My remarks in interviews and videos about owning 13 bicycles have created quite a correspondence. Here now the proof, or rather, some proof that these bicycles do exist. I recently took pictures of the ones in Berlin (the others will follow). As you’ll see, there are only nine bikes here. Two more are in our little house in California, two others at my son’s house in London and one more in Amsterdam, parked downstairs from the Edenspiekermann offices there. Which would actually make it 14 bicycles if it wasn’t for the fact that one of them is not mine, but Susanna’s. I had it made for her birthday, so it gets a picture here but no count.
The Swiss Cresta is the all-purpose bike for Berlin when the weather is bad (like now in snow and ice) and when I have to carry more than my iPhone.
The Stevens trekking bike has been with me on the week-long rides somewhere in Germany every year. It is rugged enough for dirt roads and has plenty gears to climb comfortably.
I bought this Wilier from my friends at Cicli Berlinetta, mainly for its colour. It rides well but is too short for me and actually a little too shiny and flash.
The De Rosa is also a little short for me but rides well. Its main attraction, however, are the infamous Delta brakes. They look great, but don’t ever try and adjust them – takes the best part of a day.
The infamous Delta brakes on the De Rosa.
I bought this electric bike just to see whether it actually works. It doesn’t look as heavy as other pedelecs, but the battery on the handlebars doesn’t exactly look elegant either. It was designed by an architect, Hadi Teherani, and looks great, but at the expense of function. Quite frankly: I have never really used it, apart from around the block. But perhaps one day I’ll be grateful for some electric assistance.
This is a single speed, converted from an old Viner frame. 48×16 gearing makes it slightly heavy to get going but fast once up there. My favourite bike for running around Berlin. Light enough to take it inside instead of locking and losing it.
This single speed was also made from an old racing bike, a Patelli. Susanna got it for her birthday in 2012. It runs 48×19, so lighter to start but not quite as fast as the other single speed.
This was made for me by Dustin at Cicli Berlinetta. I take it out into the Grunewald but not into traffic around town.
Morning Erik, and I thought owning 8 bikes plus other assorted frames was being excessive! fast catching you up but do love that Willier and the single speeds. Use my Condor Pista single speed for the daily studio commute and saw a beautiful Danish bike when in Copenhagen with my son Joe just last year…sorely tempted! Now have to find one for Deb! all the best
Phil
Hi Phil,
one can never have too many bikes, if you have the space. Altogether, my bikes still didn’t cost as much as one car. And they’re way easier on fuel consumption.
There is a handy equation for finding the optimal number of bicycles to own:
One’s current number of bicycles + 1
A lovely collection of bikes. I’m jealous!
Is Berlin cycle-friendly city? We may be moving there at some point soon.
Berlin is very bike-friendly (although the weather isn’t always). Almost 20% of all journeys are made by bike and the trend is growing. It’s flat with wide streets. But the main thing is the sheer mass of cyclists and the support we give each other.
Thanks! That’s good to know.
What is it with graphic designers and bikes? I have around 6 myself. One of them I covered in fonts. You can see some pics here: http://www.simonfarla.com/2006/05/font-bike/
(I did this a while ago. Please do not judge some of my rather poor font choices…)