SHiFT

This cycling system blends into life, being your best exercise friend

This bicycle system solves the problem that nowadays people buy spin bikes and never use them. The set consists of an e-bike and a trainer, covering all the biking exercise demands and scenarios. The set makes the user use it effortlessly with a unique docking method between the bike and the trainer. As the electric assisting bike offers versatile commuting functions, the bike system blends into daily life like a friend and encourages people to exercise.

Excellent Award Winner of the 24th International Bicycle Design Competition

Have a look at the product

With a 3D model, you can explore the form from different angles and examine every design detail. You can also use your smartphone to visit the website and try the AR mode, which lets you place the model in real-world settings.

About this project

My role : Individual
User research / User experience / Competitor research / industrial design
Main tools involved
Alias / Fusion360 / Keyshot
Project duration
2 months

Problem

Spin bike becoming coat racks

I have personally experienced the issue of a spin bike being used as a clothes hanger in the corner of the living room, rather than being ridden.

This seems to be a common problem, as there are many instances of spin bikes being purchased and then left unused, serving only as a coat rack in the corner of the living room. These bikes are often left covered in layers of jackets and never used for their intended purpose.

Questioning

If spin bikes are not being used, why not consider using a bicycle and trainer instead?

If your spin bike is taking up space in your living room without being used, why not consider using a bike that can be ridden outdoors and pairing it with a separate trainer for indoor workouts?

This way, you can take advantage of the benefits of outdoor cycling and still have the option to exercise at home. You can also enjoy the variety of exercising both indoors and outdoors, making your workouts more interesting and enjoyable.

Findings from research

Bike-trainer docking difficulties for non-experts -
One of the major challenges with using a separate bike trainer, especially for non-experts, is the effort required to set them up and take them down. This can be a significant barrier to usage and often leads to the trainers being left idle in the corners, just like spin bikes.

E-Bike Smart Trainer Set for Effortless Indoor Cycling -
Commuting by e-bike can be a convenient and easy way to integrate exercise into daily life. However, setting up and using a separate bike trainer can be challenging and time-consuming, especially for non-experts. Imagine the convenience of being able to dock your e-bike effortlessly onto a smart trainer. Not only would this make it easier to incorporate bike training into your routine, but a smart trainer can also provide a more realistic and interactive cycling experience, similar to a spin bike.

Why a smart trainer? -
When comparing different types of trainers, it's important to consider the level of difficulty and the level of wear and tear on your bike. Professional rollers can be dangerous and require a high level of skill to use, while stationary trainers can be loud and wear out your tires faster than a direct drive (smart) trainer. Smart trainers, also known as direct drive trainers, transmit cycling power directly through the structure, providing a more realistic and interactive cycling simulation experience.

Goals

I hope people are satisfied with the spontaneous exercise motivation with the e-bike and trainer set

The e-bike and trainer set's goals is to motivate the user to exercise and be physically active. Its versatile commuting functions allow it to seamlessly blend into daily life, and it can be easily ridden anywhere and anytime with the easy dock and detach feature. The goal of this design is to remove any obstacles that may prevent the user from using the product and naturally encourage them to exercise.

Docking made extremely easy

The structure consists of a large round port on the bike and three corresponding plugs on the trainer that fit together. The bike and trainer can be easily and securely joined by combining and locking the two together.

Featires - Designed like an attracting friend

1. Reminding the user to exercise with the e-bike battery unfilled -
The e-bike trainer acts as a reminding friend, charging the battery up to 70% during sleep time and leaving the remaining 30% for the user to charge through exercise. This feature is meant to motivate the user to ride the e-bike, as the unfilled battery attracts the user's desire to fill it up.

2. Motivation through battery charging progress -
If the user rides the e-bike with the trainer, the battery can be charged up to 30% or more on a daily basis. As the user exercises, the battery gauge fills, providing a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This visual representation of progress can motivate the user to continue exercising with the e-bike.

3. Terrain simulation indicator -
The indicator on the robot also changes color to show the level of terrain in the riding simulation, which is determined by the force applied by the intelligent trainer.

This e-bike makes you ride it everyday with...

The 24" wheels
The e-bike is designed with a 24-inch wheel that is suitable for many human form factors. People ranging from teenagers to adult men can comfortably ride the e-bike without any difficulties.

A light-weight motor module
The e-bike features a lightweight motor that allows for approximately 20 km of riding distance, suitable for most short city rides without any issues.

Form and design

The unique blend of organic and geometric design - The e-bike is designed as a commuting city bike, with a simple and organic body line inspired by tree branches. The bottom trainer, on the other hand, has a sporty and high-tech feel, with a more geometric design that complements the e-bike's lines. The combination of these styles is meant to suit the bike's urban setting.

Always "SHiFTing"

The e-bike and trainer set allows the user to commute to work in the morning and easily hook the bike onto the trainer dock after returning home. Additionally, on rainy weekends, the system can be used as an intelligent spin bike. The context of a user exercising with cycling constantly shifts and adapts to their needs.