Sbyke--Easier To Ride Than To Say

by Chris Weiss

I don't know about you, but my mouth doesn't willing combine "S" and "B" into a consonant cluster without a little extra effort. So I'm glad I'm writing about the Sbyke rather than explaining it orally.

An interesting combination of a bike, skateboard and scooter, the Sbyke is the antithesis of all traditional bikes in that it turns from the rear wheels rather than the front. The scooter-bike has a fixed, 20-inch front bicycle wheel and two skateboard wheels in back that are on a pivoting truck, allowing you to lean into turns like you would on a skateboard. Those wheels are connected by a lightweight frame built out of 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum. There's also an adjustable spring rate on the steering system, so that riders can optimize it for cruising or carving, and a hand brake for stopping.

To be quite honest, I'm not really sure what advantages the rear-steering configuration brings to the table. From the video, it looks versatile and easy to steer and trick, but it seems like you could do all that on a more traditional front steerer.

And the quotes from the launch press release are everything but useful. Here's an example from Bart Wilson, president of Sbyke: "Sbyke™ is already being used the way we envisioned it, by the whole family. It’s fun for dad and daughter. It’s perfect for soccer Saturday’s at the fields. College students may now actually get to class on time!"

Umm...yeah, Bart, that sounds like every other bike and scooter. How about telling me why I want a Sbyke as opposed to the garage-full of other bikes I already have. And while you're at it, hire a new PR writer because that press release tells me absolutely nothing. In fact, I'm less interested in the Sbyke now then I was before I read that useless waste of my time. You have an innovative product there...sell it! You're going to have some trouble becoming a "household staple" if you can't even explain what the thing is.

Sorry, rant over. The Sbyke made its world debut at the International Toy Fair in New York earlier this year and should be hitting stores soon. (Update: The Sbyke is now available in stores and on Amazon here.) Check out this video: