Bicycles

The utterly desirable Budnitz Titanium bikes

The utterly desirable Budnitz Titanium bikes
Paul Budnitz has developed two Titanium-framed luxury bikes that feature a cyclist's wish list of high-end components
Paul Budnitz has developed two Titanium-framed luxury bikes that feature a cyclist's wish list of high-end components
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Both Budnitz bikes feature a Gates carbon belt-driven single speed drive, or a belt-driven Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal hub
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Both Budnitz bikes feature a Gates carbon belt-driven single speed drive, or a belt-driven Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal hub
The half-crown fork at the front is also Titanium, as is the stem and seat post
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The half-crown fork at the front is also Titanium, as is the stem and seat post
Paul Budnitz has developed two Titanium-framed luxury bikes that feature a cyclist's wish list of high-end components
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Paul Budnitz has developed two Titanium-framed luxury bikes that feature a cyclist's wish list of high-end components
At the heart of both Budnitz bikes is a Titanium Cantilever frame that's said to be as light as carbon fiber, stronger than steel, and rust and corrosion-proof
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At the heart of both Budnitz bikes is a Titanium Cantilever frame that's said to be as light as carbon fiber, stronger than steel, and rust and corrosion-proof
The Budnitz bikes feature Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes
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The Budnitz bikes feature Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes
The triangle of the No1 Budnitz bike - which has Velocity Blunt 700c rims and either Schwalbe Kojak 35C or Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 40C tires
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The triangle of the No1 Budnitz bike - which has Velocity Blunt 700c rims and either Schwalbe Kojak 35C or Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 40C tires
The No1 is described as the fastest, most comfortable, and most beautiful commuting bicycle in the world
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The No1 is described as the fastest, most comfortable, and most beautiful commuting bicycle in the world
The No1 has 25-inch, no rise cold-forged Titanium handlebars
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The No1 has 25-inch, no rise cold-forged Titanium handlebars
Both Budnitz bikes sport a Davinci design crank and MKS Touring Lite pedals
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Both Budnitz bikes sport a Davinci design crank and MKS Touring Lite pedals
The Titanium seat post as shown on the Budnitz No2
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The Titanium seat post as shown on the Budnitz No2
The No2 Budnitz bike benefits from Schwalbe Big Apple Liteskin 2.35-inch super-fat tires
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The No2 Budnitz bike benefits from Schwalbe Big Apple Liteskin 2.35-inch super-fat tires
The No2 Budnitz bike features 29-inch Velocity Blunt rims at the front and 26-inch at the back
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The No2 Budnitz bike features 29-inch Velocity Blunt rims at the front and 26-inch at the back
The No2 has 24-inch Titanium handlebars
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The No2 has 24-inch Titanium handlebars
View gallery - 13 images

If you're looking to invest in a high-end, all-purpose bicycle that will last a lifetime, then feast your eyes on the beautiful lines of the No1 and No2 luxury bikes built by Paul Budnitz. Each of the two models currently available is based around a lightweight but strong Titanium frame, from which flows a veritable cyclist's wish list of components.

Budnitz is probably best known as the founder of Kidrobot, makers of art toys, fashion apparel and accessories. He's also an author, makes films, and designs and builds bikes positively brimming with Titanium hardware. His elegant No1 and No2 bikes are both handmade in the U.S.

At the heart of both models is a Titanium Cantilever frame that's said to be as light as carbon fiber, stronger than steel, and rust and corrosion-proof. The frame's curved tube bends under pressure to absorb road shock, and sports mounts for a rack and a water bottle. Gear and brake cables are hidden inside the frame rather than spoiling the gorgeous lines. The half-crown fork at the front is also Titanium, as is the stem and seat post.

Both Budnitz bikes feature a Gates carbon belt-driven single speed drive, or a belt-driven Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal hub
Both Budnitz bikes feature a Gates carbon belt-driven single speed drive, or a belt-driven Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal hub

Although an SRAM 10-speed chain and gears option is available, riders are also given the opportunity to take advantage of a Gates carbon belt-driven single speed drive, or a belt-driven Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal hub. Elsewhere there's Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes, Davinci design crank with MKS Touring Lite pedals, Chris King No-Threadset head, a Phil Wood bottom bracket and a choice of Fizik or Brookes saddles.

The No1 commuting bike features 25-inch (63.5-cm), no-rise cold-forged Titanium handlebars, Velocity Blunt 700c rims and either Schwalbe Kojak 35C or Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 40C tires.

No2 was apparently created for joy rides on sunny spring days and errands around town, and has 24-inch (61-cm) handlebars, 29-inch Velocity Blunt rims at the front and 26-inch at the back, and Schwalbe Big Apple Liteskin 2.35-inch super-fat tires.

The No2 Budnitz bike benefits from Schwalbe Big Apple Liteskin 2.35-inch super-fat tires
The No2 Budnitz bike benefits from Schwalbe Big Apple Liteskin 2.35-inch super-fat tires

Both Budnitz bikes are priced at US$5,500 a piece and come in three frame sizes. There's a 60 to 90 day production window.

View gallery - 13 images
17 comments
17 comments
phydeaux
US$5,500 - holy crap.
Not a good value by any stretch.
Slowburn
The Titanium frame bike I tried was too flexible, I\'ll take the weight penalty of a good high-alloy steel frame.
Renārs Grebežs
Yeah, what\'s with these ridiculous prices?
Guy Macher
Really clean design. No stupid suspension (beyond pneumatic tires, of course). In steel, it would be just as beautiful, nearly as light, and affordable!
wle
$5500 is a lot to pay for \'clean lines\'
i;ll take \'traditional\' steel or aluminum, leftover $4500 on the side , please!
wle
Alan Mudd
I agree with the other posters that this would have made a lot more sense in steel, but then we wouldn\'t have been reading about it on gizmag, would we?
cazin678
@Macher- no, it wouldn\'t......
Muraculous
Nice design and execution but wildly expensive (unless you are one of those oil traders or stock brokers who don\'t care where the market goes as long as you are booking transactions).
Justin Schetrompf
Art isn\'t priced for the masses now is it, That\'s what makes the difference, steel is real true, but Titanium last longer than average marriage. BTW buying one of these artfully crafted ride may just cause a few.
Walt Stawicki
IAnd I worry about bringing a family capable trike to market at $5K???!!?
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