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Bikes

A Hyper Minimal Track Bike Inspired By Lamborghini

Cafe Racer style, supercar spirit

By Kat Bauman - October 25, 2016

I might be the wrong person to ask for opinions on concept bikes, since I prefer bicycles that ride well first and look futuristic second. But from time to time, a flashy one will catch me so far off guard I wind up liking it before I can help myself. The Viks GT Commuter is a new absurdly stripped down frame design from Velonia Bikes. It was created by Indrek Narusk and inspired by the aggressive lines of Lamborghini supercars.

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Narusk, an Estonia based designer, has been working with the Viks design since 2012. The riding position is pointedly not ergonomic, but given the uncomfortable tradition of cafe racers, that's nothing new. The frame buys into some other classic minimalist frame cliches—look ma, no seat tube!!—but makes up for it by doubling the tubing used, literally.

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While double top tubes or down tubes are not uncommon to stiffen up cargo bikes, they're the opposite of weight saving, which usually scares off run of the mill, minimalism-minded track bike designers.

This mac 'n cheesy update features 40% lighter aluminum tubing, elegant internal cable routing, upgraded disc brakes, slick brakes, and belt drive.
The Viks GT frames are made in Tallinn, Estonia. The forthcoming line will be produced in a range of Lamborghinish colors, available via Velonia resellers. More info can be found at the Viks site.

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Bikes

Kat Bauman

Irritated machine-lover and international Portland correspondent.

5 Comments

David Beck

3 years ago

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2Z

Reply

Not a track bike. Track bikes don't have brakes.

Fixed gear bike is OK. Path racer is OK. Even the Viks site calls it a commuter.

I'm also wondering how the belt is added with no visible open joints in the frame. Which would mean changing your gear ratio for an actual track bike would be impossible.

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- Sean Horita
  
  David Beck
  
  3 years ago
  
  Z
  
  Z
  
  Reply
  
  That's a good catch. There has to be a break in the frame someplace.
  Shaking my head at concept bikes that only work visually in one size. Smaller bikes would need to have a more positive angle on the stem, right?
  Like the forks/handlebar combo though. Funky and somewhat elegant.
  40% lighter than what?
  
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- Mike Cheung
  
  David Beck
  
  3 years ago
  
  Z
  
  Z
  
  Reply
  
  Subtle, but you can see the split in the drive side seat stay near the hub in this image.
  
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  - Sean Horita
    
    Mike Cheung
    
    3 years ago
    
    Z
    
    Z
    
    that's a nice shop
    
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Angry Bike Wrench

3 years ago

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1Z

Reply

I respectfully disagree, even if mine may only be a semantic argument. There's nothing minimal about this bike - double tubes all over the place when 100+ years of bicycle engineering show single tubes are more than strong enough and curves that do nothing but compromise the structural integrity of a traditional "double diamond" bike frame (which is just a truss and hard to improve on). I agree it's visually striking (which I'll concede serves some purpose), but minimal it ain't. The bike is such an interesting design pallette. It's fundamentally unchanged since forever, which makes designers think there must be opportunity for improvement, but it's such a simple machine that messing with it almost always detracts from its inherent efficiency. If you want a truly minimal bike, take your pick from any of the thousands of fixed gear bikes ridden by professional bike messengers - traditional frame, no brakes, and often a simple and utilitarian rack.

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