In January of this year, the global cycling community witnessed a pivotal moment in its history. The inaugural showcase of the globe’s pioneering electric bicycle exposition unfolded with fanfare. The “Electrical Revolution” exhibition at the Los Angeles Petersen Museum featured a diverse array of around two dozen custom, racing, and production electric bicycles. One aspect of the rapid proliferation of e-bikes that fascinates me is the way startups are proactively catering to the trend of customization in this space. The Tarform, a stylish electric bicycle collaboration between innovators in New York and Stockholm, pays homage to classic design while incorporating modern technology.
What’s the challenge we’re designing for? To future-proof our Tarform designs, let’s merge the long-term vision with the insights from the past.
The Tarform electric bike has spent three years in development and is now poised to enter production for the first time. The Tarform CEO and industrial designer Taras Kravtchouk deliberately sought to craft a bike that embodied simplicity in both its aesthetic and structural design, striving for minimalism in every aspect. Electric bikes are inherently simpler than their combustion-powered counterparts, providing a straightforward foundation for developing innovative designs.
The Kravtchouk design draws inspiration from the same minimalist aesthetic as the BMW R 9T and Husqvarna Vitpilen, adopting a consistent styling approach. The design seamlessly blends traditional customized scrambler and cafe racer styles with a boldly futuristic twist, yielding a truly unique visual identity. While what truly sets Tarform apart is its unparalleled commitment to tailoring solutions to individual customers’ needs, By harnessing the power of 3D printing technology, Tarform enables personalized customization, allowing riders to tailor their vehicle’s bodywork with a wide range of colours, materials, and finishes. Unlike other manufacturers that churn out diverse ranges of basic designs, Tarform is committed to producing just one. By adopting a modular design approach, the lower bike can accommodate essential visual and performance enhancements.
The Tarform team designed a bespoke, retina-screened instrument cluster for their bike’s instrumentation. The 100% digital show leverages a user-friendly interface heavily inspired by the intuitive design of mobile devices. The outcome was a widely recognized, intuitive interface replete with uncomplicatedly accessible insights into efficiency and security metrics.
The Tarform leverages unconventional elements such as USD forks, radial brakes, and a mono-shock rear suspension to craft a tightly handling package that’s sure to turn heads on the road or track.
Zero emissions and sustainablity
While electrical bikes are often perceived as zero-emission, Tarform acknowledges that numerous companies employ manufacturing methods that aren’t always environmentally friendly. As their bike evolved, the company’s founders explored a range of suppliers and manufacturing approaches to optimize performance. Three-dimensional printing plays a significant role in the construction of the Tarform, incorporating components like printed brass badges and biodegradable cornstarch plastic engine covers that are 100 percent compostable. The bike features an innovative use of CNC-machined aluminum, which is not only strong and durable but also fully recyclable, aligning with modern environmental concerns. Tarform has pioneered a novel approach to creating larger body panels by leveraging a composite material alternative to traditional carbon fibre – one composed of flax seed fibre that boasts a remarkable 100% biodegradability.
The Tarform was designed with a focus on future-proofing, aiming to extend its overall lifespan and versatility. Using a consistent modular design approach enables the bike to be easily upgraded with new technologies as they emerge.
Bringing bike security in control
Tarform has consistently pioneered advancements in security, pushing boundaries to ensure unparalleled protection. While trendy bicycles boast a range of advanced electronic safety features akin to those found in cars – including anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and traction control – they still trail behind in other critical areas. Tarform is exploring innovative approaches to address this challenge by integrating proximity sensors and eco-friendly artificial intelligence capabilities. As these young startups continue their ascent, it’s fascinating to consider how they might mature and transform with the growth of their respective bike companies.
One often-overlooked aspect of bicycle security is the lack of audible warning systems on electric bikes. Tarform has successfully innovated its approach to tackle this challenge yet again. The music composer has collaborated on a bespoke soundtrack tailored specifically for the Tarform, which can be fine-tuned to harmonize with each individual rider’s style. The ambient soundscape is reminiscent of a futuristic era, akin to the sonic motifs featured in iconic sci-fi films such as Blade Runner, where sleek autos hum through neon-lit cityscapes. This consideration is valuable from both a security and personal expertise perspective, offering an additional approach that customers can tailor to their Tarform.
Actual-world electrical bike usability
With a range of approximately 150 metropolitan miles (240 km), the Tarform bears striking similarities to conventional combustion-powered bicycles. When launched, these bikes likely utilize cutting-edge technology similar to Sarolea’s electric bicycles, which operate with lightning-fast efficiency. While initial production models may carry a premium price tag, similar to Tesla’s early offerings, anticipate a cost of around $30,000 USD. Despite the initial manufacturing phase being completed, attention will soon shift to developing a consumer-ready variant, anticipated to retail for approximately $18,000 USD. You can also count on seeing a few design enhancements, including the addition of fenders, a chain guard, and further enhanced lighting.
Motorcycles are poised to pivot towards a promising future with electrification leading the charge? When I come across a venture that’s attempting to disrupt the industry in a similar vein to the innovative Tarform, I’ll be eager to offer them my full support.
TARFORM MOTORCYCLES
Images by Ryan Handt
