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Now, this is a very specific item that perhaps only avid bikers will appreciate, but I think it’s smart and simple, and improves the biking experience enough to be mentioned. This strap provides a slight suspension between the top bar and seat tube of a bike, so that when you carry your bike there’s a nice padded place for your shoulder. If you’ve ever carried a bike up a steep incline or a few flights of stairs, you’re familiar with the discomfort and know that this would make those small journeys a little bit easier. See the (happy) biker below for an example of the strap in action.

Hand-made and hand-finished leather.

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Raise your hand if you’re liking all the recent smattering of nice bicycle storage (‘nice’ being something a bit more refined than what you pick up at your local hardware store). This Pinch Stand is made of two halves of wood laminate which uses the weight of your bicycle to lock the rear wheel in place. You just lift your bicycle out of Pinch and the halves separate. The stand is adjustable, and can accommodate a variety of wheel sizes. See a quick video over at ClankWorks to see it in action.

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Chris Brigham is right. There aren’t too many options for elegant bike storage. So, what did he do? He went to his workshop and made something that fit his needs, and now he’s selling it to friends and strangers. Lucky us.

Made from solid wood and suspended by a solid steel square rod mount.
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Okay, this is coming from a bicyclist and a non-runner, but I never really understood the jogging-while-pushing-your-kid-in-a-stroller thing. It just doesn’t look very fun. The Taga however, I can certainly get behind. In 20 seconds it converts between a baby stroller and carrier bike. Cargo bikes that can double for kid transport is nothing new, but the Taga is the only one that converts to a compact stroller. If that’s a bit hard to picture I would highly suggest watching the demonstration video, or the embed below. Yeah it’s very expensive, but think of how jealous Bugaboo-toting parents will be when you and your child fly by in one of these.

Specifications:
High-finish aluminum alloy 6061 frame
Shimano Nexus Inter-3 internal gear hub
16″ wheels
Tricycle dimensions: 73W x 165L x 102H (cm)/ 28.7W x 64.9L x 40.1H (inches)
Stroller dimensions (cm): 73W x 120L x 102H (cm)/ 28.7W x 47.2L x 40.1H (inches)
Weight: 20-29kg/ 44-64lbs, depends on configuration
Colors: Red, Green,Orange, Light-Blue

Click here for full specifications.

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Republic Bike offers customized bicycles starting around the $399 mark. Not too bad of a price for us city dwellers that need an alternative transportation option. Plus, if you need something to sweeten the deal, there’s quite a few color options and components that you select to make your bike even more special. Take a look at the gallery for color inspiration.

Built to order.
Available in single speed or fixed gear.

Note: When I was in Stockholm, there were tons of people using old-ish city bikes for their daily transportation, which was very nice to see, but there was not one new, fancy/expensive bike that I see practically everyday in London. Our friends said that it’s because all the new bikes get stolen, so everyone opts for the nondescript. Interesting how cities differ, huh?

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Even if you’re not a gunslinger, you get the gist of a holster. Keeps your weapon close, secured, and ready to use at a moment’s notice. Now, apply that idea for
a bicycle U-Lock, and you’ve got a smart accessory for a cyclist. This holster loops easily onto your belt and is available in natural or black.

Fits a 4.5� bicycle U-Lock.

4.75� W x 2.75� H x 1� D
Made in Brooklyn.

Urban bicycle riders want to look good riding and be practical. Translation: no spandex, butt pads, and $4000 carbon fiber bikes. The rise of bicycle ridership has translated into a whole slew of new products catering to these needs including practical and low cost bicycles, fashionable riding clothes, and countless accessories. Traditionally known for their high performance helmets, Lazer has released a new urban-centric helmet which has a great look and features built-in lights, an absolutely necessary safety item for city riding.

$700 seems like a lot for a folding bicycle, but this one sure doesn’t skimp on features: a light-weight aluminum frame, great name-brand components, full fenders, and rack. And I must point my absolute favorite which is the full size air pump built into the seat post! Brilliant!

The Vitesse D7HG is for those who are looking for a great bike for urban commuting at a good value. We took our award-winning Vitesse D7, added an internal gear hub and tried and true components from top component suppliers. Then we topped it off with mudguards, a rack and even a trouser saving chainguard so you can ride in any weather. Available in 3-speed model for general use, and a 7-speed model for more demanding riders.

