Designed by Nghia (Wilson) Ly, Caleb Mayer, Daria Frame
Existing Solutions
Fisher-Price Grow With Me Trike.
This bike has no chain, the pedals are attached directly to the front wheel, and the back wheels are meant as guidance and stability for new riders. There is no chain involved, so there is no possibility for a child to fall off or face safety risks seen when children are introduced to chain bikes and parents do not have to worry about dangerous bike chains when their child is riding. All edges and corners are rounded off and smooth, so nothing, as well as the non-existent chain, will cut or harm the child.This bike is most definitely meant for children at the beginning of our 2-10 age range, the average ten year old will be riding a more complicated bike with a chain and very possibly only two wheel, instead of the three shown here. Whatever design settled on, it would be a good idea to make it so that it can be altered between age ranges.
B. O. (n.d.). Toys. Retrieved September 23, 2016, from https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Grow-With-Me-Trike-Boy/17277107
Mongoose Boy's Switch 18" Wheel Bike
Advanced Children's bike. This bike features the normal adult style where there is one front wheel and one back wheel. However, added on, there are training wheels to keep the bike stable for children learning to ride adult bikes. The training wheels can be removed as needed, which allows for a much larger target market. Many parents choose to take one training wheel off at a time in order to teach balance, but it also extends the usable life of the product. It does not have gear-changing capability. This bike covers a wider range in our current target market, so it is more relevant to our future designs. The main component in this project that could be applied to our final design would be the training wheels discussed before, and
By (n.d.). Mongoose Boys Switch 18" Wheel Bicycle, Black. Retrieved September 23, 2016, from https://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Switch-Wheel-Bicycle-Black/dp/B00FQT2JKE/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8
The X10L Silver of KMC
The KMC’s 10XL silver chain was one of the product that most likely to compete within our target market. As our design, the KMC’s chain aiming for easy shifting at a light weight at .88mm wide works with 10-speed system. Beside, the Titanium Nitride makes the plate more slippery allowing the surface to hold lubricant better, increasing the safety feature for user. However, The company are targeting more professional rather than kid group. In addition, the KMC’s product didn’t focus on the maintenance problem of the bike chain itself like what our design does. Beside the fact that the chain will need to be replace after 600 miles if two cassettes are worn out, KMC applied a” master link” closures on the chain that allow one remove and reinstall them two to three times. Unlike us. the 10XL chain by KMC.
Reviewed: KMC X10SL Chain. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2016, from http://www.competitivecyclist.com/learn/kmc-x10sl-chain
Competitive Product Analysis
Manufacturer information (name, location, phone, website, etc.)
Quality rating (high, medium, or low)
Approximate market share
Special Features
Strengths of the product
Weaknesses of the product
Wholesale and retail prices
Product placement, that is, indicate where the product is sold (online, discount stores, specialty stores, through sales representatives)
Method of promotion that the company uses to communicate with their customers (website, ads, tradeshows, etc.)
Product #1 Fisher-Price Grow With Me Trike.
Fisher-Price. Grow With Me Trike. East Aurora, New York, U.S. Call: 1-800-747-8697. http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/products/Grow-With-Me-Trike-P6831
No reviews have rated this product.
In 2011, Fisher Price did not have a significant enough hold on the bicycle market to have its own statistic, it is most likely included in the ‘Other’ category of the graph, which made up 31.5% of the bicycle market. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255601/market-share-of-major-bicycle-brands-in-the-us/
Pedals attached directly to front wheel. No chain. Almost entirely plastic, metal axle for pedals. Removable pedal blocks and adjustable seat length.
No worry of dangerous or faulty bike chain. Durable, safe material without sharp edges.
Small age range. Only provides basic functions, limited movement.
Official Fisher-Price Price: $36.00 Walmart Price: $25.04
Sold online in the retail stores and official Fisher-Price website. Sold in-store at big-name carriers, like Walmart. Fisher-Price also has their own store in New York, US.
