Looking like a cross between a mountain bike and a big roller skate, the StreetSurfer is a five wheel cycle that is supposed to give you “enhanced stability, the ‘surfing/carving sensation’ and the patented front and rear suspension system”.
Not mentioned on their page is that it gives you awkward stares from anyone who sees you riding this thing, though I guess that just goes unspoken.
I can’t attest to the ‘surfing/carving’ sensation, since I haven’t had a chance to ride one (Dear StreetSurfer, if you’d like to send me a demo unit, I’ll definitely give it a whirl.) though I’d imagine it’s going to take quite a sensation to overcome the feelings that you’ll get when you realize you’re riding on four high-tech training wheels.
Still, points must be given for creativity, and who knows, maybe this is the ride of the future.
The Felt Racing MP is a classic cruiser with a vast amount of army style. Designed to withstand even the toughest of terrain in the urban jungle, the MP can handle any mission, and features:
Monocoque-aluminum Frame
Integrated Tank
Bombproof Wheels with 12-gauge Stainless-steel Spokes
Fat Balloon Tires
Front and Rear Racks
Canvas Saddle Bag
Fenders
Generator-powered Headlight
With looks to kill and features to match, the MP will promote you to general of the streets in no time.
The New York Times put together a great piece on the ‘unstoppable’ trend of fixies, or fixed geared bicycles. Designed for the track, these bikes, favorited for years by messengers and hipsters, have no breaks and no gears, and are stopped by an artful combination of reversing the pedals, skidding, or skip stopping. Their purity is their appeal, as the fixed gear bike has become both a fashion statement and a demonstration of skill. With the New York Times covering it though, I think that the fixies are going to have to come out of their underground hiding and into the spotlight as more and more people jump on the single speed bandwagon.
Here’s a cool idea (though I can’t seem to find the actual product anywhere, so these may just be a concept): Bicycle brake pads with built in LED brake lights. When you use your brakes, the lights come on automatically and let everyone around you know of your impending stoppage. Smart.
Before watching this video, try to guess how fast the world’s fastest bicycle can go.
Fast Freddy Markham, the man inside this custom recumbent bicycle, recently set two world records, one by clocking in at a top speed of 77.215 mph, and another by traveling 53.43 miles in one hour (the end of which is shown in the above video). I can only imagine the look on a driver’s face if they got passed on the freeway by a bicycle.
As gas prices go up, so does bicycle use as people look to escape the pump. Peddling is so old school though. What if there was something that could give you 250 mpg, top speeds of 30 mph, and fit on any mountain bike or street cruiser? Golden Eagle has the answer with their assist engine. Designed to be “the first and only geared belt drive bicycle assist engine on the market”, the Golden Eagle gives you a choice between pedal power and a motor assist when you need it. Plus, it’s a four-stroke engine, so there’s no need to premix the oil and deal with the smelly exhaust associated with two stroke engines. If you’re going to save the world, why not do it with a little speed and a little style? Read through for Kevin Kelly’s account of his experience with the Golden Eagle.
The Aeroblade from Koga-Miyata is so beautiful, it deserves to be mounted on a wall and admired as art rather than sat on by a mere mortal. Produced as a partnership between Koga and Spyker, a small Dutch sports car manufacturer, this limited edition (only 50 will be made) bike features a hand-built titanium frame, sandblasted decals, a 14 speed internal gear hub, hand-built carbon fiber wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, Hulshof Leather grips, saddle and saddlebag, hand-built carbon fiber wheel fairings, and a whole lot of sexy.
