With gas prices hitting high levels even the wealthier consumer is experiencing the joys of pedal power. There are a variety of innovative bicycle designs on the market, perhaps none as distinctive as Strida. Strida is folding bicycle that weighs around 20 pounds and transforms in five seconds. It is made from lightweight, rustproof aluminum and a Kevlar belt replaces the traditional metal chain. The horizontally-mounted handlebars and a soft yet sturdy seat provide a more comfortable upright riding position with a clear view of the road and a secure center of gravity from which to steer. The model shown above sells for $800.
Sometimes stuff just catches me a certain way and I can hardly stop laughing, and this Sella Bicycle Seat Stool is one of those items. Designed by Achille Castiglioni, it's really a very simple creation consisting of a black racing bike seat on a pink steel column and (get this) a rocking base.
I totally understand that in many ways furniture design is an art form and practical usability isn't always a top priority, but if you're going to call something a stool there's at least a slight implication that it could be sat on, if you were so inclined. But I'm afraid anybody trying to take a seat on this baby is simply cruisin' for a bruisin'. Oh well, it does look nice! £336.
I've seen foldable bikes before but not ones with their own posh trunk. The foldable Brompton bike in a box from luxury trunk makers Pinel & Pinel makes packing for a weekend jaunt easy. The leather-covered trunk is available in a variety of colors and has nickeled brass handles. It sells for $12,000 from Vivre.
Mercedes-Benz is launching a new emissions-free way to travel: the Folding Bike. It's obviously not their first bike, but it it is a unique bike in that it's designed to fold up all handy and fit in your vehicle's trunk in just two swift moves. Designed to be folded not only quickly but also cleanly (no grease or dirt on your hands!) and measuring just 800x800x220mm, it will not only take up practically no space in your garage but will fit comfortably in the boot of your Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet -- ready for a quick ride anytime. Available in April 2008.
Who doesn't like to ride in style? Now it doesn't have to be a car but a blinged-out bicycle! This limited edition bike included in the spring/summer 2008 fashion line-up for Chanel was designed in part to celebrate Coco's passion for the sport. The plush, quilted-leather seat, functional saddle bag and smashing double-C logo are also accompanied by an 8-speed gear. Get your exercise and look amazing spending only $12,400 for this one of a kind bike. Just don't wear your sweats with it -- you will have to look snazzy to take this one for a ride!
I love the outdoors, so it's always a bit of a bummer when this time of year swings around and it starts getting darker earlier. For you bikers out there who find yourself pedaling in the dusk and the dark this is something you might want to check out: the Betty, by Lupine Lighting Systems. It's made to attach to your bike or your helmet (or wherever) and it's the brightest (and possibly most expensive) bike light ever made. The Betty is so bright, in fact, that if you pedal too slowly or stop completely it will start dimming itself automatically because it needs your self-generated wind to keep from overheating. Nice motivation to keep pushing yourself!
Made of seven LEDs, the Betty bike light is about as bright as a car's headlights (watch out for deer!). $1185
I have to say, I would not have guessed "bicycle" if asked what this coffee table used to be in a former life. I can kind of see it in the cogs and the reshaped rims, but the rolled inner tubes for feet and some other features are well disguised. This Recycled Bike Coffee Table by Resource Revival is definitely unique and brings a whole new meaning to the idea of recycling with it's elegant though industrial appearance. It's hard to imagine that it used to be an old used-up form of transportation for somebody -- welcome back little bike!
Specializing in using old bicycle parts to create functional works of art, Resource Revival makes its creations by hand in Mosier, Oregon. Also worth checking out from them is this Recycled Bike Cafe Table.
It's been a while since we covered a really expensive bike but with spring finally here it's time to venture out into the world and get some exercise. Ellsworth bikes is considered to be some of the best bikes available. It has Instant Center Tracking and a four-bar suspension system which allows you get the most benefit from your pedaling without having to worry about the stability of the bike and it works whether you are sitting or not. It is available in a variety of configurations and colors. If you order the pink frame, Ellsworth will donate $50 to cancer research. Configured with all the bells and whistles, the Ellsworth Truth will run you between $6,000 to nearly $10,000.
