What Is Up With This New KISS Triathlon Bike?

KISS has licensed a carbon fiber TT rig. Here’s how it happened.

Before now it was impossible to show one’s allegiance to KISS while training or racing. That’s all changed, thanks to British Columbia-based Sciacallo Bikes, which teamed up with the rock mega-group, and their brand management agency Epic Rights, to build the first and only triathlon bike licensed by musicians.

If it seems strange, it is. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, the band’s frontmen, are not triathletes and have no plans to be. But Sciacallo’s design director Milan Skrecek is a rabid KISS devotee (like nearly 200 million other people worldwide) and it was his dream to bring together his two passions: KISS and designing bikes. Now his dream is a reality, and the result is certainly something unique.

“Let’s face it, KISS is no ordinary heavy metal band,” Skrecek says. “They have an army of die-hard fans that are into triathlon now. KISS loved the fact that we wanted to create a kick-ass premium carbon tri bike. It’s a bike that is truly one of a kind—a bike with personality that is nothing like the other bikes in the marketplace today.”

The bike is named the Sciacallo Bacio (Italian for “kiss”) and each bike will be custom built and made to order. Each limited edition bike is hand painted, numbered and a digital signature from both Simmons and Stanley is applied. The first two finished Bacios were presented to the band’s frontmen at a concert in Nevada last week and it was surely the first time a triathlon bike has shared the stage with a members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“The Bacio had to be as different as its customers—we didn’t want it to follow the pack,” Skrecek says. “There are so many over-priced cookie-cutter bikes on the market that all look the same. KISS fans assert their individuality, so the bike has to follow suit.”

A complete Bacio starts at $6,500 and goes up from there depending on spec. For members of the Kiss Army who aren’t in the market for a completely new ride, Sciacallo also offers KISS-branded wheels, including a rear disc, tri-spokes and 88-mm deep carbon rims. They’ve also partnered with Hincapie to offer cycling caps and skinsuits to complete the look.

KISS are no strangers to licensing some unique items. Loyal fans can have their very own KISS Monopoly set or pinball table and can even be buried in a KISS coffin. According to Brandweek, KISS has licensed its name to more than 3,000 products, from credit cards to condoms, and has grown to a billion dollar global brand.

For more information on the Bacio visit Sciacallobikes.com.