What the heck? Mercedes Benz Amp Research Cruiser Bike?

[yakboy]

Bikes from car makers are always rubbish or overpriced. Or both.
I never understand why they bother. If it's for completeness in the garage, how about a Ferrari lawnmower?

Mmmm... I may have something to say about that

 

[was8v]

Lotus and Porsche don't count.

Both companies remit goes far beyond cars.

https://www.lotusengineering.com/about-lotus-engineering/
https://www.porsche-consulting.com/en/home/
At least Porsche chose a design bike to rebrand, not so sure about the British Eagle Lotus cynical cash in bikes.

Mercedes.... what can one say, they know their (retired) customers.

 

[yakboy]

Lotus and Porsche don't count.

Both companies remit goes far beyond cars.

, not so sure about the British Eagle Lotus cynical cash in bikes.

The monocoque was only ever a loss leader to try and get the Lotus Sport brand into the mountain bike mainstream (was made by SP Systems in the States, Lotus had nothing to do with it), although the alloy bikes were not really that bad, (a lot better anyway than most of British Eagle's normal output)

 

[hamster]

I think the Porsche one exactly proves my point. A perfectly normal bike with Porsche paint. Yawn.

Compare with a Whyte PRST, a bike designed from scratch by an auto chassis engineer. Porsche couldn't be bothered, it's just a marketing exercise.

 

[yakboy]

I think the Porsche one exactly proves my point. A perfectly normal bike with Porsche paint. Yawn.

Compare with a Whyte PRST, a bike designed from scratch by an auto chassis engineer. Porsche couldn't be bothered, it's just a marketing exercise.

Remember the Porsche came out in 1996, the frame and geometry look a lot newer than that. The Votec Fork works really well( and design wise are a joy to behold). The Bike (designed and built by Votec as well), is an XC monster, very light and rides like a modern XC bike, I wouldn't call that lazy.

 

[hamster]

But Porsche didn't design it, right? Just like Ferrari rebadging a Colnago or similar?

If you like it, fine. I would buy a Votec one, but not something made for rich brand tarts.

 

[yakboy]

But Porsche didn't design it, right? Just like Ferrari rebadging a Colnago or similar?

If you like it, fine. I would buy a Votec one, but not something made for rich brand tarts.

I think they consulted Jurgen at Votec and designed together

 

[hamster]

I'm sure the marketing story goes that way.

Totally marmite to me.

 

[was8v]

Well they only made 'em to sell in the accessories catalogue to wealthy customers who knew nothing about bikes.

You could likely buy a shockabilly for less than that merc bike at the time and probably a the same votec direct without porsche decals for less.

Car maker bikes are an interesting diversion, but don't credit them with developing them.

 

[yakboy]

Car maker bikes are an interesting diversion, but don't credit them with developing them.

I don't, but Porsche have always had a design studio for non auto products and I would hopefully credit them with a little more involvement in these products than other car manufacturers.