There are certain designs of functional products which achieve iconic status. Think Philippe Stark's Alessi Juicy Salif Lemon Squeezer, or George Carwardine's Anglepoise Lamp.
Well here's a new candidate bidding to join the ranks of design classics. It's Ciclotte, an exercise bike designed by Italian designer Luca Schieppati and made by the Italian Lamiflex Group from carbon, steel and glass fibres.
The main focus is the great wheel, reminiscent of a 19th century monocycle wheel but said to have been "transformed into an object of refined engineering".
Now here's the science bit, Ciclotte has been designed to reproduce the dynamics and performance of road cycling and is ideal for high intensity aerobic workouts such as spinning. It is also the first exercise bike to use an epicycloid system.
This works by generating a concentrated magnetic field using a copper ring which is rotated at a high speed in front of five magnets, which can be moved back or forwards via the touch screen display to control the strength - producing a high performance effective cycling resistance system.
It's due to be launched in the UK at the 100% Design Show from 23-26 September 2010 at Earls Court, London and will be available in Carbon, Silver and Purple, to suit any boutique hotel's decor. Although the £6,800 price tag would make it a very expensive clothes horse.
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