$45,000 carbon fiber 10-speed bike weighs just 6 pounds

[krebs303]

$45,000 carbon fiber 10-speed bike weighs just 6 pounds

Fairwheel bikes made in Tuscon Arizona, it’s a simple looking ten-speed made almost entirely of carbon fiber making it weight just six pounds!

 

[Guttercat]

$45,000 carbon fiber 10-speed bike weighs just 6 pounds

Fairwheel bikes made in Tuscon Arizona, it’s a simple looking ten-speed made almost entirely of carbon fiber making it weight just six pounds!

Aside from that gawd awful chainring, it's actually a pretty machine.

But what's with the downtube (more on the headtube it appears) friction shifters? On a 45K bike?

Even if I had money coming out my ears, I'd feel like a hose for plinking down that kind of $$ on a bicycle.

 

[oldborn]

It look like a 450$ bike, and it have a carbon brakes too

 

[ergmonkey]

Interesting article; but, really, I fault it for only commenting on half of the true riding experience. Obviously, the guy who gladly drops $45,000 on his climbing bike can also easily afford to have his full-time support car and chauffeur on every ride with one ultra-aero road frame on the roof for flat riding and another super-handling, ultra-grippy, fast-breaking powerhouse for descending. The support car leaves plenty of room for spare tubular tire/rim setups waiting to go, extra clothing, food, and bottles. Certainly, to focus only on the extremes of climbing to the exclusion of all other aspects of the $100,000 riding experience leaves too much unsaid.

 

[PCutter]

Aside from that gawd awful chainring, it's actually a pretty machine.

But what's with the downtube (more on the headtube it appears) friction shifters? On a 45K bike?

Downshifters are lighter than STI style setups. Old technology, but if your only goal is weight, downshifters are the way to go.

 

[usedtobefast]

i could ride that. i can't afford it though.

 

[Guttercat]

Downshifters are lighter than STI style setups. Old technology, but if your only goal is weight, downshifters are the way to go.

Ah. I see. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Guttercat]

Interesting article; but, really, I fault it for only commenting on half of the true riding experience. Obviously, the guy who gladly drops $45,000 on his climbing bike can also easily afford to have his full-time support car and chauffeur on every ride with one ultra-aero road frame on the roof for flat riding and another super-handling, ultra-grippy, fast-breaking powerhouse for descending. The support car leaves plenty of room for spare tubular tire/rim setups waiting to go, extra clothing, food, and bottles. Certainly, to focus only on the extremes of climbing to the exclusion of all other aspects of the $100,000 riding experience leaves too much unsaid.

Funny post.

I don't begrudge people who have money, not at all. But I'd like to think that if 45K was chump change to me, I'd spend it on something or someone or some endeavor more worthwhile in the grand scheme of things.

Still, pretty bike.

 

[Wallace]

I have a friend who built up some wheels with titanium spokes--they had to be pretty much completely re-trued after every ride. Still, I suppose if you can afford that bike, you can afford to have your own private mechanic to take care of it.

 

[the student]

and you cant even race it for 45k zomg

 

[Aapjes]

But what's with the downtube (more on the headtube it appears) friction shifters? On a 45K bike?

They are probably carbon downtube shifters. Saves a few grams over regular downtube shifters.