We’ve recieved details through the ether about this “Pressure Bike”, on July 3, whilst on exhibit at the BBC Tomorrow’s World International Inventions Fair 1999 where it had been awarded the highly commended prize for its innovative characteristics.

It’s designer, Justiniano García García is appealing for anyone who knows of it’s wherabouts to get in touch.

We don’t know where it is (and we looked everywhere in this plush carpeted office, but all we found was a Tioga T-Bone stem and a Muddy Fox disc wheel), but wonder if anyone out there has seen it.

If you have, give Justin an email on

[email protected]. Have a look further on the website at http://www.ctv.es/USERS/pressure-bike.

We hope he finds his bike, but we couldn’t help having a wonder about it…

The mechanics of the system are that a pump is attatched to the cranks via a small machined. Pedalling pumps the pump (no!) and compresses air in the frame tubes. The frame reaches full pressure within 20mins, and then the pump can be disengaged by means of a handlebar mounted thumbshifter.

The point of the pressure in the frame? To allow you to blow up your tyres if you haven’t got a pump.

Far be it from us to pour water on a new invention, but we think it’s an awful lot of effort to go to, just to let you forget your pump. Perhaps if Shimano’s Airline gear systems ever get off the ground, then this system could be used in conjunction. Perhaps not.

Who knows. All the best on getting your bike back, Justin.