Zaaf Design’s Globike “is inspired by ergonomic principles enjoying comfort with style.” It’s a shame that while the Italian design house was enjoying this inspiration, and studying the “energy needed to produce movement,” it didn’t stop to make a bike that could actually last five minutes on a real road.
Aesthetically, it is indeed inspired, a gorgeous take on the classic Dutch bike. It also looks comfy, with a laid-back geometry position and high handlebars for an upright riding position. And the combination of carbon fiber frame and titanium seat post should keep it light enough to ride up hills and carry up stairs.
But take a proper look. Let’s start at the front. The head tube curls around into the down tube in a joint that looks as if it would snap like a chicken’s wishbone, and would flex distractingly right up until it did so. Let’s move down that down tube until we reach the shame that is the seat tube and bottom bracket. The seat tube goes straight through the main frame in another flex-friendly joint, and continues down to the crank, which appears to be dangling down there at the bottom.
