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Cannondale Duchess Women’s Cruiser Bicycle Concept

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Cannondale has leaked some concept photos of their Duchess women’s cruiser bicycle, and it’s got some nifty features.

Check out the massive diameter of the “bottom bracket.”  I guess their BB90 just wasn’t big enough…they must be expecting some mom-zillas to be cranking this thing up some major hills.  BikeBiz reports that the Cannondale Dutchess is a result of the final year graduation project of Wytze van Mansum, from the Delft University of Technology.

Using a unique swooping toptube-cum-chainstay that integrates the rear fender as a structural element and has a nifty LED rear light smoothly finished into the curved tubes.  Hit ‘more’ for additional photos…

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The integrated rear rack relies on the structural rear fender to support up to 50kg.

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The drivetrain is fully enclosed.

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The hub brakes are actuated via typical looking brake levers, however all brake lines are run through the frame to maintain a super-clean appearance.  The brakes are self-adjusting to compensate for pad wear, and you can fold the levers into the frame to use the brakes as wheel locks.

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Cannondale says the weight of the complete bike would be under 14kg (30.8 lbs), and this prototype, while being rideable, is said to be a design study “used to prove certain design and technology elements that may feature on future Cannondale urban bicycles.”

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Yannig
15 years ago

Gorgeous “concept-bike” !
I wonder how the bracket actually works ? Anyway, isn’t it the first asymetrical bottom bracket? 😉
Nice job!

Tyler Benedict
Admin
15 years ago
Reply to  Yannig

I know…we’re wondering, too! I’ve got two calls in to different people at Cannondale, hoping to get some info soon and post.

Too jaded
15 years ago

Designer 1: “Like my new concept bike?”
Designer 2: “Ummm, its a ladies’ roadster – not exactly new.”
Designer 1: “Oh. *sigh*.”
Designer 2: “Here, Let me help.” (Scribbles a bit). “There. I’ve bobbed the back fender for no apparent reason, removed the seat stays to make it more of a challenge for the engineers and thrown in a hoopedy bottom bracket to keep the punters guessing. Waddya think?”
Designer 1 “Brilliant! True innovation.” (Much mutual back patting).
Me: Has anybody seen my Pashley Princess? I knew I parked it somewhere around here.

Too jaded
15 years ago

Please forgive the double comment, but on a less cynical note, I do like the double skinned mudguard/fender idea. That’s practical clever, not just clever for the sake of it. A self supporting mudguard should be safer, quieter, more effective & less prone to damage (no more bent stays). Kudos.

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