Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:37:37 -0400

Hi Tom,

Glad to hear that my suggestion was helpful. I look forward to hearing about whatever challenge the First Lady dreams up.

cheers,
Dave

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/david-henry-oliver/object-lessons

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:14:21 -0400

I'd say you should ask her to describe something that effects her, something for which a solution might be designed. I imagine privacy is an issue for her and her family, but leave it to her. Then, perhaps you can share the insight with the design community and we can try to address the issue through design. There's no better way to demonstrate the potential of design than to design something that solves a real problem for her.

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:59:06 -0400

Hi Chris,

There's a whole lot of text above, so let me summarize.
I've said your product may deliver on your claims of improved cornering. I don't say "may" to cast doubt. I will leave the testing to the reputable cycling magazine test crew of your choice.

My primary issue is with your description of the physics involved. The engineers that worked on your product may have done a great job of designing the locking mechanism, but how the rider's COG moves around is a separate issue.

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:14:42 -0400

Hi Chris,

Let me say that I'm sure your product exists in some form. There are pictures over at Gizmag of you showing it to their crew. The pics don't really show the product, but the crew is looking at and filming something, they just didn't publish that footage. If you want it to remain proprietary for the moment, that's reasonable.

As for the physics, I'd say consult with someone you trust about it. You can take or leave my critique if you're comfortable with the presentation. It would be a shame not to present your product in the best light.

Again, best of luck with it.

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:52:24 -0400

Hi Chris,

Two things:
1. Thanks for explaining the technique that you use to get the most out of Cranklock*. The good news is that I can see how use of the Cranklock* might yield the results you claim. This is, of course, important because cyclist trying to gain an advantage will probably care more about results than about why exactly they get them.*

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:48:47 -0400

Hmm... The force vector, line from the COG along the angle of attack should be going directly through the center of the tire. If not, you may be in for trouble. Once it gets there, tires and tire pressure are important. Tire designers have been for quite a while trying to maximize tire traction when the bike is leaned in a corner.

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:49:23 -0400

Hi Cliff,

When I first saw this entry I was intrigued, but I've raced bicycles and ridden motorcycles and thought the analogy between leaning a motorcycle and leaning a bicycle was a little suspect. Yes, the skills I learned racing bicycles transfered when I started riding motorcycles, but the weight of a motorcycle makes handling quite different. Your moving the COG of the motorcycle which is much heavier than you are, as opposed to shifting your own COG on a much lighter bicycle.

Evolution has some lessons for Product Design

David-Henry Oliver — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:58:26 -0400

The first in a series of entries on the role and nature of function in Design.

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:19:52 -0400

The images and the text of this entry simply don't match. While Dell has released an all-in-one PC, saying that it is shamelessly iMac-like is the equivalent of saying that two people look alike because they both have two eyes, a nose and a mouth.

Sustainability as a Work in Progress

David-Henry Oliver — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:48:07 -0500

Talk of Green Design is dominated by examples of products made of recycled materials, but sustainability is about more than materials. It’s about material sourcing. It’s about manufacturing processes. It’s about shipping and receiving.