ron arad for WOW bikes
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ron arad for WOW bikes


bike with sprung steel wheels designed by ron arad
all images courtesy of WOW bikes


as part of a collaborative fundraising event between elton john AIDS foundation and W hotels, six top creatives were invited to
transform the distinctive blue 'boris bike' used by londoners into a a functional work of art, to by used by visitors to london's W hotel
at leicester square. the project goes by the name WOW bikes and israeli-born UK-based designer ron arad was amongst the select group  -
which includes artist benedict radcliff, fashion designers patrick cox and alice temperley, singer paloma faith and illustrator natasha law -
who each created a completely original, bespoke bike. arad's design involves sprung steel arranged in tesselated forms for its wheels.

the bikes are currently on auction on the intiative's facebook page and will be available for use at the west end london hotel
until the end of october 2011.







andrea db
08.22.11  
16
Just like the wheels I proposed to my Renault 4 ever project...
Except that I cannot show it to anyone...
WHERE ARE THE RENAULT COMPETITION RESULTS????
mayra   08.22.11
mayra this is not related to the Renault competition and yes you can show your project by now unless you were notified that you were amongst the finalists. In any case, cool concept by Mr. Arad
DsgnCrit   08.22.11
@ DsgnCrit This is NOT a concept BY Mr. Arad... as you can see
unusuallocomotion

...and yes, I'm among the finalists of Renault competition... waiting, and wainting and waiting 4 ever?
mayra   08.22.11
Id love to take it for a spin....or would i? how do you corner with it? whats gripping the road? when cornering, youre on the edge of the steel and are you sure to slip and fall? I love the idea but im not convinced.
charles   08.22.11
Easily manufactured, serviceable, lightweight, great in the wet. He's really nailed it with this one.
James   08.22.11
Like much of Mr. Arad's creations, this is art, not design... It might work in a straight line!
Marc D.   08.22.11
Definitely would be interested to see it in action. As others have mentioned, I'm left rather puzzled as to how this bike would handle corners ... I guess on the bright side it might create sparks when doing break-lock sliding stops. Oh, that reminds me: how much time is needed before this bike even stops?
Arielle   08.22.11
well, this is a first year student work... this is not functional at all...
ben   08.23.11
it's an artwork. but the side view is really beautiful
Felix G   08.23.11
Will some 700x27 Vittoria Pavé EVO CG tubs fit those wheels?
Booji Boy   08.23.11
@Arielle... Now that I see it better, I guess there are no brakes in this one... great for hill riding! (downwards)
Pato   08.25.11
Form despises function. Well done Ron :) One has to be amazed he has balls to to pose for a picture next to it lol
Cap   08.26.11
The wheels aim a plus in elasticity or aesthetics? What abouth becoming slower or side winds?
Dr. med. Zoltán George M a y e r from Arad, Transsilvania de Borszowicky   08.27.11
i'm absolutely in love with that wheelsssss!!!! Ron is back!!!!!!!
Chairseater   08.28.11
I would like to see a picture with somebody sitting or riding on this bike. Does that woK?
sigrun Musa   08.29.11
if this is not intended to be design then he should not promote it as such, as he has done this then we should question it as we do all design. on this basis it is an imaginative concept at best. I wonder if it can perform to the level of our existing solution , never mind even trying to find one advantage for this approach.I could see some minimal possibility of adding an outer rim so you could move more freely and break but this is pushing it a little.sadly I see it as form leading function which is sad for such a renowned 'designer'.
stem   08.29.11
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