Miscellaneous,Rants and Raves | May 27, 20091 Comment

The Conundrum of Modern Bicycle Design

Ah, the bicycle. Ubiquitous, green, efficient.¬† Designers are always trying to “improve” its basic design, which hasn’t changed much for over 100 years.¬† See?¬† Here’s one from 1898.

Doesn’t look much different from something you’d find at the bike store down the street.¬† That basic shape has been improved over the years so that today, it’s light, strong, and durable.¬† Some designers don’t think that’s enough, and decide to “reinvent” it. Such is the case with Mark Newson’s Biomega MN1.¬† Voila:

Yes it looks groovy and “modern”. But here’s the problem. Mark’s re-imagining of the bicycle frame does nothing to improve upon that which we’ve become used to. It’s neither lighter, nor more efficient, nor easier to produce.¬† Hence the outrageous price: It costs $7,800.¬† (But you do get to pose around and tell people you’re riding a Mark Newson designed bike).

So what’s a designer to do?¬† One route is to leverage everything we’ve learned about making great bicycles,¬† – and execute it perfectly.¬† I can think of no better example than one of Vanilla Bicycles’ masterpieces.¬† Like this.

Here’s a detail that shows the craftmanship.

Beautiful, no?  Craftsmanship costs money, and Vanilla Bikes are quite expensive Рthough not nearly as expensive as the Biomega Mark Newson MN1.

Alright, so where does that leave a designer who wants to build something beautiful that most people can actually buy?

Here’s a great solution by Michael Young. Here’s his “City Speed” designed for Giant Bicycles. Lovely, modern, light, efficient, and affordable.

I particularly like its tail light – most bike tail lights are pretty cruddy looking pieces of plastic.

You really need to visit his site to see all that he’s designed. The guy’s a real talent.¬† The bicycle’s just an example of his work, but I think it illustrates a couple of things.¬† One, that you can take something utilitarian and make it beautiful – without making it look designed (like Newson), and that you can do it so that most people can actually afford to buy one.

Thumbs up to Michael Young from a cycling (and design) fan.

Tags: designers, Modern Design