We’ve seen quite the gamut of unique bicycle designs over the past year. From the 19th century velocipede re-imagined with today’s bicycle technologies to custom bicycle designs that utilize rapid manufacturing methods and everything in between, riders looking for a funkier ride have never had more options. The Sandwichbike from designer Basten Leijh is the latest funky bicycle design to hit the market and comes in the form of a flat-pack design a la IKEA—however don’t get your hopes up if Swedish meatballs and lingonberry juice aren’t an included option.

Making a Sandwich…Bike

“The Sandwichbike fits in a small, flat package, so we can send it to you by post. The fun will begin the moment the postman rings your doorbell. Everything you need is in the box including the tools, so you can start assembling right away. In total, there are less than 50 parts. If you can make a sandwich, you can surely build a Sandwichbike.”

Consisting of two wooden plates that replace the need for welded joints and sophisticated machinery processes, the contemporary bicycle design can be fully-assembled in thirty minutes right out of the box. Don’t have a toolset? No problem—just like those IKEA bookshelves, the Sandwichbike comes with the included tools to perform a full-assembly. The two 15-layer panels of CNC-milled beech plywood and standard bicycle components are locked in place using hand-milled aluminum cylinders. Personally, I can’t help but look at the potential of this as a STEM-oriented classroom tool for the younger set or something that should be modeled in every SolidWorks 101 class.

With a total weight of 17 KG (or roughly 37 lbs), you probably won’t be taking this to your next triathlon competition, but it will more than make up for it’s weight with the added conversational value at your local coffee shop. The bike starts shipping in January 2014 for €799 (around $1,000).

(Images via Sandwichbikes)