The Epitaph started as a humble cruiser but has somehow willed itself into the behemoth you see before you. Each Epitaph features a custom crafted wheel set that allows the ability to mount a total of 4 low profile tires. The seat, grips & frame inserts, also made from scratch, are fashioned with obsessively selected aged leather. Laser engraved Roman Numerals on the seat identify build number.
These are available in very limited numbers, twelve to be exact.
We’ve seen plenty of shops giving consumers the ability to customize bicycles, but we didn’t expect it from retailer Urban Outfitters. Ben and company over at Gear Patrol tell us UO’s teamed up with Republic Bike Inc. (who do know a thing or two about bike making) to deliver Bikes.urbanoutfitters.com. Through the site, “Users can easily customize a basic Aristotle v1.5 single speed bike in a variety of ways to make it their own. First and foremost, the bike features a fixed/free hub, so it can be changed into a fixed or free bike by simply flipping the rear wheel around. Other components of the bike include: a Sugino crankset, Wellgo pedals, a painted chain, and 110mm grips.”
You’re given the ability to pick the color of everything from your seat to the the tires and pedals. For a measly $399, you’ll get a bike shipped to you (90% built by Republic Bike) fully customized to your liking. When it arrives in a secure package, all you have to do is attach the pedals, front wheel, handlebars, and do some basic ride adjustments.
For a gallery of possibilities to get your creative juices flowing, head to Gear Patrol.
Another fine product from the good folks at Billykirk. This time, they’ve dropped a bike frame pouch to carry any tools needed to fix a flat and such. It’s made of 100% leather and comes with adjustable belt style straps and a button tab closure. Like all Billykirk products, this too is handmade by Amish leather workers and given the utmost attention and detail.
More info and images after the jump. (more…)
This simplistic beauty is crafted by Linus Bikes and inspired by French and Italian cinema from the 50′s and 60′s. Baxter informs us the City Bike is available in Black, Blue and Cream. It’s got some desired fittings by Shimano and North Road, including a forged aluminum crank, and leather hand grips.
Priced comfortably at $359, we think this bicycle may end up being our new best fried. It’s currently available at the Linus showroom at Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA and at Steven Alan in East Hampton, NY.
Envisioned by designer Mark Sanders, the clean and striking IF Mode is aimed at commuters of the mobile generation who, until now, may have not considered cycling or folding bikes to be an option. IF Mode avoids oily chains, complex tubes with hidden dirt traps, and the clutter of traditional bike features.
Meant for city commuters rather than bicycle warriors, it looks at home folded up on a subway or in an office, like other well designed accessories in your life. It also performs on the street like any lightweight, well-balanced full size bike.
More info and images after the jump. (more…)
Josh Spear turns us to Ross Lovegrove’s latest project. Only a creative mind like Lovegrove can come up with such an appealing design piece. The Biomega Bamboo utilizes a natural material that when properly prepared, is stronger than steel. The result is an eye-catching fusion of nature and innovation on two wheels. To catch a sneak peek at this cycling sight to behold, head over to Milan’s Design Library at Via Savona between the 22nd to 27th of April, where it will be on display from 10am to 10pm.
Jacques Ferrand has trained as a traditional leather cutter and sewer, and set up shop in Paris. He normally works on bags, shoes, and belts, either directly for customers under the name Etablissements Ferrand, or for labels such as Hermès.
His latest creation is a bicycle fitted with leather from head to toe. As Arktip states, “every inch of the frame is covered in thin leather, down to the lugs and tightest spots of the bottom bracket, and the saddle and grips are in ostrich leather”. Practical? Maybe not, but it sure is appealing to the eye.
More images after the jump. (more…)
The Derringer Cycles, named for the pocket-size old pistol, is a cross between a 1920s board track motorcycle and a bike. The brainchild behind the project is Adrian Van Anz, who said that its a missing link between his old Schwinn and his Ducati. It can be pedaled like a bike or you can ride it like a motorcycle with an astounding 150 mpg. Plus, there’s no need for motorcycle licenses or insurance.
Each Derringer bike is handmade with hand-riveted leather Brooks seats, and can take up to a month to build. There are currently 250 different colors to choose from.
More images and info after the jump. (more…)
One Maserati we missed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show was their carbon fiber bicycle. The extraordinary bicycle was built using steel, aluminum and carbon-fiber by renowned Italian manufacturer Milani. The bicycle can be suited to different purposes- one for speed and racing (Veloce), and one for more leisurely uses (Turismo), according to the client’s needs. (more…)
The Cool Hunter has turned us on to Republic Bike, a bespoke bicycle shop from Florida that allows you to customize your next bike any way you’d like. Republic Bike assembles custom bicycles based on shared design. They offer component and color selection curated for quality, value and aesthetics. Pick, choose, swap and decide and they’ll build it, box it, and ship it out.
i