Paul Ridden, 26 July 2010, Gizmag - URBAN TRANSPORT

The upright bicycle riding position offered by the familiar diamond-shape frame has been completely abandoned by designer Nick Foley in favor of a semi-recumbent driving pose. His Etta 3-speed prototype is claimed to offer users a more comfortable, natural ride whilst also providing better all-round visibility and a built-in storage compartment. Gizmag contacted the designer for a closer look.

Foley told Gizmag that it was exactly the kind of (non-Etta-related) cycling accident that he was currently recovering from that prompted him to begin thinking about tackling bike design last year. As well as addressing the riding position, Foley also included some storage space - perhaps not quite as much as the Bullitt cargo-bike, but at 16 x 12 x 10 inches the waterproofed, laminated hardwood rear storage area should comfortably house a large grocery bag.

The design is said to result in a more natural, comfortable riding position which is easy to start off from

Foley told Gizmag that he chose a manageable 7005 aluminum alloy for Etta's main frame, but will be looking towards the more corrosion-resistant 6061 alloy for future production models. The frame includes "cutting-edge, ultra efficient warm-white LED" lighting to the front and rear with a low power draw - so low, in fact, that although the Etta prototype uses three AA sized batteries, production versions will utilize a dynamo hub to recharge onboard batteries.

The current prototype uses a Sturmey Archer 3-speed internally geared hub, which leans towards usage in a fairly flat, urban environment. An 8-speed internal hub or a 27-speed hybrid internal/cassette hub (like that offered by SRAM) would likely be offered as a production model option. Foley plans to add a more complete chain guard for any production model but told us that "the external chain, though not aesthetically ideal, has not proven to be problematic in practice. The Idler (the pulley wheel located near the center of the frame which bends the chain downwards) is very effective at keeping the chain inline and under tension, and as it is made from an acetal-teflon copolymer, it is incredibly durable and nearly frictionless."

The designer may also consider an electric hub motor enhancement to a future version of Etta but "doing away with the pedal power entirely is not something I find particularly advantageous. I'm no proponent of sloth."

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