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The Low-Maintenance, Corrosion-Proof RCYL Bike
Made out of 90% plastic
Believe it or not, this orange thing…
…is actually a bicycle frame.
This wild-looking RCYL bike, by German plastics manufacturer Igus, is made primarily out of plastic and recycled plastic. The frame and fork, which are entirely plastic, are made from 50% recycled fishing nets. The company is billing it as a highly sustainable alternative to regular bicycles, and will take the bike back at the end of its life in order to recycle it into a new bike.
It weighs 17kg (37.5 lbs), and the manufacturer bills it as a low-maintenance ride:
"Lightweight and lubrication-free high-performance plastics from Igus are used everywhere on the bicycle – from ball bearings in the wheel to bearings in the brake levers and pedals. All components have integrated solid lubricants and ensure low-friction dry running – without a single drop of lubricating oil."
"Owners can leave the bike outdoors in all weathers without hesitation and clean it in seconds with a garden hose. The bike, which is suitable for everyday use, does not rust and is virtually maintenance-free."
It's said to be particularly well-suited for salty seaside climes, as corrosion is not an issue.
The bike is available for order in Europe, and goes for €1,243 (USD $1,315). If you return the bike to them for recycling, they'll give you a €50 (USD $53) credit towards the purchase of a new bike.
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Comments
This bike weighs more than some ebikes, it's single speed, can't mount a rear carrier or even a bottle cage by the looks of it, and is 50% recycled material. I'm pretty sure aluminum is recycled at a rate of around 75% in North America already, and that's without us trying particularly hard.
It's not an improvement on bicycles, but it is an unusually elaborate method of greenwashing your plastics production business I suppose.
If Core77 wants to look into a bike company that is actually doing something to help climate issues, check out these guys:
https://gnargobikeco.com/
They rebuild old MTB frames into new cargo e-bikes, saving the decades old steel frames from being melted down (still better recyling than plastic bikes could hope for) while also maybe taking a car off the road now and then!
To echo Adam's astute observations, this is a plastics company hammer in search of a nail and nothing more. What a silly waste of time.
Nothing says sustainability like something you cannot service or repair.
Here's the original bike: https://www.mtrl.bike/
Encore un SUV !!?!