The PERFECT Classic Bicycle

[AS-1]

If you had the time and the money to design and build the PERFECT Classic Bicycle, what would it look like?

Describe the specifications and the structural design in detail. In my mind, I see a 3 speed middleweight Phantom made with 6061 aircraft aluminum, but I'm not very creative. What do you see?

 

[RJWess]

In my mind it already has been built...

 

[cyclingday]

Yeah, I kind of have to agree with that last post.
To date, the 1936 Huffman built, Dayton Safety Streamline, is about as close to perfect as anyone has come so far.
But!
If we’re talking never seen before, then this guys concept, is pretty cool!

It seems that the electric bike market is ripe for designs like this.

 

[IngoMike]

I agree that it has already been built, and depends on each of our ideas/interests of the Perfect bicycle.
This is my perfect daily rider....I would not change a thing.....a big basket for my junk....a little bird for companionship.....the rear rack does not get used......'64 KSHD Halloween bike......We could talk about futuristic designs and such but this bike was built for a purpose....they had meetings about this bike to decide what to offer.....it was a shift from normal citizen bicycles into a different market....it was a limited time offering and most bikes did not survive the downfall of industry and were scrapped.....The bike is 65#'s of goodness and rides very well.....

 

[39Rocket]

 

[cyclingday]

Pretty hard to beat the simplicity/functionality of the diamond frame roadster.
Tried and True, since 1889.
It may not be as dazzling to look at, but it will get you where you need to go, with efficiency.

 

[higgens]

Here is one they never made

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

View attachment 1941548

I have too say these are some of the most artistic bikes I have seen they really look like rolling art. However I'm wondering about the geometry of them. They look to me like they would be uncomfortable to ride. Certainly for a taller rider like myself. If figure they are comfortable efficient bikes or you would not be so in love. Just wondering your and others takes are on them.

 

[39Rocket]

I have too say these are some of the most artistic bikes I have seen they really look like rolling art. However I'm wondering about the geometry of them. They look to me like they would be uncomfortable to ride. Certainly for a taller rider like myself. If figure they are comfortable efficient bikes or you would not be so in love. Just wondering your and others takes are on them.

I’m 6 feet tall and I ride them! For me they are much easier to ride than say an Elgin Falcon, bluebird, and 26” Schwinns for a few examples that I haven’t cared for. I took a rocket on a 7 mile ride last week.

 

[cyclingday]

I have to agree. The whole concept of the 12 inch seat tube makes for a really nice looking bike, but it doesn’t make much sense from a design standpoint, unless the intended rider only has a 20 inch inseam.
I ride this bike, and I am also 6’ tall,

Oddly enough, it has a really long top tube length, so if the ideal inseam length were placed over the seat tube, then the reach would be too great for the upper body.
So, you almost have to be six foot tall, to ride this bike comfortably.
But, if static beauty is the desired result, then there’s no more beautiful frame design than the dramatically sloping top tube that flows in one continuous arc all the way to the junction with the rear wheel.