Porsche 935 Bicycle Speed Record 1977
The Birth of the Porsche 935 Bicycle
In 1977, Porsche, the German automobile manufacturer, made an unexpected entry into the world of bicycles by creating the Porsche 935 Bicycle. The bicycle was a collaboration between Porsche and the German bicycle manufacturer, N+K. The goal was to create the fastest bicycle in the world.
The Design and Features of the Porsche 935 Bicycle
The Porsche 935 Bicycle was designed with speed in mind. The frame was made of lightweight aluminum and had a unique teardrop shape to reduce wind resistance. The bicycle also had a low profile to further reduce wind resistance. The handlebars were designed to be aerodynamic, and the wheels were specially designed to reduce drag. The bicycle had 12 gears and weighed just 17 pounds.
The Speed Record Attempt
The Porsche 935 Bicycle was put to the test on September 11, 1977, at the Nardo Ring in Italy. The rider was Dutch cyclist, Peter Post. He was chosen because of his experience in track cycling and his ability to maintain a high speed for long periods of time.
The Results
Peter Post achieved a top speed of 134.9 km/h (83.7 mph) on the Porsche 935 Bicycle, breaking the previous speed record of 131.3 km/h (81.6 mph) set by Italian cyclist, Francesco Moser, in 1976. The Porsche 935 Bicycle had set a new world record for the fastest bicycle.
The Legacy of the Porsche 935 Bicycle
The Porsche 935 Bicycle was a one-of-a-kind creation and was never mass-produced. However, it had a significant impact on the world of cycling. The teardrop shape of the frame and the low profile design of the bicycle have since been incorporated into the design of many modern racing bicycles. The Porsche 935 Bicycle remains an iconic piece of cycling history and a symbol of the pursuit of speed.