From smart locks to slick technical gear, kit yourself out this summer.
Designers love bikes – everyone knows that. Whether it's the freedom, friends, fashion or lifestyle, it seems two-wheeled pursuits inspire a commitment and allegiance in creatives matched only by our devotion to design.
Earlier this year we launched a competition with Computer Arts and bespoke performance cyclewear brand Milltag to design your very own cycling jersey. If you haven't already entered, you have until 20 July to download the template and send us your designs.
In the meantime, with summer in full swing, there's no better time to kit yourself out with some of the best cycling accessories out there and hit the road. Here are 13 of our favourite designs…
If standing out on two wheels is your goal, Milltag's recent artist collaborations with Jamie Banks-George and Sam Dunn will be right up your street.
Launched by two London-based graphic designers, Milltag produces high quality technical cycle-wear through creative collaborations with talented designers and artists around the world.
Plume's sleek design makes mudguards cool. Coil it away under your saddle when you don't need it – but when the streets are wet, simply roll out and ride on.
Rudy Project is a long-standing leader in the eyewear market
Rudy Poject
£74.99-£175.99
They're not cheap, but for state-of-the-art unbreakable photochromic lenses and maximum UV protection, try some of the top-notch sunglasses on offer from Italian company Rudy Project.
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Long-standing leaders in the eyewear market, Rudy's Rydon Impact X glasses, for example, is made for cyclists who ride unchanging low-light conditions: perfect for the commute and longer rides.
Dubbed the "bike lock of the future" by Gizmodo, Skylock is a keyless, solar-powered smart bike lock. A built-in accelerometer and onboard Wi-Fi will notify you if your bike is being tampered with, while crash alert functionality will notify anyone in your trusted network if you're in a serious collisions.
Some 12 hours of sunlight will run the Skylock for six months. It's due to ship this summer - you can pre-order and get 35% off.
For top-notch pro gear, look no further than Rapha. We love its Brevet Jersey and Gilet, Women's Classic Wind Jacket and men's Data Print pro team jersey, but you'll find plenty of stylish sportswear and lifestyle clothing on the Rapha site.
With three one-piece lenses – dark tinted for bright conditions, yellow for overcast days and clear for any time of year – the D'Arcs boast great eye protection at a budget price.
RBS stands for 'Really Bright Stuff' – and the latest in Polaris' hi-vis range is exactly that. A packable, windproof unisex jacket, it's great in changeable conditions. And for another versatile option, check out the RBS Quantum jacket.
ICEdot is a small helmet-mounted crash sensor that uses an accelerometer, gyroscope and Bluetooth 4.0 with your smartphone – an iPhone 4S or newer or Android 4.3 and above – to detect an impact and notify emergency contacts via text.
It'll initiate a countdown before sending the text, so if you've just had a light spill you can stop the procedure.
Another smart lock, unlock uses map functionality to locate where you left your bike and can be unlocked with a tap of your smartphone. It's made from galvanized C40 steel, heat-treated to resist cuts, drills and the strongest hits.
Brighten up your steed with these sticky reflectors (€7), lightweight USB lights (€39/set) or Curve front light (€39) – just three items from Bookman's bold new range.
Ensure you're both seen and heard with these stylish Japanese bike bells. Sporting a selection of vibrant patterns, the classic design creates a crisp sound. This range has just been updated with brass and copper versions.
What did we miss? Tell us your favourite kit in the comments below...
Julia is editor-in-chief, retail at Future Ltd, where she works in e-commerce across a number of consumer lifestyle brands. A former editor of design website Creative Bloq, she’s also worked on a variety of print titles, and was part of the team that launched consumer tech website TechRadar. She's been writing about art, design and technology for over 15 years.
