httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELrnwZWXkwk&feature=youtu.be
Trek and bike-related art organization ARTCRANK collaborated to create a bike about art. The result is the Trek District ARTCRANK Edition. The Trek District is Trek’s top commuter bike. The limited edition features graphics created by ARTCRANK Lead Designer Rob Angermuller.
The Trek District ARTCRANK Edition is a single-speed belt drive bike that’s predominantly white with black and red graphics on the frame and rims. We at KineticShift find white bikes to be striking, and this bike with its bold white black and red graphics is no exception.
While some may say the Trek District ARTCRANK Edition is one of Trek’s bikes with an interesting paint job, the collaboration signals a new way to look at bikes, art, and their convergence. This isn’t altogether new for Trek. In the past Trek has created bikes through collaborations with Shepart Fairey and Damien Hirst, among other artists, to create bikes for professional riders in the Tour de France and other associations such as Crankworx. Do you remember the Trek bike emblazoned with butterflies that Lance Armstrong rode for one stage of the tour? Damien Hirst created the bike’s paintjob and it later sold at auction for $500k.
By working with ARTCRANK, an organization that encourages, produces and displays bicycle-inspired poster artwork, Trek makes it possible for cyclists to own a piece of artwork. “Our project with ARTCRANK is all about elevating the design appeal of an everyday bike that will appeal to a fresh audience,” says Travis Ott, Trek Town Bike brand manager.
ARTCRANK designer Rob Angermuller, who goes by the handle Lifter Baron, had a vision for the concept. “I didn’t want to create just a nice-looking traditional bike. I was after something that showed how riding a bike feels: energy, motion, excitement and just pure joy.”
The Trek District ARTCRANK Edition will be on display at upcoming ARTCRANK events in Denver, CO, Portland, OR, San Francisco, CA and Bend, OR. Dealers will also get the bike in stock.
If you want your own art-inspired design on a bike, or want to create a custom paint job on a Trek bike other than a commuter single-speed, the Project One program is worth looking into.