7 years ago by Sam Wiebe

“Inspired Bikes” at the Tour of California

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Think back to your childhood. Remember all the ideas that would take hold of your mind, igniting your imagination like a spark? This fleet of hand painted, one-of-a-kind bicycle frames are proudly inspired by the imaginations of children – specifically eight brave children, tasked with a little more than just being a kid. These tough youngsters are recipients of medical grants from the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF). These bicycles were inspired by their ideas, and honor their lives.

These unique art objects are headed to the 2017 Amgen Tour of California, where they will be ridden by the men and women of Rally Cycling. Luckily for you, they're only on loan – they will be auctioned live during the race, with all proceeds going to benefit the UHCCF and kids who need our love and support. To Bryce, Jacob, Anuhea, Camden, Nathan, Noah, Preston, and Romie - remember, we're all on this ride together!

100% of proceeds from the auction will go to benefit families in need via the UHCCF.

Tech Specs

These are serious bicycles, and the exact frames, components, wheels, tires and accessories that our pros use.

Frame:  Carbon Monocoque Competition Road Frame, UCI Certified, Carbon Drop Outs, w/ Taper Headtube & Press-Fit 30 BB

Fork:  Carbon Competition Road Fork, Carbon Drop Outs, w/ 1.5" Taper Carbon Steerer Tube, Continuous Fiber Technology (CFT)

Bar & Stem:  HED Grand Tour Oversize

Components:  SRAM RED® 11-speed

Wheels:  HED Ardennes

Tires:  Kenda Kountach

Bottle Cages:  Arundel Dave-O carbon fiber

Saddle:  Men  |  Prologo Zero II PAS    Women  |  Terry Falcon X 2    

Sky
52 cm | ridden by Emma White for Romie
 
"Sky" is inspired by Romie, 4, of Colorado's super power of choice, and it's a beauty. For a superpower, Romie would "want to fly, because I want to see everything from above and see everything in the sky like airplanes and birds real close.” Her response opened a universe of possibilities. This atmospheric look features a base coat faded from sky to midnight blue, but it's the embellishments that truly realize Romie's vision – a starry sky, whispy white clouds, a flock of birds, and sun-yellow color accents take this bike intro the stratosphere. 
 

Firefighter
56 cm | ridden by Matteo Dal-Cin for Bryce

 

"Firefighter" is inspired by Bryce, 8, of West Virginia. When Bryce grows up, he wants to be “a firefighter, because they help save people.” The design begins with a bright, firetruck-red base-coat and is accented with real gold leaf inside the chainstays and inside the primary Diamondback logo, which is styled in classic firefighter 3D lettering. The front-end of this engine is finished with a chrome fork and pearl white cockpit. We can practically hear the sirens.

 

Artist
54 cm | ridden by Sepp Cuss for Preston

 

A wise response to the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" inspired "Artist". Preston, 9, of Texas “wants to be an artist, because you can use your imagination to create something that people will enjoy looking at forever." Reminiscent of Jackson Pollock's iconic abstract expressionism, the bike begins with a black "canvas" and is drizzled with primary colors and finished with baby blue chainstay, fork and logo accents. For those of us who remember it, this bike may also remind us of a certain decade with a very distinct aesthetic.
 

Snake
56 cm | ridden by Eric Young for Nathan

 

"Snake" is inspired by Nathan, 9, of Utah. Nathan’s favorite animal is “the Green Anaconda. It has a dinosaur ancestor and it is the biggest and heaviest snake.” This bike practically hisses, the result of a complex paint process. Scales are applied by hand in sheets of hand-weeded, laser-cut stickers, and blended into a pure green hue near the bike’s joints. A deep crimson serves as the “underbelly” on the stays, fork, and logo accents. The real snake magic comes from a space-age clear coat that returns a rainbow of iridescent hues in sunlight.

 

Plants
52 cm | ridden by Kirsti Lay for Anuhea

 

Our vibrant "Plants" bike is inspired by Anuhea, 7, of Washington. Anuhea’s favorite subject in school is “science, because we learn about plants growing.” Two layers of colorful leaves, hand drawn and inspired by exotic vegetation, are applied to a deep purple base-coat and finished with pearl white logo accents. Equal parts Miami pastel and organic goodness, Plants is one of our most lush, eye popping looks.

 

Science
58 cm | ridden by Danny Pate for Noah

 

Noah, 10, of Florida provided the inspiration for "Science". In our survey, Noah said, “I like math and science, because I like experiments.” We did our own experiment and used a unique masking technique to color the frame. It starts with a vibrant, 5-color fade, followed by a coat of pearl white. Clusters of molecules allow the colorful gradient to peek through, also on full display inside the chainstays and fork. The Diamondback logo is displayed in a one-of-a-kind outline.

 

Camo
56 cm | ridden by Rob Britton for Camden

 

"Camo" is inspired by Camden, 8, of Kentucky, whose favorite activity is “hunting with my dad, because it’s really fun and we are putting food on the table.” Well said, Camden. This classic camouflage look begins with an olive green base and is layered with green and tan hued shapes, making this the choice for lovers of one of mankind's oldest outdoor pursuits. Neon blaze orange logo, chainstay and fork accents complete the look, and are sure to add visibility to your next road ride.

 

Speed
56 cm | ridden by Adam De Vos for Jacob

 

Jacob, 11, of West Virginia inspired "Speed". If Jacob had a superpower, he “would want to be really fast, because it would be fun to go fast.” To achieve this sleek, metallic look, first a base-coat of real crushed aluminum is applied. A clear coat and transparent “wash” of color follows to create the anodized midnight blue base. Three primary colors, representing prismatic light, streak across the frame, and the crushed aluminum base shows through in the logo accents, inner stays and fork.