John Deere used to build bicycles but now it’s left to loyal fans to recreate their own
How’s that for a lawn mower?
Custom bicycle building is no new thing and, for most, the ability to take control over every aspect of the machine is the appeal – from choice of chainset to the colour scheme.
But taking the John Deere brand – famous as one of the largest agricultural manufacturers in the world – and incorporating it into a bike is propelling customisation to another level altogether.
John Deere ventured into bicycle manufacturing in the late 1800s and again between 1973 and 1975 before sticking to tractors.
According to one blog, their Deere Leader, Deere Roadster and Moline Special models were so popular that the company made $150,000 in 1895 from bicycle sales alone.
And it seems some just can’t live without the iconic green and yellow livery.
After all, why push the lawn mower around the garden when you can pedal around?
Or why lug a hay bale on your shoulder when you can strap it to your rack?
Still, I imagine this is one of those occasions when the phrase “Only in America” springs to mind.