Photo by Feeldesain
There are a lot of chicken and egg scenarios going on here. The last decade has seen a rise in two seemingly inextricable phenomena: an increase in unique bicycle commuters (both the people and the bikes themselves) and an increase in unique beer. Which precedes which is anybody’s guess. We drink more to replace the calories we burn pedaling around town, or we pedal around town to burn the extra calories we consume via microbrew? Likewise, why build an entire bike around the ability to carry a growler as opposed to building an accessory for existing bikes? A lot of innovation meets this sort of skepticism, like why do I need CDs when I have cassettes? Maybe this beer cycle will be the next Tang, Post-it, or microwave. Flip to side B for more pics, pontification, and endless unseen possibilities.
Creator Joey Ruiter already has an interesting cadre of interesting transportation concepts including a 36er, an e-bike, boats and motorized vehicles. The Growler City Bike prototype is part of Ruiter’s thoughts on the cargo we carry. The Growler City Bike was built around (literally) a growler from a local pub, but “with or without the beer, this changed how we view typical beach/ city ‘cruisers’” (J. Ruiter).
Photo by Feeldesain
The Growler City Bike is designed with 29er wheels, monarch springer fork, 2 speed internal kickback hub, and disc brakes, so the ride should be comfy and quiet.
Photo by Feeldesain
But what about this idea of putting cargo a the center of the bicycle instead of on top of it? Certainly that would add stability while protecting the precious cargo. Putting heavy cargo in front baskets or rear luggage racks can throw off the handling of a bicycle and send the cargo flying in the case of a crash or even sudden stop. Perhaps this concept will lead to new ways of transporting other precious cargo like organ donations or Stradivarius violins.
Via gas2.org
I think you mean precede, not preclude.
…..I want it…
Oh wow. Groovy!
How about that stand-over height?
These should sell like hotcakes (or pints) in Bend OR.
But no fender to protect the growler? Mmmm dirty beer.
Q-factor’s gotta be horrible to get around that growler.
@trexor – easy fix. drink more beer.
Love the tiny metal point the growler ends up sitting on (above BB), wasted beer after the first curb or pothole, and a glass slashed tire.
With the seat that low I don’t think you’ll have any trouble pedaling around the growler.
Definitely a case of form trumping function though.
I too wonder about the protection of the bottle and that metal spike holding it at the base.
2sp kickback w/ disc brake?!?
Looks like there is a giant metal plate attached to that spike for your growler to rest on.
I believe it is illegal to have an open alcohol container in a vehicle. And it is illegal to ride intoxicated.
Good luck riding around like that.
@Mindless – Look closely, there is a top on that bottle.
there’s always the simple & proven camelbak option to hide spirits.
If it’s legal to ride with a 6-pack in a basket, in a pannier, or on rack, it’s almost certainly legal to ride with a closed growler in its own special made rack.
Any growler without a tamper-evident seal is technically an open container. Some states require growlers to be sold with one, but anywhere else, you may not even be able to ask for one.
@Topmounter: If you keep top on that bottle, what is the damn point?
In California: “23222. (a) No person shall have in his or her possession on his or her person, while driving a motor vehicle upon a highway or on lands, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 23220, any bottle, can, or other receptacle, containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed”
No seal – open container. Big frigging penalty.
Simple: have the growler sealed. If businesses are selling growlers that people are taking home, then they likely understand compliance issues. Simple. No mindless kvetching required. No big issue. If businesses don’t help with compliance, don’t buy the bike. Even simpler. Even less mindless hand wringing required.
what, no suspension for the beer?
Hey Mindless,
what’s with all the motor vehicle codes- I thought this was a website about bicycles?
@Psi Squared: Business are not selling sealed growlers so that idiots can parade around public streets with them attached to their vehicles in the most visible way possible. And they will not change anything to accommodate the said idiots.
One serious flaw……stone chips from the front wheel can destroy your growler.
Everyone’s has been commenting on the condition of the growler in case of accident, but I’d be worried about nutting myself on the toptube that’s level with the seat. Priorities, I guess.
Stainless steel insulated growler could solve some issues above….. ;-0
http://rk.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201319/0134/img72o.jpg