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The $35,000 copper-plated, python skin-wrapped bicycle ... made in 'Motor City' Detroit

Understated it isn't - we're sure President Trump will approve...

President Trump, it’s fair to say, doesn’t do understatement. And his keenness to see Detroit re-establish itself as a manufacturing centre for wheeled road transport is well known.

This new bike from a luxury sporting goods firm based in the Motor City may lack an internal combustion engine, but when it comes to bling, it ticks all the boxes – and a price tag of $35,000 means only the super-wealthy (and supremely lacking in taste) can afford one.

Called the Wheelmen, it’s made by Williamson Goods, and is copper- or chrome-plated and wrapped in python skin, together with a crocodile skin Brooks saddle.

Wheelmen bicycle handlebars and bottle (source williamsongoods.com).jpg

Here’s what the company – which also produces a $6,250 crocodile skin football that thankfully conforms to NFL size and weight standards – says about the bike on its website:

Each Wheelmen bicycle is a custom-built masterpiece. The lavish finishings and details of this exceptional bicycle ensure that The Wheelmen is both work of art and mode of transportation like no other. 

Williamson bicycles are hand brazed in Detroit using highest quality chromoly tubing. The frame, fork, lugs, and stem are all handmade by Williamson, with individual copper details and subtle logos brazed in place. Each component is wrapped with python or crocodile and hand sewn. Brake levers, gear system, pedals, and cranks are then assembled to your exact specifications.

Wheelmen bicycle drivetrain detail (source williamsongoods.com).jpg

According to the company, only 10 examples of each colourway on offer – black/copper, navy/copper, tan/copper and navy/chrome – will be made, although it adds that custom options such as white/copper and bespoke frame sizes are also available besides the standard small, medium and large varieties.

Here’s the full spec; don’t all rush at once .

– Custom copperplated frame, bars, stem, fork and posts handmade in Detroit, Michigan

– Frame, fork and posts hand– wrapped and sewn in 100% Genuine Python

– Saddle and bars hand– wrapped and sewn in 100% Genuine Crocodile

– Frame: Columbus chromoly steel

– Lugs: Nova, Python skin wrapped and Copper plated

– Stem: Modified Nitto / Copper plated

–  Bars: Nitto / Copper plated

–  Grips:  Custom Brooks snake skin wrapped

–  Wheels:  Front–  Velocity hub/rim

                 Rear Sturmey Archer 5 speed

                 Hub Velocity rim

– Cranks: Paul components

–  Pedal:  MKS with Brooks toe straps

– Saddle: Modified Brooks and some snake skin wrapped

– Fenders: Velo orange hammered fenders

– Nitto seat post copper plated

–  Front/back lights:  Vintage Schwinn/Union

–  Lights: Modified and copper plated

–  Tyres:  Continental Supersport.

Accessories

– Velo Orange Copper Plated Front Carrier Rack

– Copper Plated Adult Beverage Canister

– Black Leather Saddle Tool Bag

– Centre Kickstand.

Wheelmen bicycle head badge (source williamsongoods.com).jpg
Wheelmen bicycle bar bottle and rack (source williamsongoods.com).jpg

 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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16 comments

Avatar
dougie_c | 7 years ago
1 like

This will be a great bike for people who enjoy polishing copper regularly.

Given the price tag, buyers will probably employ someone to do this, which will create jobs.

All good.

Avatar
Morat | 7 years ago
0 likes

Is steam punk still going?

Avatar
Butty | 7 years ago
0 likes

And they wonder why Detroit went down the pan?

Heap of overpriced, uncoordinated, poor handling garbage with loads of tacky, shiny bling added on  to fool punters.

 

Avatar
drosco | 7 years ago
0 likes

As a bike it's pretty rubbish, so really what's the point?  

Avatar
Mungecrundle | 7 years ago
2 likes

I for one will miss Python. Though not often in agreement, I always enjoyed his posts. I cannot say that I think that he would approve of having his hide wrapped around a bicycle frame but at least it doesn't have disc brakes.

Avatar
drosco replied to Mungecrundle | 7 years ago
1 like

Mungecrundle wrote:

I for one will miss Python. Though not often in agreement, I always enjoyed his posts. I cannot say that I think that he would approve of having his hide wrapped around a bicycle frame but at least it doesn't have disc brakes.

 

Could you imagine if it came with a copper plated helmet?

Avatar
DrG82 | 7 years ago
4 likes

The screws on that badge show exactly why US production doesn't mean quality. You're paying $35K for a bike that's essentially make to look flash rather than ride well and they can't even get the badge straight on the head tube with the screws in straight, in the middle of the holes or with  the heads finished flush.

I'll bet that under all the snake skin guff it's little more than a cheap shopper bike that weighs a ton.

Avatar
mike the bike replied to DrG82 | 7 years ago
1 like

DrG82 wrote:

 The screws on that badge show exactly why US production doesn't mean quality.....

 

I've had a couple of American bikes and also a US designed and built boat and I reckon you are spot on.  My assessment of these products is that they are solid, perhaps even over-engineered but that assembly appears rushed and a little unfinished.  It's a pity 'cause it puts me off buying again.

Avatar
I love my bike replied to DrG82 | 7 years ago
0 likes

DrG82 wrote:

The screws on that badge show exactly why US production doesn't mean quality. You're paying $35K for a bike that's essentially make to look flash rather than ride well and they can't even get the badge straight on the head tube with the screws in straight, in the middle of the holes or with  the heads finished flush.

I'll bet that under all the snake skin guff it's little more than a cheap shopper bike that weighs a ton.

If it's displayed in the lobby of a flash Corp. it doesn't matter that it doesn't perform on the road. It might be hard to dust & polish, but the staff do that.

 

I've just bought a Lynskey frame (hand made in Tennessee), and though it's at the bottom of their range, it's superbly welded & finished (with screwed on head badge).

Avatar
gforce | 7 years ago
3 likes

Python skin? Pathetic - I assume it's aimed at people like this...

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Swiss | 7 years ago
5 likes

Surely needs gatorskins as factory tyres

Avatar
crazy-legs | 7 years ago
8 likes

What do you use for cleaning python skin? Does Muc-Off work or do I need some snake oil?

 3

Avatar
RobD | 7 years ago
0 likes

I love the copper bidon, but not sure about the flimsy black holder (or most of the rest of the bike for that matter. Doesn't seem to be the most high spec considering the price tag.

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RobO | 7 years ago
2 likes

Very distasteful

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brooksby | 7 years ago
1 like

I've never seen the fun in a bike which you daren't lock up outside.

Or in the shed.

Or in the garage.

Or next to your bed.

Or, possibly, in a special bike stand somewhere inside Fort Knox...

(It is quite gorgeous, though.  Where did I keep my bowler and my goggles...?)

Avatar
Dr_Lex | 7 years ago
9 likes

"Smithers, bring me the telegraphic apparatus!"

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