Chris Boardman’s Theft-proof & Puncture-free Bicycle

by L. Ruano, August 11, 2009

chris boardman theft proof puncture free bicycle Chris Boardmans Theft proof & Puncture free Bicycle

Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman shows off his unique bike design which he not only says will be common in 20 years but is also theft-proof and features puncture-free tires. The futuristic-looking creation boasts a complete carbon fiber body with a built-in locking anti-theft mechanism which can only be activated by the touch of the bike owner’s fingerprints. Addition features include a calorie monitoring system, battery-powered assistance, and aforementioned puncture-free tires that have the ability to self-inflate.

Boardman had this to say:

“It could be built now if there was a will. All the technologies are already there, it’s just that nobody’s put them all together before.”

Source: Gizmodo

Bikes Design

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80 Responses

Posted by:sir jorge on August 24, 2009 at 11:28 am
that must cost a fortune though, is it really worth it? i’d rather just ride a skateboard
Posted by:Mark on August 24, 2009 at 8:14 am
Clearly a technology driven ‘bike’ – to a ridiculous extent. Do people need all that unpractical stuff (that of course will cause problems) on a bike?
The tires nowadays are already that good, that punctures very rarely occur. And what’s wrong with some manual repairing then? (don’t want to sound Romantic here; just don’t want to end up like some Wall-e character with perfect luxury and no connection to my bike)
Carbon has its value, but carbon bikes are widely used already (here in the Netherlands).
Probably good for the niche of ‘look what a great bike I have’ clients… as long as you make the bike expensive enough… LOL
Posted by:Omega1664 on August 21, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Sorry, let me correct myself… if you scraped up enough cheddar for this Tron Bike you would not want to ride it through dirt, water,mud etc. You would probably only ride it on pristine ass-fault ! Pun intended. Sleek design but I don’t see it being practical over the current bike designs of today. And yes Johnny, your posterior “arse” would be screaming after a ride on this puppy!
Posted by:Omega1664 on August 21, 2009 at 6:08 pm
One, if you scraped up enough cheddar for this Tron Bike you would not want to ride it through dirt, water,mud etc. You would probably only ride it on pristine ass-fault ! Pun intended. Sleek design but I don’t see it being practical over the current bike designs of today. And yes Johnny, you ass would be screaming after a ride on this puppy!
Posted by:Dave on August 15, 2009 at 7:45 pm
If you chase the links back to the original source (which is the Daily Mail) you will find that the motor is somehow both battery powered and run by solar panels, the calorie counting system counts turns of the pedals and the only reason we have to wait 20 years for it is that it is not financially feasible now. Apparently, it will also have a music laying device.
They claim that spokeless wheels make the bike more aerodynamic but I would ask this: why don’t professional and Olympic cyclists already use them ?
Posted by:Dave on August 15, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Bikes are not stolen by people who want to ride them. Bikes are mostly stolen by young, inexperienced thieves who sell them to a handler who then sells them to distributors who then sell them to customers who might actually try to ride them. The guys who actually steal the bikes don’t spend a lot of time studying different bikes and analysing the risk/benefit ratios. They just seize an opportunity when they see one.
If, at any point in the theft-sale chain, someone realises that the bike can’t be ridden without the appropriate fingerprints, they will simply throw it away. And, of course, the owner will never get it back.
A more sophisticated thief could get the owners fingerprints, discover the override function that allows the owner’s fingerprints to be set or simply remove the mechanical locking mechanism that the fingerprints unlock.
Puncture free tyres can be bought now from most bike stores for any bike. They have a gel inside them that seals any punctures as soon as they happen. I suspect “self inflating” is a bit of poetic license added by a blogger somewhere.
