I love tinkerers. You know, the folks who look at something that seems perfectly complete and functional, and decide that they know how to improve it. Tinkerers are driven by imagination and a desire to make their marks on the world. Or, perhaps, by simple curiosity: what will happen if I do this?
I suspect that no mass-produced device has been the subject of more tinkering than the bicycle. Its basic design hasn’t changed in a century, and it remains a symbol of practical utility and inspiring liberation. Yet that doesn’t stop tinkerers around the world from, well, tinkering with it…and the results can be both inspiring and humorous.
Take this, as Exhibit A:
This is the MIC WIC Delta recumbent tandem, manufactured by some tinkerers in England who were obviously under the influence of Dr. Doolittle (the book by Hugh Lofting, not the movie by Eddie Murphy). Some say that this bike was designed for 24 hour races. I can’t imagine why, probably because of the aerodynamics (no wind hits the stoker — the person in the back), but I won’t dismiss the possibility that it’s because the stoker could nap while riding.
It’s easy to dismiss something like this as a gimmick, but these guys are serious. If you look closely, you can see that the bike is equipped with disc brakes, and it comes with a 36-speed gearing option. It also offers an independent pedaling system, which means that each rider can pedal or not without affecting the other. The manufacturer also intends to offer a titanium frame option later this year.
As an avid cyclist (with a special fondness for tandems and ‘bents) and occasional tinkerer (although not nearly at this level), I get a big ol’ grin every time I see something like this. It’s not a cure for cancer, but it somehow makes me believe that such a thing will come, and when it does, it will be through the vision and work of a tinkerer.
[Note: As far as I can tell, MIC WIC doesn’t yet have a website. This website belongs to a dealer and accessories manufacturer, and it has some additional info about the bike, and several others of “unusual” design.]
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Eric, good post. I would like to add a note about David Eggleston. Andrew and I had a chance to visit with him and examine his Velomobile ‘pedal car’ up close. Apparently, he’s ready to manufacture/market them here, in West Texas. More info at http://www.velomobile.com
Jeff, I was out on my bike a few weeks ago and caught up with David and Lois who were taking their new Velos out for a spin. I visit with David for a mile or two and he shared some of his plans. However, I wasn’t clear on exactly what was going to be done locally. They are funky-looking vehicles, that’s for sure. And David is definitely one of those guys who comes to mind when I think about “tinkerers”!