Detroit’s Shinola brand has just released this special, limited edition Wright Brothers Runwell bicycle and matching timepiece.
It’s decked out with features Orville and Wilbur never had, like disc brakes, 11-speed internal gear hub, compact battery powered headlamp and trigger shifters. The aesthetic nods to their era with fenders and retro bottle and saddle, but they’re thoroughly modern: Bamboo fenders, Shinola leather saddle, King stainless bottle cage and Kleen stainless bottle and alloy flat pedals.
The frame is lugged True Temper double butted chromoly and comes in a glossy black that, while perhaps a bit shinier, was the color of the day in the early 1900’s. Fly through the break for detail shots and more…
The Soma Fab Torpedo LED headlamp sure beats candles or incandescents.
Nice biplane motif in the graphics.
The bikes may be made at Waterford, but the dropouts are cut in Detroit. Check our shop tour and company profile for more of the story behind Shinola’s bicycles.
Only 25 will be offered. Retail is $2,950 and three sizes (55/57/59) are available. Full spec list at Shinola.com. For a look at a real Wright Brothers’ bicycle, check this post.
The Wright Brothers edition of their watch celebrates the siblings’ contribution to American ingenuity and spirit, and is the first of their Great Americans Series. Purchase of the watch gets you into their Foundry Club for owners of special edition Shinola timepieces. Each one comes in a special custom gift box with a certificate of authenticity, leather card wallet, leather carrying case, and a hickory watch box. Also included is a leather-bound coffee table book that delves into the background and achievements of the Wright brothers, featuring rare imagery from the Wright brothers’ private collection
