Could this wheel design revolutionise the bike?

It's wheelie good

Could this wheel design revolutionise the bike?

In its 200 year history, the humble bicycle hasn't changed an awful lot.

There's still a wheel at the front, a wheel at the back, a comfy (ish) bit to sit on and usually some pedals. 

Italian designer Paolo de Giusti believes he may have fine-tuned the usual design with this, the '36/28 postale'.

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The name is leant by the bike's striking 36-inch rear racing wheel and 28-inch front wheel: a design that sees a larger return of 'power' from the same number of pedal revolutions (though yes, it would be slightly harder to crank all 36 inches of wheel than a regular 28-inch model).

Bikes with a larger rear wheel are by no means a modern creation: De Giusti's design is different in employing a super symmetrical frame that doesn't alter the rider's position from that of a usual bike.

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Currently a 3D-printed concept, with an eight-geared internal rear hub, LED bulbs in the handlebars and thick tyres, it's a bold design.

Here's hoping De Giusti puts it into full production - if only to see hipsters across the nation ruin their hair as they reach unprecedented speeds.

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(Images: Paolo de Giusti)

[Via: Design Boom]

Marc Chacksfield
Content Director

As Content Director of Shortlist, Marc likes nothing more than to compile endless lists of an evening by candlelight. He started out life as a movie writer for numerous (now defunct) magazines and soon found himself online - editing a gaggle of gadget sites, including TechRadar, Digital Camera World and Tom's Guide UK. At Shortlist you'll find him mostly writing about movies and tech, so no change there then.