This might well be the biggest mass-produced bike ever made:
During the late 1970's and early 1980's, Panasonic built the model shown here, the DX-2000. It was a step up from their entry-level bikes in terms of performance. Panasonic offered the bike in perhaps a greater range of sizes than any other bike maker at the time.
This bike is a 71 cm. To put it in persepctive, I, at 5'10'' (177cm) with a 32" (81 cm) inseam, generally ride 55 or 56 cm (depending on the geometry of the bike) road frame.
In a way, it's ironic that Panasonic made such a tall bike: The Japanese, at the time, were some of the most diminutive people in the world. Very few, if any, Japanese people could ride such a frame. So, it's safe to say that the bike was made for export.
And, for a time, it worked out really well for Panasonic: Their bikes, which combined meticulous workmanship with conservative but sound design, became very popular with in-the-know cyclists. (Several riders in the club to which I belonged when I was at Rutgers rode Panasonics).
It would have been interesting to see Panasonic become the official bicycle of the NBA!
During the late 1970's and early 1980's, Panasonic built the model shown here, the DX-2000. It was a step up from their entry-level bikes in terms of performance. Panasonic offered the bike in perhaps a greater range of sizes than any other bike maker at the time.
This bike is a 71 cm. To put it in persepctive, I, at 5'10'' (177cm) with a 32" (81 cm) inseam, generally ride 55 or 56 cm (depending on the geometry of the bike) road frame.
In a way, it's ironic that Panasonic made such a tall bike: The Japanese, at the time, were some of the most diminutive people in the world. Very few, if any, Japanese people could ride such a frame. So, it's safe to say that the bike was made for export.
And, for a time, it worked out really well for Panasonic: Their bikes, which combined meticulous workmanship with conservative but sound design, became very popular with in-the-know cyclists. (Several riders in the club to which I belonged when I was at Rutgers rode Panasonics).
It would have been interesting to see Panasonic become the official bicycle of the NBA!
Wow. That IS one big bike!
ReplyDeleteSteve: I actually saw one. It belonged, not surprisingly, to a basketball player in the college I attended. If I recall correctly, the guy was around 6'9".
ReplyDeletewow wee
ReplyDeleteI just found a bike like this on the curb with two flat tires. I cant wait to fix it!
ReplyDeleteAnon: What a find! Do you want to send a photo?
ReplyDeleteDan: It's even more impressive in person than it is in the photo.
Wow, that even beats my 70cm Cannondale. I have a DX2000 in a 64cm, converted to a single speed and it's a lightweight hoot to ride.
ReplyDeleteAre you interested in disposing of the DX-2000 (70cm).
ReplyDeleteI would give it a good home!
Jim near Baltimore
beaverdan at gmail dot com
Beaverstuff--I am sorry if I gave you the impression I have one of those big DX-2000 bikes. I don't. In fact, I've never owned a DX-2000 and the only Panasonics I've ever had were the two Schwinn LeTours I've owned and ridden.
ReplyDeleteI found one the other day in the trash. I made into a single speed...
ReplyDeleteAnon--Now that's something I'd love to see: the world's tallest single-speed!
ReplyDelete