Calorie monitors come in two sorts: the sort that monitor your speed and the sort that monitor your heart rate. The speed-based sort can’t tell if you are struggling up a hill or coasting down the other side and thus are highly inaccurate. The heart-rate sort need to be attached to your body and hence can’t be part of the bike.
Lastly, I don’t see the battery-powered assistance anywhere. Maybe they left it off the prototype because it was too big and ugly.
Posted by:Diane on August 15, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Theft proof bike – what a great idea.
It’d certainly be easier than getting some of our local shops to make proper bike parking spaces!
Posted by:Scott on August 15, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I love how he says this design will be commonplace in 20yrs. 30 yrs ago they were saying flying cars would be commonplace by now. Give me a break.
Posted by:some italian on August 15, 2009 at 6:26 am
i understand theft proof and all…but how is a finger print reader supposed to stop a guy from just… picking the bike up and putting it in his truck? Did you really think that one through, guy? That is, unless it weighs a ton and a half until you finger print it… otherwise your plan fails. sorry chum.
Posted by:ben on August 15, 2009 at 1:17 am
hope to see it in the road
Posted by:Megz on August 14, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Yea, cool bike. Imagine how much it’ll cost though.
Fingerprint technology, self-inflatable.. I’d say it’s gonna be a pretty costly bike, unless, I dunno, you happen to have a shit load of money cause you’re an Olympian
Posted by:shayen on August 14, 2009 at 10:13 am
i’ve seen these! i thought it was one of those ghost bike monuments. they’re going to become increasingly popular in the bay area in california i bet.
Posted by:e cigarette on August 13, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Maybe there will be enough interest in biking when gas prices are $800 a gallon
Posted by:Dan on August 13, 2009 at 2:01 pm
soft ride anyone?
http://www.pedalmafia.com/Images/softride_l.jpg
Posted by:well on August 13, 2009 at 5:09 am
it probs. wont work if you dont have that persons finga printtsssss…
just sayin
foolz
Posted by:Chris on August 13, 2009 at 5:02 am
The render looks like a knock off of the Zipp and Softride beam bikes; not even an original design. I had expected something new. I am disappoint.
Posted by:magnus on August 13, 2009 at 2:17 am
art, and practicallity have not met
Posted by:L U on August 12, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I’m iffy about the wheels. I can’t see how there wouldn’t be a huge increase in friction. Spoked wheels, or regular bike wheels, spin from a small axle, less than half an inch wide. The frame would have to be loaded with bearings to allow that wheel to rotate around the frame.
Sand and water would add to the friction. If you’ve ever gotten water, dirt or sand in a skateboard wheel, you know the difference it makes in your speed. Multiply that tenfold.
Design-wise, not a bad render, or a terrible idea. and there are brakes by the fingerprinting machines.
Posted by:julian porter on August 12, 2009 at 7:43 pm
If this bike came in all white I’d MARRY the son of a BITCH!
Posted by:Brad Hart on August 12, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Do you really need self inflation on puncture free tires? Seems like overkill to me.
Posted by:Andy on August 12, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I’m no physicist but the lack of seat stay must mean the joint between the top tube and down tube would have to be super strong to prevent it breaking under the rider’s weight. Surely, even with a full carbon monocoque construction, it would add massive amounts of weight and bulk to the bike’s sleek frame?
Anybody got any ideas how this could work?
Posted by:Bailey on August 12, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I want one of these so bad. The fingertip thing is a nice touch, but I’d still use a chain to keep people from just picking it up.
Posted by:FashionHead on August 12, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Very sleek in design, cool concept, but I would not want to ride it i would just purchase to look at it.
