My project changed because my previous research results were different from what I expected to lead to another final 3d outcome. The reason was that I originally wanted to design a bike directly. However, after a random survey of people around me, I discovered that most People are reluctant to give up their previous bicycles to change their new ones. Compared to electronic products, bicycles obviously do not need frequent update iterations. So I changed my mind and designed a bicycle's components based on "comfort". Ultimately bike saddle became my decision.

However, I had some problems before Saddle's design and shaping. I ignored the spacing of the two legs when designing the shape of the cushion, resulting in the initial shape that would make the legs more uncomfortable during riding. I soon realized the problem, so I changed the size of the front side cushion. After making the model later, I found that there was no way to really add my suspension system to my seat because of the lack of materials. In addition to the machine limitations of the workshop and the insufficiency of my own ability, my final pieces are not quite the same as the one which I modeled on the rhino. If I have enough time, I will think about how to add my system to my work. I might add it to a saddle tube, join a cushion or make a shock absorber into saddle's support directly.

In the process of completing this project, I was most satisfied with the contact with a lot of people who love cycling. They have a variety of reasons for love cycling, not the same. They have encountered many problems. They even gave me some interesting views to think about. For example, once I decided to make bicycle parts is the inspiration from the interview. Then from the survey, I found that a large proportion of respondents think that the comfort of cycling is more important, which led me to determine the direction of suspension. The process of making the model is also very interesting, because the precision of the bicycle parts is very important. It’s quiet challenge for me to try to make the joint of the part as much as possible with the previous research. To ensure that both sides of the size, the same angle, but also to ensure beauty is  difficult, but very interesting process. I have never done such a precise part, so I learned and tried many machines that I had never used before, such as sander, staple gun and vacuum form.

After four weeks of working, I had more ideas besides my saddle. During the research on the suspension system, I found that although there was really no idea of adding shock absorbers to the cushions (so maybe I was the first one?). I thought about whether or not to shock combined absorbers directly with the wheels. Although it was not actually conceived, I feel that this effect should be much more useful than in a tube. If there are another four weeks of work, I may consider this combination device. 

When I returned to Shanghai, China, I went home to visit my family and friends. On the one hand, I conducted “Another Country Research” and got some interesting and good research.

In the past two years, the rapid development of coastal cities in China has become a unique way of traveling and sharing trips. There is a shared bicycle on the street. The mobile phone scans the QR code and pays a deposit of about 10 pounds. This mode of travel is very different from the mainstream approach in the United Kingdom.

The advantages of sharing bicycles are convenient and the rent is low

The disadvantage is that there are few places where there are few remote people and they are often damaged.

In addition, I tried to experience it once (although I rode it before, but this time for research). I found that the quality of each bicycle was uneven. Although the rents are the same, some bicycles are obviously heavier than others, and they are hard to use, or the seats are too high and too low, and cannot be adjusted. Some bike seats can be adjusted to make me feel a comfortable height and angle. However, the effect of shock absorbers is not good, and the cost of sharing a bicycle determines that his quality may not be so good. In addition, the “masters” encountered before each bicycle are different, and each bicycle is different.

Today we have the context workshop. I made a brainstorm on Cycling, I was interested on further Exercise, Accessories, and other functions. Then I reference some companies such as Brompton, Mercedes Benz, Apple and BMW. I referenced their bicycle or using on bicycles’ products. After talking within the group, I noticed that maybe sociability is also a nice point to further. But that’s quite abstract for me to realize. 

Among those four points, I preferred accessories best. Because through of the accessories I can imagine several kinds of products. Accessories are to promote the user experience on cycling. Headset camera, lights or locks and so on. There are plenty of accessories to create. I have many choices to develop. 

Because I was absence for these days, so it’s quite hard to keep up the pace. I found some classmates to talk with them and receive some useful feedback. Hoping I would keep on the pace as soon as possible.