Anyone know if Nick Lobnitz's Paper Bicycle is still being made? I know a few folk on here own one. I also notice the manufacturer web site is down, Laidback no longer seems to stock them. Not that I'm looking to buy one (I have enough bikes already) but just wondered if anyone knew what has happened.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Paper Bicycle no more?
(12 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
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Mine was the last Laidback sold, and it was a faff. The lead time was something in the order of three to four times advertised, leading to quite some frustration on the part of both him and I.
Posted 6 years ago # -
You might say that the Elephant Bike is the spiritual successor to the Paper Bicycle, but in fact it's the other way around, since the prototype PB was developed for the Royal Mail as a Mailstar replacement.
I only ever saw two PBs with the front basket, and one was being ridden by Nick at POP. The other was owned by a colleague of mine and was later sold to a customer of Laid Back, I think.
Posted 6 years ago # -
What's the long-term view for Elephant bikes, eventually they'll run out of items to refurbish yes? Especially at the buy-one-give-one rate.
EDIT: Okay, I read the website! :-)
"This is a unique and time-limited opportunity for you to be part of this exciting project. There will only ever be 5000 Elephant Bikes, making these individually numbered, fully refurbished postal bikes real collectors’ pieces."
Posted 6 years ago # -
Coincidentally rode past a lime-green Paper Bicycle on the Roseburn path this morning - think that's a fairly frequent Spot, but not a CCE member?
Posted 6 years ago # -
@Arelicat, @dougal, yes I was aware of the PB origins. Once the Elephant Bike project runs its course, there will still be second hand Pashley Mailstars and Prontos around on fleaBay. There's always the option to buy a new Pronto direct from Pashley or through a Pashley dealer.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Tangentely related, I quite fancy a guvnor but I don't think it'll fit in the cycle shed.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@steveo. Guvnor good but pricey
Posted 6 years ago # -
Under the cycle scheme limits though :)
Tbh I've not even started regularly commuting again and I should probably try and get some miles on the CDF before I start considering additional options... But it does look spiffing and I'd be able to wear my nice cap.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Reluctantly had to conclude that the customised PB was not going to be possible. As Klaxon said the delivery was very late - although we have had some items that exceeded even PB so by no means the latest item ever delivered. (Winner for that is a tie between a German and Czech company!)
Last time I spoke with Nick he was heavily involved in bike share schemes in Germany and also the States. The PBs used there are equipped with Shimano roller brakes and hub gears. No Sturmey Archer parts. Some have used the NuVinci variable hub (Now called Envelio as company is 'restructuring' - Chapter 11 case in Delaware).
The NuVinci / Envelio mail out about this news features a yellow Mainz hire PB. Not sure if that was a good thing (!).
AFAIK Nick Lobnitz continues on bike design projects for R&M and others. The UA borrowed his frame layout - bike designers know each other so seemed ok.
An e-Paper Bicycle has been mentioned. In meantime we went for Nihola - as used by Klaxon while waiting for his PB to be sorted.
http://www.velobility.net/bike-models/Posted 6 years ago # -
@steveo, you need to factor in moustache wax and knee britches into the price
Posted 6 years ago # -
It's ok, you can buy a Gazelle, instead; for all your citizen cycling needs ;-)
Posted 6 years ago #
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