Puma has really led the way in terms of offering active clothing that looks like it fell off the runway; and that because they have focused on making fashionable, not just functional, active wear.
I've recently learned about their
Urban Mobility range of products because of a posting I saw about this funky commuter bicycle, the Puma Glow Rider; the third edition in their Puma bike series. Although it comes in red, it was this glow-in-the-dark version that really caught my eye. (seems like this bike was launched in mid-2008)
It is a single gear bike designed for urban commuting. It has twin disc brakes - front and rear - and a locking system that is part of the frame. The bike also has a semi-folding mechanism so that it can be easily carried onto the subway, in an elevator or packed into your car.
Stuff.tv lists Puma Glow Rider's price at £825 and their review isn't entirely glowing.
For pros, they say, "Looks great. Low maintenance. Easy to fold". For the cons they say, "Glow-in-the-dark effect only works in pitch darkness. Wobbly and slow. Not unstealable, but easily trashable ".
The do compliment the simple brakes and singlespeed gears with carbon steel chain: "You can ride this for ages without problems". And when it comes to how it rides? Well, Stuff says, "The bike is slow, heavy and wobbly".
Still, it looks great, which seems to make up for its other weaknesses. There is a Puma store in Joburg in Maponya Mall in Soweto, but I doubt that this bike has made it to SA.
