SOLID is the first connected, 3D-printed titanium, lifestyle bike. SOLID is inspired by the diverse beauty and soul of Portland, Oregon. SOLID captures the essence of the city and the best of both worlds; hand-built craft meets modern manufacturing. This one-of-a-kind lifestyle bike was designed to inspire everyday cycling. This is the bike redefined.

In concert with SOLID, we created the "Discover My City" app that encourages riders to discover Portland through (5) curated journeys as seen through the eyes of influencers such as Tinker Hatfield of Nike, Duane Sorensen of Stumptown Coffee, and Sam Adams former Mayor of PDX. The app communicates with the bike via haptics in the handlebars to provide guided navigation - places to see, ride, eat, shop, and hear to truly experience Portland. SOLID provides a responsive, seamless ride, free of distractions; allowing riders to to look up and discover their city.

Similar to a chair, the bicycle is an object that has been innovated on for hundreds of years. We asked ourselves, "How do we reinvent the bicycle without feeling gimmicky or novelty?" We aimed to build a bicycle that created a new category. A bike that is beautiful, and something people desire to ride. We were tasked to design the ultimate urban utility bike. In doing so we also asked the question, "How can a modern bike inspire more people to ride?" Our solution was a completely integrated design, amplifying the experience of urban cycling.

To elevate the bicycle as preferred method of transportation for the urban commuter, we target people who have never contemplated biking to work, school, etc. We wanted to create something that was compelling enough to do so. Our target user is inspired by their surroundings, interested in technology, and yet appreciate true craftsmanship. SOLID allows riders to easily adapt to their busy lifestyles with the one-of-a-kind digital experience. Its timeless aesthetic appeals to both men and women. SOLID is lightweight and highly portable which makes for an effortless commute.

In terms of our approach - we focused on performance, style, and creating a bicycle that would fit into people's lives seamlessly without complexity or barriers. In doing so, we looked at the barriers that prevent people from getting on a bike on the first place. Unknowns such as biking etiquette, biking safety, and lack of efficient commuting routes. Our source of innovation was to address these concerns. Creating a seamless interaction between SOLID, the haptic navigation system, and the Discover My City App, posed an exciting design challenge for our team.

With advanced manufacturing (3D-printing), we created parts and components to our bike that couldn't have been created with traditional bike building methods - the hand built elements pair seamlessly with the modern manufacturing methods. We chose titanium for its inherent properties including the fact that it is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and durable. We chose not to paint the bike or put a decal on it because we wanted to celebrate the titanium, and to showcase its inherent beauty.

SOLID was built to last. The master bike builder we paired with has over thirty years of experience and he has honed a unique philosophy dubbed the "Super Commuter Platform." This approach addresses many of the issues bikers face today such as routine maintenance, problems with gearing, worn out brakes, and rust. SOLID is a solution to these issues due to it being built with these common issues in mind. SOLID requires zero to minimal maintenance, it is highly durable - with internal gearing, belt drive, full fenders, and disc brakes. This provides the super commuter with a low maintenance solution, higher visibility, and increased efficiency without rust, chain lube, or road spray.

We took great effort to future proof the bike. All of the electronic components are easily located within a removable plate under the stem. Making firmware updates simple and straightforward. All digital aspects of SOLID were made to be universal and not platform dependent. SOLID is smart. It has a Biologic Dynamo self-charging hub, security features include real-time GPS tracking. It has integrated haptic navigation feedback with and Bluetooth connectivity. These features make for a safer and more enjoyable commute.

SOLID has been very well received in the market for a bicycle that's first of its kind in nature. Noteworthy press features by Fast. Co., Wired, Hypebeast, Core77, Bicycle Retailer, and Momentum Magazine have catapulted SOLID into the spotlight. Currently SOLID is on display at the Autodesk Gallery in San Francisco. SOLID will soon be on its worldwide tour, showcased at design conferences, universities, and experiential design events around the world.