about perrin drumm

producer: bruno

the appropriately named “beast” is the latest model to come from M55, the bike design and manufact – uring powerhouse.

M55 employs a team of electronic and mechanical engineers, industrial designers and finite element analysts to dream up, construct and tirelessly test the most cutting-edge hybrid bikes on the market. At $35,000 the “Beast” is a luxury item to be sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s not capable of performing under intense off-road conditions. A specialized motor works with the rider instead of simply being operated by him/her. “The motor is not a substitute for your human power, but an addition. If the sensor feels that you need some extra torque, the motor switches on to multiply your effort.”

It also boasts some serious components, like motor power and battery capacity above and beyond the industry standard and brakes by Brembo, heretofore found only on Formula1 race cars. After checking out the specs it’s easy to agree with M55′s boast that “if Batman was a nonfictional person, he’d have a Beast in his garage.”

producer: m55

about perrin drumm

i saw this concept bike over a year ago and forgot about it.

it’s simple, innovative, inspiring. glad to see it may happen.


The story…
“The world doesn’t need another bike redesign—the world needs thoughts on simplification, part reduction and greater product life span. Our lives need attention and care, not the objects that serve us.”
The inner city bike was designed by JRUITER + studio as a project asking questions about ultra short inner city travel. What is needed, who is riding, and how far are they going. At first glance it was a fun aesthetic opportunity in new trends, color, and materials. Our target lived / worked in an inner city environment with minimal space. Bicycling at this level can be more about fashion and culture than speed and performance.
The initial inner city bike was inspired by the “hobby horse” from it’s simplicity and the motorcycle cafe racing culture. Each is an exercise in stripping something down to its core. As it evolved, the design triggered a shift in time, spurring the questions, “Is there an opportunity to change a timeless product?” “Can we go back and try something new?”

The inner city bike rethinks what a “frame” is, getting rid of basic key components, and creating a new type of urban bicycling. The inner city bike’s “essentials only” geometry gives new meaning to “less is more.” Sporting a free-wheel rear hub, 36” x 2.25” wheels, 150mm cranks and an 8” front disc brake hub. The riders position is adjustable, offering riders an adaptable, fun ride for those short commutes.

Before all of the bike fanatics get all fired up, we know this bike doesn’t solve everyone’s personal transportation dreams. Consider it a cafe racer with the performance of a beach cruiser. The positives are easy quick turns, huge power to the rear wheel to go over curbs and up hills, and great start / stopping / sitting situations. We rethought everything 2 wheeled with simplicity in mind. This is as stripped as you
can get.”

[inner city bikes]
[joey ruiter]

it’s no secret: i get excited about bikes.
From techie to old fashioned, my head turns at almost everything on two wheels that rolls by. But I’m really excited about this bike, the UrbanMover Electric Bike. For those who use their bikes for more than just errands or trips to the beach, there’s nothing like a little electrical boost to speed you along your commute to work, sweat free, because really, is there anything grosser than starting off the day with a body dripping wet and bound to reek?

What’s great about the UrbanMover is that it gives you the option to use to pedal power or switch to electric when you need an extra push on a hill or against heavy winds. The battery fully charges in just five hours and the bike folds up. If I’m using a lot of italics here it’s just so the awesomeness of this bike isn’t lost on anyone. Folding bikes have been looked down in the past, but that’s because they used to be lame excuses for bikes whose primary function was their ability to become small. In the city, having an obviously expensive bike that you don’t have to leave locked up outside and can take with you indoors, on an elevator, into any office building, is priceless. The UrbanMover, however, does have a price, but it’s lower now, $1,099 (normally $1,699), plus a $400 battery pack. Available at Real Goods.

about perrin drumm

Which is exactly where its aesthetics hail from. Designer Luca Schieppati took his Ciclò — a concept bike that the Milan Design Museum liked enough to include in its permanent collection—and transformed it into an exercise machine. Push the pedals and the epicycloid crank system spins the magnetized main wheel. This in turn generates a magnetic field and plenty of thigh-burning resistance.

designer: luca schieppati
producer: ciclotte group
material: carbon fiber
period: 2010s

While it can’t boast the speed of a car, for getting around the city you couldn’t ask for a better ride. The Picycle reaches up to 30 mph (although the legal speed for electric bikes is 20 mph in most states) and runs for about 20 miles on a single charge. It uses a Lithion-ion battery, which is housed in the arcing aluminum frame, and takes only 2.5 hours to charge. You can ride it like a plain old bike, with electric-assist or completely under electric propulsion. Not having to pedal up a hill or in the heat means that if you’re someone who uses their bike to commute to and from work, no more arriving to work in a sweat-soaked dress shirt. And for the weekend joy-ride or trip to the beach, there’s no more sitting in traffic or stopping to tank up.

Pi electric bikes price: $2,999 to $4,999.
designer: marcus hays
producer: pimobility

about perrin drumm

From choosing the geometry of the frame to filing the lugs, Sachs Cycles is a one-man show. As you might guess, his turn-of-the-century methods don’t give into currents trends in materials or construction, and he doesn’t hesitate at sneering at the competition. “For some companies, only tubing recently declassified by the Department of Defense will do.” Sachs, on the other hands, doesn’t change his materials, tube shape or the position of the riding angle. He doesn’t build concept bikes or “unrideable prototypes,” and he doesn’t take shortcuts. All this attention to detail takes time, and apparently makes little money. “The bike industry makes money. I make bikes.”

Even if the words “control freak” come to mind, you have to admire his dedication to the craft, not to mention his obvious skill. Working solo, he says, is the only way he can guarantee such high standards. In his words, “the weak link is always the work force. At Richard Sachs Cycles, I am the work force.” It’s a business model from which he’s never diverted, from cutting and brazing the tubes to answering the phone, Sachs is a one-man operation. “If you have a question about frame design or construction, proper fit, acceptable alignment, anything at all, call me,” he says. “I will be the one answering your call and I would be very pleased to tell you more.”

If you’re in New York you can see some of Richard’s work at the Museum of Art and Design as part of their latest exhibition, “Bespoke: The Handbuilt Bike,” up until August.

Designer: richard sachs — visit gallery on his site. images from his new flickr page



about perrin drumm

Vitals:
configuration: 1352cc fuel-injected inline-four
horsepower: 200bhp
top speed: 200+ mph

Resources:
2010 vitals
2009 vitals
pnw riders

the design may take awhile to fold and unfold and not for everyone but the folding wheel concept is interesting. the pedals should go back to the drawing board or stay with the conventional, especially clips or cleats. maybe traditional tubes tires too.

Designer: victor aleman