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The most environmentally friendly bike ever made? New igus:bike is made from 100% recycled plastic

It’s not just the frame that is plastic, with everything from the bearings to the drivetrain constructed from recycled plastics

A press release that starts with the phrase “the world is drowning in plastic waste” is likely to at least touch on the topic of the environment. It will come as no surprise, either, that the designers of the igus:bike think that we should be moving away from the traditional linear economic model and migrating to a 'fully circular economy', hence the creation of this bike made from 100% recycled plastics... well apart from the tyres, as far as we can see.  

With the launch of the igus:bike, they reckon that they’ve got a possible solution. The igus is made almost entirely from recycled plastic... and that is not all. A portion of the plastic that goes into the bike has been recycled from plastics that were originally marked as single use plastics.

igus bike drive 1
We'll be interested to see how the plastic drive stands up to the test of time

It's a singlespeed urban bike that uses a belt-drive system, so in essence is a very simple design. As a result of the single speed drivetrain, and the likely hefty weight, it looks set to be best suited to flatter terrain.

Igus says that its bike is “easier to own than any other bike.” This claim is based on their promise that the plastic construction will ensure that no corrosion can occur in the usual areas. Bearings, the drivetrain and anything that would usually be made from metal and therefore rust when left in a damp environment, have all been made from plastic.

> Plastic bikes aren't a new idea - Volvo made this one in the 80s

Igus says that “lightweight, lubrication-free high-performance plastics are used in all parts of the bicycle, from two-component ball bearings in the wheel bearings to plain bearings in the seat post, brake levers and pedals. All of these components have integrated solid lubricants and ensure low-friction dry operation – without a single drop of lubricating oil.”

igus bike bearings 1
igus says that the bearings require no additional lubrication

The point of this, igus claims, is to ensure that sand, dust and dirt cannot accumulate. The plastics in use here have, according to igus, been used successfully in other industries, and the brand is very confident about applying them to cycling.

The result, it claims, is “smooth-operating, quiet, durable plastic components that give suppliers all over the world the opportunity to benefit from the igus:bike platform.”

igus bike brakes 1
The V-brakes are designed to hold standard pads

While new technology or a potentially lucrative idea is often accompanied by a collection of patents that prevents rivals from copying anything from the product, igus says it is offering bicycle manufacturers all over the world the opportunity to jointly advance this technology. The platform is intended to become a contact point for manufacturers who want to build a plastic bicycle and for all manufacturers of suitable components, such as frames, wheels, drivetrains, and pinions.

If all of this has left you with a burning desire to go and buy the igus:bike then, unfortunately, you’ve got a little while to wait. It's currently in the prototype stage with the first functioning model planned for the end of the year, with a projected RRP of €1,400.

We’ll be keeping our eye on this one ourselves... but would you trust a bike that has been made completely from recycled plastic?

igus.bike

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11 comments

Avatar
Owd Big 'Ead | 2 years ago
2 likes

More greenwashing?
Just because it's made from recycled materials doesn't make it any greener. Those plastics still had to be made in the first place, with oil being a big part of that process.
I doubt this bike would survive 30 years or more, like my Klein Attitude has.

Avatar
cyclisto | 2 years ago
1 like

Steel and Aluminium can both be from recycled materials. Making a bicycle that suits maybe the 10% of actual commuters as I guess you cannot park it in the sun, it has very low mileage before plastic parts end up worn (producing microplastic pollution btw), is heavy weight and with just one speed while it costs as much as as 5 similar capabilities if not better commuters, is no thing to brag for.

Unless this is a greenwashing award contest.

Avatar
visionset | 2 years ago
1 like

Ah that old recycled plastic greenwashing thing, getting as old as the hills.

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hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
2 likes

Nice idea, but could they have made it any uglier?

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
4 likes
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Beatnik69 | 2 years ago
0 likes

I don't understand how the bearings are going to work without lubrication, even if they are made of plastic. Surely any friction will cuase the plastic to heat up and eventually deform.

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joe9090 replied to Beatnik69 | 2 years ago
0 likes

Maybe only for cyclists with plastic legs...

Avatar
TheBillder replied to joe9090 | 2 years ago
0 likes
joe9090 wrote:

Maybe only for cyclists with plastic legs...

... that lead up to his plastic bum.

https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DwWuqC_Gc-5A&ved=2ahUKEwjEg-j3vZP4AhUNQ...

Avatar
janusz0 | 2 years ago
2 likes

Metals are recyclable and metal bikes last for decades.  Combining bamboo, metal, natural rubber and cotton is probably the best approach we've had so far.

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chrisonabike replied to janusz0 | 2 years ago
2 likes

Cycles don't grow on trees, you know...

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
1 like

Going back to old-school, if you're allowing metal?

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