You don’t really need to capture the Tour de France to be a stylish bike rider. And if you own the world’s most expensive bikes, chances are you won’t subject them to a marathon like that either. But I don’t think you would mind owning memorabilia that survived the epic clash either. So which bike holds the crown? It’s the Trek Madone road bike which Lance Armstrong rode at the Champs Elysee of the 21-day bike marathon. Designed by Damien Hirst, the bike is made with many shining real butterfly wings which have been clear-coated on the frame. The “Butterfly” bike went under the hammer at Sotheby’s, earning a neat $500,000, bought by an unknown buyer. Look for the 10 most expensive bikes as the list continues after the jump.
[Forbes]
2. The carbon fiber made Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, which Armstrong rode in the 18th stage of the tour. The bike earned $200,000 in an auction.
3. The Aurumania Crystal Edition Gold Bike which has a gold-plated frame, spokes, wheels, and is studded with 600 Swarovski crystals. The bike is priced at $101,000 with an additional $6,000+ for gold-crystal- adorned wall rack.
4. The Trek Madone 7-Diamond, a Madone 5.9 bicycle done up with 100 white diamonds and a one-carat head badge that reads seven, fetched $75,000 at an auction.
5. The Montante Luxury Gold Collection, an essential ladies’ bike covered in 24-carat gold leaf, with 11,000 Swarovski crystals and a python leather seat, is priced at $46,000.
6. The KGS Custom Bikes that come with custom frames built by companies like Beverly and the Mass-based Parlee, these customizable bikes cost up to $32,000.
7. The carbon fiber Beru Factor 001 comes with a touch screen mounted on its handlebars to control components, and the environment is priced at $30,000.
8. The Aurumania Gold Bike, without the crystal, costs $25,000.
9. The titanium frame Spyker Aeroblade that comes with two carbon fiber wheels having spokes resembling the airplane propeller blade is priced at $12,500.
10. The Golden Brompton Folding Bike, which was painted in gold by the ETA for a sweepstakes prize, costs $7,500, and a cheaper version of the folding bike by Mercedes and costs $1,750.
