factor 001

Factor 001 Bicycle by BERU F1 Systems

$34,000 will buy you a whole lot of things, some pretty nice cars among them. Or you could spend it all on a bicycle. Yes, a bicycle. But not just any bicycle: the Factor 001 from BERU F1 Systems.

The state-of-the-art bike is designed and crafted by Formula One engineers, and doesn't conform to the regulations of any specific bicycle racing association. As such, the engineers at BERU were able to start from a clean slate. The result is a carbon-fiber monocoque frame – just like that of an F1 car – with carbon-ceramic brakes and an electronic monitoring system. Each example takes a team of six engineers a week to complete, and only a few hundred will be built in all, each crafted to the buyer's specifications and measurements, and engraved with his or her name on the handlebars.

The Factor 001 is available from Harrod's, in case the price wasn't an indication of its exclusivity, and is currently on display at the London Museum of Science, in case its technology wasn't.

Gallery: BERU F1 Systems Factor 001