Famed industrial designer Ron Arad has re-invented the wheel with his amazing “Two Nuns Bicycle”. His design proves that automobiles aren’t the only modes of transportation capable of futuristic forms.
Each wheel is made out of 18 strips of tempered steel and bolted together in a beautiful radial pattern. The natural “springy” properties of the tempered steel give the wheels a slight cushion and allow for a smooth ride.
Are you skeptical? See the “Two Nuns Bicycle” in action in the video below!
Two Nuns Bike by Ron Arad from Dezeen on Vimeo.
Yes, the bicycle actually works! Arad’s revolutionary wheel design has the power to change the future of bicycles. A traditional bicycle wheel consists of many different parts and materials including a hub, axle, bearings, spokes, tubes, rubber tire, and more. Arad’s wheels are 100% steel; there are no other materials or complicated assembly involved. I imagine if the “Two Nuns Bicycle” was mass manufactured, the cost would be lower than a traditional bicycle.
Who wouldn’t want to ride on an inexpensive, innovative bicycle like this?
Arad’s design pushes cycling into modern times– and makes riding a bike look cool! I hope that Arad plans to launch his bicycle into the marketplace. This design will help people realize that cycling is a styling and sustainable mode of transportation in the 21st century.
On December 1st, the bicycle will be available for bidding at the WOW Bikes Charity Auction to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Source: Fast Company & Core77
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i would hardly call that a test, riding in a straight line for less than 100m.
from experience bald tires are horrendous for grip and steel would be even worse, so try riding the commute to work when its raining and then lets see how well the wheel works.
Steel would also rust quite quickly (especially given the abrasion with the road), so replacement of this wheel would have to be rather often… but im sure replacing a rubber tire is cheaper than replacing an entire steel wheel.
That looks impractical. You’ll have to use disc brakes, and, chances are, this grade of steel won’t come cheap. Forget about tire traction!
Can’t you get a similar effect just by slightly deflating a regular pneumatic tire?
It sure is a reinvention of the concept, but other than the fact that it won’t puncture or require refilling, I’m not convinced it is better.
It looks like it has more metal than the traditional rim and spokes. It is noisy even on a well-paved street, and would be so even if it wasn’t a prototype. I am not also convinced it has any traction, leave alone what a rubber tyre can have.
If grip, weight and looks are not a consideration for a bike wheel, these might be considered.
These will have no grip going round bends at speed, and will be heavier than traditional wheels no doubt even if taking into account the separate suspension. They also imo look hideous.
Crazy idea.
So, not to be skeptical, but how do these steel wheels handle turns, jumping curbs and hard braking? Has anyone thought about wrapping the steel loops with rubber to reduce noise and increase traction?
Hahaha — Dear Ron, you are getting old!
I think the author of this “article” needs to ride her bike a little and then think again what she wrote here. This wheel design is not good for a bike in any way.
“A traditional bicycle wheel consists of many different parts and materials including a hub, axle, bearings, spokes, tubes, rubber tire, and more. Arad’s wheels are 100% steel; there are no other materials or complicated assembly involved.”
This compare is nonsense. There’s a hub, axle, bearings, steel strips, attaching bolts here.
“This design will help people realize that cycling is a styling and sustainable mode of transportation in the 21st century.”
I seriously hope this will not be the case. I believe anyone trying this bike will not want to ride a bike like it ever again.
It’s a fun and nice looking thing and that’s it.
give me a break.. this is pure design fiction… not functional at all.. cant grip road, cant break fast without skidding, easily bent by hitting pot hole…
design arrogance….
piss off arad.. stick to making consumer crap no one needs…
This is what happens when people with lots of money and no taste promote seemingly prodigious designers/artists to make something useless. I’ve seen better at college student shows, because they are not yet a name like Ron Arad, Kareem Rashid, or Jackson Pollock.
I like the different thinking, and it’s very beautiful…. but that looks like it might be super noisy! Steel on pavement or asphalt? Will you need earplugs?
It’s neat, but more or less a novelty than a practical reinvention. Others have stated its long list of limitations. Still, this is essentially a “proof of concept” I can imagine modifications to this design using different materials and refining the geometries that may be useful in riding on beaches.
Point is technology is non-linear. When someone presents a new idea like this, someone else may be able to improve it. I’m all for crazy inventions that get refined into useful inventions.
The design is amazing but I think this wheel is impractical…