.specials
MAY Ltd.
*Bicycles in Their Purest Form
written SARAH ARENDTS
In Zurich, the idea of movement found a new form. A graphic designer with an instinct for proportion and sourcing began to shape a bicycle that mirrored the pace of the modern city.
What began in 2017 as a quiet experiment became an emblem of design precision. The first series rolled out in 2018 and carried its story from studio to street, from personal vision to collective desire. MAY grew from that impulse—clarity through design. The bicycles spoke in minimal lines and honest materials, drawing a following that valued restraint as expression. Each frame moved through space with intention, revealing how the essence of a form can define an entire experience.
In 2023, Alex and Timo continued this movement. Their direction extends the core ideas that give MAY its rhythm: timeless aesthetics, direct production, and a commitment to functional beauty. From their base in Zurich, they shape and oversee each detail. Assembly takes place in Portugal, where precision meets craft. Warehouses in Switzerland and Germany bring the bicycles closer to riders across Europe.
The YIWU+ stands at the center of this evolution. Every detail of its construction reveals a conversation between heritage and modern use. The frame, handmade from high-quality steel with lugged forks, carries the refinement of classic racing geometry. The inspiration traces back to the 1970s Giro d’Italia—clean lines, balanced angles, seamless continuity between rider and frame.
Two finishes define the YIWU+: Petrol Grey and Chrome. Each tone interacts with light in its own rhythm, turning motion into reflection. The bicycle weighs 11.3 kilograms and flows through eight Shimano gears, translating energy into effortless movement. Its slightly wider tires hold the street with quiet confidence, connecting precision engineering to the texture of the city.
Every part of the YIWU+ exists for a reason, the geometry finds balance between agility and composure. The lugs reinforce the frame, adding strength through visible detail. The entire structure embodies the brand’s principle of function through purity, from the fork crown to the seat stays, every line serves the ride.
MAY defines its work through three guiding ideas: Timeless aesthetics, Functional design, and Direct production channels. Timeless aesthetics mark the foundation. The design removes everything that distracts from the essential. The result is clarity—lines that endure beyond fashion or season. Functional design gives purpose to beauty and each component responds to movement, from the 8-speed shifting to the precision of the welds. A bicycle becomes an object of use and of contemplation.
Direct production creates connection. MAY oversees every stage of its process, shaping a transparent path between creator and rider. The result is quality that feels immediate, produced with care and efficiency.
The YIWU+ moves through the city as an extension of its rider. Every rotation of the chain carries the discipline of its design. The silence of the frame, the accuracy of the gearing, the harmony of its proportions—all form a single gesture. MAY continues to refine the balance between form, motion, and time. The bicycles exist in a space where design becomes rhythm and craft becomes presence. A ride begins, and with it, a quiet clarity returns. Enjoy Yourself!
MAY - Minimalist City Bicycles
www.may-ltd.com
Operating from Zurich, Switzerland
Assembly: Portugal
Models: YIWU+ (Petrol Grey | Chrome) • YIWU (Chrome | Night Blue | Bordeaux | Rosé Pearl)