Marek Jurek

Izzybike

Bicycle builder

Reinventing the bicycle

Marek makes chainless bicycles from carbon fibre, aluminium, titanium and other materials
He has created and patented a front-wheel drive bike concept
Invention has always been part of his life

Putting a surprising new twist on well-known objects is possible in the 21st century, and Marek Jurek’s craft is an example of this. He was not entirely satisfied with the design of the existing bicycle, and as a result, chose to create his own. In doing so, Marek has revolutionised the whole industry. He invented a chainless bike, with front-wheel drive, that can easily be folded. He called it Izzybike. Apart from being fully fit for use without a chain, the bike also has large 29-inch wheels that make it stand out from the folding competition. “Many of the elements of the bikes I create are innovative in nature, and almost every part is made by hand,” he says about the process. Engineer by profession, Marek is an industrial artisan by calling. He started crafting bikes in 2009 and continues to innovate in his craft today.

Interview

What inspires you to make bikes?: My inspiration always comes from specific needs. If I feel that an item that is important to me could work significantly better, I start thinking about how to improve it. My entire professional activity is organised around the theme of invention.
What is the one fact about your work that people do not usually know?: Probably, the fact that I produce and invent most things completely by myself. I do not use ready-made components. This even applies to the technology of manufacturing individual bicycle components, which is an area of constant exploration for me.
How does your craft relate to the area where you live?: In Poland, there are over 2,000 companies producing two-wheelers and their components. Many of them are small factories employing a few people. Poland is also the fifth largest producer of bicycles in Europe, so I am proud to be a part of this sector.
Why did you choose this craft?: Constructing and inventing new, improved versions of existing objects is something I have been doing since I was a child. One can say that I was born with this need and it has not left me to this day. This is how I think and act. It is very natural to me.

Marek Jurek is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2009