Posted by:bruce on August 12, 2009 at 12:28 pm
this will look great with my huf & dqm gear.
Posted by:Melquìades on August 12, 2009 at 11:28 am
Beutiful and useful creation. Could be solar powered so it’d get one more reason besides anti-theft to be called environmentally healthly ;). Would propably be way more expensive for the moment though…
Posted by:nemo on August 12, 2009 at 11:21 am
no improvement for the comfort of your crotch.
Posted by:GenghisKhan on August 12, 2009 at 10:34 am
Steal it, no problem. Though, riding might be a problem unless you lop off the owner’s fingers-yech!
What about a mountain version? ;o)
Posted by:john on August 12, 2009 at 10:00 am
looks like it could be one amazing bike, but it could use some work.
Posted by:Dannyboy182 on August 12, 2009 at 9:38 am
lol at the guy saying carbon fiber is brittle… Its super strong and super light, I think your thinking of fiber glass, which is brittle.
Posted by:retardedminds on August 12, 2009 at 9:34 am
Amazing….Waiting to see one on road soon
Posted by:paniq on August 12, 2009 at 7:35 am
Pum pah-pum: I’m preparing for in a few years when the first bikes are standing out in the streets. I’ll be needing a huge truck to carry these into my newly-opened second-hand bike store.
Posted by:True on August 12, 2009 at 6:56 am
lame
Posted by:Ashlina on August 12, 2009 at 6:54 am
I NEED/WANT one!!! Looks beautiful!!!!
Posted by:LBRN on August 12, 2009 at 6:19 am
I still prefer my old fashioned Trek
Posted by:hotdog on August 12, 2009 at 6:12 am
NO BRAKES! its a fixie
Posted by:nike on August 12, 2009 at 5:00 am
i think the frame stands still, so just the rubber tires will spin. very weird design.
Posted by:College Experience on August 12, 2009 at 4:02 am
it would break if i sat on that seat haha
Posted by:bill on August 12, 2009 at 3:58 am
this thing is aesthetically pleasing, but there is lots of room for improvement.
for example, what’s up with the huge space where the spokes usually are? can’t that space be utilised? perhaps add in a basket or something…
Posted by:Lila on August 12, 2009 at 3:22 am
You wouldn’t be able to lend it to a friend.
Posted by:Alchemist5 on August 12, 2009 at 2:35 am
anyone consider that the photo is just a concept, and not what the actual bike will look like?
I’m sure things like durability and brakes have been considered, or will be before its released to the public…
yeesh.
Posted by:christopher Kreschollek on August 12, 2009 at 2:02 am
yeah that design is nothing new though
Posted by:j2 on August 12, 2009 at 1:45 am
All that fancy high-tech shit and it doesn’t even have a kick stand. Poor move.
Posted by:Brooklyn on August 12, 2009 at 1:44 am
Do people read? Its theft proof cause you need the owners fingerprint to unlock it
Posted by:Grail on August 12, 2009 at 1:28 am
sign me up!
Posted by:mr. E on August 12, 2009 at 1:25 am
yea seriously since its carbon fiber it should be light….just pick it up walk away with it and the jerk who spent 4 trillion dollars for it just got his 4 trillion dollar bike jacked!
Posted by:mr. E on August 12, 2009 at 1:23 am
oh ‘thedude’ i can easily fix that problem…just super glue them to the side….HELL YEA!
hahahah
Posted by:PRStar on August 12, 2009 at 1:16 am
WTF is wrong wit the bikes we got now??
Posted by:cpo on August 12, 2009 at 12:42 am
if i saw that thing anywhere, i would definitely steal it. mainly because it claims to be theft proof. secondly because it looks cool.
Posted by:e23 on August 11, 2009 at 11:11 pm
only problem is he shouldve better implemented or integrated a chain system.
for dumb fucks here i drew you a diagram
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1912/learntointelligent.png
Posted by:KG on August 11, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Obviously, people don’t understand the concept of a CONCEPT.
Posted by:Steve on August 11, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Best first reply ever.
Posted by:Ty on August 11, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Wow its like a Tron Light cycle or something, Glad we have 20 years, It’ll take me that long to save up for one!
Posted by:bbro on August 11, 2009 at 10:10 pm
This is amazing!
Posted by:IYF on August 11, 2009 at 10:03 pm
What a wonderufl bike I would like to get one
