URBAN TRANSPORT Your old pop cans could end up in your new ReCycle
By Ben Coxworth December 4, 2012
The ReCycle Mudmaste
Some readers may recall our recent article on the Rizoma bicycle. Along with its carbon fiber build and almost US$5,000 price tag, one of its more striking features is the lack of a seat tube – the part of the frame that runs from the seatpost down to the bottom bracket. Well, if you want to save quite a few bucks, you may soon be able to get that same sort of frame made from recycled aluminum, on the decidedly quirky ReCycle line of city bikes.
According to Bryce Edmonds, the Los Angeles-based ReCycle creator, the seat tube simply isn’t needed – he says that bicycles are built with them simply because it’s easier and cheaper to do so. Along with the missing seat tube, other intentional oddities on the prototype ReCycles include fork designs that are unique to each of the three models, a bottom bracket located above the point where the down tube and chainstays meet, and a big ol’ non-functional hole adjacent to each of the rear drop-outs.
On the more practical side, two of the models also feature a grease- and maintenance-free belt drive instead of a chain, and a continuously-variable NuVinci N360 sealed hub transmission.
The ReCycle mBula cruiser
Edmonds told us that while the frames of the current prototypes are made from about 85 percent recycled aluminum, he’s aiming at 100 percent for the commercial versions. On another eco-conscious note, the saddles and grips are also made from sustainably-grown cork.
The bikes range in weight from 17 to 25 pounds (7.7 to 11.3 kg), and should be priced between US$2,000 and $2,500. Bryce and his team are currently raising funds on Kickstarter, to finance an initial run of 150 ReCycles – 50 of each model.
“My lifestyle has been heavily geared toward sustainability for a long time, and I've probably logged more miles on my bikes in the past 20 years than on my cars,” he told us. “When this idea struck me, it immediately seemed like such a perfect marriage of responsible resource use and forward-thinking design in what is the most environmentally conscious transportation choice available – not to mention just plain fun.”
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The ReCycle: World's First 100%-Recycled-Aluminum Bikes We turn used aluminum into sweet, Made-in-USA bikes that are the ultimate expression of green cred and the coolest rides on the road.
Launched: Nov 21, 2012 .Funding ends: Jan 1, 2013 The ReCycle Origin Story
It all started with inspiration sparked by a recycled-materials, reusable grocery bag with “ingredients” printed on it attached to a messenger bag. Aluminum. Rubber. Plastic. “Hey. Those are bike parts.” Flash! A few years later, and our prototypes are alive, well and rolling down a street near you. (If you live in Los Angeles.) Against so many odds, we’ve managed to create a head-turning bicycle made from 100%-recycled aluminum, making it the greenest transportation option available anywhere.
Now, it’s time to roll The ReCycle forward and start reducing carbon output and waste by reusing aluminum through a closed-loop, recycling mission to create new and awesome bikes from old and worn out materials.
Our Bikes
mBula
It’s the cruiser that speaks Fijian. The mBula is named after toasts during kava ceremonies on the beaches of Fiji. Coconuts falling from the trees. Stars that actually look like they go on for infinity. Camaraderie and convivial lounging. These are times that joyously scorch themselves into your psyche.
Just like a ride on the mBula. It looks good. It feels good. It rolls with an ease found usually with your back against a coconut tree and your traveling companions at your side. (Also, it’s pronounced mmm-boo-la.)
Moshi Moshi
In Japan, they answer the phone, “Moshi Moshi.” Heed the call and say, “Howdy!” to your own head-turner.
Golden temples. Misty mountains dotted with the graves of samurai warriors and ancient sages. Traditions followed with precision and meditative concentration. A land focused on the betterment of the group while perfecting the self. The Moshi Moshi blends tradition with the new new. A fixed gear with a flip-flop hub and styling to blow the kimono off the other riders. Certainly one way to perfect the self and lead the group to betterment.
Japanese-language skills not required.
Mudmaste
“Namaste,” say all along Nepal’s Annapurna circuit–”I worship the god within you.” Towering peaks and limited oxygen swirl in a heady mix of beauty and wonder unmatched on this planet. When you’re this high you see far and dream big, and wonder at least a bit about your place.
Though, after 28 days without a shower, we decide it’s more like Mudmaste, “I worship the mud upon you.” Mud you can collect anywhere you dream to be with our all-terrain bicycle.
From road to trail, the Mudmaste can get you there while the others bow down to your ride.
Why Kickstarter?
