Cannondale has always been a company renowned for innovating and producing funky concept bikes, and the latest is the Dutchess, a bike designed for women cyclists.
The Dutchess is the result of a final year graduation project of Wytze van Mansum, from the Delft University of Technology, in collaboration with Cannondale, and is a bike quite clearly aimed at urban women cyclists with who want a simple and stylish bicycle.
There’s some clever touches. The rear fender acts as a structural part of the frame, supporting the carrier with a load of up to 50kg. The arch connects the bicycle from the handlebars to the tail light both in a visual and structural manner. As the most eye-catching and striking element it also refers to the sturdiness, comfort and ease of ride of the traditional Old Dutch bicycle.
The total weight is under 14kg. Gearing and transmission are fully enclosed, the hub brakes are self-adjusting to compensate brake pad wear and since the brake lines are integrated into the frame, they can double act as wheel locks by folding the levers into the handlebars. Adjustable handlebars allow for different riding positions and can be folded together for easy storage or used for locking the bicycle securely to a fixed object.
Although fully rideable, the project is currently only a prototype used to prove certain design and technology elements that may feature on future Cannondale urban bicycles. Subsequently there is no pricing or production schedule at present.
