To most people, bicycles are ordinary objects that are pretty affordable. However, cycling enthusiasts know that the best bikes on the market go for thousands of dollars. All of the expensive bikes on this list were unique collaborations, produced in very limited numbers. Some of them are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars because they featured designs from famous artists and were auctioned for charity. Others are decked out in gold, diamonds, and other high end materials. None of the bikes on this list are still available for purchase.
- Lamborghini x Cervelo P5X
- Aston Martin ONE-77 Factor Cycle
- Montante Cicli Luxury Gold Collection Bike
- Chrome Hearts x Cervelo Bike
- Aurumania Gold Bike Crystal Edition
- KAWS Trek Madone
- Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept
- 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike
- Butterfly Trek Madone
- 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike
Year Released: 2018
Creator: Lamborghini and Cervelo
Materials: Carbon Fiber
Weight: 8 kg (17.64 lbs)
photo source: Hypebeast
In 2018, Lamborghini partnered with bicycle brand Cervelo to release a $20,000 “super bike.” The Lamborghini x Cervelo P5X was touted as “the fastest and most technologically advanced triathlon bike of all time.” Only 25 units were produced. The ultra-fast luxury bike was unveiled at the Geneva Motor show event.
Cervelo had originally come out with the P5X a few years before the brand collaborated with Lamborghini. Initially, the P5X was only revered among hardcore cycling enthusiasts. Once word spread that the P5X was the fastest triathlon bike in the world, it caught the Lamborghini’s eye. Lamborghini added splashes of its signature hot-yellow paint scheme to the P5X’s traditional all-black frame.
Did you know?
Each Lamborghini x Cervelo P5X bike came with a custom designed travel case, co-developed by Biknd.
Year Released: 2011
Creator: Aston Martin and Factor Cycle
Materials: Carbon Fiber
Weight: 9.5 kg (20.9 lbs)
photo source: Gear Patrol
In 2011, British luxury car brand Aston Martin teamed up with British bike builder, Factor Bikes to create the Aston Martin ONE-77 Factor Cycle. The sleek bike retailed for £25,000 (about $39,000 at the time) and featured many advanced tech features. At time, the Aston Martin ONE-77 Factor Cycle was considered the most technologically advanced bike in the world.
The car-themed bike has Shimano Dura-Ace shift levers. All the brake lines for the hydraulic system are housed within the frame and fork to make the bike as sleek as possible. The Aston Martin ONE-77 Factor Cycle also featured LED lights embedded into the seat tube and handlebars.
Did you know?
One of the signature features of the Aston Martin ONE-77 Factor cycle is “motorsport-derived data logging system,” which gives the user over 100 channels of data including speed, temperature, rate of climb and power, plus more advanced data such as accelerometers to measure lean, and biometric data such as ECG, respiration rate and core body temperature.
Year Released: Unspecified
Creator: Montante Cicli
Materials: Gold, Swarovski Crystals, and Ball Python Leather
Weight: Unspecified
photo source: luxuriousmagazineasia.com
Italian bicycle brand Montante Cicli is known for its luxury bikes that cost thousands of dollars. Its most expensive bike was the Luxury Gold Collection bike, which was sold for $46,000. The Montante Cicli Luxury Gold Collection bike was decked out with various luxury materials including Swarovski crystals and 24K gold.
Most of the frame of the Luxury Gold Collection bike was covered with 24K gold leaf. The bike’s fenders were made from birch wood covered by elm lacquered leaves, made by an expert Italian cabinet maker. The bike was bejeweled with more than 11,000 Swarovski crystals. To top off all the extravagance, the bike’s saddle was covered with Brazilian ball python leather.
Year Released: 2010
Creator: Chrome Hearts and Cervelo
Materials: Carbon Fiber and Rhinestones
Weight: 10.5 kg (23.1 lbs)
photo source: beautifullife.info
American luxury brand Chrome Hearts partnered with bike brand Cervelo to release a limited edition bicycle in 2010. The Chrome Hearts x Cervelo Bike featured custom Chrome Hearts graphics, leathers, precious metals, and rhinestones. Reportedly, the Chrome Hearts x Cervelo Bike retailed for $60,000. There is no information available about whether or not more than one of the Chrome Hearts x Cervelo bikes were available.