It’s pretty simple: We’re a startup. Manufacturing takes cash. Banks aren’t in a lending mood. So, we’re turning to, well, everyone to see if The ReCycle concept connects with, well, anyone. Plus, by turning to our customers to presell our first production run, it gives us momentum to put bikes in shops across the country–and, possibly, the world. More than that, we’ll have enough to start work on new iterations of our ground-breaking bikes, as well as extend our line–and recycling and upcycling mission–into new products.
We’re ready to go. Our concept is proven, and all we need is that first push now that the training wheels are off and we’re peddling on our own. It’s a scary and thrilling moment, and the beginning of something great.
Goals
Our builder needs at least 50 bikes per order to create our homegrown bikes at costs that aren’t astronomical, all things considered. We’re looking for 50 mBula orders to get us going. Stretch goals from there are 50 each of the Moshi Moshi and Mudmaste. There’s a good chance you’d see us dancing in the streets if we reach all three goals and place an order for 150 bikes. A really good chance. Our Design
It’s all well and good to create an uber-green bike, but if you want to be a change agent you better catch people’s attention. We think we’ve done that. In fact, a recent trip to NYC–a place notorious for it’s who-gives-a-sh!t attitude–proves that we have. Folks literally chased us down the street to ask where we got such a cool bike. Short story: You’d better like attention if you’re rolling a ReCycle. Frames
We took out the seat tube because it’s not necessary and just looks so damn cool. It’s probably as simple as that. Plus, why do the same when you can do different and better? That’s a pretty decent life motto as far as we’re concerned.
Forks
Each bike gets its own little bit of panache with a not-at-all-cookie-cutter fork.
Dropouts
Why the hole in the dropout? Because it’s cool. Yep, that’s really it.
Belt
It’s better than a chain, and you’ll ride the cutting edge to bicycling’s future. They last longer and don't need maintenance or grease. Good enough for BMW and Harley Davidson motorcycles; good enough for all of us.
NuVinci N360 Internal Hub
It’s like volume control for shifting, and it’ll change the way you ride–for the better. (mBula and Mudmaste are also available as single-speed versions.)
Sizing
Our unique unisex design translates into bicycles sized for a wide range of riders. Will fit riders from approximately 5’1” to 6’4”.
Our Team The ReCycle team consists of two old friends who turned to an incredible group of folks to create and build the line, including designer and car-eschewing bicycle maven, Michael Downes, and the genius builders at Zen Bicycle Fabrication.
RISKS AND CHALLENGES Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Since we’re already far down the road, the risks and challenges are minimal in the grand scheme of things. We have prototypes. The builders are ready to go. The supply chain is waiting to jump into gear. Parts have been spec’ed and suppliers are ready to ship. All we have to say is, “Go!” and the wheels will start rolling.
That being said… Challenges 1) Like any manufacturing process in its infancy, there could be unexpected delays pushing the timeline longer than anticipated. Our May ship date constitutes our best, conservative estimate for delivery. We’re very hopeful we can beat that, barring unforeseen occurrence.
2) Our bikes are tested to European, more-stringent safety codes. The mBula has been certified and is ready to roll. The Moshi Moshi and Mudmaste need to be retested based upon updated engineering and design. We are confident they will pass and still make the May ship date goal. However, we must ensure we’re sending out the best, safest design possible, and won’t ship if updates are necessary after testing. If you choose these two models, please know that we might need a little patience down the road.
3) As said, our builder needs a minimum order of 50 bikes per model to keep costs as low as possible. We're basing this campaign on our mBula model--if we reach our goal we can make 50. If you want one of the other two models, we must reach our 50 minimum per model. If our campaign is successful and you pledged based upon receiving either a Mudmaste or Moshi Moshi but we don't reach our minimum, we will gladly offer to switch you to another model or get your money back. Simple.
You can, of course, also choose to let us crank along until we have enough to place an order for the model you want. In fact, that would be awesome of you.
Risks
The only one we can see so far is: The ReCycle is so popular we overshoot our builder’s maximum output and then a) we work our a$$es off moving things along and b) you might have to wait just a little longer before folks are stopping you on the street asking, “Where did you get that awesome bike?!”
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/461813706/the-recycle-worlds-first-100-recycled-aluminum-bik
https://www.facebook.com/LikeReCycle
.-..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Kickstarter
FAQ Search the FAQ by keywordSearch
Kickstarter Basics: Kickstarter 101
What's Kickstarter?
Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others.
Since our launch on April 28, 2009, over $350 million has been pledged by more than 2.5 million people, funding more than 30,000 creative projects. If you like stats, there's lots more here.
How does Kickstarter work?
