Article is here:
http://www.greendiary.com/entry/ciprian-frunzeanu-re-invents-police-bikes-in-style/
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It’s about time! I always laugh when I see bike cops on these heavy slow trek bikes patrolling Mizzou football games with 60,000 people. I mean really? They couldn’t track down anyone on those bikes.
I dont see anyone actually buying those. Police bikes need to be tough. Need to be able to stand up to neglect and repeated abuse. The ones in my area use aluminum framed Trek hardtails. Not really all that heavy and very nice.
That’s the stupidest-looking bike I’ve seen in awhile.
Okay, it looks…interesting, but how does it handle in a crosswind?
Where is the kevlar windshield?
That’s the stupidest-looking bike I’ve seen in awhile.
x2
And the least practical one I’ve seen. Let’s see…
No way to change a flat quickly (no QR dropouts.)
No convenient way to pick it up by the top tube.
No real high gears, but a NEGATIVE gear ratio is possible.
Is that an old school quill stem?
All in all, my toddler’s bike has a a more functional design.
Iiteresting frame and look, but not a fan of the booger-green paint.
No way to change a flat quickly (no QR dropouts.)
No convenient way to pick it up by the top tube.
No real high gears, but a NEGATIVE gear ratio is possible.
I agree with these points, except that having ridden a police bike numerous times, I can say that they rarely get out of the small chainring, and are usually in the lowest gears. Police bikes are often used in crowds, around stairs and curbs, in fields, etc. They are not meant for speed so much as getting places where cars or motorcycles can’t. Definitely agree on the dropouts, top tube, etc. I also notice almost no lights. My police bike lights up like a freakin’ christmas tree. Also, is that storage in the middle of the frame? Police bikes need to have plenty of storage for bike gear, jackets, cite books, forms, first aid kits, etc.
All in all an interesting concept bike. But I don’t see any PD actually using it as is.
Whoa, Cowboy…
I rode a police Trek 8000 for many years. I chased and caught alot of people, even at college football games with 60,000 people. I was assigned to the parking lots and surrounding dorm area. The Trek 8000 is the best police bike made. Very durable, yet light. The wheelset had 38 spoke rims. Try breaking one of those…no way! I’d guess my police bike, which I still own, was nearly as light as some of these bikes folks load up for an IM.
Not all cops are out of shape. In 22 years I never lost a foot or bike chase. Some of those foot chases lasted for 4-5 miles nearly all the way across the City of Charlottesville, VA.
I spent alot of time in the big ring chasing people…actually I just followed them until they couldn’t run anymore : ) It was always funny as hell! I used to yell that the cops were “right behind you … run!!”
that thing is actually really nice looking. Is that Italian written on the rear wheel?
Hey Paul,
I wasn’t saying anything bad about cops. The bike cops I see around don’t seem to have the right tools to be effective. Obviously budget and the individual officer’s past cycling experience are 2 of the biggest hurdles in assembling an effective bike police presence.
My town has a big cycling backlash right now, so unfortunately our police are stuck with what they’ve got. I would love to see some upgrades in the form of equipment and training.
Where is the kevlar windshield?
Where is the gun rack?
Also, needs moar aerobar-tazer.
It’s about time! I always laugh when I see bike cops on these heavy slow trek bikes patrolling Mizzou football games with 60,000 people. I mean really? They couldn’t track down anyone on those bikes.
Especially because most criminals are escaping on a p3 with zipp wheels. Disc on the rear, of course.
No problem. I loved being a bike cop. I got paid to ride my bike 30 or so miles every day!!!
I’d love to be able to put in miles on the bike at work.
Oh, and that bike is fugly.
I spent alot of time in the big ring chasing people…actually I just followed them until they couldn’t run anymore : ) It was always funny as hell! I used to yell that the cops were “right behind you … run!!”
Haha that’s awesome
A few of them got a bit pissed off when they found out it was my partner and I yellling that at them : )
I was just a tad faster (well ok alot faster) then my partner, so it was his job just to keep me in sight during the chase and radio in my position to the guys in the cars.
We don’t have assigned bikes at my pd, and one person hit it on the head that they need to be able to stand up to the NEGLECT and abuse, one reason you see those heavy(er) Treks that are absolutely bombproof. Haven’t had any bike to bike pursuits, but I have had plenty of people try to run, and for anyone in any kind of shape, you can catch a running person on a bike with a BMX. I have pulled over cars (several DUI’s) and once got to flying dismount tackle a guy running from us! Just wished I lived in Missouri so my work riding season wasn’t two or three months!
I was in Virginia. I rode 12 months of the year. Even in the snow. I had the chief of my dept approve my personal bike. I had purchased the Trek Police 8000 when I was Chief of another Dept and bought the bike from them when I left. I had the best bike by far and didn’t need to worry about other officers wrecking it. I did the wrecking all by myself!!!
I was the 81st IPMBA instructor in the USA.