BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
There were a great many bikes and cycle accessories among products lauded at the iF Design Awards held at BMW World in Munich at the weekend. The internationally renowned prize for outstanding design has been awarded for 65 years.
Two thousand guests from design, business, culture, politics and media saw products awarded on the night.
A jury of 63 independent experts from 16 countries selected the winners of the iF Design Award 2018.
Products as diverse as the Satisfyer Pro G-Spot Rabbit – whatever that is – and BMW’s Electric Mini were highlighted alongside a great many products from the world of cycles, including from well-known brand such as Shimano, 3T and Selle Royal.
Here’s a round-up of the cycling products picked out as winners from 6,402 entries:
Maserati MC Corse electric bike by Maserati and Diavelo – "A unique electric bike [with a] frame made from full autoclave carbon, which makes the bike one of the strongest and lightest in the world. This is a totally new method in the electric bicycle industry. The battery and motor are completely hidden in the frame to optimise the racing bike look."
611 Ergowave ES Edition saddle by SQ Lab – "This new saddle was developed in collaboration with the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and the University Clinic of Frankfurt … [it] allows the rider to adopt a more aggressive sitting position on- and off-road."
Ergolux saddle by SQLab – "As a part of a research project, scientists, doctors, technicians, and multitude of cyclists have researched the saddle shape down to the last detail and made continuous improvements."
3OX handlebar by SQ Lab – "The ergonomic shape with an upsweep of four degrees and backsweep of 12 degrees and 16 degrees relieves the pressure on the wrists and palms, while the width of 780mm provides more stability for the rider. The 16-degree backsweep provides a natural transition from the lower arm to the hand."
ProCargo CT1 from Sortimo International – "The ProCargo CT1’s brilliant turning ability… is made possible by patented tilting technology and the unique integration of load securing."
Woom childs’ cycle helmet – "The Inmold shell encloses the head completely for extended coverage and to prevent movement on the head. Young children lack the reflex to protect themselves with their hands when falling, so a visor made of low-rebound elastomer provides additional forehead protection."
AMI C8 HMS e-bike by Gazelle – "The new e-bike has a smaller wheel size than all other models and a low, wide step-through. Cyclists can mount easily and to put their feet on the ground fast when confronted with unexpected traffic situations."
TF 1 trike-to-balance-bike by 700Kids – "TF1 is a transformable kids’ bike, which can be adjusted easily for different usage – pushbike or tricycle – by switching the safety mechanism and rotating the rear wheels."
BH51 helmet from Livall – "Combines active LED lighting system, Bluetooth call and music play, and other functions."
Coboc Seven e-bike – "The interface to the smartphone, which becomes the driver’s on-board computer through the Coboc app, fits wirelessly into the digitalisation of everyday life."
Haibike Xduro Nduro 8.0 e-mountain-bike – "Thanks to its integrated battery concept, the Nduro has reached a new level of integration, aesthetic beauty and practicality, combined with Haibike’s already legendary eMTB ride quality…"
V-danci V1 Lithium Folding Bike – "Designed for young people who are looking for an environmentally friendly mode of transport that offers intelligent control and parking convenience … Being the first to introduce the V-danci we expect to see many imitations in the market."
TranzX Mavis e-bike – "MAVIS was born out of strategic market research that identified great potential among price-sensitive and design-conscious buyers, as well as younger people who are starting to discover e-bikes as a cool and green way to get around town."
Ninebot kids’ bike – "Enriches children’s lives and encourages them to exercise more by creating a lighter and more convenient cycling experience … soft anti-collision protection enhances safety during cycling."
Mobike New Lite dockless bike – "As Mobike’s latest generation of smart bike, New Lite features an optimised and lightweight framework, GPS, and Bluetooth."
Mobike 3.0 Smart dockless bicycle – "Using specially designed bikes equipped with GPS and proprietary smart-lock technology, Mobike enables users to find, reserve and unlock the nearest bike using an app installed on their smartphones."
Kask Valegro – "developed with and for Team Sky’s multiple Grand Tour winning riders … With 36 air intakes, resulting in a head-to-pad contact area up to 70% less than some conventional helmet designs …"
Portable bike tools from Shenzhen Matrix Industrial Product – "This super-portable repair kit … contains everything you need to get free-wheeling again."
Selle Royal E-bike Saddle – "Together with Selle Royal BMW Group Designworks undertook the first ever comprehensive study of e-bike users to determine performance characteristics that could benefit from an e-bike-specific saddle design."
Samox R5 crankset – "The R5 chainring is a CNC-milled aluminum unibody of two chainrings to not only reduce the overall weight significantly but also improve its overall structural integrity and durability."
Shimano Deore M6000/T6000 mountain bike components – "Based on the M6000 series, T6000 series components are optimised for trekking bikes, featuring cranksets with wide-ranging tooth profiles, chain guards, and other parts …"
Shimano Ultegra R8000 road bike components – "These drivetrain, control, and transmission components for road bikes utilise a total system design for superb control and accurate gear changes."
3T Torno crankset – "Given their spinning and proximity to the rider’s moving legs … aerodynamics are important for cranks. The Torno uses European in-house manufacturing knowledge to create the word’s thinnest cranks, thus reducing frontal area."
3T Strada – "The Strada is the first aero road bike with a single front chainring, cleaning up the aero drag and appearance significantly."
3T Apto stem – "Bike stems usually have a front faceplate that holds the handlebar, and four bolts threaded in from the front. This makes the front view … unappealing. By reversing the bolts, the faceplate design remains very clean and the stem/handlebar combination looks integrated."
Gustav bike – "Gustav bike with a belt drive system … is designed for commuters …. The frame-mounted front rack is strong enough to carry heavier loads without effecting the steering."
Gazelle CityGo – "The CityGo has a striking top tube color that differs from the rest of the frame. The model with three gears features a practical storage case for a chain lock."
Diamont Zouma Elite+ – "an electric commuting bike … combines elegant design with an innovative, integrated electric drive and highest quality in frame and components."
Sparta R5Te – "revolutionary e-bike with an innovative design."
Silverback Superspeed MTB – "12 x 148mm rear hub spacing, 422mm radial chainstay length, Monoburst technology which diverts bump forces away from the seat tube and therefore the rider. The seat tube also flares at the bottom to allow fore-/after-flex and comfort while remaining laterally stiff … The Superspeed uses Japanese Toray Carbon fiber, the highest quality available."