The company also offers the Ellsworth Ride a truly extraordinarily looking bike that uses the gearless NuVinci™ Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) drive.
We've covered some pretty high-tech bikes before but this Skeppshult Ladies Promenade is all about the comfort. This easy-riding bicycle has an easy shift 3 gear system and a dual brake system. It has a silver mesh basket and a rear carrier for your purse or purchases and the frame has a graceful low sweep. It comes in the perfectly girly colors of ruby red and fuschia and sells for $1395. It would make a lovely gift for your active Valentine (or perhaps gentle encouragement for your beloved couch potato).
If you want to give a European flair to a classic kids' toy, check out the Pilot BeTricycle by Italtrike. The tandem tricycle is apparently very popular at childcare centers throughout Europe and safely keeps two kids occupied at a time. Only the front-most child controls the motion of the tricycle, so with the added weight of a second child, the toy will consistently be held to a reasonable speed. In bright orange, it is designed for kids ages 2-4, and the manufacturers recommend it for siblings, twins or just when your children are having a play date. Price: $295.
Oh my this is an attractive bike. Forget all about those Mercedes bikes I profiled a while back and check out this beauty. Classic Driver profiles the Aeroblade which is "inspired by Spyker, designed by Koga." Basically it is the product of a luxury car maker and a high-end bike designer and it has a titanium frame, an aluminium front fork, and slick-looking mudguards made from an aluminium glass fiber coated carbon composite. The handle bar grips and saddle are made of Hulshof leather and there is a special version of the 14 speed Rohloff hub gear transmission. Each bike is tailored to the owner and there is a plate with the number of the bike on it. The Spyker-emblazoned bike costs around 12,500 euros.
We have had quite a few posts about bicycles and bike accessories recently on Luxist. Though the bikes themselves may verge on luxury, surely there is nothing glamorous about keeping one chained in your garage, right? That is where the Cyclepod comes in. This revolutionary cycle storage system lets you store up to eight bicycles in a space that is only 2-meters in diameter. The way it works is by locking the bikes into place in a vertical position, which alone looks much more appealing than the old fashioned "toast rack style" units. It is made out of 100% recycled aluminum. The Cyclepod could, of course, be used commercially, but it would also be a good piece for the avid bicycle enthusiast to store his/her gear. The canopy ($1,495) is optional. Cyclepod alone price: $8,995.
A tip of the hat goes to reader Cary for showing us Burley's new lightweight tandem, the Piratella. It's an aluminum tandem with Campy Record components and a carbon fork, all-in-all creating a rigid and lightweight bike. The fork was designed specific for the tandem and uses a 4mm steerer and is claimed to be the "strongest and stiffest tandem-specific fork on the market." The last tandem I was on was the Cannondale Mountain Tandem, and was by no means designed to be lightweight, but it was a very good ride overall. Wait for full reviews to hit before sinking $5500 into a new bike though.
It seems like more and more car manufacturers are
also in the bicycle business. Foursprung covers
the VW bikes including the VW Bonanza bicycle which is part of their Goal accessory line to celebrate the soccer world
championships in Germany this year. The bright orange bike is limited to 500 pieces and costs 339 euros. There is also
a foldable 16-inch bike for 429 euros. Cheaper than the Mercedes bikes but if you are nostalgic for a
banana seat bike this is your chance.
Ready for a step up
from the Cadillac bikes we covered a while back?
Check out the sleek carbon fiber racing bike from Mercedes-Benz. The bike has high-end components from Japanese
supplier Shimano and the shift levers are in the ergonomically shaped brake handles. The bike has Michelin tires with a
low number of spokes to cut down on turbulence. There will be 199 of the bikes and they cost around $3,664. For more
laidback types there is also the Mercedes automatic bike which has a Shimano Cyber-Nexus automatic shifting unit, and
an onboard computer which sells for around $2,320 with a lighting system and luggage rack or $2,074 for the
no-frills version. There are also two fitness bikes which sell for around $1583 each and a mountain bike that sells for
$2,197. More pictures at
eMercedesBenz.
We have had quite a few posts about 
