MinMax 折りたたみ自転車 by Monica Oddone is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award 銅賞 in 車両・モビリティ・輸送デザイン Competition Category.

銅車両· 2020

MinMax 折りたたみ自転車

by Monica Oddone

Client: Monica Oddone

A' Design Award 銅賞 Winner in 車両 Category

16,526

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #82718

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About MinMax 折りたたみ自転車

MinMaxは、完全に折りたたんだ状態でバックパックにフィットする折りたたみホイール付きの革新的な自転車です。街の通勤者のニーズと動きを満たすために生まれたそのデザインは、折りたたみシステムのカラフルなメカニックコンポーネントのおかげで、ユニークで簡単に認識できます。 MinMaxは軽量で頑丈で、電動バージョンでも持ち運びが簡単です。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅賞

MinMax 折りたたみ自転車は、創造性、独創性、鋭い洞察力で際立つ傑出したデザインに授与される、高い権威をもつ評価である A' Design Award 銅賞の受賞作品です。銅賞の受賞作品は、十分に巧みで印象的なほど創造的な工芸品であり、デザイナーの豊富な経験、想像力、機知を裏づけています。MinMax 折りたたみ自転車は、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される品であり、顕著にプロフェッショナルで革新的であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 銅賞を受賞したデザインは、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術のベストプラクティスを取り入れており、細部への配慮に優れています。MinMax 折りたたみ自転車は、ニーズを見事に満たし、欲求に触れ、感情を魅了し、好奇心を引きつけます。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: MinMax is an innovative folding bicycle designed for the needs of city commuters. It is easy to carry everywhere thanks to the revolutionary foldable wheels.
MinMax has three configuration (riding, dragging, packing) and, when not in use, can be placed in a backpack and then stored at home, at the office, on public transport.
The basic model can be easily transformed in an electric version with a brushless motor and a battery.
Dimensions & Packaging: Riding Configuration: 1450 mm x 530 mm x 950 mm
Dragging Configuration: 700 mm x 530 mm x 650 mm
Packing Configuration: 580 mm x 360 mm x 400 mm
Weight: 9 - 9.5 Kg
Tags: folding, bicycle, urban, commuters, foldable wheel, e-bike
Production Technology: Bike frame is in 7005 aluminium alloy with TIG welding.
The handlebar is adjustable in height and position, using the hinge on the frame.
The saddle is adjustable in height thanks to the telescopic tube.
The cardanic transmission guarantees durability, reliability and minimal maintenance.
Both 23" wheels are equipped with mechanical disk breaks and foldable airless pneumatics.
A 3 speed shifter is integrated in the rear hub.
Design Challenge: MinMax development was not only a technical challenge: bikers and commuters have new emerging needs, given by the constant evolution of personal habits and ways to live the urban environment. We can't respond to these needs using a standard approach. For these reason, the idea of "reinventing the wheel" was vital to design an extremely compact solution, not only functional but also emotionally significant for the users.
Research: The project started with an analysis and comparison of existing models of folding bike: strength features and weak points were evaluated with the help of the data collected through a questionnaire submitted to different kind of bikers.
The design process was focused on the requirements not fully satisfied by actual bicycles like the need of a lighter and more compact solution.
MinMax is assembled using the best standard components and some technical innovation, developed for this specific application.
Inspiration: In the field of sustainable mobility, the role of bicycle and, in particular, folding bicycle became very interesting for design research. Although the variety of models on the market, the actual solutions are not so foldable (bounded to wheels dimension), too heavy and hard to adjust for an ergonomic use.
MinMax offers an alternative with new technical solutions and a particular focus on human needs and urban contest.
Project Duration: Between 2015 and 2019, the project was developed from concept to structural analysis. In addition, market analysis, questionnaire and business plan has been elaborated in order to find partners for production and commercialization.
Operation Flow: The passage from riding configuration to dragging configuration is regulated by two hinges: one is placed on the front fork and the other is on the main frame, near the saddle tube. When appropriately unlocked, they allow to reduce the bicycle in the wheels space.
The passage from dragging configuration to packing configuration involves the placement of all the remaining elements within the established dimensional limits.
Patents: Pending Patent No. 102019000000649
Image Credits: Monica Oddone, 2019