Audi?s Wooden Granny Bike Costs Almost $7,000

Audi's Duo bikes are made from wood, aluminum and carbon fiber

Audi is getting in on the bicycle game with a range of three ?Duo? bikes, made for the car company by Portland bike builder Renovo. Unlike the high-tech efforts from fellow carmakers McLaren and BMW, Audi?s bikes take a rather more hippy approach.

The frames for the Duo City, Duo Sport, and Duo Road are made from hollow wood, the trademark feature of Renovo?s bike (which also come in bamboo). This ? apparently ? makes it the ?smoothest bike you?ll ever ride.? The City and Sport models both come with eight-speed internal geared hubs, while the Road has 20-speed derailleurs.

Now for the prices. Sit down. You?ll pay $6,530 for the Duo City, $7,350 for the Duo Sport, and $7,460 for the Duo Road.

Even the commuter version costs a fortune

They certainly look handsome, but who would buy such things? I have a feeling that they?re for rich people to carry around on the backs of their SUVs, not for anyone to actually ride. Maybe the Road would be up to its task, but who is going to pay almost seven grand for a commuting bike? A commuting bike that can be stolen by simply sawing through the frame?

Best of all, though, is the story behind the name. The gimmick is that Duo is half of Quattro, the name for Audi?s four-wheel-drive system. Cute, right? Until you realize that these bikes are all one-wheel-drive.

Duo product page [Audi Collection via CNET]

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