#HTECan Mokumono Make Dutch Bikes More Modern?
The Dutch are internationally famous for their cycling culture. But while the country was at the forefront of bike tech and production 100 years ago, Dutch bikes nowadays aren’t known for being light, modern or domestically produced. Designer Bob Schiller is hoping to change that with Mokumono. Mokumono is a sleek city bike with a design that responds to the precise difficulties of traditional bike building, currently up for funding on Kickstarter. 

What began as a student project while Schiller was finishing studies at Design Academy Eindhoven could have real world viability. His first step was recognizing that labor cost was the key factor in driving production overseas, since thin tube welding is precision work and still largely done by hand. Looking to other structural production types already in use, he eventually landed on laser welded aluminum monocoque. 

In the bike world, “monocoque” tends to be associated with misguided early carbon fiber bikes or used in vague descriptions of fancier new ones. What’s different is the material. We’ve seen this type of aluminum frame-skin used in everything from wartime aviation to car parts, but it’s never been big in bikes. 

In the case of Mokumono, the method seems like a shockingly simple way to cut down on assembly. (A similarly interesting technique was the 3D printed frame components by Renishaw and Empire Cycles in the UK.)  

Using just two formed halves joined around a head tube, seat tube/bottom bracket and drop-outs, the welding is simplified and streamlined for automated production. The three non-integrated pieces were left out to account for shifts in industry standards and different styles on subsequent models. The geared style weighs in at a reasonable 24 pounds, and features several niceties that appeal to a modern commuter. 

It has internal cable routing, a belt drive, road disc brakes, a squishy Brooks seat, room for wider road tires, plenty of fender and rack mounts, and that super slick invisible seatpost. Though the cafe racer set-up and the fact that it comes in all of one size for people over 5’7” means it’s not my type of tea, the form is interesting and certainly slick.

However, Mokumono is on their first working prototype and there is no talk about frame geometry, impact testing, shock rating, or ride quality, which gives me… pause. 

Does this thing ride as stiff as a car door? Can it take an impact without turning to soup? Does that fin on the top tube make anybody else’s groin anxious?? 

The components are all solid, the mechanics look reasonable, and monocoque production might in fact be a way to bring production back home, or just cut costs. 

Is this a good use of it? All in all, I think it might be, and it’s definitely a nice look at what happens when a student bike design graduates to the next level. And who knows, some of you danger-lovers still ride Stridas. 

The Mokumono campaign runs through May 20, 2016.

http://www.core77.com/posts/51934/Can-Mokumono-Make-Dutch-Bikes-More-Modern