Trent Jansen Studio's Cycle Sign

Sign Stool 450

Spotted on the pages of ♥ VOGUE LIVING Australia ♥... Sydney-based Trent Jansen is uber resourceful.  He has been salvaging the scraps from the making of his Sign Stool 450 (made from used road signs) and is creating two styles of bicycle reflectors: Cycle Sign: Spoke Clamp and Cycle Sign: Strap. Both of which are available at Cycle Style.

Liking the idea of bringing a material off the streets / into the home / and then back on the streets!

the GAMOH King Carrier

This past summer (after eyeing Globe's Live bicycle) I felt the need for a front rack upgrade... and went for the GAMOH by Minoura.  Actually, we ended up with two of them (for two different bikes). Having used the GAMOH for a few months now here is a review and warning*:

FABULOUSNESS...
The rack is large (measuring at 18"x12.5"x4.25") and somewhat intimidating bumper - perfect for maneuvering NYC streets. The framing is super strong chromoly steel tubing with a powder coating that has yet to chip, dent, or show any wear. A good urban carry-all with a weight limit of 40lbs - while Ben's Cycles recommends no more then 25lbs. It is shallow enough so you can strap on all sorts of oddly shaped items. I had initially been looking for a large cargo rack which did not connect to the handlebars. The GAMOH's three point attachment (to the fork eyelets and fork crown/front breaks) makes for a nice and clean look. And how I adore the wood ♥ paneling (though since I most often lock up my commuter outdoors it didn't take long before I cleaned off the boards and applied a few new coats of Tung Oil). Though this really to be expected maintenance. And, indeed, that little cut out in the front is a bottle opener.

NOT SO FABULOUS...
This baby weighs in at 5+ lbs/2550 grams - which adds up when you commute on a steel beater though not a deal breaker for me in this instance. The biggest issues I have had is with the top mounting bracket* which connects to your front brake. Firstly, the rack comes with two steel brackets (which you are intended to just use the one which works for you) - well NEITHER were angled to accommodate the two bikes which meant the bracket had to be jury rigged and bent to fit:

via Rivendell

So all as good and dandy until riding down a decent hill - after using it for a month - I suddenly glanced down and watched my bags which were strapped to the rack move in front/away from me  ending up with them scrapping along the concrete ***THE BRACKET HAD BROKEN IN HALF*** yeah, pretty dangerous (could have actually been a catapulting situation). Naturally you could tell yourself "you totally just created that weak spot by bending it!"and while true the real issue is the quality of steel used for the bracket is just not adequate. Perhaps I was overloading - thought I do tend to use a bungee cord attached the frame and loop it around the stem - similar the Rivendell's advice:

via Rivendell

I recently spotted a fellow commuter with the same GAMOH and it turns out he had the same issue with neither bracket fitting and after trying a some self bending options went to a hardware store and bought and customized a totally new (stronger) steel connector. I knew I wasn't alone.

As mentioned above there ARE some great features with the rack but hope you find this post is helpful. And here's my carrier with bungee cords in FULL effect...

leather toe clip love

 

Classic & fabulous. Leather covered toe clips to protect those lovely shoes you have on. 

beautifully braided

by Studio Marisol

Aside from bicycles, I love braids. Including these. So I was pretty psyched to come across these braided strap leather handlebar grips by Portland-based Walnut Studiolo...

seoul cycle faves

Handle the Handle by AHN Joonggun, CHEONG Jihyung, Korea
I do love imagining built-in tools on my commuter -- this handle detaches and TA DA is a pump in case of a flat (the other handle COULD hole a patch kit and extra inner tube!)

Spread Your Love by Hamed KOHAN, Iran
a LOVEly message delivered with traction

Lurking by LEE Jumin, KANG Sukjin, Korea

an adjustable length lock +++ functions as a rear red light while riding at night

Ivy by Sono MOCCI, Italy
Any cyclist in NYC would (well, should) never think of using such a wimpy cable lock -- however it would look really cool on this bike

Sound Cycle by Alexander MUSPRATT-WILLIAMS, Belgium

I'm one of those people that doesn't mind when my bag raddles in my basket for this every reason
-- giving your bicycle a voice so others can hear you approach
-- HEY whatever happened to spoke beads!

Bike & Breathe by Anastasija MASS, Netherlands

an industrial pollution filter hidden underneath a scarf -
while applicable only in cold weather it would be amazing to develop in more types of garments

Seoc-Transformable Cycling Design by Mate Denes HAMORI, Hungary

a slip on which transforms any shoe into a hard sole cleat system
-- one that should go into production! I love my clipless pedals on my road bike and would totally consider something like this for my daily commute

Hand picked submissions/finalists/runners up from the 'cycle fashion + accessory design' portion of the recent Seoul Cycle Design Competition. While they are just concepts (at the moment) -- none the less they are ideas from around the globe. Some poetic, some practical... all in all some fun stuff.

mini treasure chest

While biking around Governors Island on a nice sunny day this past summer I spotted this bicycle with a rear rack with a built on storage/tool box. Brilliant and practical! Turns out that the owner swapped it off his girlfriend's Peugeut. If I were her - I would have not let go of it!

And speaking of the perfect staycation destination... the Governors Island ferry stops running for the season on October 10! Take a que from this The Trust for Governors Island promo shot...

all-metal timelessness

Spotted Specialized's Airtool Double Barrel Pump with it's sleek all-metal design at Bicycle Habitat. Should have noted its size since I can't find the details online - but take my word this is one compact pump + comes with bracket to mount to your frame. Love the classic design and that it's all-aluminum -- also given the face that Specialized sells replacement parts if need be -- should last a lifetime! Can't help but imagine how it would look on mounted on an all-chrome bike or this Sacha White commuter bike...
Oh, and if you want ultra compact then check out the pocket size Airtool Mini Pump...
(Note that these appear to be only for Presta valves -- but here's hoping they'll come out with Schrader compatible version.)

symphony of safety

wooden bike bell by Incredibell - the Woodpecker comes in Padauk and Japanese Cherry
(each wood producing a slightly different ring)

Adjustabell by Incredibell
which comes in handy for a track or road bike with large diameter handlebars
(and so easy to remove)
Illuminator by Incredibell - a bell + LED light
while I really love the idea of the two essentials combined,
the design would benefit from more then just one LED

Dutch brand Fietsfabriek's Klaxon Bike Bell - also in green and black
available at Rolling Orange in Brooklyn

the classic looking Hammer Strike Crane Bell from Rivendell - in Brass or in Silver Alloy
(which, as they point out, rings a slightly higher tone because it's aluminum)
PUBLIC's bright Federico Red Brass Bell

and for the sweet tooth - a petit gâteaux
hand painted bicycle bell from Montreal-based dringdring

Since a friend was recently looking for a bicycle bell - thought I'd share a little round up of a few I admire. If you are looking to buy an Incredibell or Crane bell, Adeline Adeline carries a good assortment online and in their NYC shop!

Also could not resist doing a post on bells and not including these two great videos - from Amsterdam demonstrating diversity...

and the incredible power of the bicycle bell...

Have a bicycle bell that you love? Do share...

BFF Street Party - TOMORROW

sweet BFF New York 2010 trailer

NYC's Bicycle Film Festival is celebrating their 10th Anniversary this year with a packed schedule of events (June 16th-20th) +++ tomorrow their hosting a mega block party with events, performances, and LOTS of great vendors...

Saturday, May 19th
12 - 7pm
2nd Street, b/w 1st & 2nd Avenue