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Bicycles

Italian e-bike makes an iconic statement

By Ben Coxworth
October 27, 2016
Italian e-bike makes an iconic statement
43 Milano's unmistakable Icon
43 Milano's unmistakable Icon
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The Icon's top tube has a dynamo-powered Supernova headlight built into the front and a tail light in the rear
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The Icon's top tube has a dynamo-powered Supernova headlight built into the front and a tail light in the rear
One three-hour charge of the Icon's battery should be good for a range of about 105 km (65 miles), with an illuminated ring at the top of the battery changing color to indicate its charge level
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One three-hour charge of the Icon's battery should be good for a range of about 105 km (65 miles), with an illuminated ring at the top of the battery changing color to indicate its charge level
The Icon's top motor-assisted speed is 25 km/h (16 mph)
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The Icon's top motor-assisted speed is 25 km/h (16 mph)
The 17-kg (37.5-lb) Icon's most striking feature is its handmade Dedacciai steel frame, which does away with the down tube and replaces the conventional seat tube with one that sits straight up and down
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The 17-kg (37.5-lb) Icon's most striking feature is its handmade Dedacciai steel frame, which does away with the down tube and replaces the conventional seat tube with one that sits straight up and down
43 Milano's unmistakable Icon
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43 Milano's unmistakable Icon
View gallery - 5 images

There are now many e-bikes out there that could pass for regular human-powered bicycles. With some others, however, you can tell that the designers were going for something that looked a little … different. Such is the case with the eye-catching new Icon, from Italy's 43 Milano.

The 17-kg (37.5-lb) Icon's most striking feature is its handmade Dedacciai steel frame, which does away with the down tube and replaces the conventional seat tube with one that sits straight up and down. Its top tube has a dynamo-powered Supernova headlight built into the front and a tail light in the rear, bringing the Vanmoof bikes to mind.

The rider's pedalling power is augmented by a 250-watt Pendix brushless bottom bracket motor, which is in turn powered by a removable 48-volt/300-Wh lithium-ion battery pack. One three-hour charge should be good for a range of about 105 km (65 miles), with an illuminated ring at the top of the battery changing color to indicate its charge level. The bike's top motor-assisted speed is 25 km/h (16 mph).

The Icon's top motor-assisted speed is 25 km/h (16 mph)
The Icon's top motor-assisted speed is 25 km/h (16 mph)

Other features include Magura MT4 hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano Alfine 8-speed rear hub transmission, and a BodyFloat suspension seatpost. An upcoming off-road version may also include a Lauf suspension fork, SoftWheel shock-absorbing wheels, and an SRAM GX 11-speed transmission.

Company founder Alberto Crivellenti tells us that pricing for the Icon ranges from about US$5,000 to $7,000, depending on the setup. For another example of 43 Milano's handiwork, check out the limited-edition Pininfarina Fuoriserie.

Source: 43 Milano

View gallery - 5 images
Bicycles
8 comments
Ben Coxworth
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

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8 comments
MQ
Gotta love all the e-bikes at the same price as a second hand small car, or a fully functional motorcycle...
Nice...
Well it is Italian. Yup, but 25km/hr, the authorities are taking the piss at those slow speeds.
that frame is striking, striking how instable it appears, yep appearances aren't everything, FEA probably shows a fatigue life well in excess of what the first owner will need between Lattes.
psheridan
Most people can ride a bike at 16mph fairly easily, and a nice motorcycle with better range & power can be had for the $6k price. So the actual purpose of this product is a mystery.
ErikCaldwell
i think the suspention should be on the frame not the seat
Michael Crumpton
Yet another fashion statement by someone who does not understand bike engineering. There is a reason that bikes have a downtube. Without is there is nothing to keep the wheels on the same plane, and nothing to keep the frame from twisting when you pedal. Some folding bikes do away with it by having larger diameter tubes to increase rigidity, but it is very hard to make a rigid frame without having triangles in the geometry.
sk8dad
How long before the welds crack at the head tube and seat tube?
Imran Sheikh
Totally Agree with Michale.. Pulling Riders weight toward back wheel wont effect as much as expected by artist, The design will twist wobble and ultimately break from below the seat.. Within 8months of use..
unklmurray
Not worth it!! No way would I even think about buying one at that price!!
Nik
Very pretty! However, this design has ignored two centuries of bicycle engineering design and development, many times over. The 'frame' joints are guaranteed to break along the weld lines, with any real use, on real roads, within a short period. Off road, probably almost immediately. It looks like something cobbled together from scaffolding. If you have a motor drive on the bottom bracket, then it would seem obvious to dispense with the chain, and use a shaft drive to the rear wheel, which would be cleaner, and more reliable, especially at the price being asked. The headlamp will point just where you dont need it when cornering, and will be useless out of town street lamp areas. A line of LED's in the handlebars would be more effective. The artist should confine his efforts to pretty pictures, and leave engineering to practical engineers, with cycling experience.