Skills:
Drawing, Solidworks, Adobe Suite, Metal Fabrication
2024
10 weeks - Collaborative
How might we design a compact urban bicycle for enthusiasts?
The average urban dwelling cyclist often finds themselves in a situation where they are too limited in space to have a dedicated commuting bike, and nearly all of the on market solutions are not designed for hardcore cyclists, lacking performance oriented design and details.
We set out to design a do it all bike for commuting and cruising which doesn't sacrifice on the aesthetics of a performance bicycle.
Through rigorous design, prototyping and user testing we created a bike over 5lbs lighter than its market competitors and loved by users. The Grabby Minicom was designed to create a better urban commuting solution for cycling enthusiasts.
Our goals
Weight
Edge out competitors in the segment by reducing the excessive weight of existing solutions
Size
Create a bike that is maneuverable in congested urban environments
Cost
Maintain market viability by undercutting the cost of competitors
Inspiration
For fast paced urban spaces
The design solution for our problem lies somewhere at the intersection of compact economy vehicles, performance accessories, and dense urban environments
Ideation
Drawing potential forms and tube relations to discover potentially interesting interactions for our prototype
Prototyping
CAD Modeling
Designing and layout for build drawings and rough ideas
Fabrication
Full fabrication process of machining, forming, and welding to create a function frame to build on
Works-Like Prototype
Fully functional prototype ready for testing with potential users and professional bike makers
User Testing
Cole Bennett
Owner of Weis Mfg, a Brooklyn based handmade custom bicycle company
Pablo Rivera
Cyclocross racer and manager of King Kog Brooklyn, a high end bicycle shop
Max Pratt
RISD faculty, bicycle enthusiast, owner of Nice Bicycles in Providence, RI
Key User Testing Takeaways
Adjust Geometry
Edge out competitors in the segment by reducing the excessive weight of existing solutions
Increase Marketability
Create a bike that is maneuverable in congested urban environments
Refine Details
Maintain market viability by undercutting the cost of competitors
Color Material and Finish
Utilizing Adobe Illustrator to experiment with surface finish mockups
Fabrication
With user testing completed, we set out to create a final prototype ready for the street
Finishing
Applying automotive primer and paint in our chosen Blackberry Pearl Metallic finish
Final Frame
Made of lightweight Columbus steel tubing the finished frame is ready to ride, wrapped in blackberry pearl automotive paint. The frame sports internal cable routing, bottle bosses, and modular dropouts, giving the user multiple drivetrain options.
Final Build & Components
Full carbon fork
11 speed Shimano Deore rear mech
51t chainring
11-42t cassette
20” 406 Litepro wheelset
20x2” tires
The Grabby Minicom
Final configuration of the Minicom, tipping the scales at just over 21lbs fully assembled, it undercuts market competitors by 5lbs. Its refined geometry makes it significantly more comfortable and easy to ride than the V1. Stable and responsive even at its top speed of 20mph, the Minicom comes ready for the streets.
NY Product Design Awards
In 2024, the Minicom was awarded a silver finish in the urban bicycles category