Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

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.

Latest Comments