Quick Look: The Glow bike, the new Schwinn Vestige
- By Caley Fretz
- Published Jun. 22, 2011
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Two LED lights in the top and down tubes, powered by a dynamo front hub, light up when the bike is in motion. Photo: Caley Fretz -
The Vestige comes with fenders and has rack mounts for those who need to carry a bit more. Photo: Caley Fretz -
Bamboo fenders match well with the look of the flax fiber frame. Photo: Caley Fretz -
The Vestige has a flax-fiber frame and carbon fiber fork. Photo: Caley Fretz -
The Vestige will hit Schwinn dealers in July. Price will be somewhere near $1,200. Photo: Caley Fretz
Two LED lights in the top and down tubes, powered by a dynamo front hub, light up when the bike is in motion. Photo: Caley Fretz
A commuter bike that glows, why didn’t I think of that?
Road cyclist and bike commuter are so often one in the same that a unique new commuter bike deserves some mention here on the pages of the Journal of Competitive Cycling, especially on Bike to Work Day in our hometown of Boulder.
As Schwinn engineers began developing its flax-fiber Vestige commuter last year, they noticed something interesting — they could see the outline of their hands through the translucent tubing. So if light could pass through both tube walls, they thought, why not put lights inside the tubes themselves?
The first iteration used a battery pack and LED lights, but Schwinn quickly nixed that plan and went with the current dynamo hub setup. The hub powers two LED lights, one on the top tube and one on the down tube, which are clearly visible through the frame. It’s definitely a “be seen” sort of setup; no way are the lights bright enough to help you avoid potholes.
A plastic chain guard and bamboo fenders keep work pants clean, while the carbon fork and flax fiber frame keep the bike lively and relatively light for a commuter.
Price hasn’t been nailed down, but will fall within spitting distance of $1,200. Availability is set for July.
FILED UNDER: Bikes and Tech / Quick Look
Caley Fretz
Caley came on board with the VN tech department in September 2010. Beyond his journalistic pursuits, Caley is a category 1 road, 'cross and track racer, and pro mountain biker.