It seems that even the custom beach cruiser is not exempt from the long fingers of The Emperor. Or maybe, the Galactic Empire isn’t even safe from beach cruiser customization. Whatever your perspective, Max Denisov — AKA Dee-Troy, from Moscow’s Rastabike BC — has created a bike that will definitely be a hit with Star Wars fans.

The base of the Stormtrooper Bike is a Phat Cycles Super Stretch frame that originates from the birthplace of all things custom, Southern California. An ultra-detailed paint scheme was applied, fiberglass fenders and mounts were fabricated and the forks were fitted with custom crowns to accommodate new extra-wide rims and tires. Look closely and more details reveal themselves, such as the pencil-beam spotlights on the front wheel and the rear tail lights.

The custom bike scene is alive and well in Moscow, it seems. Hopefully we’ll see more Russian bikes in the future, although a Yoda bike should remain on the drawing board. Thanks to Evgeniy Key for the tip and Oleg Vostrikov for the fine photography.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Forget the budget parts, the color-matched chain/grips/pedal combo which brings back, with a shudder, early memories of our beloved ‘fixie’ craze. Forget the non-driveside shot and even the awkward-looking saddle angle. Kudos to a design and designer who has dared to think outside the triangle, resulting in one of the most successful attempts to reinterpret the classic silhouette.

24 year-old Polish designer Stanisław Płoski studied at the Faculty of Industrial Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and the National College of Arts and Design in Dublin, Ireland. Somewhere along the line there was obviously a ‘Eureka’ moment, resulting in the Bonobo bent-plywood frame. Bonobo, according to the press kit, is a clever blend of technology and nature. With correct upgrading of components and maybe the supplement of architectural-quality stainless or CNC-machined aluminum joints, possibly a Rohloff hub, Stanisław has created a brand new bicycle that’s sure to cause a stir amongst design toffs.

It certainly takes ‘green transport’ to another level.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

US-based design firm AUTUM created a stir on Cycle EXIF with their Minion bicycle, the limited run of which rapidly sold out. Their exclusive range of men’s accessories has been complemented again with another bike, the Epitaph, a dark and luxurious beast with the rolling comfort of a Chesterfield lounge.

Like the Minion, the frame is custom built in the US, suspended with triple-clamp forks and powered by a single speed drivetrain consisting of 4130 Chromoly three-piece cranks, hauled up by a coaster brake in the rear. The Epitaph features a double rim system with dual tires on the front and rear, which would make for an interesting riding experience. But considering the extent of it’s riding will be short trips between the loft apartment, studio office, deli and clandestine rendezvous, dubious ride integrity will be worth it for the conversation point alone. The ‘turn and tuck’ style saddle and frame inserts are hand crafted from fastidiously selected aged leather, with matching grips. A limited run of 12 assures exclusivity, with laser engraved Roman numerals denoting which of the 12 one managed to secure.

You could really show up Tom Ford at his own show with a bike like the Epitaph. Unless of course, he turns up with his own. It’s a fitting addition to the AUTUM range which, until it was sold, included the ‘Heretic’ sofa, built from a re-purposed 18 gauge steel coffin.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Here’s one definitely for the enthusiasts, an encouraging reminder that there are those who seek to improve on the classic, traditional layout of the bicycle frame and its materials. Whether that’s actually possible or not depends on your perspective, but if it weren’t for those innovative few, we’d still be… well, walking.

Ricor sent in these images of a project frame that utilizes a new technology developed by Olympus. It’s basically a compressed wood material, claimed to be stronger than engineering plastics such as ABS and polycarbonate resins, that Olympus hope to incorporate into their camera housings to emulate the look and feel of wood. Ricor is a very talented film-only photographer based in Taipei, and while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, a browse through Ricor’s website or flickr will prove that the wooden enterprise is a fitting addition to a true artist’s portfolio.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Look again, that’s not just a reflection in the mirror-like chrome, that’s a long point lug. And yes, that’s a custom fillet brazed frame. REW10 Works is, from what I can make out, a one-man workshop in Tokyo who has just finished building up an amazing FGFS ride for the 84 crew as well as this frame.

I’m not so proficient in Japanese otherwise I’d have more technical information. Hopefully one of our readers has more background. I’m just entranced by the hand polishing that has gone into this frame, the hand cut dropouts, and the typically eccentric Japanese component list. Chris King headset, NOS ACS calipers and Paul levers, Cook Bros cranks, vintage motocross bars, whitewall Schwalbe rubber… The details are authentic, right down to the Kool Stop brake pads.

If you like the cut of these lugs, make sure you browse through the REW10 flickr stream. There’s some hand cut lugs in there that would make Hyman Hetchin roll over. While you’re there, check out the 84 crew’s frame, it’s a work of art.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

You can hang on to your color matched Aerospoke rims, grips and pedals. In the bicycle world, there are none more passionate about customization than the crew at Road Kandy Customs. When I saw the photos of Sangria Vida, a tribute to legendary auto spray painter Larry Watson and his Vino Pasiano Thunderbird, I finally decided that a Road Kandy Custom was definitely, truly, a bike that I must have in my own garage one day.

