LEGO Icons Road Bike Set (11380) Stands 14.2-Inches Tall, Has 1,015 Pieces

Cycling enthusiasts who spend their free time creating with LEGO bricks now have a model that replicates the sensation of a real road bike, down to the last detail. The new LEGO Icons Road Bike set (#11380) allows you to create a complete replica from 1,015 pieces. Standing at 24-inches long and 14.2-inches tall on its small pedestal, this item measures over two feet from end to end and is a 7.5-inches wide, making it just big enough to notice on a desk or shelf without taking over.

First, builders begin with a frame that combines red and black in a style that is as clean and modern as the latest aero bikes. The end product, when everything is connected with regular bricks, is something that appears to have been welded together from distant metals. Add some new snap-in wheel rims with radial spokes that look just perfect, then finish it up with some realistic rubber tires, and you’re good to go. The tires and spokes are totally new pieces for this project, and they add a level of depth and realism to the wheels that previous LEGO vehicles have not achieved.

The steering is a lot of fun; simply turn the handlebars, and the front wheel turns with them. Before you even put it on the floor, you can demonstrate your handling abilities to everyone who would watch, even if it looks a little foolish in the center of the living room. The real magic is at the back, where you can turn the pedals and spin the back wheel using a proper drive chain and ratchet gear concealed inside the cassette. Give it a few rotations, and the freewheel system allows you to spin the wheel as if it were coasting downhill. Set it up on the rear wheel-lift stand, and, voila, the complete setup comes to life without the bike rolling away from you.

Even though the model is equipped with a single-speed transmission, the derailleurs are installed along the chainstays. Brake calipers fit snuggly on the wheels like the real thing, the rear light attaches neatly onto the saddle post, and a water bottle slips in and out of its place on the downtube. As an added bonus, all of these attachments are simply removable for cleaning or rebuilding, ensuring that the display remains fresh over time.

The box does not include a giant rider figure, which is unnecessary to say the least. The entire build is around the bike itself, rather than a play scene. Adults who follow the Tour de France or simply enjoy getting out on a bike every weekend will notice the small features right immediately, from the deep-section rims to the precise cable routing on the frame. The instructions are as plain as they come, and the supplied software allows you to view your work from all sides to ensure that the angles are perfect before snapping those bothersome pieces into place.

At $129.99, this model falls squarely in the midst of the other complex Icons sets geared at adult collectors. It goes live on June 1st, and there was a brief pre-order window in early May if you wanted to get in early.