While we're all about the innovative bicycles here at New Atlas, sometimes a bike is noteworthy simply because it's so … cool-looking. That's certainly the case with the Akhal, which is being made in very limited numbers.
Created by British design house Extans, the Akhal is named after the Akhal-Teke horse, which is believed to be one of the world's oldest and purest breeds.
The single-speed bike features a monocoque carbon fiber frame; a custom carbon fork, seatpost and handlebars (with an integrated carbon stem); and a chrome-plated head tube, seat clamp and wheel dropouts that are each CNC machined from a solid block of aluminum. Like the similarly fancy-shmancy Superstrata, Viks and Rizoma bikes, it lacks a seat tube – presumably for aesthetic reasons.
Its components include Shimano Dura Ace rim brakes, full carbon wheels with Pirelli P Zero 700 x 28c tires, a Shimano Alfine crankset, and a Gates Carbon Drive drivetrain with a 55/22 gear ratio. The whole thing reportedly tips the scales at 9.5 kg (20.9 lb) and is being offered in a single frame size that should fit riders between 170 and 195 cm (5.6 and 6.4 ft) in height.
The Akhal is being offered in two versions – the black Shadow and the white Shine. Only 99 of each are being made, with the Shine priced at £14,900 (about US$20,074) and the Shadow at £18,800 ($25,329).
Source: Extans
His (Ben) guess could be right on, but one other possibility is that it allows the rider to sit further back over the rear wheel. Not sure if this is the reason, or even if it is desirable, but definitely a possibility.