The Suitcase Bike finally unfolds, should hit production soon

We understand, it's practically impossible to either bike everywhere you need to go or have your General Motors' Flex-Fit rack ready to rock when you're far from home, but the suitcase bike can seemingly tackle both of those issues with ease. Amazingly, the oft talked about, but hardly taken seriously Suitcase Bike has apparently been green-lit for production, and could be available to suckers interested consumers "later this year." While it shouldn't be too hard to guess, we'll do the honors anyway: the presumably hefty suitcase can morph into an unsightly form of transportation with just a few clips, folds, and snaps, and while public humiliation isn't necessarily included in the price, we can't help but imagine that it'll be bundled in whether you like it or not. Still, having a pair of wheels on your person at all times could certainly come in handy, so be sure you click through and catch the unfolding video to see if it's really worth the reported $399 asking price.

[Via TreeHugger]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 9:12AM]

Get a Brompton. 'Nuff said.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 10:31AM]

Or a BikeFriday: http://www.bikefriday.com

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 10:40AM]

Bike Fridays are great bikes, I'm sure (no personal experience, but I hear good things). But for commuting, I don't believe a Brompton can be beat. Mine fits nicely under my cube desk, and, covered, is little bigger than a piece of carry-on luggage. There are even smaller bikes, but I think the Brompton is the best compromise of big bike ride and small size convenience.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 11:03AM]

Brompton too pricey; B-Friday too pricey, too complicated; Got one from WallyWorld, $135USD, including tax.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 1:50PM]

I think the brompton is a bit smaller folded, but the new bike friday tikit looks to be quite easy to fold. it makes the brompton look klunky. It is just slightly larger folded than the brompton. check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQscBxx7wLE

[(Unverified) Posted May 3rd 2007 4:48PM]

As it happens this (almost exactly this) has been done before - and included a rather nice designer briefcase that fit within the frame of the bike when it was being ridden. Sadly the name eludes me.

The problems were twofold 1) No gearing - which is, frankly, a bit of killer in the real world which turns out not to be flat and 2) it was *hideously* expensive (vastly more than the toy described above).

It looks like a better attempt at this than I've seen before - but I'll bet still no gears and no thought as to how one might carry additional luggage so probably still a waste of time.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 1:50PM]

Nah, Heelys are a much cheaper and lighter way to look silly while "having a pair of wheels on your person at all times". And more fun.
That thing has pretty small wheels for a bike...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 3:02PM]

I wonder how much of a battery one could pack into that suitcase. Pedaling makes me vomit.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 30th 2007 10:54PM]

Just don't forget to attach the seat...

@rodan32 - Heh, I find it's easier to pedal while not chowing down on a quad BK Stacker... :)