What happens when car manufacturers make bikes

It makes sense that the world’s biggest car manufacturers might want to have a crack at bike design – they both have wheels, right? Well some of them have done just that.

The Good

1. Honda

Not a pretty bike, but one of the most race-winning DH bikes of all time. Has a cool ‘top secret’ drivetrain design hidden away in the middle of the bike, too!

2. Volvo

Yep, it’s a Cannondale really. From the days when mountain bike racing attracted some serious sponsorship money.

3. Caterham

We’re not anti-disc brakes by any means, but how nice is it to see a super-modern road bike that still has rim brakes on it?

4. McLaren

With only 250 units produced globally and a $27,000 price tag, this is a rare (but beautiful) beast.

5. Peugeot

The only company that’s managed to use a chequered flag motif in a stylish and effective way. This yellow and chrome affair (above) is simply one of the prettiest road bikes ever.

6. Lexus

Okay, so they’re not exactly amazing. But it is nice to see some more sedate designs from a car company.

7. Range Rover

Talking of sedate designs, this minimalist beast is a surprisingly classy looking affair. Features a crisp white modular carbon fibre “monocoque” frame with not-so-subtle Range Rover branding.

8. DeLorean

Bike To The Future

The Bad

9. Hummer

A re-badged Montague bike, but it’s got HUMMER slapped across the top tube. Naff-ola!

10. Alfa Romeo

Some sort of time-trialling commuter bike?

11. Audi

This only looks acceptable because your eyes have just experienced the two bikes above. Doesn’t that wooden Renovo look remind you of an Atari console from the 1980s?

12. Audi (again)

Some really nicely executed details but one great big horrible whole.

13. Mercedes-Benz

We particularly like the optimism of fitting a toddler’s balance bike with a kickstand.

14. Aston Martin

So tragically near and yet (look at the fork) so, so far.

15. BMW

A Whyte PRST-1 mixed with a Cannondale Headshok. And sold on through ASDA.

16. BMW (again)

Folded up and ready to put into a skip.

17. Ferrari

Who doesn’t lust after a Ferrari? Hmm… we’ll get back to you on that.

18. SAAB

We do secretly quite like this one. BMX stylings meets folding bike utility meets Slingshot bikes from the 90s.

The (Downright) Ugly

19. Porsche

Just look at it!

20. Maserati

Some desperate hipster wannabes may possibly think this is a stylish looking bike. It really isn’t. Those rims. Those seat stays. That brake. That chain. Ugh. Nice pedals mind.

21. Jeep

If in doubt, give your bike a brown and cream paintjob.

22. Kia

The whole aerobike craze is spreading into about-town shopping bikes now. Bonus points for the red chains.

23. Renault

What’s the most ugly bit of this bike? It’s actually quite hard to decide.

24. Ford

Ford have produced dozens of similarly ropey looking bikes over the years, but apparently this one was given to staff at specific Ford events. Thanks, but you can keep it.

25. Lamborghini

This bike comes from the same brand that brought you the Lamborghini Gallardo. It just doesn’t make sense, does it?

26. Lancia

It’s not exactly a Delta Integrale.

27. Spyker (Dutch bespoke race car manufacturer)

Sometimes too much is too much.

28. Yamaha

You’ve got to love the idea of this bike (from the 1970s no less), but you can’t deny it’s an ugly hunk and must have been a dog to ride.

Check out our bikes and frames range for the latest designs to find your dream ride.

Okay, so lets have a go at making a car. Can’t be that hard, can it…

Author

Rick Robson

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