Between traffic lights, between traffic, there is a stretch of pavement fit for just one machine. The stop/start, gas/brake, walk/wait tango of traffic is for mere mortals, whereas the real dance is saved for those who dare to ride fixed. To ride fixed means to ride a bicycle with just one gear, just one brake, and your feet controlling all of the action. From a standing start, you’re just a few pedal turns away from top speed– no shifting, no gears, just pedals and pavement. In cities like Chicago, New York and San Francisco, this trend has hit critical mass. Our friends from Mission Bicycles, straight out of the Mission District in San Francisco, build and sell hand made, customizable “fixeys” for just under a thousand bucks. Their goal is to build custom color and component machines based on the fixed-gear theme. Where the fixed bike revolution started in the velodrome, it has made its way to your city quick enough. If you want the perfect fixey to start your obsession, give Mission Bicycles a shout. [gearpatrol]

Buy: from $795

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, this bike will have hit 60mph from a dead start.  The BMW K 1200 S packs a 1157cc engine in a sleek, defined body that even looks fast.  The flagship of BMW’s sport line, this speed devil is perfect for the urban commute or the weekend road trip.  Be careful on this one, GearCravers.  We want to keep you as readers, and healthy ones at that.  If you’ve got an itch for adrenaline and a rush for road rash, the K 1200 S will fulfill your gearlust in just 2.8 seconds flat.

Buy: $14,020

At first look, you might recognize the Maserati trident on the grille.  This Italian luxury sport auto shares the Maserati legacy, but is strikingly independent in design.  The A8GCS Berlinetta Touring Superleggera is styled with an aggressive, powerful exterior and an interior fit for a king.  Under the hood, a 400bhp V8 gives this pony one hell of a kick.  That engine will get you a top speed of 171 mph, and will get you up to sixty from zero in under five seconds.  This luxury coupe will turn heads on either side of the Atlantic, as these hand-built sports cars are few and far between.  While the pictures are public, the price isn’t.  So we’re left to speculate…

Buy: Arm/Leg

There is no greater rush than being pulled down a rocky mountain at 35 mph on two wheels, powered by nothing more than your own muscle and a whole lot of gravity. What’s more, you’re riding a precision, carbon-based machine that would make Ducati jealous. The Trek Fuel EX line of mountain bikes is the pinnacle of pedal power sport on the slopes. Suffice it to say that Trek didn’t skimp on components for the Fuel EX line, especially in the flagship 9.5. The carbon frame, power shock system makes you feel like you’re riding on a cloud over the craggiest of climbs, and the resulting weight is enough to pick up with your pinky. When not on the trails, get this baby on the pavement in your urban jungle– you’ll be putting the road bike warriors in your dust. If you’re already infected with the mountain bike bug or you need a rough new hobby for the summer, you’re looking at your dream machine.

Buy: $3409.99

Martin, Aston Martin.  The new 2009 Aston Martin DBS defines what performance luxury should mean for an automobile.  The styling is sleek, aggressive and elegant– while the engine that powers it growls beneath.  The DBS packs a 510 hp, 6.0 liter V-12 engine, pushing 0-60 in 4.3 and a top speed of 191mph.  While the engine is hand-built in Germany, the rest of the DBS is hand-assembled in the UK.  Since 1963, when the Aston Martin DB5 shared the screen with James Bond himself, Aston Martin has continued its mark of rich, refined cool to the modern day.  This latest model has our proverbial engines running…

Buy: $265,000

There’s something liberating about flying through city traffic, pedal by pedal through bumper to bumper, leaving the gridlock in your wake as you reach your destination. While Tommy Commuter is stuck on the bus next to a fragrant bum, you’re flying on two wheels of freedom. In these warmer months, the commute becomes the highlight of your day…

Our friends at Cube Bikes want to extend that freedom– their folding street bike concept allows you to take your speedy steed with you into your home, office or otherwise. While that concept is not new, Cube’s version showcases the cutting edge. Cube proves that the “folding bike” gimmick can still perform, feel good and look great. While the Cube Urban Street Concept Bike is still just an idea, it promises to make your commute ultramobile and ultracool. When it does hit the market, GearCrave will be the first to let you know… [treehugger]

Continuing on with more rare foreign convertibles (see yesterday’s Yes! Roadster 3.2), take a look at the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider.  Like the Yes! models, this Alfa Romeo hasn’t been for sale in the U.S.– yet.  In the coming months, the first 50 Alfa Romeos will return to the U.S. market.  As you’d expect, all 50 are already spoken for… but Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo will be rolling out more models in times to come.  This puppy, the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is a luxury two-seater convertible powered by a 450hp V8.  The classic front grill features the Alfa Romeo signature, loved by we Americans since Mr. Dustin Hoffman helped popularize the Alfa Romeo brand in the classic film “The Graduate”.  Once more of these new Alfa Romeo’s hit the US market, we’ll be sure to let you know here on GearCrave.

Buy: $250,000

If you’ve got the coin, you could get a BMW Z4 or a Porsche Boxter like everyone else… Or you could take the road less traveled with the Yes! Roadster. Until now, the German-made Yes! autos were only available in Europe. In the coming months, the first 50 Yes! Roadster 3.2 and 3.2 Turbo models will arrive in the US. Powered by a turbocharged, 355hp Audi V6 engine, the 3.2 Turbo Roadster goes from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds
with a top speed of 174 mph. While you may not need that top end outside of the Autobahn or your nearest amateur raceway, you’ll get plenty of sex appeal and pickup power for your local roadways. The best part? This rare speed machine will have your local car enthusiasts scratching their heads… and asking for a ride.

Buy: from $77,995

The Mercedes-Benz brand represents luxury, comfort and performance.  With its F700 research concept, Mercedes is trying to add “green” to that list of adjectives.  The F700 concept gets the same power out of its S class 3.5 liter V6 from a 4 cylinder, 1.8 liter engine.  Mercedes purists will feel the same response from the gas pedal, but do so with a much clearer conscience.  The F700 concept is slated to get 44.3 MPG on the freeway.  If you’re going to pony up for the F700 model once it hits market, we doubt you’re worried about the cost of gasoline.  But if you want to lower your carbon footprint and do so with class, the F700 could be the ultimate solution. [autoblog]

Buy: $TBA

Feeling a little nostalgic?  We certainly were when we first saw the 2008 Dodge Challenger.  Even more so than the ‘06 Ford Mustang, the redesign of the classic Challenger is even more faithful to the original.  The 2008 Dodge Challenger packs a 6.1 Liter Hemi V8 engine pushing 425hp.  Not only does this concept include the power of the classic Challenger, it includes the performance and safety improvements of today’s best models.  Think Electronic Stability Control, SRT braking, upgraded suspension, plus front and side impact airbags.  So when you push that pedal to the floorboards, you can leave your pesky cares behind with the new and improved Dodge Challenger.

Buy: $40,095