are becoming much more portable than before. In fact, there are many new models of portable bikes invented each year. One of the reasons why people are extremely interested in the bike industry is because portable bikes are transportation devices that are growing in popularity with every day that passes. This article will discuss the different trends in portable bikes that have taken place and the different roles that portable bikes have served since their invention in the late 1800s.

First Popular Bicycles

The first popular bicycles were known as the penny-farthings, the person who is formally recognized as the inventor of the unique device was known by the name, W.H. J. Grout of Stoke Newington. Since portable bikes were not popular back in those days, one may wonder how the device was designed. The noticeable characteristic of the first portable bike was that it had a large front wheel that could be taken apart into four smaller pieces in order to fit the device into a carrying bag. Thereafter, in the 1890s, Captain Gerard of the 87th Regiment of French Infantry was interested in implementing the use of portable bikes for his infantry troops. A concern that a person may have regarding the use of portable bikes during war could be about how a bike could possibly navigate through rough terrains. The soldiers and Captain Gerard realized that it would be wise to deviate from using the portable bikes on rough terrains. Instead, Captain Gerard designed the portable bikes in a way in which they could fold into two and could be carried on the soldier’s backs when they reached terrains that were not compatible with riding the portable bikes. Even though the portable bikes added additional weight to the already tired backs of the soldiers, it was worth their increased speed. The portable bikes only weighed approximately 22-22 pounds.

Use Of Portable Bikes In The Earlier Century

The use of portable bikes in the earlier century was not limited to the European world. Actually, in 1919, a man by the name of Haskell Clark from New York City filed a patent (which he eventually obtained) for a portable bike. The reason why Haskell Clark was exceptionally proud of his invention was because his portable bikes had small wheels that could dodge crowds. As most people who have seen the bike would say, the small bike was a crowd dodger. Haskell Clark’s unique invention became so popular that his portable bikes were featured in Scientific America’s December 1919 issue. Another name that was given to Haskell Clark’s portable bikes was “city bicycles.?

Portable Bikes

Stepping back into the present, one may wonder what developments have taken place with portable bikes since they were first used in the French Army. The challenge that design engineers faced during 1890s is the same challenge that design engineers of portable bikes face during the 21st century. The goal for manufacturers and engineers is to make portable bikes as light and small as possible. However, they must make sure that the portable bikes can also sustain impact and stress. Moreover, even when the world becomes more and more globalized by the minute, manufacturers still need to tailor their products to each different market. For example, if portable bikes are sold in East Asia, they typically have to be designed for light-weight and short measurements. However, if a manufacturer is looking to sell a product in Northern Europe or in the Americas, the portable bikes must be designed for heavier and taller individuals. Infrastructure is also a concern; portable bikes in East Asia are designed for smaller and more crowded roads. On the other hand, portable bikes in Europe would have to be able to withstand bumps in cobblestone.