Year Released: 2008
Creator: Aurumania
Materials: Gold and Diamonds
Weight: Unspecified
photo source: Aurumania
In 2008, Scandinavian design company Aurumania released the Gold Bike Crystal Edition. Aurumania only made 10 Crystal Edition Gold Bikes and they retailed for about $103,700. The bikes were plated with 24K gold and accented with over 600 individual Swarovski crystals. The Aurumania Gold Bike Crystal Edition also had a Brooks brand molded leather saddle and hand-sewn handlebar grips made from chocolate-brown leather.
Did You Know?
Aurumania also produced 50 Gold Bikes without the Swarovski crystals.
Year Released: 2009
Creator: KAWS
Materials: Carbon Fiber
Weight: 9 kg (19.8 lbs)
photo source: Hypebeast
The KAWS Trek Madone is yet another bike on this list that was created for Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong charity auction in 2009. This time, Trek Madone and Armstrong collaborated with pop artist KAWS. The bike features KAWS’ signature cartoon-style teeth. KAWS also add Armstrong’s motto “WNW,” which stands for Winners not Whiners, to the bike. The message is hidden on the bike’s bottom bracket.
Did You Know?
Lance Armstrong rode the KAWS Trek Madone during the Milan-San Remo Cycle Race.
Year Released: 2008
Creator: Yoshitomo Nara
Materials: Carbon Fiber
Weight: Unspecified
photo source: Hypebeast
In 2009, Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong Foundation held a charity auction through Sotheby’s to raise money for the foundation. The charity auction featured custom bicycles designed by some of the world’s most famous artists. One of the bikes was the Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept, which was sold for $200,000.
Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara used his signature artwork to decorate the bike. The bike is bright yellow and features a cartoon motif of children in boxing gloves and UFOs. At the time, the Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept was the second most expensive bike after the Butterfly Trek Madone, which was sold in the same LiveStrong auction.
Year Released: 2014
Creator: Goldgenie
Materials: Gold and Aluminum
Weight: 9.5 kg (20.9 lbs)
photo source: luxuo.com
British luxury goods maker, Goldgenie, is known for wrapping anything its clients can think of in gold and diamonds. So, it was only a matter of time before Goldgenie hopped on the emerging trend of creating a 24K gold bicycle. In 2014, just a year after the House of Solid Gold came out with a golden bike, Goldgenie released a one-of-a-kind 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike.
As its name suggests, the 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike is entirely covered in gold. To accent all the gold, the tires and parts of the handle bars are gold. The bike also features a black San Marco suede saddle. Goldgenie said that the bike could be customized with different leathers, finishes, and precious stones.
Did You Know?
According to Goldgenie the 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike was sold out of their Dubai retail store and purchased by a local Emirate.
Year Released: 2009
Creator: Damien Hirst
Materials: Carbon Fiber and Real Butterflies
Weight: 7.5 kg (16.53 lbs)
photo source: bikerumor.com
Bono, the lead singer of Irish band U2, commissioned Hirst to make the bike for the auction. All proceeds were donated to Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong cancer charity. Armstrong rode the Butterfly Trek Madone during the final stages of the 2009 Tour de France.
Did You Know?
Damien Hirst’s use of real butterfly wings in the Butterfly Trek Madone was criticized by PETA and other animal rights activists, who said that it was “barbaric.”
Year Released: 2013
Creator: House of Solid Gold
Materials: Gold and Diamonds
Weight: 24 kg (52.9 lbs)
photo source: bikerumor.com
In 2013, ultra luxury brand House of Solid Gold released a $1 million bike, that was dubbed the 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike. It is the most expensive bicycle in the world. Only 13 bikes were made and each one was handcrafted. The bikes were plated with 24K gold and featured customized chocolate brown alligator leather seats. Each 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike also came with a luxurious water bottle that was also gold-plated and featured brown stingray skin.
In addition to all the gold, the 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike has a custom emblem covered with over 600 Black Diamonds (6.0 carats in total) and 500 Golden Sapphires (4.5 carats in total). All 13 bikes are laser engraved with the artist’s signature, dated, numbered, and come with a certificate of authenticity.
