News and Updates
Fender Blender is here!
The culmination of 3 years of development, the b3 Fender Blender is
now in production in CA. In use in restaurants and at businesses throughout
the country, the fender blender is drawing lots of attention.
Visit our new urban bike culture website:
www.rockthebike.com
Post your stories of bike blending, buy accessories, find a cruiser ride
in your area
Fruitful Stories from the Field
9/13/06
"... my backside was in the Springfield Journal-Register this morning
(actually it was a pretty good picture, even if it's not a dainty backside
:-)) propelling my Xtracycle blender at the Springfield Capital City Century.
There was an informal "blend-off" with a fellow there with a "turbo
blender" ... the consensus was that mine was faster, quieter, and (even
after riding 62 miles on it) smelled better. He had a bigger jug on top...
said he could make 800 daquiries on a gallon of fuel... but even after 62
miles I bet I could keep up..."
Sarah
read more stories...
Fresh Videos
The Juice Peddler's endeavors into human power began in 2002 in San
Francisco . Our early prototypes debuted at Critical Mass Rides and
Peace Rallies, demonstrating a remarkable appeal for a long standing
DIY bicycle invention: the bike blender.
HISTORY OF THE BIKE BLENDER
There is no official history of the bicycle blender. Wikipedia has
yet to post information on this topic, and we are not in an authoritative
position to speak about the broad history of the bike blender. As such
make no claim to have invented the bike blender, but we do claim to
have perfected the technology surrounding bicycle powered blenders,
and beyond. Some of our inspirations came from Humbolt State University's
CCAT, and their
human power prototypes. A picture
of their bike blender which appeared in Utne Reader in 2001 was influential
in our design process.
Early collaboration with the non-profitWorldbike
was instrumental in the generation of our vision of creating jobs out
of bikes in both the developing world and in developed countries. We
felt that the bike blender has broad appeal, regardless of the state
of development of an economy, and could be a source of livlihood for
entrepreneurial individuals. This image,
taken by Worldbike tehnician Ed Lucero in Kenya, captures the essence
of the entrepreneural human powered endeavor.
EVOLUTION OF THE BYERLEY BICYCLE BLENDER (B3)
The first generation Byerley Bicycle Blender was built on a
tricycle platform. Using the drivetrain of the trike to power
the blender, the vehicle itself became a (difficult to manuever)
trailer. Using an old fashioned hand-drill to change the direction
of motion, and chain linkages to move rotational energy, the 1st
B3 was a crude and temperamental invention.
The second generation utilized a stationary bicycle as the base
platform, as well as a flexible drive shaft harvested from a defunct gas powered
weed whacker. While this device was more dependable, it lacked frappe
speed and was difficult to transport.
The third generation was our first bike blender to capitalize
on the various advantages presented by utilizing an Xtracycle
as the base bike for a bike blender. Pivoting rollers were pioneered
in this phase, and several methods for holding a commercial
blender pitcher to the blending platform were attempted.
The fourth generation incorporated adjustability into the swivel
design of the blender platter, and stock plumbing pieces were
modified to cradle both the standard Oster blender pitcher as
well as the new Bottle Blender, essentially a sealable water bottle
with a blender blade inside.
The fifth generation bike blender is made out of high density
polyethylene (HDPE). All parts are machined in Oakland CA, and
the base itself is virtually indestructable. It is designed to
be used exclusively on an Xtracycle
sport utility bicycle. This is the product stocked and sold in
our store.
|
|
(1st gen)
(2nd
gen)
(3rd
gen)
(4th
gen)
(5th gen) |
|
|
BUSINESS PRACTICES AT THE JUICE PEDDLER
The Juice Peddler values a collaborative work environment and environmentally
sustainable production practices. While the debate between local versus
overseas production rages (with valid points on either side, we might
add) there remains the difficulty of meeting, knowing and learning from
partners half-way around the world. Given this reality, and our steadfast
commitment to collaboration, we work diligently to keep our work processes
local, paying above living wages to our employees. We benefit from their
expertise and their input on design, manufacturing processes and distribution.
While it can be argued that world may not in fact be in need of
more bicycle blenders, we assert that there exists a tangible benefit from the
right number of bike blenders in use in our world, inspiring others
to make responsible and fun energy choices in their lives. Ultimately,
we believe that the best energy choices we make are often very simple:
go for a hike when you could watch TV, ride a bike when you could drive
a car, play an instrument before cranking up the subwoofer. We are fortunate
to have clients who like to share. Our bike blenders are in use all over the
world, in the hands of individuals and large companies, all of whom
find inspiration in the elegance and simplicity found in human beings
being the power source for their own satisfaction.
OUR CLIENTS
Our clients include Craig
Kelley,who landed a seat on the Cambridge city council using his
Xtracycle and B3, as well as Tanya
Kayos, a soon to be superstar who raises awareness about good living
practices. Corporate clients include Starbucks
and Clif Bar. Cafes
include Habana Outpost
in Brooklyn, NY, Cafe
Gratitude's farm in Maui, Baltimore Village Co-op in MD, Linda's
Organics in Queens, NY. Schools using the B3 include Komachin Middle
School in OR, Mammoth Middle in CA. Non profits include Recycle
a Bicycle in Brooklyn, Urban
Nutrition Intiative in PA, and Cycles
of Change in our home turf of Oakland, CA. We are honored to be
in the company of the individuals that make up these businesses.
OUR TEAM
The Juice Peddler is an entrepreneurial endeavor of Nate Byerley.
Please read more about the Juice Peddler team in the B.I.G.
section of this website.
LIABILITY STATEMENT
Blenders are inherently dangerous items, and can pose significant
hazards to children and adults. The B3 is designed to spin blender blades
at over 10,000 rpm, equivalent to a household electric blender. As a
consumer of these products, you agree to treat your bike blender with
all precautions you would an electric blender, which includes never
placing hands or objects inside blender pitcher while blender blade
is spinning. You also assume responsibility for the various liabilities
posed by stationary bicycles, including injury or fatality resulting
from placing body parts into a spinning wheel, or getting caught in
gears, chain etc. The Juice Peddler waives responsibility for any and
all injuries, accidents, or fatalities associated with the use of the
B3 human powered blender bases, Fender Blender, and all accessories.
|
