Does public transportation only cover half your commute? Do you have to walk the rest of the way? Wouldn’t riding a bicycle make sense if it were only half its size? Wouldn’t a folding bike work if it were only half its portly weight? How about splitting the difference and riding a HalfBike? What the deuce is a HalfBike? Read on…
Dreamers and inventors at Kolelinia decided to do away with the saddle, and nix the handlebar too — deeming them unnecessary for the targeted commutes of three or less miles. The ideal HalfBike rider is the office jockey who finds him/herself walking a substantial distance on both ends of the daily commute — sure public transport is greener than your car, but those dozen blocks add up when you’re rocking business attire.
The laser cut, hand-welded, aluminum frame utilizes a MBS mountainboarding (remember that sport?) rear truck. Via this reverse-tadpole configuration the HalfBike is able to carve through turns simply by the rider’s shift of weight.
The control-stick is essentially that — an impregnated plywood stick. This outside-the-box design goes a long way in keep the HalfBike’s weight to an attractive 17lbs. In the end you really have to see it to believe it — watch the above video as co-founders Martin Angelov and Mihail Klenov race around the track on their HalfBikes.
HalfBike’s one-size-fits-most is a plausible assertion. Riders ranging from 5′ 2” to 6′ 4” (157-193 cm) and weighing up to 220-230 pounds (100-105 kg) are said to be fully comfortable in piloting a HalfBike. The only potential downside: steeper hills — if you live in San Fransisco, this bike it not likely for you.
Yes, this is another Kickstarter campaign (oh, the brilliance of crowd-sourcing) fundraising till April 14th for anticipated September delivery. A HalfBike can be yours for $899.