The Vino Pasiano Thunderbird was a stock Ford, to which Watson gave the ‘mild custom’ treatment. Lowered, shaved, re-chromed and repainted in candy purple, silver panels and white pinstripe accents. In honor of Watson’s contribution to custom auto work over the years, the Road Kandy applied the same styling to this JC Higgins single speed cruiser form the 1950s. Interestingly, all of the chrome work was completed by Vern’s Plating who did the original Vino Pasiano Thunderbird. Bill Wall Leather considerably upgraded the Troxel saddle with bespoke deer skin upholstery, which is also reminiscent of the T-bird’s interior. The grips are hand turned African and Brazilian Purpleheart hardwood. The real challenge must lie in reassembling a build like this. I’d imagine kid gloves would be essential wear: candy purple over silver metal flake, silver panels and white pinstripe accents with 10-plus coats of primer. Sheesh.

Granted, beach cruisers are basically only good for cruising to the beach and purple metal flake paint schemes aren’t for everyone. But when you consider the craftsmanship and heritage that is contained with each Road Kandy creation, well, it’s no wonder they have a cult following.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Autum are a US based group of designers that are producing some fine men’s accessories — wallets and slips for your iPad and MacBook Air. Their latest addition to the range is a sleek black cruiser called the Minion, and it’s no show pony.

The frame is an American made, custom built cantilever steel frame and is suspended by a classic double spring linkage fork. The drivetrain consists of 4130 Chromoly three piece cranks, sealed bottom bracket and a coaster brake. The wide section rims have been shod with 2.35” balloon tires, and the ensemble is topped off with a Brooks B73 spring saddle and leather grips. Excellent tailoring.

Limited to a laser engraved run of only 7, the Minion is built to order and is guaranteed to provide stylish inner-city transportation for the man who requires traditional aesthetics with a futuristic slant.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Well, it’s not really called the Streamliner, but when Blake Adams of Road Kandy Customs sent through these studio shots he simply described it as ‘The Red Bike’ and, of course, that’s exactly what it is. But his reference for the build was the design ethos of the 30’s which sought to create vehicles with as little air resistance as possible: high speed trains, boats and land speed record-breaking automobiles. So the ‘Streamliner’ moniker seemed a more apt title.

Once again, the amount of custom fabrication and machining that the Road Kandy team has injected into this work of art is awe-inspiring. Based on a 1938 Men’s Elgin, the entire frame from the bottom bracket up has been re-created, including the pedal platforms, handgrips and valve caps, which been lathed from bowling balls. The seat pan is hand made and upholstered in Rolls Royce tan leather. The horn and battery tank for the headlight (a restored Buick backup light) is CNC milled and based on a front engine top fuel dragster.

That rear suspension is a masterpiece of engineering, adjustable by the two bullets at the top of the springs. But the work that’s gone into that paint is also a star of the show. The first coat is a White Pearl, then Candy Red with Gold and Red Pearl topcoats. It’s then been accented with Pearl Ivory on a Tan base with Gold and White Pearls. Finally, it’s been hand pinstriped with Caramel Tan one shot.

The Road Kandy Streamliner has been recognised for what it’s worth: it took top honours in the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show and is now actually a working bike. The Hanna, Crietz and Donovan Nostalgic Drag Racing Team use it as their pit bike at annual events in Formosa CA and Bowling Green KY.

Another testament to the skill of the Road Kandy crew. Tom Markus collaborated (who’s known for painting the famous Falcon Motorcycles, which Bike EXIF readers will recognize), Tom Hanna is a builder of some of the most beautiful front engine top fuel dragster bodies and donated the tank, and Corey Conyers who literally built and fabricated everything on the Streamliner… perfectly straight, without a jig.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Bespoke Dutch super car builder Spyker have a motto, ‘Nulla tenaci invia est via’ which translates as ‘for the tenacious, no road is impassable’. It’s a quote that we, as cyclists, should endear to our own endeavours. Spyker obviously had the same ideal in mind when they teamed up with Koga-Miyata to produce this ‘two-wheeled, one manpowered’ addition to their range.

It’s a beautiful machine. At around US$15,000 for a commuter bike to match your Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R, it’d want to be. In keeping with Spyker and Koga-Miyata’s tradition of excellence in design and materials, the Aeroblade is constructed with a titanium frame, rolling on a wheel set and mudguards made from aluminum glass fiber coated carbon composite. The saddle and handgrips are supplied by Royal Dutch Tanners, Hulshof. I’d imagine that would be one of the plushest saddles you could plant your posterior upon. It’s doubtful whether the Aeroblade could outrun an actual road bike, even a vintage steel Koga-Miyata, but when you need to haul up, there’s a custom polished pair of Formula disc brakes on hand. Transmission is supplied via a special edition Rohloff 14-speed internal rear hub. My favorite touch, though, is the CNC’d aluminum chain guard, on the off chance you decided to grind a ledge on the way back from the deli downtown. Inscribed with the Spyker axiom, it would be a constant reminder to be tenacious.

Only 50 of these bikes were made. Better get onto the Spyker or Koga-Miyata website and see if there’s any left lying around the workshop.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.