Ciclotte: the world's first 'design' exercise bike

The press release first: "Ciclotte is the innovative new exercise bike - unmistakably Italian, undeniably cool - which combines style, performance and state-of-the-art technology, redefining the traditional role of the exercise bike.  Inspired by ergonomics and with style at its heart, Ciclotte is designed to complement the finest contemporary space be it outside, or in an office or home."

The Ciclotte's designer is Luca Schieppati from Milan and made by the Italian Lamiflex Group, which apart from supplying composite parts for the aerospace and medical industries would be familiar to cyclists if they looked in the parts bins of composite bike wheel and saddle brands.

According to the designer, "The concept of Ciclotte was born out of the need to create a product that is an expression of contemporary life; where work and relaxation, exercise and fun inhabit the same dimensions, within fluid spaces in which all objects can interact with one another."

In other words, its sleek carbon-fibre, glass and steel contruction is designed to look fabulous in your docklands loft apartment.

The 'great wheel', inspired by 19th century high-wheelers, contains a copper ring that generates an electrical field which is in turn resisted by an array of magnets around the circumference. A well-tried concept in home bike trainers already, although surely the huge wheel will introduce a stronger sense of real-world momentum.

The wonderfully mechanical-looking 'epicycloid' system of gears and concealed magnets is controlled by a touch screen programme that won't be unfamiliar to anyone used to driving an iPhone or any of the cleverer gym machines.

Which is surely where these will be mostly used because at £6,800 it's a tad beyond the budgets of most.

Never mind, if you're prepared to put that Trek Madone SSL Project One on hold, you can go to the 100% Design Show from 23-26 September 2010 at Earls Court, London, where you will be able to see and order a Ciclotte for the first time.