Bikes have been a popular way of transportation and recreation for many years, but they’re also an increasingly interesting DIY project! Whether you’re new to bike building or a seasoned veteran, there’s no shortage of news, parts and projects that can inspire your imagination. In these blog posts, we’ll dive deep into trends in the world of biking; from custom designs to engine-powered inventions and much more — get ready for some truly awesome things! Plus, learn about tips for getting started with small bike-building projects around your home. So strap on those gear helmets and join us as we explore what makes biking great today!
From the MAKE Flickr pool Mandiberg covered a bicycle in retroreflective vinyl. The above pic combines two shots of the same bike – left side taken with flash, right side without. Wow! We used Scotchlight 680 vinyl. When the bicycle is in the beam of a light (like a car’s headlight, or a camera’s flash,) […]
Here’s an oldie, the “Bikelophone System” from 1995 is a slide instrument consisting of magnetic pickups attached to the body of a bicycle so that anything connected to or effecting the bike is amplified. Objects wired up included bass strings, scrap wood, metal bowls, and a tone generator which apparently created some “cacophonic terror”. Still, […]
Instructables user frenzy put it well in this “Putting A Car Horn On Your Bicycle” Instructable: I’ve found in my biking adventures, drivers are aloof, distracted and just plain blind to us little pieces of metal on the road. I’ve also found giving a little shout before a driver makes a right hand turn with […]
Inspired by this Ipod nano case, I decided to try making a case for my iphone out of scrap bike tubes and/or tires (every bike store seems to have tons in back). Here’s my favorite version: the tube goes in the tire, just like on your bike:) That version’s a bit bulky, so I typically […]
“Laptop Orchestra” is an interactive synaesthetic instrument designed to allow for real-time performances. Attached to the system is a conductor podium consisting of a grid of metal stems that activate or deactivate each machine by touches from onlookers. This action can in turn generate an almost infinite number of compositions. Laptop Orchestra via Network Research
Flickr user ‘xddorox’ has a nice and simple DIY hard saddlebag for your bike. It’s a great use for an old plastic jar, and makes a fairly watertight enclose. Just remember to take your stuff with you since it doesn’t have a lock. More about DIY hard saddle bag for your bike [Bike Hacks] More:
(Image, story via Fast Company) The right thing to do when there are no bike lanes on a road you ride is lobby your local government to create them. The quicker (and cooler) thing to do is project your own. Hence the Light Lane: a biker-centric bicycle lane. No step-by-step instructions yet (or, for that […]
