Geek Chic: 9 bike accessories for makers

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Geek Chic: 9 bike accessories for makers

It’s springtime, which means it’s time to get back on your bike! Here are ten of my favorite bike accessories for utility, safety, and style. Got some bike projects to share? Post ’em up in the comments!

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Fabric Horse utility belts

These city biker hip huggers are designed by Philadelphia crafters Fabric Horse. The “Halfbelt” holds a phone, (lady-sized) wallet, keys, and a multitool easily. Also available with more storage or as a U-lock holster only. They’re also going to be part of the Bazaar Bizarre at Maker Faire Bay Area this year, yay!

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Bright Bike reflective tape kits

The fiercely reflective tape in the kits by Bright Bike will help you vanquish your foes, or at least help prevent them from running you over. Available in many colors. What’s that circuit board in Michael’s front wheel? Glad you asked…

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Monkey Light

Ever wanted your bike wheel to light up with bright, psychedelic-colored patterns as you ride? Me too. MonkeyLectric makes a persistance-of-vision (POV) device that does just that. I get compliments on mine all the time!

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SpokePOV

Adafruit also makes a (programmable, open source) POV bike wheel accessory, called SpokePOV. It’s only a single color, but uses a hall effect sensor to keep the design (which you create) upright while you ride.

LilyPad Arduino bike patch

Yes, I did just use two animated GIFs in a row. Learn to make this blinky bike patch using a LilyPad Arduino in this CRAFT Video!

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Fingerless Mitts

You need your fingers for using your brakes, but it’s still a bit chilly to ride! Try knitting up your own fingerless mitts with this free CRAFT pattern. Not a knitter? These are fast to make; I’m sure a crafty friend would love to make them for you! Oh, and that sweet bass (pictured) was made by Joe Kruse.

Speed Vest

Let those behind you know just how fast you’re going! It’s a project in MAKE Volume 19.

MAKE Volume 11

Check out the DIY Wheels section in MAKE Volume 11 for bike projects like Mr. Jalopy’s mobile drive-in theater, a pedal-powered iPod charger, and more! Subscribers can read it now in the Digital Edition.

Mini Bike Light

Learn to make this mini bike light in this article by Trevor Shannon. Kip also whipped this one up in one of his Weekend Projects videos.

8 thoughts on “Geek Chic: 9 bike accessories for makers

  1. Gareth Branwyn says:

    Nice round-up. Thanks, Becky!

  2. Microship says:

    I think this could be made a *little* more compact these days, what with modern technology and all, but I still can’t resist adding a photo of my Winnebiko II console to this post. How far we’ve come in a quarter century…

    Image link: http://microship.com/bike/wb2console-bw.jpg

    Cheers!
    Steve

    1. Becky Stern says:

      Wow, thanks!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Bright Bike reflective tape kits make our bike most impressive. You can purchase it in many colours. Picture also shows that how your bike becomes impressive with this kit.I like this kit.I have also fitted it in my bike.

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Becky Stern is a Content Creator at Autodesk/Instructables, and part time faculty at New York’s School of Visual Arts Products of Design grad program. Making and sharing are her two biggest passions, and she's created hundreds of free online DIY tutorials and videos, mostly about technology and its intersection with crafts. Find her @bekathwia on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram.

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