Here’s something a little unusual for the cycling enthusiast. Biomega aims to make the best bicycles in the world, and the company’s MN01-Extravaganza is, according to Biomega, “arguably the most innovative city bike ever built”.

The MN01 is the creation of renowned industrial designer Mark Newson. The bicycle’s frame uses something called ‘superplastic aluminium’, a marine aluminium which withstands corrosion and can be formed (“like plastic”) to create the bike’s sleek curves.

The metal sheets are heated to 480 degrees and then air-blown into a vast steel ‘form tool’. After 45 minutes, the sheets take the shape of the tool. These sheets are then machine-cut by robots to form ‘half bikes’, which are then glued/bonded together to form a bike frame. The adhesive is a special type of one-component epoxy that has tiny rubber balls in it to absorb shocks... clever.

Meanwhile, the Rohloff 14-speed internal gear hub provides an excellent gear range and smooth shifting. Braking power is provided by the twin Hope hydraulic disc brakes, and the bike’s handling characteristics are enhanced by a Pace RC31 carbon fork that’s both light and strong. Other components such as Stonglight cranks, Vredestein Scarab tires, Mavic rims and a Lepper leather saddle are integrated into the highly unusual design. See www.biomega.dk.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Biomega