Porsche Design to launch two bikes

Porsche will be joining its fellow car manufacturers when they release two bikes in September.

The Porsche Design ‘RS' and ‘S' bikes are designed with speed in mind and will be the latest additions to their Driver's Selection range.

The ‘Rennsport', or ‘RS' bike, is a sports bike featuring a monocoque-constructed carbon frame for stability and damping, 20-speed Shimano XTR gear and 29-inch Crank Brothers wheels. Hydraulic Magura disk brakes that are fitted along with weight-optimized carbon brake levers are designed to ensure safety when riding the bike.

The Porsche 'S' bike is designed with an aluminum 7005 frame which improves rigidity, the toothed belt drive system and 11-speed Shimano Alfine IGH aims to reduce the risk of slippage. The hydraulic Magura disk brakes ensure that the brakes remain functional in all weather conditions.

The geometry and materials are designed to give the bike optimum damping while keeping the weight low. The Porsche RS and S bikes will be launched in worldwide markets from autumn 2011 in sizes S, M and L.

Porsche is not the first car manufacturer to design and produce bicycles. Mini released a folding bike in April. Designed to fit inside the back of one of their cars, the bike is aimed at environmentally conscious consumers.

In January, Peugeot – a company that was producing bicycles 52 years before they were involved in automobile manufacturing – relaunched its bike range in the UK after a nine-year break in production.

BMW revealed its M Class range of bicycles last month, while their subsidiary DesignworksUSA designed two road bikes last August in collaboration with the windsurfer Neil Pryde.

Many car manufacturers have also designed electric bikes. Lexus unveiled a Hybrid Bicycle concept last year (although there were no plans to move the concept into production) and Volkswagen following up with their ‘Bik.e' folding bike design.

In April, Audi and Renovo Bicycles created the Duo bicycle range made from hardwood. The bikes are designed to be recyclable and biodegradable while the wooden frame is stiff, durable and able to absorb shock.

Daimler's Smart division also launched their e-bike at the 2010 Paris motor show.

By Rufus Thompson