There’s nothing really groundbreaking about cycling-specific stretch denim. Although coming from the matchless core cycling brand Rapha, these jeans are certainly the real deal. They’re fast-drying and feature stealth logos and subtle hits of their signature pink stashed inside the cuff.
Pointy helmets and superiority complexes, yes, but humor is not something we normally associate with carbon fiber bikes. That’s why the ironically named Foundry Bikes, who build only with carbon-fiber, is kinda funny. Their custom framesets are about to hit stores and unlike their splashy-graphic, blinged-out competitors, Foundry frames look seriously cool. What’s better than black? Shipping in early 2012.
If you really feel like you have to wear spandex, save it for Saturdays. Function-minded every day bikers surely prefer the fit and feel of a pair of Levi’s. But unlike normal denim, Levi’s new Commuter series are stretchy, designed for pedaling. Reflective hits are hidden in the cuff and a U-Lock holster is built into the waistband.
Over the years, Specialized has teamed up with dozens of brands for a variety of bike builds, but this most recent collaboration with McLaren—an institution in F-1 racing and high-end auto performance—tops all the rest. For the absolute best and baddest in lightweight, stiff, and aerodynamic materials, Specialized tapped the dudes at McLaren and the result is a bike that is so crazy light and trick you’ll barely believe it’s UCI-legal.
Year after year, Mercedes earns the worst emissions ratings for their iconic line of cars. Maybe that’s what motivated them to start making bikes. A little trade-off to make up for the turboed-out V12s and such. The bikes are top quality, not just a pretty logo. They make a racer, a full-suspendo mountain bike and a few others—even a kids bike. All the models feature cutting edge components like SRAM & DT SWiss, they also sport the price tag you’d expect from Mercedes-Benz …
One for the road? How about wine for the road? This handmade bike wine rack is constructed with vegetable-tanned leather and brass fasteners for a retro-Euro look that goes great with an afternoon wine buzz. Proudly made in Montreal and adjustable to fit 3 sizes of bottles.
Some cyclists pretend everyday is another stage on the Tour de France; spandex, goo, bootie covers and all. Others of us, break up the training schedule with some bike commuting or simple transportation. For these recovery days, Timberland has a shoe. It looks like a normal loafer while you stroll, but when you saddle up the specially-designed sole supports your feet for pedaling.
Whether you’re hanging a rare classic frame for display or getting your daily driver off the living room floor, your bike will look sweet perched upon this custom, made-to-order, birch veneer bike rack from Made In Brooklyn Design. The man behind every MIB creation is former pro BMXer turned artisan, Jeff Mayer, so yeah, it’s legit.
Beer & bicycles go together like peanut butter & jelly. That’s why this seat-mounted bottle opener is so unquestionably genius. Think about it: ride to store, get sixer of Microbrews, ride away. But then, you get to the park or the beach and … start looking for something to pry the lids open? That’s lame. Mount this handmade, stainless steel opener under your seat and be prepared everywhere you roll.
Lots of car brands have teamed up with bike builders to create some sort of hybrid marketing showpiece. Most of the time the bikes are pretty lame. Not the case with this collaboration between Audi and Portland-based custom frame builders, Renovo. They make bike frames exclusively from wood. Yes, wood. It’s lighter than aluminum and smoother on the bumps. They’re offering three models: a city, sport & road bike style. More info here.
