Bike of the Future: X-9 Nighthawk

This 2012 concept bike frame by Brano Meres Engineering and Design (their logo looks strikingly like BMC’s don’t you think?) was designed with bike and design buffs in mind, and packed with super innovative features.

“Developed by Atomic22, the infiniti3D bicycle component security system is one of the major technologies featured by the X-9 Nighthawk. Carbon fiber was used to attach, laminate, and water-jet cut the aramid honeycomb sandwich panels from which the structure of the frame was built.”

What is this infiniti3D system by Atomic22 you might be wondering? Well okay I don’t know if you were but I was definitely wondering what that was. From what I found, it is a super high-tech bike lock! No more lugging around U-locks or bike chains with you while cycling. This system protects every single component of your bike by replacing the existing fasteners on your bike with specially encoded fasteners that can only be removed by the owner of the reciprocal key, that is, you!

Now that’s a smart bike! No more riding a bike with cheap components to deter theft!

Now Ride-Less

Now here’s something which I find really peculiar because it seems like technology is moving backwards for the bicycle. It seems like a cross between a skateboard, a bicycle, and plain simple ol’ running.

This is the FLIZ. I believe this stone-age concept bike got its name from the Flintstones who would use their feet to drive their vehicles. So instead of pedaling, the rider has to run to move the bike forward, and ‘only resting his feet on special posts near the backwheel when enough momentum has been reached.’

Designed by German designers, a rider must strap his or her body into a harness, which hangs from the bicycle frame.

According to the FLIZ designers, they said that the laminated, carbon-fiber frame and ‘five-point belt system’ actually makes the FLIZ more comfortable and ergonomically sound to ride as compared to traditional bicycles.

“These aspects reduce pressure on the crotch and distributes the body weight while running”, they explain.

Source: DesignTAXI

Bike X Car (v) – Milani X Maserati

Bike and car collaborations must be all the rage and I hope you’re not tired of looking/reading about it!

I mean Lamborghini has done it; Toyota has done it; Mclaren has done it; Porsche has done it; Peugeot has done it; Aston Martin has done it; Hummer has done it; Land Rover has done it; Renault has done it; Corvette has done it; Jeep has done it; Chevrolet has done it; Mercedez-Benz has done it; BMW has done it; Ferrari has done it; and now, Maserati has done it as well. The question should be which car brand has not partnered up with a bike brand?

“Milani Cycles Factory, the Italian producer of hand-built steel, aluminium and carbon fibre frames, earned the best ‘road bike’ title in February 2010. The award was bestowed by T3, the prestigious British technology magazine.”

It’s no wonder Maserati would want to partner with such a celebrated bicycle maker.

These Maserati design bicycles use the automaker’s signature deep blue color and is available in two versions, the racy Veloce and the fast commuter Turismo and come spec’d with high end components worthy of both brands. What a bunch of gorgeous looking bikes that I bet go as fast as they look!

Pricing for the models range from US$3,870 to US$7,741.

The Harley of Electric Bikes – Marrs M1

Now you don’t always see me posting about e-bikes here (mainly because I don’t like them haha) but this is one e-bike worthy of my blog!

The Marrs M1 wants to be known as the Harley of e-bikes and I believe they have every right to claim that name!

“The company was founded by Kacy Marrs, who has a background in riding a variety of both bicycles and motorcycles. His business partner, Brad Fanshaw, formerly ran a company that built one-of-a-kind hot rods.” (Pictured below is Kacy Marrs)

These bikes are built to order and specs differ from bike to bike depending on the customer’s requirements. The e-bike uses a rechargeable lithium battery that can (in one charge) carry a 79kg rider up to 32km without pedaling at all!

The top motorized speed is 32km/hr but in that photo above, it was apparently travelling at 48km/hr!

Each bike weighs approximately 64kg but the weight doesn’t really matter because riders don’t have to rely solely on their physical strength to propel these machines; and that’s the beauty of it because now “manufacturers have the freedom to explore designs that aren’t centered around keeping the weight down”.

“Frames are made from 4130 chromoly steel, while the components are a mixture of high-end motorcycle, bicycle, and custom-made parts.”

Expect to pay a minimum of USD$7,000 and upwards for these babies.

Grow With Your Bike!

Orbea has created a bike that allows parents to save money when it  comes to getting their kids to ride a bike. We all know how fast kids grow up and it’s only a matter of time before your kid outgrows his/her bike.

The aptly named GROW bicycles is designed to ‘grow’ with kids’ and “can be used by the same child for twice the time; using 1 bike instead of 2.5”, says Spain-based designer Alex Fernández Camps.

The light and high quality aluminium bicycles feature easily-adjustable seats, frames and handlebars; and comes in 4 different models depending on the child’s height.

“The advantage of GROW, apart from reduced economical and ecological costs along the whole of its life cycle, is a much better ergonomic adjustment for the user. Kids often ride a too small or too big bike for quite a long time which is not healthy.”

Source: DesignTAXI

Bike Bikestand

Now you can park your bike and stay on it too!

 

Bike X Car (iv) – The Aston Martin One-77

Another car brand has done it again! This time it’s Aston Martin and I must say, this is, in my opinion, one of the nicest, sexiest, awesome looking bicycle collaboration done so far. (Except maybe for Specialized X McLaren or BMC X Lambirghini).

This Aston Martin One-77 is a collaboration between Factor Bikes and Aston Martin. As the name suggests, there are only 77 sets of these limited edition bicycles up for sale and this ‘superbike’ was named after the sports car maker’s most advanced car model, the (waittt for itttt) ‘One-77’.

“Dubbed as ‘the world’s most technologically advanced road bicycle’ by the company, the bicycle features a data logging system that provides over ‘100 channels of performance feedback’ such as crank torque, leg power and crank force for both legs.

It is also able to provide other measurements such as acceleration, wasted leg power and rear wheel speed, and the traditional measurements like speed, heart rate and GPS location.”

“The One-77 Cycle is made with a carbon frame—that can be painted in seven exclusive Aston Martin colors—with ‘hand-stitched’ saddle and handlebars reflecting Aston Martin’s elegant craftsmanship.”

And now for the sad news – it’s retailing for a whopping US$39,000. Time for me to save up!

Source: DesignTAXI

Bike Nature

Biking is for everyone!

Bike 0 Train 1

Because Pantone is Awesome!

These days you can get everything in Pantone colours!

These hand-made Italian steel-frame bicycles really provides you witha  stylish way to commute with their ‘Pantone Universe Bicycles’ range.

You can choose from the men’s or women’s style frame, add rear brakes or three-speed gears; and the fully-enclosed chainguards display the Pantone color codes they take after.

Get yours now from Abici! They cost US$1,181 each. Not too bad a price to pay for making a fashion statement!