A high-quality road or mountain bike could easily cost several hundred (or several thousand) dollars. But bike prices aren’t set in stone, and some bicycles cost as much as a brand-new car!
The most expensive bike of all time is the 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike. This gold-plated bike was released by House of Solid Gold in 2014 and cost $1 million. It has an alligator leather bicycle seat and an emblem encrusted with hundreds of glittering black diamonds and sapphires.
Are you looking to buy a bike that turns heads? If so, check out this ranking to find a new set of wheels that can help you feel like a million bucks while exploring your favorite bike paths and roadways.
Here Are the Top 10 Most Expensive Bicycles of All Time:
- THSG 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike – $1 million
- “Butterfly” Trek Madone – $500,000
- Goldgenie 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike – $393,000
- Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept – $200,000
- King High Wheel Safety Bicycle – $184,000
- KAWS Trek Madone – $160,000
- Aurumania Gold Bike Crystal Edition – $103,803
- Chrome Hearts x Cervélo Mountain Bike – $60,000
- Pope Manufacturing Company High Wheel – $42,120
- BMC 50th Anniversary Lamborghini Edition Road Bike – $32,000
10. BMC 50th Anniversary Lamborghini Edition Road Bike – $32,000
If you’re interested in high-quality supercars and the cycling hobby, the BMC 50th Anniversary Lamborghini Edition Road Bike could be right up your alley.
This collaboration between Swiss bicycle company BMC (Bicycle Manufacturing Company) and Lamborghini exhibits all the style and performance you’d expect from such beloved brands.
For example, this bicycle has a durable yet surprisingly lightweight carbon fiber frame woven together by manufacturing robots, a high-quality leather seat, and leather-wrapped handlebars for added flair.
The 50th Anniversary BMC-Lamborghini Road Bike was released in 2013 and would have set you back a sizeable $32,000. Sadly, only 50 were released (to mark the anniversary of the Lamborghini brand).
Still, imagine how great it would be to tell your neighbors that you’re the proud owner of a Lambo, only to roll this stunning black-and-yellow bike out of the garage! If they didn’t believe you were telling the truth, you could confidently point to the Lamborghini decal on the front of the bike.
Why It’s Expensive
Automotive and bicycle brands rarely collaborate, making this bike a rare treasure for both Lamborghini fans and cyclists. The fact that the companies only produced 50 of them also means that this special edition bike was a valuable commodity from the start!
Considering this bicycle’s high-quality components (carbon fiber, leather) and unique build, its phenomenal price only makes more sense. Of course, the Lamborghini brand name also adds to this bike’s initial value.
All-in-all, this particular set of wheels is pricey due to:
- Rarity
- High-quality components
- Brand name
As you’ll soon discover, many other expensive bicycles included in this ranking are costly for similar reasons.
9. Pope Manufacturing Company High Wheel – $42,120
Pope Manufacturing Company (now Columbia Bicycles) was founded in 1876, and they began producing US-made bicycles only two years later. Some of the earliest were High Wheel bicycles, also called Penny-Farthing bicycles.
If you’ve ever seen an old black-and-white photo of a Victorian person riding a strange-looking bike with a massic front wheel, you’ll instantly recognize the High Wheel.
That said, the dual-steering High Wheel that sold for $42,120 in 2014 is unlike any other. Its big 28-inch wheel sits in the middle and is flanked by two smaller ones, allowing for dual steering.
This old-fashioned bike might be the only one of its kind, making it a must-have for museums and bicycle collectors. In fact, this High Wheel was once part of the David Metz Museum’s collection of antique bikes!
Why It’s Expensive
One-of-a-kind items, especially antiques, tend to sell for big bucks, and the Pope Manufacturing Company High Wheel (with dual steering) is no exception. Because it’s rare and in excellent condition, especially considering its age, it’s the perfect addition to any historically significant bicycle collection.
However, this isn’t the priciest High Wheel ever sold at auction. But we’ll touch on that a little later.
8. Chrome Hearts x Cervélo Mountain Bike – $60,000
Chrome Hearts isn’t only notable for producing some of the world’s most expensive jeans; they’ve also helped create one of the costliest bicycles of all time, the Chrome Hearts x Cervélo Mountain Bike.
