Seven Standout Bikes
As cycling enthusiasts we always appreciate a great high-performance bike, but naturally we're always on the lookout for a clean design aesthetic too. What follows is an assortment of the models that recently caught our eye and satisfied our penchant for well-built bikes. Stay tuned for a feature on hand-built and custom options later this week.
PK Ripper Fixed Gear
Fixed-gear fans, your heart's all aflutter for good reason. DC Shoes and SE Racing's just-released PK Ripper Fixed Gear bike features several aspects from SE Racing's seminal PK Ripper BMX, but with a ride more suited to chaotic streets than competitive dirt tracks. The partnership between the two companies isn't actually new; their history goes back to 2007, when they put heads together to re-release the original PK Ripper bike in homage to 30 years of BMX history.
Named after Perry Kramer, a pro racer active in the '70s who co-founded SE Racing in '77, the bike's aluminum frame—rare for that type of bike in those days—caused a sensation because it was the first of its kind in the sport.
In its latest incarnation the 24-inch Ripper features Floval tubing, a Looptail rear-end and Landing Gear fork. It comes in the same two colors as its progenitor, Matte Black and Ball Burnished, and in a variety of sizes from 47-61 centimeters. Only 2,500 are available (check your local indie bike shop) and they retail for $1,000.
—Phuong-Cac Nguyen
BauBike
BauBike's geometric shape and straightforward design cut a profile as clear as the cultural movement from which it draws. Danish designer Michael Ubbesen Jakobsen sees its raw form as a symbol of the bike's fundamental nature as an object of design. Contact Jakobsen through 
Veloheld Path Linus Dutchi
Eliminating oil and grease, Veloheld's Path uses a belt drive system in place of a chain. A universal city bike, the light and limber Path makes quick reactions easy. (Pictured above left, click image for detail.) Buy the Path from Jango bikes use a plug-and-play system, going from commuter to off road with a simple change-up of accessories, of which they offer many. (Pictured above right.) Stylish and user-friendly, riding the utility bike over the past few months, I've found it to be perfect for everyday use. Check the 
Simple, classy and relatively inexpensive, French bicycles from the '50s inspired the design of Linus bikes. Meant for cruising, the three-speed Dutchi model (above left) provides ultimate comfort while riding around town on its retro frame. At $408 it's one of the more affordable options too. Contact Linus directly through their site to order.
Cannondale Capo
Seemingly a standard fixed-gear bike, the Cannondale Capo stands out for its simplicity. Easily disassembled and repaired with only a few tools, the Capo hardly needs any maintenance in the first place (pictured above left). The Capo runs $940 from Cannondale.
GT Gutterball
Similarly on point, the GT Gutterball's unique frame shape forces a slightly more upright posture, which—when combined with its extreme lightness—makes it great for city maneuvers (above right). It's $770 from GT.