Cycling has been around for centuries but probably nobody thought that it would come to a point where the 11 most expensive bicycles in the world would be made and sold successfully for such sums of money. The list is dedicated to all shapes and sizes of bikes but if you’re a mountain bike junkie, you might want to check out the list we did on the 13 most expensive mountain bikes in the world.
Bicycles are an immensely popular means of transportation today. They’re cheap (unlike the ones here, obviously), they’re clean and they make a good workout which, honestly, all of us need. The first chain-driven model of a bicycle that even remotely resembled the ones we know today was introduced somewhere in the nineteenth century, estimated to be around 1885. The introduction and spreading of this new mode of getting from point A to point B made a huge impact on the world at that time. Bicycles are probably some of the most underrated inventions ever, considering how well their effect on society is acknowledged.
It all started out with the concept of the “velocipede” (which is still used to refer to bikes in certain parts of the world). Velocipedes are a group of land vehicles which are operated with man power and have one or more wheels. The term was coined in the early years of the nineteenth century and evolved to be a referral to all things cycle – the bicycle, tricycle, quadricycle and so on. If we have to go to the times before that, the father of all bicycles (and many velocipedes) went by several names including “a dandy horse” and more formally, a Draisine. Named after its creator, the Draisine was a heavy wooden construction with two metal spoked wheels which somehow resembled its modern offsprings. A person would push themselves off with their feet while steering the front wheel via a rather strange lever. Later on, the “velocipede” term was coined to describe such vehicles with the main difference being that a crank drive was introduced to a large front wheel. Many of you probably know how a penny-farthing looks – that one bicycle with the ridiculously huge front wheel and a miniscule rear one. At that point in time, this was known as the “common bicycle”.
Over time though, this design proved to be highly inefficient. People began experimenting with models that became closer and closer to what we know today. However, due to the lack of pneumatic tires, these models were still unpopular until its invention, in the end of the nineteenth century.
From then on, cycling went on to become one of the most popular sports, pastimes, and means of transportation all around the world. Bikes have become such an integral part of our culture and lives that excessive cases like the ones you are about to see have sprung to life. Let’s take a look at them.
11. Litespeed Blade
Price: $40 800
The innovative Litespeed Blade takes the eleventh spot with its groundbreaking design and characteristics. They all come at a special price, though.
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10. Electric Assist bicycle by eRockit
Price: $44 000
This electric bike is priced so high because it is expected to last ten years without replacing anything on it, which makes the price close to reasonable.
9. Montante Luxury Gold Collection
Price: $46 000
This collectors’ bicycle is made with elegance, comfort and lots of gold in mind.
8. Moynat Malle Bicyclette
Price: $50 000
The Moynat Malle Bicyclette is a ladies bicycle produced by one of the most renowned designers and manufacturers of luggage bags.
7. Tiffany & Co. Silver Mounted Ladies Bicycle
Price: $50 000– $70 000
This beautiful and elegant Tiffany & Co. ladies bike is extremely rare and its price confirms it.
6. Chrome Hearts x Cervelo
Price: $60 000
A collaboration between two internationally renowned bike companies has produced this racing bike that takes the sixth spot among the 11 most expensive bicycles in the world.
5. Trek Madone 7 Diamond
Price: $75 000
The Madone 7 Diamond by Trek has more than a hundred real diamonds embedded in it.
4. Aurumania Crystal Edition Gold Bike
Price: $114 400
This bicycle comes plated with 24 karat gold sheets and six hundred Swarovski crystals embedded all over it.
3. Kaws – Trek Madone
Price: $160 000
The Kaws-Trek Madone is none other but Lance Armstrong’s signature bike.
2. Trek Yoshimoto Nara
Price: $200 000
Yoshimoto Nara himself did the artworks and design for this piece of art of a bicycle which was made for the Livestrong Foundation and used for charity.
1. Trek Butterfly Madone
Price: $500 000
The Trek Butterfly Madone takes the first place among the 11 most expensive bicycles in the world with a price of half a million dollars. This bike is embellished with a huge number of actual butterflies.
