Melon Bicycles
Encyclopedia
Melon Bicycles is a brand of folding bicycle
produced by Lakeland Gear Inc. located in Candler, North Carolina
just adjacent to Asheville, North Carolina
. Melon was founded in July 2008 by Loran Evans, the current President and CEO of the company, as well as Rightline Gear. Originally based in Alpharetta, Georgia
, Evans was inspired to create a bicycle
that was more convenient for recreational riders. Motivated by neighbors with bulky bikes, Evans' goal was to design an easy to ride, easy to transport bike, without sacrificing performance. Many cyclists refer to the company as Melon Bikes, Melon Bicycles, or simply Melon. Melon completes its manufacturing in Taiwanese factories.
Melon is currently working in collaboration with Turner Broadcasting System
, Chick-fil-A
, and others in an effort to improve overall health and wellness. This program encourages employees to ride their bikes to work, thus cutting down on car pollution.
, comfort, and fitness bicycles with all of the advantages of a folding bike.
and fork
is made from 7005 aluminum. The Slice uses a large size 52T chainring and a 12-25T cassette to provide enough of a gear range to conquer all terrains with only 8 speeds. Grip shifters are used for shifting with an easy to read display indicating the current gear chosen. The Slice uses 20” wheels (406mm) in the 1.75” width. The bicycle geometry features a slacker head tube
angle than most folding bikes which provides for smooth riding and greater maneuverability. The bike’s frame is generally built to accommodate common "industry-standard" components such as brakes and gear
systems. The bike will accommodate riders up to 6’ 3” in height.
when not in use. In this position, it has a water bottle holder and cell phone pocket that can be accessed by the rider. When used to carry the folded bike, the bag has a set of carry handles, an adjustable shoulder strap, and an outer zippered pocket.
The Melon Slice folding bike can be outfitted with a pair of mud guards to keep rain and dirt from soiling the riders clothing. The mud guards bolt on to the front fork and the rear reflector frame member.
Folding bicycle
A folding bicycle is a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings and workplaces or onto public transportation or more easily stored in compact living quarters or aboard a car, boat or plane...
produced by Lakeland Gear Inc. located in Candler, North Carolina
Candler, North Carolina
Candler is an unincorporated community in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It lies on North Carolina Highway 151 and U.S. Routes 19, 23, and 74 Business, at an elevation of 2139 feet . The ZIP code of Candler is 28715. The community is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical...
just adjacent to Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
. Melon was founded in July 2008 by Loran Evans, the current President and CEO of the company, as well as Rightline Gear. Originally based in Alpharetta, Georgia
Alpharetta, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 34,854 people, 13,911 households, and 8,916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,631.6 people per square mile . There were 14,670 housing units at an average density of 686.7 per square mile...
, Evans was inspired to create a bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
that was more convenient for recreational riders. Motivated by neighbors with bulky bikes, Evans' goal was to design an easy to ride, easy to transport bike, without sacrificing performance. Many cyclists refer to the company as Melon Bikes, Melon Bicycles, or simply Melon. Melon completes its manufacturing in Taiwanese factories.
Melon is currently working in collaboration with Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
, Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A |"fillet"]]) is a quick service restaurant chain headquartered in College Park, Georgia, United States, specializing in chicken entrées and is known for promoting the company founder's claims of Christian values. Long associated with the southern United States, where it has been a...
, and others in an effort to improve overall health and wellness. This program encourages employees to ride their bikes to work, thus cutting down on car pollution.
Uses
Melon bikes are designed to be multifunctional and can be used for fitness, recreation, commuting, or travel. Melon currently has one model on the market, the Slice. A slack head tube angle and long wheelbase distinguish Melon from some other folding bikes. These features allow for increased performance, however its dimensions may constrain potential riders who are over 6'3". Although the Melon can be used by commuters, its intended function is as an alternative to conventional hybridHybrid bicycle
A hybrid bicycle is a bicycle designed for general-purpose utility and commuting on a wide variety of surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, paths and trails...
, comfort, and fitness bicycles with all of the advantages of a folding bike.
Folding System
The Melon Slice folding system is relatively conventional and straightforward. First, it folds at the pedals and then at the handlebar stem. The bike is then folded in the middle of the top tube so that the two halves come together. With practice, the bike can be folded in about 15 seconds. The folded size of the bike is 34”L x 27”H x 13”W.Specifications
The Melon Bicycles Slice model’s frameBicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
and fork
Bicycle fork
A bicycle fork is the portion of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and allows the rider to steer and balance the bicycle. A fork consists of two fork ends which hold the front wheel axle, two blades which join at a fork crown, and a steerer or steering tube to which the handlebars attach ...
is made from 7005 aluminum. The Slice uses a large size 52T chainring and a 12-25T cassette to provide enough of a gear range to conquer all terrains with only 8 speeds. Grip shifters are used for shifting with an easy to read display indicating the current gear chosen. The Slice uses 20” wheels (406mm) in the 1.75” width. The bicycle geometry features a slacker head tube
Head tube
Most bicycles, tricycles and motorcycles have a tubular frame. The front fork pivots within the head tube . On a motorcycle, the "head tube" is normally called the steering head...
angle than most folding bikes which provides for smooth riding and greater maneuverability. The bike’s frame is generally built to accommodate common "industry-standard" components such as brakes and gear
Bicycle gearing
A bicycle gear or gear ratio refers to the rate at which the rider's legs turn compared to the rate at which the wheels turn. Bicycle gearing refers to how the gear ratio is set or changed. On some bicycles, there is only one gear so the ratio is fixed. Most modern bicycles have multiple gears,...
systems. The bike will accommodate riders up to 6’ 3” in height.
Strengths
Melon offers multiple accessories. Many municipal bus and train lines require that bikes brought on board be kept transported in a bag. A Folding Bike Carry Bag carries the bike when folded and attaches to the bikes handlebars by VelcroVelcro
Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral...
when not in use. In this position, it has a water bottle holder and cell phone pocket that can be accessed by the rider. When used to carry the folded bike, the bag has a set of carry handles, an adjustable shoulder strap, and an outer zippered pocket.
The Melon Slice folding bike can be outfitted with a pair of mud guards to keep rain and dirt from soiling the riders clothing. The mud guards bolt on to the front fork and the rear reflector frame member.