The Lacoste LAB revives the tradition of innovation, an integral part of the brand’s DNA. Besides being a tennis champion, René Lacoste was also a great inventor and designer. In addition to the famous L.12.12 polo shirt he invented and designed for his own comfort and efficiency on court, he also created technical and revolutionary tennis rackets, balls, golf clubs and golf bags as well as the first ever tennis-ball throwing machine. The artifacts produced by the Lacoste LAB naturally build a bridge between the brand’s heritage and its future.

The Lacoste LAB projects the brand into the future and continues to give Lacoste a competitive edge. It prepares for tomorrow by identifying products which could potentially represent the future of the brand. ‘By seeking new materials and new designs, the LACOSTE LAB expands the ways in which Lacoste expresses itself and boldly takes the crocodile into fields which it has yet to venture’, explains Lacoste Design Director Christophe Pillet, who spearheads the LACOSTE LAB project.

As part of the Lacoste LAB Collection, the French brand collaborated with a series of global brands, each an expert in what they do. GPA Design produced a carbon fibre helmet, LOOK produced a bike, the surfboard was shaped by J.P. Stark and engineered by NOTOX, the skis are produced by Black Crows, the soccer and rugby balls are engineered by MITRE Sports out of Tensile fabric with embroidered crocodile logos and the boomerang is produced by 3B of thin birch plywood. The outcome is a beautiful collaborative collection, now in stock at colette.

Check out all products from the line after the jump.

The Cyclepedia book has finally also made it to the iPad with a beautiful interactive application. Not only does the app give a history of bikes, but it features some great background information, interviews with bike enthusiasts, videos and more.

“A fully interactive collection of 100 bicycles that changed cycling history – and not always for the better! From the suitcase-sized Skoot to the Olympic Gold medal-winning Lotus Sport 110, every bicycle is displayed in stunning clarity and technical detail. 360º spins and 20 times magnification of each component allows you to compare and appreciate all the elements of this rich celebration of cycling culture, innovation and design.

Selected from Michael Embacher’s unique collection of over two hundred bicycles, CYCLEPEDIA recounts each one’s fascinating story. It also includes video clips, original brochures, contemporary advertising, engineering drawings, rare stills and links to manufacturers’ sites.

Whether you are a Lycra-clad fanatic or just interested in the evolution of cycling and bicycle design, this is an app to treasure.”

Check out the video introduction of the new Cyclepedia iPad app here below.

You can get the app now here.

A further look follows after the jump.

Crooks & Castles has worked with SE Racing on this dope looking PK Ripper. We have seen a handful of collaborations with SE in the past, but this one in particular is one of the cooler ones in terms of appearance and details. The frame boasts a camo print, and is set off nicely with the orange colored logo, white tires, and matching seat. The bike is currently available at Crooks’ Sunset store and their online shop.

Take a closer look of the bike in action after the jump.

When it comes to unique craftsmanship, the French seem hard to beat. Recently Louis Vuitton teamed up with polo bike players Hannes Hengst and Grégory Barbier to produce their very own LV Polo Bike.  The details of each part of the bike are very impressive.

“From the embossed leather pedal straps and mallet holders, to the machined chainring (by Victoire), etched barplugs, via the leather wheel cover, culminating with a spectacular hollowed out mallet head, attached to a fully wrapped shaft. All of it using the classic Vuitton patterns and shapes.”

Intersection Magazine France were the first to get it in front of their lens and present it in their current issue. The images you can now see after the jump.

After a helmet, here comes not the bike from the Bianchi by Gucci Collection. The bike features a black carbon fibre frame, as well as a black seat and handlebar, featuring the iconic diamond pattern. The Bianchi by Gucci logo is featured on the seat and the frame. Of course this Italian team-up does not come cheap – the bike is now available for 14′000 USD. But, not too bad, if you consider that they included a water bottle, headlights and a wheel reflector.

Ducati will be dropping their anticipated Streetfighter 848 from their naked sport bike family in North America come January 2012. This lovely design understandably won Ducati an award back in 2008 for ‘Most Beautiful Bike’ and this more accessible and user-friendly version should win over bike enthusiasts and casual fans alike. As far as available colors go, here is what we know:

The new fighter is dressed in red for Ducati traditionalists, while yellow makes a return for mid-range purists and “dark stealth” provides a matte-black reminder of the Streetfighter’s aggressive image.

Take a closer look after the jump.

For Issue 2 of Treats! Magazine, Ben Watts photographed five topless models on brightly colored bikes. They’re wearing sneakers too…

See Parts 2 and 3 after the click.

Fairdale Bikes has proposed a solution to those of us who like to cycle to the skate spot, but don’t want to rock a board bag or carry your deck in-hand like a real man. “Simply mount this pannier on to most existing rear carrier racks and throw your board on for the ride. A cushioned rubber coating keeps your board from rattling around and holds your board securely. The rack positions the board behind the rear axle to keep your heels from hitting it, and keeps the center of gravity low.” In stock now at Fairdale.

Synonymous with skateboarding in Japan, T19 takes the 2-wheel route with these BMX cruiser bikes. This “How I Roll” 24-inch edition comes in two colors: black and light blue; and they will be made to order. The deadline to do so is October 28, so no need to be impulsive on the purchase as you still have a few weeks to think it over.

Check the black version after the jump.

High-end bicycle manufacturer Colnago have released a bicycle with fellow Italians, Ferrari. Together they’ve produced the CF8, that’s inspired by technologies developed by the car make. The CF8 has a carbon fibre frame which weighs just under seven kilograms and has a lamellar interior that provides superior steering precision. Other features include an electronic gear change activation, anatomical handlebars and carbon fiber wheels. The Colnago for Ferrari CF8 is a limited series of two hundred pieces available exclusively from Colnago.