• Log in
  • Cart (0)
  • Checkout
  • SHOP
  • BLOG
  • LIBRARY 
    • View All
    • Gallery
    • Events & Media
    • Wheel Building
    • Wheel Fanatyk Products
    • Tech
    • Reflections
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
Blog
Home   Blog   Aston Martin Bicycle

Aston Martin Bicycle

April 23, 2013 1 Comment

Several years ago, Beru Systems (an F1 sensor and structure specialist in the UK) announced a concept bike, the Factor 001. I paid keen attention because, despite the estimated price (£40,000), here was a chance for talented engineering outside the bike industry's box.

Time has gone by and little more was heard. World financial crisis, I can imagine the orders for this "personalized training machine" were not piling up. What a jolt when I encountered one first hand, in Seattle!

 

Stylish seat tube.

 

I can't reveal its whereabouts for reasons of privacy, but it is one heck of a bike to behold. I had been at NAHBS (Handmade Bike Show) 6 weeks ago in Denver, so my eyes were calibrated to fine form. To learn everything about this crazy machine, visit the Factor/Aston Martin site. The current model is made in a series of 77 units only, for a mere $38,000 each.

 

Integrated touch screen console.

 

We can ridicule such impractical bikes, but throughout cycling history, one-offs or concept bikes have led the way to future mass trends.

 

Front fork with integated disk brake caliper.

 

Sorry to say the wheels give me the creeps. This is not the way to build a bicycle wheel. Rumor has it these weigh several pounds each, and I hope so. Anything else would be dangerous. Even now, with such large spaces and inflexible struts, I'm a huge skeptic. I can think of a few wheels that would do the rest of the machine justice.

 

Custom cranks are packed with electronics

.

Factor says there are about 88 separate data feeds. Sensors, processors, cables are all imbedded in the frame. A clean look we rarely enjoy in cycling.

 

Clean rear treatment with that beautiful but primitive wheel.

 

Even at 20+ lbs claimed weight, this is toy that attracts me more than the Aston Martin 77 for which it's named. Cars do it all for some. Over designed bike are certainly unnecessary but I'd have fun on this one.

 

Menacing front view.

 

James Bond's Aston Martin DB-5 had machine guns in its bumpers. I had to feel the front of the bike's console to be sure. But I'm not telling!



Tweet Share Pin It Email

1 Response

Overtensioner
Overtensioner

November 02, 2021

pedals to match ;)

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

+Search the Library

+Library Categories

  • View All Library Archive
  • Gallery
  • Events & Media
  • Wheel Building
  • Wheel Fanatyk Products
  • Tech
  • Reflections

+Shop the Store

  • Lacing
  • Measuring
  • Threading
  • Truing
  • Useful Bits
  • Manuals
Quick Links
  • Shop
  • About
  • Library
  • Blog
  • Contact
Sign up for our newsletter

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more…

Wheel Fanatyk

Wheel Fanatyk is an opportunity to share about how bicycles and wheels work—what makes them last longer and ride better, and what tools help us build them finer and faster. 


© 2023 Wheel Fanatyk. Website Design & Development by Tumbleweed Creative

American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Meta Pay Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa