We’ve made no secret of our never-ending love for bikes here at Inhabitat – as one of the world’s most efficient modes of transportation they’re also an emission free, healthy, and enjoyable way to get around. There’s no better season to ride a bike than in the summer, so we figured the time is right to bring you a collection of our favorite pedal-powered rides. Without further delay we present to you our picks for the sexiest cycles around!
1. MERCEDES-BENZ TRAILBLAZER
Although it isn’t a name that we usually associate with human-powered transportation, a number of readers might be surprised to learn that Mercedes Benz is also a manufacturer of bicycles. This high-end mountain bike promises a finely tuned ride to any cyclist willing to spend the moolah.
2. STRIDA FOLDING BIKE
While some might prefer a full sized bike, there is no denying the beauty behind the classic Strida Folding Bike. The slick frame weighs just 22 pounds and folds in 5 seconds flat into a form that can easily be carried along anywhere you go.
$800 – $950 from Areaware
3. THE JORG & OLIF CITY BIKE
The only returning entry from our 2007 Sexiest Cycles List, the Jorg & Olif City bike is one of the prettiest and most stylish bikes around. The classic cruiser has been updated to reflect american sensibilities and use, but still remains as sexy as ever.
$645 – $1,495 from Jorg & Olif
4. MARK SANDERS’ SWIVEL MODE BIKE
No list of noteworthy cycles would be complete without the incredible Swivel Mode Bike. Designed by Mark Sanders, who brought to us the Strida bike, the Swivel Mode is an excellent choice for the urban and suburban commuter. Live in the burbs and have to go to the city? Grab your car, go to the nearest train station, take your tightly packed bike with you and ride it around town. It is perfect.
$2,250 from Areaware
5. THE ULTRA A2B
Although all of the other bikes in this list are purely pedal-powered, the A2B hybrid bike is simply too beautiful to ignore. Not only does it look good, it doubles as a fully electric scooter. Take a bike, add a lithium powered motor and voila! Genius.
$2699 from All Things Renewable
Maybe this is something you should have a poll for. I certainly wouldn’t have put the Mercedes or the A2B on my top 5. The only thing unique about the Mercedes is that its made by car company. There are plenty of full kit mountain bike that are far superior to the Mercedes. The A2B might be appealing as a design project, although ‘sexy’ is not the first word that comes to mind, but there is no production electric bike today that can match the ride experience of a somewhat conventional looking Giant Twister. The Giant propulsion system is in a class of its own.
I would have put a Pederson or one of it’s derivatives like the Velorbis Leikier.
I agree completely with the previous comment, mercedes on the 1st is outrageous for any bike lover. This bicycle is probably not even made by Mercedes they use someone patent.
seriously. mercedes? i like ant bikes http://www.antbikemike.com/bikes.html
I’d say that highlighting some of the amazing and beautiful handmade bicycles from independent shops around the country would have been much better than the Mercedes & A2B. The North American Handmade Bicycle Show showcases dozens of amazing builders such as ANT (listed above), Vanilla Bicycles, Ahearne Cycles, Sweetpea Bicycles, and Oswald Cycle Works.
clearly, to put the mercedes benz MTB on spot 1 is a misguided move, by the way , all fancy car makers like Ferrari, BMW etc, have come up with some or the other high tech expensive bike …. so what.
real bicycle innovation you will find elsewhere! My first pick would the Moulton bicycle, the fully suspended small wheel high performance bike since early 1960′s. just take the 2 latest models with light space frame: the 2 speed kick back hub with kevlar belt for commuting relevance. or for long distance racing and ultra performance riding take the top of the line double pylon with completely maintenance free suspension system.
Georg Leuzinger
Who cares about mountain bikes anymore MERCEDES , hello !:)
4. MARK SANDERS’ SWIVEL MODE BIKE – the only cool stuff here !
this strida is hidious !
URBAN bike debate
ernwopr@wp.pl
Not only is there something wrong with the Mercedes mountain bike, but with all of the bikes here. What’s needed is not promotion of bicycles as modes of transport for well-to-do urban hipsters (who only ride their bikes in sunshine anyway, one might suspect), but cheap, practicable bicycles (mine was EUR 360 new, lights, 7-speed, everything) as daily transportation. As such, by the way, any bike without mud guard (or whatever the correct English term is) will never do; ever looked at your backside after riding a mountain bike in the rain? And how is this supposed to work if I’m riding my bike to the office?
Don’t get me wrong, Inhabitat is quite inspiring all in all, but lack of common sense like this will only help to keep sustainable products sidelined. Also, what is a “lithium-powered” electric motor? It’s powered by electricity, stored in a lithium-ion battery, you meant to say? If so, write it that way.
very nice cycle….