360 DEGREES Weblog

The fashion industry and the bike universe have once again joined forces to reveal a capsule collection made to lend your bottom a means of transportation that fits your urbane style demands. The prestigious Italian bikemaker Abici, known for pure, premium frame bikes, collaborated with street-couture label Misericordia for three entirely handmade bikes that are just a second aways from becoming collector’s pieces. The collection comprises a Miche-equipped fixie, a single-speed vintage race bike and a city bike.

 $1.500-$1.800

Sure, you can go to your local cycle shop and buy yourself a ride — but if you’re looking for something truly unique, you’d do better picking up this DP Customs Mele Motorcycle ($19,000). Built by hand, this one-of-a-kind whip sports a 1000cc Ironhead motor producing 75 hp — quite a lot considering its minuscule curb weight — as well as a stretched frame, clip-on handlebars, a custom x-pipe exhaust, powdercoated wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber, a three-piece rear wing, and an Uncrate-approved bright orange paint job.

Deus continues its string of drool-worthy bike conversions with the Deus Bald Terrior 1200 Motorcycle ($TBA). Based on a Kawasaki W650, the Bald Terrior features custom 19- and 18-inch wheel sets, brake calipers, and rotors, one-off inch clip-on bars, a Vance & Hines performance exhaust, a PM Super gas air filter, custom length Ikon rear

Bicycles are a perfect alternative to fuel-based transport. Not only are they pollution-free and easy to maintain, they’re great for health. With a view to increasing the popularity of this old form of transport, designers are coming up with novel designs like foldable bicycles. While the concept isn’t very new, Grigio Carbonio’s carbon bikes give a whole new meaning to foldable bikes.

The Italian company has launched lightweight bikes weighing a small 6.5kg that can be toted around by almost anyone. Crafted out of carbon fiber monocoque, Grigio Carbonio’s designs recently bagged an award at the ExpoBici’s 2011 Bicitech Innovation Award. What’s cool is that the bikes are at par with many racing bicycles out on the market.

Picture Gallery
Grigio Carbonio foldable bicycles

Grigio Carbonio, the MacLaren of foldable bicycles weighs only 6.5kg
A carbon frame is the base for all three of Carbonio’s models, though each varies in weight. The bikes also have elements of titanium and Ergal (an alloy of aluminum and zinc) which increase durability and strength, comparable to many types of steel. The City Version, which has a full carbon monocoque body, weighs about 6.5kg to 7kg and is priced at 6,700 Euros. The Racing Version befits those who love to pedal for speed. Slightly lighter than the City Version, it costs about 7,200 Euros. The last in the line-up is an electric bike for those who need a little push. Priced at 6,500 Euros, it has three power levels and is heavier at 12kg. Riders can select from hill, mountain and plain levels depending on the terrain.

The bikes are said to be 100 percent Italian-made so you can be guaranteed of quality. For a better idea of how lightweight and easy to handle they are, Carbonio’s bikes have a folding time of a mere 15 seconds, making them very easy to carry around. They’re pretty good to look at too, and come in a variety of trims: black, beige and beige with flame designs.

Named after the famed F6F Hellcat fighter plane of WWII, the Confederate X132 Hellcat Motocycle ($45,000) is a fighter in its own way. This third-generation two-wheeled ride is built using the highest quality components possible, from its billet aluminum case to its carbon fiber wheels, all of which are hidden in plain sight thanks to the X132′s unique au naturale design that showcases craftsmanship over fancy bodywork. Available for pre-order now for delivery in the first half of next year.

One of the fun things about being a kid is finally learning how to ride a bike. It can be a bit scary, as they go faster than your trusty tricycle or Big Wheel. But I still remember the first time I rode without training wheels. It was a glorious 10-15 seconds before I fell and scraped my knee. Well, if you want your kids to experience this same feeling, without making them do all of the hard work like pedaling, then you should get them a Peg Perego Ducati Monster 12V electric bike.

This electric bike features many of the things you’d find on its larger counterpart. Things like a front headlight, horn, engine sounds, and shock absorbers all add to the authentic feel. You can even get up to speeds of almost 5mph. The thing that disturbs me about this is that the age range on this is 3-7 years old. It does come with training wheels, but I think I’d want my kid to have been riding a regular bike for a few years before putting them on a $470 electric motorcycle.

Created as a one-off to celebrate the completion of a classic bike restoration, the TAD Street Fighter Jacket ($950) is a limited edition that’s worth the extra cash. Made from fine American leather sourced from Horween Leather in Chicago, the Street Fighter features a zippered side hideaway pocket, a gusseted back for freedom of movement, two interior snap pockets for added storage, zippered cuffs, and antiqued brass zippers. As an added bonus, the leather will break in and develop a patina that’s unique to you, quickly making it look like a well-worn partner in crime instead of something you just grabbed off the nearest mannequin.

Build from the finest parts this bike is a combination of old school copper and new Campagnola and Cinelli parts. Prices range around $ 3200.

Just years ago, Ducati was known for its outdated desmodromic singles and little else. On April 23, 1972, Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari debuted Ducati’s new desmodromic 750 v-twin with a 1-2 victory at the Imola 200 Mile Race. They beat Giacomo Agostini’s MV Agusta, plus the best that Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, BSA, Laverda and Moto Guzzi could offer. The famous victory set Ducati on a course that saw its big desmo V-twins dominating superbike racing for four decades. The official factory reserve bike from Ducatis most famous moment is coming up for auction, with bidding expected to finish beyond EUR150,000.

Powered by what the company is calling “the most powerful twin-cylinder production engine on the planet,” the Ducati 1199 Panigale Superbike ($18,000-$28,000) promises uncompromising speed — and it delivers in spades. At its heart is the aforementioned Superquadro engine producing 195hp, which thanks to tremendous frame and engine integration resides in a bike with a dry weight of just 164kg — that’s roughly 362 lbs — along with class-leading tech like a sporty ABS system, traction control, Ducati’s Electronic Suspension, quick-shift, Engine Brake Control, and Ride-by-Wire systems, and a TFT display that changes to suit your environment. Not that you’ll have time to notice.