For the tidy sum of nearly $400,000, you can really stand out from the crowd on your next group ride. Notice the saddle, which is a limited edition suede model from San Marco. Photo courtesy Goldgenie
What do you get for the cyclist who has everything? (And we really mean everything.) How about a gold plated bike, MSRP £250,000 British pounds, or just shy of $400,000. This gilded (and gaudy) Giant roadster is the handiwork of Britain's Goldgenie, which specializes is bedazzled smart phones that start at a comparatively paltry $4,000. They also do custom work if you're more a golden Trek or diamond-coated Specialized kinda guy or gal.
This golden bike, the Goldgenie website says, is the work of its in-house team of customization artisans who have, "meticulously applied a lustrous layer of 24k gold to the entire structure, from the tip of the drop handlebars to the wheel stays, and every other part in between, including every ridge of the gear chain."
Goldgenie designers are also developing additional two-wheeled pieces that clients, "can bespoke from a selection of different finishes on the saddle and handlebars, including exotic skins and fine leathers and a variety of precious stones." And that the end goal, besides draining your bank account, is creating objects that are "striking to look at... and even more beautiful when in fluid motion, as the spinning spokes catch the sunlight and ripples along the golden frame. While this bicycle may not reach the speed of light, the artisans at Goldgenie believe in catching the light as you travel."
Sounds smashing, don't you think. Here's a more detailed look at the bling bike.
We've seen gold chains before, but not cassettes, derailleurs, and spokes. Photo courtesy Goldgenie
Only the tires, brake pads and a few other small items were left in their normal state. Photo courtesy Goldgenie
Good thing the fork has rack mounts. Who wouldn't want to use this bike as a daily commuter. Photo courtesy Goldgenie
Here's a video look at one of the gold plated phones. Pay particular attention to the soundtrack. It's good as gold...