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Loopwheels – reinventing the wheel to make cycling more comfortable

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There’s nothing guaranteed to get a laugh quicker than accusing someone of trying to reinvent the wheel. Why? Well there have been lots of attempts over the years, and so far very few have succeeded in improving the basic design that started with Fred Caveman (or somebody like him).

However we’ve got to applaud this attempt at the record, because it’s quite ingenious. Loopwheels are a new design of bicycle wheel which features its own in-built suspension system. The idea is the brainchild of Brit designer, inventor and engineer Sam Pearce.

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The concept relies on a triad of carbon composite springs which flex as the wheel rolls over a surface. The flexing gives it a kind of suspension which the makers say ensures more comfort and less vibration as you cycle along. The video demonstrates just how effective the process is, although we do wonder whether all that lateral flexing makes it harder to pedal.

Anyhoo, the product is currently available for 20 inch wheels only (although there’s apparently a 26 inch version in the test stage) and you can either buy a set on their own for around £659 or buy a complete compact bicycle with the wheels fitted for £1439 and up. Very clever.

1 Comment

  • Still no 26″

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