There were never TV ads specifically advertizing this product, and it is not a huge internet advertisement alone, however the brand name is well-known through previous reputation, among parents and is always advertised in store ads, especially around Christmas time. It is a cheap, yet durable product for parents to buy before they think their child is ready for an actual bike.
Product #2 Mongoose Boy's Switch 18" Wheel Bike
Mongoose. Mongoose Boy's Switch 18" Wheel Bike. Olney, Illinois. Call: (800) 626-2811. http://www.mongoose.com/usa/
Taken on the account of 89 reviewers on the Walmart page, the bike was given four stars.
The ‘Dorel’ company owns the Mongoose brand, as well as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Caloi, Iron Horse, Charge Bikes, Sugoi and Guru, among others. Dorel as a group controls over 5% of the market with Schwinn and Cannondale bikes, however, 31.5% of the market was controlled by “Other”, of which, the rest of the Dorel brands are most likely located. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255601/market-share-of-major-bicycle-brands-in-the-us/
Back wheel has removable training wheels. There is an upper chain guard.
Has a solid, sturdy steel frame. Covers wide range of ages, through different stages of life.
Chain guard is only on the top part of the chain system, the bottom is left open.
Walmart Price:$79.87
Everyday bikes, for people with average biking knowledge, are not generally widely advertised on tv or other ads. However, in gift catalogues and similar items, bike prices are given, because they are popular gift items.
Information on this product can be most easily found on retail websites for stores like Walmart, where reviews, sizes, age ranges, materials, and more are provided to potential buyers.
Product #3 X10L Silver of KMC
KMC chain industrial Co. headquartered in Taiwan, R.O.C with corporate entities in the US and Europe. Website at http://kmcchain.us/
Different quality for different type of brand sold by KMC.
After entering the China domestic and made stable and reliable relationship with well-known motorcycle maker such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki,etc.The market share reach 50% and magnificent brand awareness is created.
KMC manufacture produce difference size of chain for all different types of bike from normal road bike to BMX.
The wide variety of size , functionality, material, and even colors that fit the consumer's need.
Didn’t focus on kid range. Missing Link are the problem most likely occur to customers.
The rental price between $8.50 and $84.50 depend on the chain.
The product can be sold online at the official website or at other online store such as Amazon, Ebay, etc. Beside the product are distributed widely to sell at bike shop to itself or walmart.
The method that the company uses to communicate with their customer are the event such as Crankworx Whistler 2016, 2016 KMC Cuclo-cross festival with new location as well as bike competition. They also communicate their product through sponsorship such as National Ultra Endurance Race series, Eliminator BMX USA , Subaru/Gary Fisher road cycling team USA, etc.
Visual, Functional and Structural Analysis
X10L Silver of KMC
Visual analysis: The symmetry of the chain makes it look more balanced to go along with the regular rhythm of the inner and outer plate. The emphasis feature of the chain mostly come from the double X bridge shape on the plate as well as the hollow style inner plate. All of the parts are equally proportion and scale relate to each other giving the chain some feel of movement through the symmetrical. In additional the little contract of the black pin (rivet) compare to more gray plate combine with the use of like-peanut shape along with line clearly show the unity of the product.
Functional analysis: The purpose of the chain was to transmit to power of from the pedal to the drive wheel. The input of the bike’s chain is the opening sprocket. A the work apply to the sprocket through pedal, create a rotational movement of the chain transfer the power to the output which is another sprocket.
Structural analysis:
Weight: 253 grams
½” x 11/128”
Mongoose Boy's Switch 18" Wheel Bike
Visual Analysis: Most parts of the bike are a pitch black color, including the seat and handle grips. The only color on the bike is on and around the Mongoose brands and words, therefore the company uses the difference in bright orange and black to emphasize where the bike came from and place the eye’s attention there. Also, the black design with splashes of orange and blue allows for the company to sell it specifically as a boys bike, however, they can manufacture it in various colors.While there is functional purpose, both sides of the bike are symmetrical and balanced, with the chain taking as little room on the right side as possible. The gears and chain do not stand out or draw the eye’s attention, or make the whole product look bulky.
