What commuting/utility cycling products do you wish existed?

SamWise72

I'm preparing to launch an online bike business. At launch, it'll be carrying Downtube folding bikes, but the aim is to sell cycling accessories that are super-useful for commuting, shopping etc, but also look beautiful, and are hard to get in this country. I'll be selling things like Basil folding basket panniers (they fold flat against the rack, but unfold to take a bag-for-life size shopping bag), Nutcase helmets (so cool!) etc, but I plan to introduce a few lines of my own. One will be a porteur style front rack, with the looks of the Velo Orange rack (below) but the convenience of pannier hangers as well. Possibly also a similar sized rear rack, to carry a briefcase. So, I'm wondering, what products do you wish you could buy, or what problems do you wish someone would solve? Or are there products you know are available abroad, but not here?

attica

I'd love a bum bag/fanny pack type thing that was actually comfortable.
I don't like rucksacks cause they cover too much of my back and would rather have my load strapped to me not the bike.

I use an old Kirtland bum bag at present it's great but on longer rides can hurt where it presses against my pelvis.

Perhaps even a "low slung" rucksack would be feasible, one that sits where a bum bag does but straps over the shoulders for the load bearing with a belt going round the waist (higher than a bumbag would) for stability.

I'm seeing a sort of Borat swimming costume but it's a rucksack in my minds eye.

All of a sudden I don't like my minds eye!

SamWise72

Attica wrote:

I'm seeing a sort of Borat swimming costume but it's a rucksack in my minds eye.

:shock:

attica

I know, a horrid image, but you get the idea.

Maybe without the thong though.

SamWise72

I think I do get the idea, though it sounds a lot like a small messenger bag with a stabilizer strap would do the job. I'll give it consideration....

attica

I was thinking more of the snugness of a camelback type thing, close fitting and with compression straps to keep stuff in place

Kafka\'s Doll

Howabout a folding trailer that could be carried rather than pulled when not in use -- perhaps even acting as a rack.

Or handlebars into which you can stuff a thin rainjacket or cape.

SamWise72

Hmmm. A folding trailer - I like that. It's probably a longer term idea, because to have such a thing built at an affordable price would probably mean going abroad for it, but I really like it. That's started my brain percolating...

Gotte

I'd like handlebars that it's difficult to get hold of - esp those old world Porteur handlebars, but modern versions that will fit bar end shifters.

I'll tell you something else - good loking capes. I've got a yellow and black one from Decathelon, which is okay - it does the job, but it;s a bit ugly.

Oh, and good looking panniers. I saw some lovely ones that look like luggage.

Oh, and a 1 inch quill stem that goes as high as an Amsterdam type bike (so you can have true sit up and beg style), but that flares out at the top and takes a 1 and 1/8th stem.


PS, I love the idea of the rack you mention. I'd buy one.

Bassjunkieuk

I quite like the idea of the fold up trailer, would be useful for doing shopping but I don't think my racer was meant for towing loads tho! Might have to attach that to the wifes bike!

Personally I'd love a handlebar mounted rocket launcher, doesn't really have to be a heat seeker (although it would be a nice option!) as I only really want to blow up vehicles that cut me up - but I guess that's more in the realms of fantasy...

Chriscommuter

Sam,

How about a tiny electric battery that produces, say, just the two thousand volts, that can be atttached to your bike whenever you leave it locked up.

The aim of course is to fry and obliterate any scummy little bike stealing chav...

That would be my ideal new commuting product...:)

Mithras

Side pouch for tazer: Tazer lance for my bike:

SamWise72

Porteur bars are already on the list - when you say "that can take barend shifters", I think I can find those. Likewise nice panniers (I have my eye on a few - Velo Orange carries some that look fabulous, but might not be that practical, and Brooks do rollup leather ones, but I think Basil will win out for the first instance).

My site is up, though not quite complete yet - I'm launching with only Downtube folding bikes, and adding other products as I can afford to! (I like organic growth) Expect to see office panniers and folding basket panniers soon. It's here:

www.velochocolate.co.uk

And will soon have a forum where I can entertain discussions like this all day!

secretsam

A decent mirror

I've got the old Mirrycle from the 80s on my 531 banger, works well

What about some form of very light but very loud alarm/bell to warn peds? Bells are either too pathetic or too heavy

il_principe

Rapha style kit - i.e technical kit, 3/4 length shorts, jerseys that actually look decent (not like that awful Endura style commuter wear) I can wear into bars, shops, cafes when I'm about in London but without the Rapha prices. I struggle at the mo as I like to exert myself on the bike even when i'm just mooching about London and cotton t shirts/shorts are no good at all, I just arrive sweaty and soaked. I know SWOBO and others do similar but they're in the US and hard to find over here. I'm sure Rapha stuff is great but it is far too expensive.

SamWise72

This is a great idea. I'll investigate the SWOBO stuff. It's going to be a slow process though, as I don't plan to borrow money - I'm going to build organically.

il_principe

There's money to be made, especially in the women's market and no one seems to have tapped into it yet. Look how well Rapha have done though... Thinking about it, Chrome (of messenger bag fame) do good clothing as well, again hard to find in the UK. Also might be worth contacting this fella:

http://www.twonfro.com/

He's thinking along the right lines!


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Mandorallen

Any Idea When you are planning to start? I am looking to get hold of a downtube folder but would like a 2008 model rather than the older ones which are easier to get.

:?:

attica

Hi Samwise

After my expolits this morning:-
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12565232

I thought you might have a passing interest in my experiences.

1, My trusty old Bum bag doesn't seem to have a contemporary equivalent (that I can find at least). It's made by a company called Kirtland, big enough for a small packed lunch and a pair of shoes with a little room to spare. Has compression straps all over the place including two each side to pull the load round my waist. (incidentally a pair of 2" clip things and it's up and running again. The nylon is getting tired though, the waterproofing is delaminating inside, it's days are numbered), if you could source a similar bumbag I'd be first in the queue, I think Kirtland may still exist in some form but have been taken over.

2, I rode with a rucksack today for the first time in ages, it really hurt my lower back, I think my earlier requests for a bumbag/rucksack hybrid might be a halfway good idea, keep the weight low but relieve the pressure from the pelvis.

I'd be happy to send you photos of said bumbag.

My reasons for persisting down this route and not getting a saddle bag? I hate having a heavy bike, I'd rather have the weight around my body so that I can throw it about when I get out of the saddle. The Rucksacks I've tried all give me a very sweaty back and mild to excruciating lower back pain.

Any suggestions gratefully received.