Jolanda Neff's Supercaliber features illustrations inspired by Japanese woodblock prints
Jolanda Neff wanted her bike for World Championships in Val di Sole to invoke Japanese tranquility: Apple blossoms, mountains, bamboo. Trek mountain bike designer Katy Steudel took those suggestions from the Olympic champ and started studying.
“I looked at Japanese art forms, did some concepts, and Jolanda chose from them and we took it away,” Steudel says. “She knew what would be on it, but there were tweaks to the design after she saw it, and the colors look totally different in the concepts than it does in real life. She should be surprised, but pleasantly so.”
Jolanda appears to be very stoked. Take a look at Jolanda’s stunning bike below.
Regal AND fun.
According to Steudel, the bamboo pattern is from a folding fan that Jolanda found.
Never miss an opportunity to add some shine.
A closer look at the details.
Jolanada continuing to do Switzerland proud.
Beauty all the way down the chainstay.
A ladybug for good luck.
Clean and classy cockpit.
Stem cap: A big plus.
A very stoked Jolanda.
Steudel says that they wanted to have plenty of gold on the bike, “but not too much gold.” It certainly catches the eye, but without overwhelming it. According to Steudel: “I’d say the design is refined but still kind of playful and celebratory in the stylized clouds, brilliant colors and loud bamboo pattern.”
The paint job took a group effort among Steudel and several other product designers and Project One painters. It was a labor of love to get every detail just right for one of Trek Factory Racing’s most decorated and beloved athletes.
Want to see Jolanda’s bike in action? Tune in to World Championships cross country action this week, and be sure to follow Trek Factory Racing XC on Instagram.