Functional Analysis:
Structural Analysis:
The wheel diameter is 18’’
52.4"L x 24.5"W x 33.6"H.
1-speed bike.
Fisher-Price Grow with-Me Trike
Visual Analysis: The trike is made entirely of plastic, giving it unity, in bright inviting colors. There is a lot of emphasis and contrast on each of the separate parts, because of their bright colors. The seat, handles, and pedals are all easily identifiable, and contrast in color from the plastic body of the trike.
Functional Analysis:
Structural Analysis:
Weight capacity of 55 pounds
28.50 x 19.00 x 21.00 inches
for ages 5 to 7
Field Expert Communication
Bluegrass Bicycle Company
To:
Hello Bluegrass Bicycle Company,
My name is Caleb and I am working with two other students at Brownsburg High School in our engineering class. We have set out to solve the issue of a bike's chain falling off. We need to create a solution for this problem and wanted to know if you had any input, or if you have heard of any existing solutions to the problem.
We also, might have some questions for you later down our path depending on the solution we create. Let us know if we can contact you about this. You can contact me back at this address, or contact my partners.
Thank You,
Caleb Mayer
cw*****@gmail.com
Daria Frame
emp***********@gmail.com
Wilson Ly
lyto*************@gmail.com
From:
Caleb,
I would be happy to help you guys out. My son is a freshman at BHS, and he's in the freshman intro to engineering program.
There are many "chain-retention" devices currently on the market, and I can lend you a print catalog that has details on most of them. I can also provide feedback on any designs that you come up with. You guys are also welcome to visit the shop to discuss your project if you'd like. Let me know if you'd like to stop by. I look forward to helping you out.
Cheers,
Jonathan Juillerat
Bluegrass Bicycle Company
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com
(317) 513-3017
Roark Custom Titanium Cycles
To:
(Submitted to company website)
Name: Caleb Mayer
Email: cw*****@gmail.com
Address1: **** *** ***** Ct
Address2:
City: Brownsburg
State: Indiana
Zip: 46112
Phone: 3176******
Fax:
Email Address: cw*****@gmail.com
Comments/Suggestions:
My name is Caleb and I am working with two other students at Brownsburg High
School in our engineering class. We have set out to solve the issue of a
bike's chain falling off. We need to create a solution for this problem and
wanted to know if you had any input, or if you have heard of any existing
solutions to the problem.
We also, might have some questions for you later down our path depending
on the solution we create. Let us know if we can contact you about this.
From:
(cc’d Ken Nowakowski, cyclist, and bike expert)
Hi Caleb,
Though we at Roark Bicycles do build custom bike frames, we have very little
long term bike mechanic work with our customers once they pick-up their
frames.
I have cc'd Ken Nowakowski, Ken provides a wide range of services to the
bicycling industry. We Ken's long track record in cycling and I am sure he
can provide far more in-depth insight on your class project.
Thank you,
Kevin Smeltzer
Program Manager
Roark Bicycles
Ken Nowakowski of Pro Bikes, Ltd.
(Completed via phone with an email wrap-up)
Caleb,
I sincerely hope that I was helpful towards your project during our chat today. As you can tell, I am very passionate about bicycles, and cycling.
Concerning the PDF about all of the injuries related to bicycle accident, I think that it is most incomplete because there is only a general description related to the accident cause, nothing specific.
As I talked about during our chat today, the cheaply made, and poorly, if any at all maintained bicycle equipment (Box Store/Walmart Bicycles) is the root cause of issues, not the general design of the bicycle in and of itself.
To design, and engineer a product around a general problem without identifying the specifics is premature. Solving the specific issues can eliminate the general problem from happening in the first place.
Please feel free to use me as a resource, and let your instructor know this as well.
Best,
Ken
Ken Nowakowski
PRO BIKES, LTD.
14129 W. Hilltop Cir.
Daleville, IN 47334
317-507-5398 (317-514-6503 personal)
ken@probikesltd.com