Thousands of creative projects are funding on Kickstarter at any given moment. Each project is independently created and crafted by the person behind it. The filmmakers, musicians, artists, and designers you see on Kickstarter have complete control and responsibility over their projects. They spend weeks building their project pages, shooting their videos, and brainstorming what rewards to offer backers. When they're ready, creators launch their project and share it with their community.
Every project creator sets their project's funding goal and deadline. If people like the project, they can pledge money to make it happen. If the project succeeds in reaching its funding goal, all backers' credit cards are charged when time expires. If the project falls short, no one is charged. Funding on Kickstarter is all-or-nothing.
Why is funding all-or-nothing?
All-or-nothing funding is a core part of Kickstarter and it has a number of advantages:
It's less risk for everyone. If you need $5,000, it's tough having $1,000 and a bunch of people expecting you to complete a $5,000 project.
It motivates. If people want to see a project come to life, they're going to spread the word.
It works. Of the projects that have reached 20% of their funding goal, 82% were successfully funded. Of the projects that have reached 60% of their funding goal, 98% were successfully funded. Projects either make their goal or find little support. There's little in-between.
To date, an incredible 44% of projects have reached their funding goals.
Can Kickstarter be used to fund anything?
We allow creative projects in the worlds of Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater.
Everything on Kickstarter must be a project. A project has a clear goal, like making an album, a book, or a work of art. A project will eventually be completed, and something will be produced by it.
Kickstarter does not allow charity, cause, or "fund my life" projects. Check out our project guidelines for details.
Does Kickstarter screen projects before they launch?
Only a quick review to make sure they meet our project guidelines. Kickstarter does not investigate a creator's ability to complete their project. Backers ultimately decide the validity and worthiness of a project by whether they decide to fund it. See the Accountability section for more.
Why do people back projects?
A lot of backers are rallying around their friends' projects. Some are supporting people they've long admired. Many are just inspired by a new idea. Others are inspired by a project's rewards — a copy of what's being made, a limited edition, or a custom experience related to the project.
Backing a project is more than just giving someone money, it's supporting their dream to create something that they want to see exist in the world.
Where do backers come from?
In most cases, the majority of funding initially comes from the fans and friends of each project. If they like it, they'll spread the word to their friends, and so on. Press, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Kickstarter itself are also big sources of traffic and pledges. Altogether, millions of people visit Kickstarter every week.
Do backers get ownership or equity in the projects they fund?
No. Project creators keep 100% ownership of their work. Kickstarter cannot be used to offer financial returns or equity, or to solicit loans.
Some projects that are funded on Kickstarter may go on to make money, but backers are supporting projects to help them come to life, not financially profit.
What are the fees?
If a project is successfully funded, Kickstarter applies a 5% fee to the funds collected.
In the US, pledges will be processed by Amazon Payments, while in the UK, pledges will be processed securely through a third-party payments processor. These payment processing fees work out to roughly 3-5%. View the US and UK fee breakdowns.
Who is Kickstarter?
We're 46 people based in a tenement building in New York City's Lower East Side. We spend our time making the site better, answering questions from backers and creators, and finding great new projects to share with you. Every day is an adventure — we get to experience projects as they happen! Say hello or come work with us!
Kickstarter Basics: Accountability TOP ↑
Who is responsible for completing a project as promised?
It's the project creator's responsibility to complete their project. Kickstarter is not involved in the development of the projects themselves.
Kickstarter does not guarantee projects or investigate a creator's ability to complete their project. On Kickstarter, backers (you!) ultimately decide the validity and worthiness of a project by whether they decide to fund it.
How do backers know if a project will follow through?
Launching a Kickstarter is a very public act, and creators put their reputations at risk when they do.
Backers should look for creators who share a clear plan for how their project will be completed and who have a history of doing so. Creators are encouraged to share links and as much background information as possible so backers can make informed decisions about the projects they support.
If a creator has no demonstrable experience in doing something like their project or doesn't share key information, backers should take that into consideration. Does the creator include links to any websites that show work related to the project, or past projects? Does the creator appear in the video? Have they connected via Facebook?
Don't hesitate to request information from a creator. You can always reach out before pledging via the "Contact me" button on the project page.
How do I know a project creator is who they claim they are?
Perhaps you know the project creator, or you heard about the project from a trusted source.
Maybe they have a first-person video. That would be hard to fake. "Is it really U2?!" Well, it is if Bono's talking about the project.
Still not sure? Look for the creator bio section on the project page. Are they Facebook Connected? Do they provide links for further verification? The web is an invaluable resource for learning more about a person.
