If in this era of pollution, pandemic, and panic, you aren’t already a bicycle person, it’s high time you convert into one! Bicycles are slowly becoming people’s preferred means of transportation. People are ditching the fossil fuel consuming and air pollution causing automobiles for the more eco-friendly option of bikes. Not only are bicycles a boon to the environment, but they also promote good health and ensure we get our daily dose of physical exercise done. In fact, you can even upgrade and amp up your bicycle with some fun and functional accessories. From an ultra-portable adventure light to the safest cycling helmet for e-bikes – these accessories are the perfect sidekicks to your bicycle!
1. reTyre
reTyre is a zippable tire-tread system that provides your city bicycle the versatility to work off the road too. The simple zipping mechanism enables you to add a secondary, tougher tread on your tires, allowing you to ride on smooth asphalt and tough terrains!
Why is it noteworthy?
reTyre’s special bicycle tire comes with a zipper lining and a selection of treads or skins that you can clad on your existing tire. The original tire works great on asphalt, and the wide variety of skins allows you to ride your bicycle on mud, gravel, rocks, or even snow. Working on straight roads, curved paths, and even on tough downhill trails, the tire treads give you exactly the grip you need, and the industrial-strength zipper system perseveres through rain, snow, or even rocky terrain… every single time.
What we like
- When not in use, the treads easily fold up and go right into your backpack
What we dislike
- We don’t know how easily or how long will the tire take to wear down
2. VIRGO
VIRGO is the safest cycling helmet designed for e-bikes! The cutting-edge helmet was created to ensure an optimal balance of safety and performance. The future of helmets is here!
Why is it noteworthy?
VIRGO was designed to provide full protection in a lightweight piece for people who value both safety and performance. This helmet is suitable for e-bike riding, as well as for regular bike rides. Its design skillfully blends lightweight construction, optimal ventilation, and full facial protection in the event of a head-on collision.
What we like
- Built of a polycarbonate shell with a protective layer of EPS
- Provides you with a combination of protection and lightness
What we dislike
3. Ray
Designed by Cha Hongkun, this outdoor accompanying portable light is called Ray. It features a wide strap that can be hooked onto your bike, backpack, or essentially anything you can think of. It is super easy to use, and also extremely portable!
Why is it noteworthy?
The portable LED light can be charged with a USB-C compatible power bank or via a wall outlet. What’s got me hooked here is the cool choice of colors the designer has penned for Ray.
What we like
- The hook-on functionality is truly unique for an ultra-portable personal light
What we dislike
- It’s a concept!
4. The G.O.A. Face Protector
The G.O.A. Face Protector is designed to be effective, comfortable, convenient, and aesthetic. It has a versatile design that can be utilized by bikers, sports users, workers, and crafters as well!
Why is it noteworthy?
Despite that unified appearance, the face protector is actually modular to make it easy to clean or replace parts. One particularly interesting feature is that you actually remove the front cap so that you can drink quickly without having to take off the entire mask.
What we like
- The cap can also be used as an opportunity for adding decals or branding to make the face mask look even more interesting
What we dislike
- It’s a concept!
5. Lockinvisible
You can secure your ride safely and in style with the Lockinvisible fully integrated bicycle lock. It features a seamless design, great security, and convenience. It has a stylish integration, that allows the lock to harmoniously integrate into your bike’s seat post.
Why is it noteworthy?
You can effortlessly install it by simply replacing your bike’s seatpost with Lockinvisible, and adjusting the seat height by using a height-fixing adapter. It’s a quick, easy, and efficient process.
What we like
- It’s a part of your bike, so you never end up losing it
What we dislike
- We’re not sure how sturdy it is!
6. Slapstick Smart Bicycle Lock
The Slapstick Smart Bicycle Lock reinvents the entire bike lock category with its fun, fresh, and fast-deploying design. Inspired by the popular children’s toy, the slap-band, this smart lock literally snaps around your bicycle frame, with a belt-like locking mechanism that adjusts to match the size of your frame and the pole you’re attaching your bicycle to.
Why is it noteworthy?
Affixing the lock is as easy as just snapping it in place and watching the band automatically wrap around your bicycle. The lock’s smart hub helps you secure and remove the Slapstick without needing a key, making the entire process simple, fast, and intuitive!
What we like
- Inspired by a popular children’s toy
- Can use your smartphone to lock and unlock it
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
7. FR-1 Bike Saddle
Called the FR-1 Bike Saddle, this innovative bike seat is made from cork and is a sustainable solution for bikes and bike parts. It’s quite a radical design since it utilizes a material that is not usually used for bike parts.
Why is it noteworthy?
At first, you would think this is not a sturdy and comfortable material for something that you will be sitting on probably for a long period. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight so it should be something that can last a long time and not hurt your tushy that much. It is also water-resistant and can offer better cushioning compared to other materials.
What we like
- Stronger but also more lightweight compared to the more common steel that a lot of bike seats use
- Sustainable + supports historic local cork farming
What we dislike
- It is a bit expensive
8. TOOB
More economical and efficient than recycling, the upcycling mentality has taken root with many designers, and this line of TOOB accessories demonstrates how even something as simple and unattractive as an inner tube can become a useful and even stylish product.
Why is it noteworthy?
“Useless” bicycle inner tubes are handpicked from Tel Aviv’s local shops and are then inspected and thoroughly cleaned. Depending on how much damage it has, the useful parts are cut off and then transformed into completely different products. The TOOB Keychains, for example, only need a small part of the inner tube. In addition to the material’s natural durability, TOOB adds a strong button that makes it easy to open and close the keychain to look around belts and bags.
What we like
- Supports the local bicycle economy by giving shop owners a better way to dispose of their waste
What we dislike
- Inner tubes don’t last forever, though, and TOOB does admit that the material will eventually wear out and dry
9. Omnilock
Omnilock multifunctional Bike Lock is a unique bicycle accessory that performs double duty as a bright taillight and tire inflator as well. This multiple utilities of the accessory means – the rider has less to worry about – if he/she is an avid bicycle user.
Why is it noteworthy?
Someone who likes to pedal to the mountains or spend a whole lot of time going for extended bike runs in the morning for fitness. Safety is another important thing that the bike lock addresses as the taillight adds another layer of visibility for motorists to take note of when on the go. That means the bike lock sits right under the saddle when in commute, and when you need to park it, simply take out Omnilock and lock the rear wheel.
What we like
- Performs double duty as a bright taillight and tire inflator as well
What we dislike
- It’s a concept!
10. The LIVALL LTSW21
The LIVALL LTSW21 are wireless earphones that have been designed and created, especially for cyclists. They are designed by the same company that brought us the LIVALL EV021 smart helmet with built-in safety lights,
Why is it noteworthy?
With a unique design that allows you to wear most cycling helmets along with the earphones, the LTS21 gives you the ability to listen to music/podcasts, answer calls, and talk to fellow riders while still providing situational awareness through its open-ear design.
What we like
- It can be worn regularly as well as with your cycling helmet
What we dislike
- Color options are limited to black and white – we would love to see more variations in it!
