| |
JULY 5, 2004
Sports: Performance Follows Form The cauldron of sports competition is increasingly the place to look for great design. Here, design can make a huge difference in performance. The Kestrel Airfoil Pro bicycle, for example, has a revolutionary new shape that acts as a sail, pushing the rider faster and faster. The Tribord FLP 500 fins from France have oval holes in them, cutting water resistance and making swimming easier. Nike Inc.'s (NKE ) new Slingshot irons make it a lot easier for average golfers (who don't consistently break 100) to hit straighter and higher. And BMW's R1200 GS motorcycle not only looks hot but is also designed for more stability and better handling. In sports, functionality and flair do mix well.  Gold AIRFOIL PRO, FROM KESTREL BICYCLES Designer: IDE The rear end of the triathlon bike functions as a sail in a crosswind, propelling the rider. The new design generated savings in manufacturing. $3,699. <  u>Silver TRIBORD FLP 500 FIN Designer: Décathlon, France An open window in the blade of the fin gives swimmers a more powerful kick with less effort. A comfortable foot pocket permits longer diving. Great colors. $31.  Gold BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE Designer: BMW Design Team, Germany The front "beak," an oil cooler, makes this dual-purpose bike look tough. BMW shed weight and boosted the horsepower to make touring a breeze. Yet off-road riding is still fun. $15,100.  Bronze SLINGSHOT IRONS Designer: Astro Studios; Nike Designed to make it easier for average golfers to launch the ball at a higher angle while shooting straighter. Think oversize tennis racket. $599 per set.  Get BusinessWeek directly on your desktop with our RSS feeds.  Add BusinessWeek news to your Web site with our headline feed. Click to buy an e-print or reprint of a BusinessWeek or BusinessWeek Online story or video. To subscribe online to BusinessWeek magazine, please click here. Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page  | | |
 Copyright 2004, Bloomberg L.P.Terms of Use | Privacy Notice |
Printer-Friendly Version