Posted by:Matt on August 11, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Haha i know right? I could sling this thing over my shoulders and run like hell with it. Then sell it on eBay!
Posted by:Hahagha on August 11, 2009 at 9:32 pm
This design is very common… I rode one very similar to this.
They have accessories for bikes like these. Like water guards…
Theft proof, not idiot proof, only a retard would steal a bike he cant ride…
The bike turns just like any other bike, it has a neck with a pivot spot…
It has brakes, you can see the levers in the handle grips…
Whatever dumb ass said carbon fiber is brittle is like I said, a dumb ass. First off, what do they make multi million dollar aircraft out of? Carbon fiber… Who works with composites on a daily basis ? ME… What do they support carbon with with? OTHER COMPOSITES and a GEL COAT! Say it with me GEL COAT… gooood
The other composites and gel coat act as support and protection.
The bike has a gear box…. You just cant see it because it is hidden like everything else…
The only draw back to a composite bike, is if you crash and damage the composite, it essentially compromises the integrity of the entire bike…
Posted by:KR38 on August 11, 2009 at 9:16 pm
brakes are there, look at the handlebars.
Beautiful piece of design, how about a full-suspension version:)
Posted by:matt on August 11, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I could steal it.
Posted by:ReaLshxt on August 11, 2009 at 7:59 pm
how does it turn ? nd u just gottah walk awat with it to steal it =/
Posted by:nutsonyachin on August 11, 2009 at 6:58 pm
they forgot to tell you that it scans your ass so all you have to do is clench your butt cheeks together when you want to break. fart to turn 90 degrees.
Posted by:Batman on August 11, 2009 at 6:23 pm
WOW! How does it even work??
Posted by:That One Kid on August 11, 2009 at 5:45 pm
what if i want to put some pegs so my little sister can ride with me? what am i gonna do now?
Posted by:thedude on August 11, 2009 at 5:40 pm
No place to put pegs for gnar grindage. Pass.
Posted by:somethin on August 11, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Looks cool.
Several problems though, not modular, that makes repairs upgrades and customisations difficult and expensive, it also has no protection against water and mud being thrown from the wheels to the driver.
Posted by:Baan Erp on August 11, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Fantastic – I want one!!!! ;)
Posted by:MGL on August 11, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I might buy it anyway.
Posted by:Dave on August 11, 2009 at 4:42 pm
One nasty pothole and you’d be sitting on the back wheel. Carbon fiber is very brittle.
Posted by:Robbie on August 11, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Theft proof? All you have to do is pick it up…
Posted by:mac on August 11, 2009 at 4:38 pm
sick piece of design!
Posted by:myspace.com/aquinasnj on August 11, 2009 at 4:31 pm
ha…invisible drop outs…looks like it’d be a single speed. I’d like to see a track bike like this.
Posted by:PhatChance on August 11, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I don’t see any obvious braking system. Possibly a fatal flaw…
Posted by:me on August 11, 2009 at 4:23 pm
it would be 15000$ +
Posted by:Taylor on August 11, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Its like TRON come to life
Posted by:hmmmmmmmmmmm on August 11, 2009 at 4:06 pm
TRON!
Posted by:Johnny Blaze on August 11, 2009 at 4:03 pm
So like, How is it powered and how do the wheels turn around? and like just how the fuck!!! :0
Posted by:COmethKE on August 11, 2009 at 3:55 pm
oh word.
Posted by:Shame Hate Dawg on August 11, 2009 at 3:53 pm
is it a fixie? LOL. The real question is, will a wall of light be created as one moves forward and can it do 90 degree turns?
Posted by:Hodja on August 11, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Damn, this is beautiful
Posted by:Fred FredBurger on August 11, 2009 at 3:09 pm
holy crap. If this bike was in all white or matte black I’d buy it. Hopefully someone builds it.
Posted by:Golightly on August 11, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Invisible drop-outs? Can you convert this!?!? (:

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