Before we delve into this bicycle’s specs, it’s crucial to note that it’s not exactly the most aerodynamic or durable mountain bike. Instead, it’s better suited to looking great on a garage wall or sitting untouched in a room filled with luxury items.
After all, this mountain bike is covered in Chrome Hearts icons and emblems, including its leather seat.
Like other luxury items from notable brands, this obvious branding makes the Chrome Hearts x Cervélo Mountain Bike an instant status symbol that’s sure to garner more than a few appreciative looks. Of course, with a price tag of $60,000, you probably won’t see many cyclists taking to the dirt paths with this model.
Why It’s Expensive
Without a doubt, the primary reason this mountain bike is so expensive is its branding.
The standard version of this Cervélo bicycle sells for less than $10,000. But because this particular bike is decked-out in Chrome Hearts iconography, it’s worth far more.
7. Aurumania Gold Bike Crystal Edition – $103,803
Here’s a question: What do some of the world’s most expensive toilets and priciest bicycles have in common? If you answered, “They’re made of gold,” you’re correct!
This precious metal is inherently valuable due to its rarity and many uses. Still, it can become even more precious when transformed into practical objects like the Aurumania Gold Bike Crystal Addition.
This bike is plated in high-quality 24-karat gold and features hundreds of pricey Swarovski crystals (embedded into the bar joints). Its seat is made of refined Brooks-brand leather, so you know it’s durable.
Still, Aurumania only released ten of these golden bikes in 2009, each priced at about $103,803. So, if you’re looking to make this opulent bicycle your next favorite possession, you might need to use your connections to search for a willing seller.
Why It’s Expensive
It’s not hard to understand why this handcrafted bicycle is so pricey. It’s plated in gold, after all!
The added Swarovski crystals also add to this bike’s overall value, as does the fact that it’s so rare (only ten exist).
6. KAWS Trek Madone – $160,000
If you love cycling, you can’t do much better than a Trek bike. These bicycles are undoubtedly some of the most beloved bikes available in North America, in small part thanks to their top-of-the-line components and innovative designs.
But while the average Trek bike might cost between $2,000 and $18,000, some are worth far more.
Take the KAWS Trek Madone, for example. This customized Trek bicycle was created for Lance Armstrong and was used during the March 2009 Milan-San Remo race. When it went to auction (later on), it sold for a jaw-dropping $160,000.
Why It’s Expensive
There are two reasons why this Trek competition bike sold for such a staggering amount.
Firstly, this bicycle is a Trek. That quality alone makes it worth more than the average department store road bike.
Secondly, the KAWS Trek Madone was created specifically for one of the most popular athletes of the late 2000s, Lance Armstrong. This ownership history significantly contributes to the bike’s overall value, as it’s essentially a piece of sports memorabilia.
5. King High Wheel Safety Bicycle – $184,000
Like several of the most expensive toys, some of the costliest bicycles ever sold are antiques. This includes the King High Wheel Safety Bicycle, which sold for $184,000 in 2013.
The King High Wheel is similar to other Penny Farthing bicycles that date back to the late 1880s. It’s a two-wheeled bike with a simple meat seat mounted to the larger (48-inch) wheel.
Although this isn’t the comfiest bicycle ever made, it’s exceptionally rare. Only 30 were produced, and the one that sold for more than $180,000 was one of only 16 remaining.
Why It’s Expensive
The King High Wheel Safety Bicycle is a historically significant item that’s been lovingly restored. It’s also one of only a handful of remaining versions, making it a rare treasure for bicycle collectors and enthusiasts.
So, in summary, this Victorian-age bike is a costly commodity because of:
- Age
- Rarity
- Condition
Fun fact: This High Wheel is the most valuable antique bicycle ever sold at auction!
4. Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept – $200,000
Before 2012, Lance Armstrong was among the most successful and famous US cyclists. Although his cycling career is now a thing of the past (it’s a long story), he managed to accrue several high-quality and expensive customized Trek bicycles during the height of his fame.
One of the costliest of these was the Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept, a competition bike priced at $200,000. Featuring the Livestrong logo and several unique cartoon decals, this bright yellow bicycle was almost as iconic as Armstrong himself!
