He's back with a cool new project — Rob Forbes, the founder of Design Within Reach (who left DWR in 2007) is launching PUBLIC on April 15th. PUBLIC is a collection of modern bikes and gear inspired by a "passion for bicycling in style."
From the PUBLIC site:
We’re joining the movement this spring with a small collection of modern bikes and gear. We will be launching this collection in April. Our bikes have been designed around the style and principles of the classic city bikes of Europe, updated with new technology and modern materials, and adapted to the U.S. market. We have two classic European frame styles, both unisex, both made from strong lightweight steel. We designed them for all sizes and ages and made them especially female-friendly. We will have four colors and three gear configurations all using internal hubs. We think our bikes are pretty, but you can be the judge.
PUBLIC bikes have been designed around the style and principles of the classic European bike. They encourage an upright posture and better visibility. We have two frame styles, both unisex, both made from strong, lightweight steel. Our bikes will come in four colors and three gear configurations (1, 3, 8-speed) all using internal hubs.
All PUBLIC bikes come with a comfortable seat, chain guard, fenders, kickstand and reflective stripes on tires for safer night riding. Prices will range from $650 to $1,200.
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Comments (14)
I actually met the guy who designed these he is based in the Bay Area. Very cool rig.
I love Rob Forbes.
Um...what's up with designing a ghost bike?!
I appreciate the style of these bikes because it inches bicycling away from the purely sporting arena and closer to the practical, everyday commuting arena. It would be nice if all our cities were designed for bicycling in that same fashion.
... seriously? I wouldn't pay more than $50 for a single-speed steel bike, even if it were color-coordinated. I recently got a full-size (slightly dumb on my part, but then it rides like a regular bike), ~25lb folder bike for under $400. I guess the 8-speed will be $1200? If I were gonna spend that much money on a bike I'd get a Brompton folder bike; it would be a lot more practical (and they also come in many colors!)
But if you actually want an overpriced, single-speed, sort-of-retro bike you can color-coordinate to your heart's content, you can also get one from urban outfitters; it'll be a little cheaper and they have more color choices than PUBLIC (though the PUBLIC bikes are, admittedly, cuter).
Lovely, but I'd like to see at least one mixte model.
Seems like that should definitely be cheaper alternatives.
yay for bikes!!
@ilima There's a mixte on their website: http://www.publicbikes.com/images/bikes/large/on-brick-white-mixtie-with-.jpg
I'm more than happy to drop $1200 on a bike, but...these are rather bland looking. It will be interesting to see the specs, which are not yet published.
I've got dibs on the orange one when it's up for sale on craigslist...
LOVE MY LANGSTER!
Oooh. Thank you bright_as_yellow. I'm sure they'd be happy to do custom paint jobs.
These are pretty but there are plenty of companies out there making cool looking bikes out of better materials and including features that commuters look for, like a fully-covered chain. You could even get a real Dutch commuter bike within this price range. I hope these guys do well, because I'm a big supporter of bike commuting but they have some work to do.
http://www.electrabike.com/