Speeds:  7
Weight:  11.9 kg (26.2 lb)
Folding Time: 15 sec
Folding Size:  29 x 80 x 66 cm (11.3″ x 31.2″ x 25.7″)

Check out the full specs here.

Whoa. With increased cargo capacity, this bike has the potential to change the lives of many, many people. Originally prototyped as an extension, it’s now available for preorder as an original longtail bike. Proceeds from all purchases support bike distribution efforts in Kenya, or if you’re not in need of a bicycle, you can give a (tax-deductable) donation to help support the cause. (“A contribution of just $150 helps underwrite a cargo bike that quadruples the income of a small farmer in Africa.”)

What started as a thesis project a decade ago guides everything Worldbike does today. It’s centered on the belief that a low-cost, durable and “longtail” bicycle with integrated cargo capacity – a cargo bike – can change the life of someone living in rural poverty by connecting them to markets, schools and clinics. This bike was first conceivd on a trip to Nicaragua, where it was originally prototyped as a transport solution for local farmers. Since then, it’s taken the form of bolt-on extensions, modified mountain bikes and today, an original longtail bike frame manufactured overseas and assembled locally.

Worldbike was included in the Design for the other 90% exhibition by the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.

Inquire about preorders at preorder@worldbike.org.

You’re in luck if you’re an avid bicycle rider and happen to always be in the need of bungee cords (I know I am). Use IT Clips to transform your old, punctured inner tubes into incredibly useful tie down straps. A fine example of upcycling done right.

“The IT (Inner Tube) Clips and IT Hooks allow you to reuse your old bicycle inner tubes as tie downs. This version fits mountain bike inner tubes from 1.5 in – 2.5 in. wide. As inner tubes deteriorate and break down, the IT Clips and IT Hooks allow them to be reused; it’s a great way to keep old inner tubes out of landfills. Cut your old inner tube and thread it through the clips as you would a strap through a buckle and latch the clips together; you determine the size you need.”

If these really catch on I can forsee entire bins of donated used bike tubes at bike shops and various establishments ready to be turned into these straps.

Lightest and smallest, that’s quite a claim to fame nowadays in the folding bike world. I do have to say here in London I seem to see folding bikes pretty much everywhere, which hopefully means they are becoming less of a novelty and more of a standard mode of transportation.

The lightest and smallest folding bike in the world. George Lin, inventor of many radical bicycle innovations, created the CarryMe to easily carry on a train, bus, or plane. Customgears, freewheel and a micro chain were designed to achieve the speed and cadence of a full size bike. To further optimize this little folder, a Swiss 2 speed Schlumpf Speed Drive unit was added for increased speed and gearing range.

Designer: George Lin
Folded: 32cm(H) x 25cm (W) x 91cm(L)
Weight: 9.2kg

Here’s a little update to my previous post about the custom bike.

If you have Georg Jensen taste on a Republic Bike budget, you can add cork grips and a Brooks leather saddle to any bike for about a $100.

(george jensen link via notcot)

If you’ve been eying a fixed gear bike, you can customize the components in a variety of available colors with this interactive flash interface.

Available colors:
White,
Matte Black,
Wasabe,
Pink,
Skyan,
Copper

[posted by kris]

Here’s a great option for those of you interested in commuting to work by bicycle. Check out the site for more details and information.

The clean and striking IF Mode is aimed at commuters of the mobile generation who, until now, may have not considered cycling or folding bikes to be an option. IF Mode avoids oily chains, complex tubes with hidden dirt traps, and the clutter of traditional bike features. Meant for city commuters rather than bicycle warriors, it looks at home folded up on a subway or in an office, like other well designed accessories in your life. It also performs on the street like any lightweight, well-balanced full size bike.

Designer Team: Ryan Carroll, Michael Lin & Mark Sanders
Folded Dimensions: 40 inches (h) x 10.5 inches (w) x 26 inches (l)
Bike Weight: 32 lbs (14.7 kg)

$2,250.00, Buy it here.

Talk about a sweet ride. This bicycle has some very nice touches- check out the integrated headlight (solar powered of course) and the leather seat/grips.

MOOF improves the basic functionality of the urban Dutch bicycle by combining a beautiful extruded aluminum frame with integrated solar powered head and tail lights. This single speed sleek and smooth urban cruiser is both smart and conscientious.

Designer: Sjoerd Smit
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 36 x 22 inches

$600.00, Buy it here.