With all the noise about going green it comes as no surprise that more and more people are finding new and less environmentally damaging means of transportation. Case in point: biking has recently reached a new height in popularity. But we know saving the planet isn't the only reason. Bike messengers have been tricking-out their rides for years and in doing so jump started the fixed gear hysteria.
Now, every wannabe cool kid can be seen peddling around town. And, in usual fashion, as hype has grown for this new trend, companies as well as high profile celebrities including Kanye West, Adidas, and the Standard Hotel have thrown on their late pass and collaborated with bike brands to create highly sought after, crazy expensive and, in some cases, completely unattainable bikes of their own. We gathered some of the hottest models we could find so you could sit and droll over...
KANYES "GLOW IN THE DARK" GANGSTA (Fixed)
BRAND: Brooklyn Machine Works
FUN FACTS: This BMW features a glow in the dark paint job, Velocity Deep V rims, and special handle bar end caps feature a play on one of Mr. Wests most famous quotes and reads: "George Bush hates TRACK people." (Click here for pics)
AVAILABILITY: This model was made solely for Mr. West himself, sorry.
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THE ADIDAS ORIGINALS CONCEPT BIKE (Fixed)
BRAND: Kalavinka
FUN FACTS: Not much to know here except it features HED tri-spokes. Dope concept none the less.
AVAILABILITY: This beauty is not yet available for purchase, but keep your eyes peeled for release dates.
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THE STANDARD HOTEL PK RIPPER (Convertible)
BRAND: SE x DC Shoes
FUN FACTS: The back hub is convertible allowing this bike to be changed from a fixed gear to a freewheel depending on the needs of the rider. It also sports Velocity Deep V's, Floval Tubes, a Landing Gear fork, and custom embossed leather seats.
AVAILABILITY: Only 20 models were produced, out of which 15 were exclusively for guests at the Standard Hotel NYC. The other 5 can be purchased online. Click here to Buy It Now at Standard Hotel, $1250
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THE GRIFFIN "PLUG" (Fixed)
BRAND: Charge Bikes
FUN FACTS: Designed in collaboration with Jeff Griffen (Griffin Menswear) featuring his signature camo print on the seat and a dog tag style plate on the tubing where it is numbered.
AVAILABILITY: 500 models were produced and launched at the Eurobike exhibition back in August. But you can try cop one here: Wiggle, for $828.
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THE PK RIPPER (Fixed)
BRAND: DC Shoes x SE Bikes<
FUN FACTS: This is a remake of a classic BMX bike modified to fit 700c wheels. Complete with Floval tubing, Oury grips and Velocity Deep V's. If a grown man wanted to have fun on a bike this is what he'd buy.
AVAILABILITY: Only 1,250 of these bikes were produced at $1000 a pop, so we'd hurry on over to Shop Overload, if we were you.
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THE ADIDAS ZEITFREI COMPLETE RIDE PROJECT; SOLEBOX EDITION (Fixed)
BRAND: Bianchi
FUN FACTS: Created to go along with the Adidas Zeitfrei (which means "timeless" in German) the Bianchi Pista butted CroMo steel frame was given a complete overhaul to match the sneaks.
AVAILABILITY: Auctioned off on Solemart this bike went for $1,152. Did they forget we're in a recession?
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Acne Pista (Fixed)
BRAND: Bianchi x Acne
FUN FACTS: Another bike based on the Bianchi Pista model that is over 122 years old. Not a lot of flash here, just a timeless frame and a unique paint job.
AVAILABILITY: You can cop this at Acne NY or through their online site via special request. Click here to Buy It Now at Acne
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The Lance Armstrong Stages Series (Freewheel)
BRAND: TREK
FUN FACTS: The Bikes of STAGES auction on November 1st at Sotheby's in NYC resulted in a donation of $1,125,000 going directly to The Lance Armstrong Foundation to help fund cancer outreach, awareness and research.
AVAILABILITY: These bikes were all auctioned of to help raise cancer awareness and funding. In other words: you won't be riding these anytime soon.
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