We’ve come to expect certain things. Cars have four wheels, for instance. And we expect two-wheeled vehicles look like bikes or motorcycles or scooters. Then came the Segway a few years ago and shifted the two-wheeled concept around. Now, a number of stories regarding vehicles of one, two, and three wheels have come out. They’re all interesting, some are awkward, some are to die for.
One Wheel:
People have been experimenting with one-wheeled bikes for a while. The clown’s unicycle has been around a while and seems to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity (see mountain unicycling and stupid unicycle tricks). Which supports Gizmag’s point: “mono-wheelers are traditionally associated with stunts and clowns and circuses — not practical transport.” But that hasn’t stopped people from trying to make useful mono-wheelers.
Common sense, some might say, dictates the a useful vehicle requires two or more wheels, but either those nay sayers are wrong, or the dozen or so mono-wheelers listed here suggests there’s a lot of people with no common sense. Sure, none of them have become commercial successes, but that, too, hasn’t stopped Tito Ott from offering his Wheelsurf for sale worldwide. Prices are a little steep for a novelty, but this is a ground floor opportunity (and the value of the US Dollar is ridiculously low).
Not for sale, however are two other mono-wheelers. Back in late 2003, Bombardier showed off its mono-wheeler concept, but little has been heard about it since. Then there’s the RiotWheel, which looks completely unridable, despite the videos showing how it’s done. Developer Jake Lyall is trying for the single-wheel land speed record, but says: “don’t get us wrong — we don’t think it’s a smart thing to do either. But it’s what we’re doing anyway.”
Two Wheels:
There are somewhat fewer two-wheeled vehicles that break the mold (if you exclude recumbent bicycles). First is Simon Sollberger’s “The Scabber,” which Engadget says must be so named “because of all the scrapes and scabs you’re gonna get from falling off of it.” They’re just concerned because you have to ride it with your feet inside the wheels, where it looks like they’d get stuck.
An Australian company is hoping for more commercial success with its Bush Pig. Using a similar design, but powered at speeds up to 20 miles an hour, it looks somewhat more deadly.
Three Wheels:
I saw my first three-wheeler in Britain. Its two wheels up front and one behind the driver where the shape and size of motorcycle tires (they’d have spelled it “tyres”), and the rig was slung low to the ground like a racer. I immediately wanted one, but I want a lot of things I never get. And that’s what concerns me about the new Aprilla three-wheel concept speedster. Once again, I want it, but will I ever get the chance?
The Brits are sort of gaga about three-wheelers (an affliction that seems also to affect the Aussies). And, though it doesn’t look like there are any current commercial trikes there, they’ve had lots of ‘em. 3Wheelers.com and Jim’s Three-Wheeler Page list a bunch of restored production models and keep the flame burning for new ones. The argument rages, however, whether a three-wheeler should look like a car missing a wheel, or a motorcycle that grew an extra wheel.
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Posted February 11, 2005 by Casey
Categories: Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. Tags: bike, one wheeler, three wheeler, transportation, tricycle, two wheeler, unicycle, weird.
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Thanks for making the effort with the website. It’s all very interesting. The reason I’m here is that myself and two work colleagues have been wondering whether some sort of tricycle/quadricycle that could accomodate all of us for rthe 10 mile ride to work might be an interesting possibility. If you have any suggestion or thoughts they would be gratefully received.
Regards
Ash
[...] Take these Japanese K-Cars that get around 50 miles per gallon and can be imported and bought used for under $5000, but only in Canada. There’s a company importing small, efficient trucks, but only for farm-use in the US. In short, other than big trucks and expensive hybrids, all we have are pogo-sticks and mono-wheelers. [...]
I live in the Dallas Metroplex and the other day I saw a brand new three wheeled car. I did not get a chance to see as to who the maker of this car was, so i am wondering if anyone can help me find out the maker of this car. The car appeared to be somewhat sporty, with two wheels in the front and one in the back. The car looked similar to the Dodge Prowler. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated
We are remodeling our new wheelsurf and will be back soon!!
Any questions feel free to contact us!
hey, i want to know how can i get into disinging cars cause i really like it.I just need the right connetions.Right now i am taking auto-cad and desing class.So am i on the right track?
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