Schwinn Bicycles Display

This project was a collaborative effort with Mark McJunkin of Product M, and Wes McGee, a recent ID graduate. We built this display using the CNC resources of the Advanced Wood Products Lab.

The display was for a new bicycle frame designed by Mark that Schwinn Bicycles had just picked up for their 2005 product line. We had a one-week deadline to get the display ready to ship off to Las Vegas for InterBike, the annual trade-show expo for the cycling industry. The main goals of the project were 1) to show off the new suspension mechanism and 2) be collapsable into a standard size suitcase for travel to the show.

The final display was made from 3/4” Baltic Birch plywood and 3/32” polystyrene. We cut apart the frame to show the inner workings, and attached a small 12V motor to the bottom-bracket of the frame to cycle the suspension through its range of travel. The motor is hidden behind the white styrene panel, and connects via a machined delrin yoke.

It was a hit.

Sketch for the display stand.

 
Demo from the show. You can hear the trepidation in Mark's voice as the big guy bounces on the bike.

Detail showing cut-away frame, motor, and interior framework.

Wes, yours truly, and Mark.

Close-up of the frame showing cut-out and bottom-bracket attachment.

Mark demonstrating the bike to buyers.

In action.