Pantone Universe has collaborated with GIC bikes (who make several branded bikes like Renault bikes and SAAB bikes) to come out with a family of 3 Pantone Universe Bicycles. The Town or City Bike, a folding bike, the FDB166 and the Pantone Universe Basic 20.
The GIC Bike company of Japan has three styles of Pantone Universe Bikes; the Town Bike, The FDB166 Folding bike collection and the most recent addition to the line, The Basic 20. Unfortunately, they are only available in Japan. Big Boo-hoo.
The Town (or City) Bikes above: the Pantone Universe City Bike
Comes in the following five colors: BLUE DEPTHS: GALAPAGOS GREEN: JAFFA ORANGE: JESTER RED: BARELY BLU
The FDB166 is a Folding Pantone Bike. above: The Pantone Universe Folding Bike
Comes in the following 4 colors; CYAN BLUE 11103-03 ORCHID SMOKE 11103-04 CYBER YELLOW 11103-07 ONLINE LIME 11103-11
Specs: frame: HI-TEN STEEL folding size : 760 x 620 x 520mm weight: 13.5kg tire : 16X1.75 component : 6SPEED price: 30,000 yen
The Basic 20 The newest member of the Pantone Universe Bike Collection is the Pantone Universe Basic 20, a white bike whose back wheel's inner rim is colored to match the pantone color details. The Basic 20 comes in Vivid Blue, Orange and Lime Green and is the least expensive of the three:
All three Pantone Universe bikes at the Pantone HQ in Japan:
GIC also makes matching bike locks for the bikes:
As I said earlier in the post, these lust-worthy bikes are only available in Japan and I am positively 364 C with envy.
The parade of Pantone® related and inspired products continues. This is my fifth post on items that take their cue from the universal Pantone Matching System (known as PMS colors). The latest items include metal storage boxes and folding chairs.
Designed by Selab for Seletti, the aluminum folding chairs have padded seats and come in 672 C pastel pink, 186 C ruby red, 377 C macaw green, 14-0848 mimosa, 268 C royal purple and Cool Gray.
And a few unusual Pantone inspired projects for you.
Pantone Printed Leather Chair above image courtesy of hotelworldasia
This digitally printed leather chair by Sif Technology has a Pantone color spectrum as the pattern. Exhibited at NeoCon '09, the chair is not production (too bad!) but it was an example of their printing on leather capabilities.
The Pantone Rainbow And check out the Pantone rainbow made by artist Christopher Bevans here
Pantone®Cans:
And here's a last minute addition, graffiti artist Nico189 has created a personal project in which he took cans of spray paint and turned them into Pantone Cans. Unfortunately, they are not available for purchase:
To see tons more Pantone products, like eyeglasses, rugs, mugs and more, go here.
A Carbon Fibre Folding Electric Bike Available For Pre-Order
The YikeBike is a a super high–end all electric folding bicycle made of carbon fiber that weighs less than 10 kg. Currently designed and assembled in New Zealand, the bike is available for pre-order now and the first 100 orders are expected to be delivered mid 2010.
Initially the YikeBike will be available in the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium and New Zealand.
More information and FAQs after the following images.
hi-res photos below, please click to enlarge:
Answers to some of the important questions:
How fast does the YikeBike go? The YikeBike is electronically limited to 20 kph, even down-hill. It accelerates to top speed in just a few seconds.
How long does it take to charge the YikeBike? This depends on the amount of battery discharge, but a typical time would be 20 minutes for 80% charge. How much does it cost to charge? It depends upon your electricity supplier, but in most cities the cost to charge would be less that €0.10 equivalent.
How tall/short do you have to be to ride the YikeBike? Is the seat adjustable? Is there a weight limit? The YikeBike can comfortably be ridden by anyone from 160cm to 195cm (5’3” to 6'5"). There is no need to adjust the seat because you do not pedal – your height relative to the seat is only important to how much your knees are bent when riding. The YikeBike can comfortably take a rider (and personal effects) weighing up to 100kg. Beyond this weight we do not warrant performance. Over time we may make different sized ones - particularly for children.
What is the battery life and cost of replacement? The YikeBike has latest Lithium Phosphate (liFePO4) batteries that are good for at least 1,000 charges. We will share the exact details when they become available closer to the start of YikeBike production.
How quickly does it fold? With a bit of practice, folding takes less than 15 seconds.
Can I have a colour other than black? ‘Carbon fibre black’ is the only colour that will initially be available for a YikeBike. After initial production has begun we will look at different colours and options to accessorise your YikeBike.
How heavy is a YikeBike? The YikeBike weighs less than 10kg with a full battery and air in the tyres
What are the folded dimensions of a YikeBike? The folded dimensions are 150mm by 600mm by 600mm. The total folded volume is 40 litres. The folded YikeBike is considerably smaller than a typical folding bicycle and the fact that all of the mechanicals are enclosed reduces the risk of marking or staining clothing or furniture.
How far can YikeBike go? Currently the YikeBike can travel a distance of 9 - 10 Km.
How much will the Yike-Bike cost? The price for the first YikeBikes will be between €3,500-€3,900. You can pre-order one now here with a deposit on your credit card.
About the inventor, Grant Ryan: YikeBike founder, Grant is an addicted inventor and entrepreneur. He has founded a number of companies including GlobalBrain.net (sold to NBCi), RealContacts, SLI Systems (profitable fast growing SaaS search company) and Eurekster (North America Red Herring 100 in 2006). He is on the board of Canterbury Development Corporation and has also served on the board of the New Zealand Government's $140 million Venture Investment Fund and $430 million Foundation for Research Science and Technology.
Grant has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Ecological Economics from the University of Canterbury. The YikeBike perfectly combines his love of mechanics, environment and innovation.
YikeBike is a statement about using smart technology to solve the problems of our increasingly congested, polluted, stressful cities. It is the first commercial expression of the mini-farthing concept, created up by a bunch of successful entrepreneurs, engineers and dreamers. More on the history of the development of the concept can be found at www.minifarthing.com
all images and information courtesy of YikeBike.com
