Gravity bike racing keeps gaining momentum, even after 30 years in existence. There’s an increasing number of ‘official’ events being held on hillsides all over the world, with a growing number of privateers who are developing gravity bikes in sheds, workshops and garages. The Tange tubing company is working with a number of partners to release a propriety frame: the Yasujiro Speed Bike.
Jean Christophe Charrier, under the pseudonym Jaycee, worked with Yasujiro, the frame-building department of Tange on the innovative layout, inspired by the 50cc ultra-lightweight class of Grand Prix motorcycle racers of the 60s, 70s and 80s. To further emulate those pocket rockets, 24″ wheels were used, as opposed to the ‘standard’ 20″ wheels.
Jaycee sketched the initial design, which was further refined by the engineering skills of Antidote Solutions. Other partners provided services also: Facs Moto molded the fiberglass seat pan, Bos MTB made the double crown fork, the brakes were supplied by Shimano, the wheels by Asterion — which roll on Schwalbe‘s Big Apple tires.
The Speedbike is built for one thing only: going downhill fast. That may seem limited, but when you’re clocking 130km/h down the side of an alp, it might be all that matters. Serge Nuques was the first pilot of the Speedbike, a French enduro racer, rally driver and French Moto champion. Head to the Yasujiro website for more information and an exhilarating video of Serge and the Speedbike in action.
