Japan’s Olympic track bike costs more than a brand-new Porsche 911
- This bike can cost more than some supercars
- It is made of carbon fiber and has an unusual left-sided drivetrain
- It comes with a price tag that goes up to six-figures
Published on Aug 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Nalin Rawat
Last updated on Aug 13, 2024 at 3:03 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Did you know that the Japanese national cycling team’s new Olympic track bike cost more than a brand-new Porsche 911?
This year’s Olympics brought a lot of surprises, and one of them was the bikes used by Japan that go into the six-figure cost territory.
These bikes are also made by a company that builds race cars and space rockets.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Japan’s Olympic Track Bike
If you have watched bike races in the past like the Tour de France, then you might remember the specialized purpose-built road bikes used by the athletes.
These kinds of bikes usually cost around $15,000 to $30,000.
However, the Olympic track bike goes into the six-figure cost territory.
According to Cycling Weekly, the V-Izu TCM-2, made by Toray Carbon Magic cost around $138,000.
With that kind of money, you could even buy a brand-new Porsche 911 with a few options.
The company behind the bike
The Olympic track bike manufacturer is owned by Japanese carbon giant Toray.
And these carbon fiber bikes are not the only product that they develop.
According to their official site, they produce carbon components for Super GT monocoques, NASCAR seats, WEC prototypes, Formula 3 body panels, and winged rockets.
They also make other carbon fiber equipment for the Olympics such as bobsleds and competition wheelchairs.
The carbon fiber Olympic track bike also has a unique left-sided drivetrain.
Though, it is uncommon to see a left-sided drivetrain on a bike, it is not unusual in track cycling.
Placing the chainring on the inside improves the aerodynamics and handling of the Olympic track bike.
“The first thing that athletes say about this bike is that once you get up to speed, it’s hard to slow down,” says Koichi Nakano of the Japanese Cycling Federation.
Even Lamborghini has made a Huracán Sterrato bike, but in terms of performance, it doesn’t even come close to this one.
Nalin started his career by working with various national newspapers in India. He has also worked as a writer/editor for many popular websites, while still pursuing his journalism and mass communication degree. Working as a digital nomad has allowed him to inform and educate through his work. When he is not writing, you can find him playing video games or travelling the mountains on his bike.
