Loopwheel: folding bicycles can go full-suspension

An engineer from Nottingham has spent the last four years reinventing the wheel. The 20” Loopwheel developed by Sam Pierce transform folders into full-suspension bikes.

Suspension for folding bikes

Most folding bikes do not have suspension because conventional suspension forks add weight and bulk to the bicycle – particularly unwelcome because folders are often carried.

Replacing the spoked wheels on a folder with Loopwheels has no detrimental impact on folding action and weighs 600g more than the spoked equivalent.

A spring system between the hub and the rim of the wheel provides suspension, cushioning the rider from bumps and potholes .

Loopwheels have a conventional hub with a hub brake and hub gears, but the spokes are replaced by a carbon composite spring system that are claimed to give a smooth and comfortable ride over rough surfaces compared with a conventional spoked wheel.

Unlike suspended forks, Loopwheels provide tangential suspension: that is, they give 45 mm of travel in every direction. They respond to a force hit head-on in the same way as they do to a force from above or below.

How do I buy Loopwheels?

Sam is appealing for help through crowd-funding website Kickstarter to take the fully-functioning and tested prototype 20″ front and rear bicycle wheels into production. He is offering his first production Loopwheels to Kickstarter supporters, priced lower than the expected retail price (which will be £500 – £600 for a set of 2 wheels). The wheels are being offered on a Dahon Mu folding bike (see photo at top of page) or you can pledge for the wheels on their own.  You can can also buy the wheels individually.

Cycle insurance for folding bikes

Cycle insurance from the ETA offers a discount of up to 20% on folding bikes. Every policy includes: new-for-old with no de-valuation over time, accidental damage, third party and personal accident, get you home cover and 90 days’ worldwide. Get an instant quote here