At the end of the day, use your internet street smarts.
What should creators do if they're having problems completing their project? If problems come up, creators are expected to post a project update (which is emailed to all backers) explaining the situation. Sharing the story, speed bumps and all, is crucial. Most backers support projects because they want to see something happen and they'd like to be a part of it. Creators who are honest and transparent will usually find backers to be understanding.
It's not uncommon for things to take longer than expected. Sometimes the execution of the project proves more difficult than the creator had anticipated. If a creator is making a good faith effort to complete their project and is transparent about it, backers should do their best to be patient and understanding while demanding continued accountability from the creator.
If the problems are severe enough that the creator can't fulfill their project, creators need to find a resolution. Steps could include offering refunds, detailing exactly how funds were used, and other actions to satisfy backers.
Is a creator legally obligated to fulfill the promises of their project?
Yes. Kickstarter's Terms of Use require creators to fulfill all rewards of their project or refund any backer whose reward they do not or cannot fulfill. (This is what creators see before they launch.) We crafted these terms to create a legal requirement for creators to follow through on their projects, and to give backers a recourse if they don't. We hope that backers will consider using this provision only in cases where they feel that a creator has not made a good faith effort to complete the project and fulfill.
Can Kickstarter refund the money if a project is unable to fulfill?
No. Kickstarter doesn't issue refunds as transactions are between backers and creators, and creators receive all funds (after fees) soon after their campaign ends. Creators have the ability to refund backers through Amazon Payments (for US projects) and Kickstarter (for UK projects).
Why can't Kickstarter guarantee projects?
We started Kickstarter as a new way for creators and audiences to work together to make things. The traditional funding systems are risk-averse and profit-focused, and tons of great ideas never get a chance. We thought Kickstarter could open the door to a much wider variety of ideas and allow everyone to decide what they wanted to see exist in the world.
Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative ideas. Many of the projects you see on Kickstarter are in earlier stages of development and are looking for a community to bring them to life. The fact that Kickstarter allows creators to take risks and attempt to create something new is a feature, not a bug.
What is Kickstarter doing about fulfillment?
As Kickstarter has grown, we've made changes to improve accountability and fulfillment. In August 2011 we began requiring creators to list an "Estimated Delivery Date" for all rewards. This was done to make creators think hard about when they could deliver, and to underline that Kickstarter is not a traditional shopping experience.
In May 2012 we added additional guidelines and requirements for Product Design and Technology projects. These include requiring creators to provide information about their background and experience, a manufacturing plan (for hardware projects), and a functional prototype. We made this change to ensure that creators have done their research before launching and backers have sufficient information when deciding whether to back these projects.
We've also allocated more staff to trust and safety. We look into projects reported by our community for guidelines violations and suspicious activity, and we take action when necessary. These efforts are focused on fraud and acceptable uses of Kickstarter, not a creator's ability to complete a project and fulfill. On Kickstarter, backers ultimately decide the validity and worthiness of a project by whether they decide to fund it.
Kickstarter Basics: Getting involved TOP ↑
How do I start a project?
Click the green "Start Your Project" button on the start page. That will take you through the process of building your project. All projects must meet Kickstarter's project guidelines and all creators must meet eligibility requirements.
Before jumping in, do some research. Read through Kickstarter School for tips on how to structure your project. Talk to your friends about your ideas to see what they think. Look at other projects on Kickstarter that are similar to yours. All of this work will pay off.
How can I find interesting projects to back?
There are a bunch of ways to find cool projects:
The Kickstarter Newsletter: Once a week we send a hand-picked email of three projects worth checking out.
Your friends: Connect your Facebook account to Kickstarter to follow your friends and check out the projects they're backing.
Staff Picks: The Staff Picks section collects standout projects selected by the Kickstarter team.
Popular: The Kickstarter algorithms displays the projects making the most waves. The main popular page is the best view: three of the most popular projects in all 13 categories.
The Internet: Kickstarter projects are often big news on social media and in the press. This is how many projects are discovered.
Is there a place I can download the Kickstarter logo?
Yes! The Kickstarter Style Guide has hi-resolution versions of the Kickstarter logo and other assets for creators, backers, and members of the press to download.
If I have more questions, what should I do?
Have questions that weren't answered here? We have more Frequently Asked Questions available for both creators and backers. If you're a member of the press looking to reach Kickstarter, you can visit the Pressroom for lots of great resources, or just email press@kickstarter.com directly. If you are looking for customer service help, just click Contact at the bottom of the page. Thanks!
http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter%20basics?ref=nav
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario