Just what you always wanted, or maybe not — an Aston Martin bicycle?
That’s right Aston Martin and British titanium bicycle manufacturer J.Laverack have banded together to produce the J.Laverack Aston Martin .1R.
Developed with input from high-performance automotive designers, the .1R is described as the most bespoke, most advanced and most engineered bicycle ever created, featuring a number of world firsts.
Founded in 2015 by friends Oliver Laverack and David Clow, J.Laverack Bicycles has made a name for itself creating exclusive, class leading and award winning made to measure bespoke bicycles.
The phrase ‘badge engineering’ has often been associated with collaborative bicycle projects in the past, but the J.Laverack Aston Martin .1R brings a whole new meaning to the term.
The J.Laverack Aston Martin .1R uses a flawless fusion of parametrically designed, 3D-printed titanium lugs and sculpted carbon fibre tubes.
This ensures a frame that not only delivers an exceptional blend of response and comfort, but also sets new standards of elegance and beauty on two wheels.
Set under the lacquer, the metal badges on this bicycle have truly beautiful engineering behind them.
Each one measures just 40 microns thin and employs the same process used for the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s badge, dubbed the lace wing.
The hypercar’s wheel design can be glimpsed in miniature in the titanium piston caps of the brakes, while the beautifully machined cups on the threaded bottom bracket draw parallels with the central wheel nuts on an Aston Martin Valkyrie.
Other details include the pierced stem, which artfully mirrors the side strake on an Aston Martin DB12 — yet still allows enough room for the internal routing of the brake hoses.
The titanium thru axles are also a work of art, with a wall thickness of just 0.7mm in places.
And, unlike other bicycles, the end of each axle is hidden on the non-drive side.
The .1R features faultless clean lines, where one would normally expect to find fixings at the stem or seat post.
The integrated four piston brake calipers are clean sheet design and required the development of bespoke testing equipment.
As a result, there is not a single exposed cable or hose visible on the whole bicycle.
Customers will be able to choose from any of the three 12-speed group sets used by professionals in the UCI World Tour.
Whether there is a preference for, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Campagnolo Super Record Wireless or SRAM RED eTap AXS, the .1R can be built accordingly.
The bespoke chain rings are machined from aluminium and the sizes can be specified by each owner.
The AERA Components Æ|55 wheels are also unique, featuring 55mm deep carbon tubeless rims with an internal width of 22mm.
They are laced with 28 Sapim CX-Ray spokes that continue a black colour scheme on the wheels, as do the hubs that have been designed specifically for the .1R and are machined to perfection from high strength aerospace aluminium before being finished in a custom brevet black colour way.
Continental has even created a 30mm wide special stealth black version of its GP5000S TR tyres, which are the optimal width for the specially made carbon rims and offer a perfect blend of speed and comfort.
The C13 saddle from British company Brooks has been specifically commissioned for the .1R.
Each saddle can be trimmed in the owners choice of leather or Alcantara, and is finished with a single titanium rivet.
The same material choice is available for the handlebar grips, with the full suite of Aston Martin colours on offer.
Although custom fitting isn’t new in the world of bicycles, the J.Laverack Aston Martin .1R is truly bespoke.
Typifying this philosophy, each Sphyr stem – named after the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna) – will be 3D printed from titanium to each owner’s unique measurements.
Reach and width can all be specified with absolute precision.
Continuing in this vein, while crank lengths are generally only available in increments of 2.5mm, the owner can specify his or her crank length down to fractions of a millimetre.
This is thanks to bespoke, 3D-printed titanium tips on the carbon crank arms.
The saddle height will be adjusted using a set of beautiful bespoke titanium collars that can be interchanged.
Each bicycle will also be supplied with a unique set of tools, that will sit alongside the collars, inside a beautifully handmade wooden tool case.
Each owner will be invited to Aston Martin’s headquarters in Gaydon where a full fitting will take place with the founders of J.Laverack, providing limitless opportunity to customise their uniquely personal .1R.
Customers can select the exact same colour palettes and trim choices available on Aston Martin’s cars, providing the opportunity to pair car and bike, should they wish to.
The .1R has has also been integrated into Aston Martin’s multi-award-winning online configurator.
As well as the saddle and handlebar tape, this digital tool allows users to individually specify the colour of the tubes, lugs, forks, stem, seat post and handlebar drops.
If desired, the carbon fibre can be left bare to show off the beauty of the material.
Accents such as the bottom bracket cups, brake calipers, and the brake disc centres have a special ceramic coating that can be picked out in bronze or muted in black.
Each bike and its components such as hubs, cranks and frame are numbered, forever linking them as part of a whole.
The bicycle will also be supplied with its own case, either in aluminium or carbon, which will double as both a travel solution and somewhere to display the .1R.
Each .1R travel case will also include a track pump that matches the bike, featuring Alcantara or leather covered handles, and sits securely inside the protective cases.
The cost? Not disclosed. If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford one. To find out more here.
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