The Brompton folding bicycle[1]. I have been obsessing over it to the point where I contacted the manufacturer because one of the product pictures had the wrong number of cables on it. The folding mechanism is an amazing piece of design, it not only collapses small but it also keeps the grubby tyres off the ground, keeps the chain and cogs inside the fold, can be left with the seat up to wheel around, or the handlebars up to wheel around - and bags mounted on the handlebars stay upright and usable. The the changes over the decades (it was lengthened and the fold joints thickened around 2004), the options (the telescopic seatpost goes higher than the extended seatpost and collapses smaller than it), the colours (the raw laquer editions have problems with rusting), the tweaks people do (leather strap to make the luggage release switch easier to get to, aftermarket 3D printed widgets to make the unfolding lock stay in place[2]), a table of all the available gear ratios... etc.
How they have kept the same frame shape and size and design, but vary the colour scheme in special editions making it more of a consumer product than a cyclist product - like Swatch watches used to be, and with the stylised logos. I could argue why it's a great product and why it's a bad product.
I have no idea why; I have no commute. I don't use much public transport. I already have a bike. I wouldn't fit well on one. I have no need of one. I've never ridden one, never seen one except in passing, but I'm obsessing over them recently for a couple of months. (Likely some avoidance / dream that $product will improve my life involved).
The Kwiggle[3] is a more interesting design, a standup bike that's even more portable.
I assume you already know about Bike Friday, but if not you might enjoy, their folding tandem bike! I have been contemplating an AllPacka, or a minivelo, but cargo bikes have my attention in the other direction.
How they have kept the same frame shape and size and design, but vary the colour scheme in special editions making it more of a consumer product than a cyclist product - like Swatch watches used to be, and with the stylised logos. I could argue why it's a great product and why it's a bad product.
I have no idea why; I have no commute. I don't use much public transport. I already have a bike. I wouldn't fit well on one. I have no need of one. I've never ridden one, never seen one except in passing, but I'm obsessing over them recently for a couple of months. (Likely some avoidance / dream that $product will improve my life involved).
The Kwiggle[3] is a more interesting design, a standup bike that's even more portable.
[1] e.g. Everyday Cycling's video "What makes it SO SPECIAL" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6bmuJ98Zc8
[2] https://ezclamp.co.uk/
[3] https://www.kwigglebike.com/en_US/