Why It’s Expensive
This concept bike featured innovative, top-of-the-line components that were well-suited to the needs of then-superstar Lance Armstrong. These parts didn’t come cheap, forcing the bike’s value upwards.
But one of the primary reasons this Trek bike is so valuable might be its associations with the person it was created for. After all, even though Armstrong is now a controversial figure within the sports world, items belonging to him are historically significant.
But if you think this bicycle is the priciest Trek bike ever sold, think again! We’ve got an even costlier option to reveal.
3. Goldgenie 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike – $393,000
Goldgenie is a UK-based company specializing in gold-plated and solid gold luxury goods. As you might imagine, this company is quite popular throughout many of the world’s richest countries and regions, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
When the company released a 24-karat gold racing bike, it was quickly snapped up by a buyer from the UAE. And it’s not challenging to understand why!
Now, like the Aurumania Gold Bike, this bike isn’t made of solid gold. But virtually every inch is covered in glittering yellow gold, from the wheel spokes and pedals to the wrapped handlebars.
Still, the gold plating isn’t the only reason this British racing bike sold for $393,000.
Why It’s Expensive
In addition to looking like it was dipped in the purest 24-karat molten gold, this men’s racing bike features a few extravagantly luxurious features that helped make it so wonderfully pricey.
For example, the Goldgenie 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike featured a suede saddle seat for optimal comfort and top-quality racing tires for superior speed and handling.
Of course, the fact that the entire bike is almost entirely covered in gold (even including the bike chain) certainly helps ensure that this bike will continue to be a valuable mode of transport for decades to come.
2. “Butterfly” Trek Madone – $500,000
Remember the KAWS Trek Madone made for Lance Armstrong? Well, it wasn’t the only Trek Madone made for the infamous cyclist!
Costing half a million bucks, the “Butterfly” is one of the costliest special-edition bikes ever released by the Trek brand. It’s also the most expensive bike created for Lance Armstrong in 2009, during the height of his success.
After Armstrong rode this colorful bicycle during the 2009 Tour de France, it managed to fetch a jaw-dropping $500,000 at auction (during the same year). One of the most notable features of this Trek bike is that it was produced in collaboration with Damien Hirst, one of Britain’s most popular and beloved artists.
Why It’s Expensive
Several of Damien Hirst’s pieces have sold for millions, so it’s no surprise that a bike customized by the artist would be worth such a large sum. When you add this bike’s other qualities (Trek brand name, Armstrong’s ownership), it becomes instantly evident why bidders were willing to pay big bucks to make this bicycle theirs.
1. THSG 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike – $1 Million
The most expensive bike of all time is The House of Solid Gold’s 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike. This bicycle costs $1 million, making it twice as pricey as the “Buttery” Trek Madone.
This stylish bike is similar to the Goldgenie 24K Gold Men’s Racing Bike in several ways. For example, it’s almost entirely plated in 24-karat yellow gold. Everything from the gear chain to the pedals glitter like a million bucks (literally).
But there are a few differences that extend beyond price.
The House of Solid Gold (THSG) golden bike has fat tires for improved stability and terrain handling, and it also comes with a nifty gold water bottle for luxurious hydration.
Why It’s Expensive
Anything that’s made out of gold is bound to be expensive. In fact, several of the world’s most expensive pizzas feature this precious metal!
Because this racing bike is literally covered in gold, it’s worth its weight in…well, gold. It’s also comparatively rare, as only 13 were created.
When you mix high-quality precious materials and scarcity, you’ll come away with something almost priceless, just like this bike.
What’s the Most Expensive Bike of All Time?
The most expensive bike in the world is the 24K Gold Extreme Mountain Bike by the House of Solid Gold. This million-dollar bicycle isn’t made of solid gold, but it’s expensive thanks to its gold plating and numerous gemstones.
The House of Solid Gold only released 13 of these bicycles in 2014, so the chances of finding one for sale are pretty low. Still, if you’re lucky, you might discover one of these costly bikes for sale at auction in the future.
Learn more about the world’s most expensive lifestyle items now by checking out these related articles!