Bike curious
The Defendor
We have a winner for the most badass bicycle accessory ever. Created by Gotham Bicycle Defense Industries—we assume this is a puppet company for Wayne Industries—The Defender bike light is designed to resemble a six-shot gun chamber. Created out of lightweight aluminum, the bike light is weather-resistant so you can leave it on throughout the year. The Defender is also theft-resistant. The light attaches to the frame and locks on with a key that’s only available through Gotham Bicycle Defense Industries. The battery compartment—which holds three AA batteries that power the LED lights—is secured with a mini Allen wrench, smaller than what you’d get at Ikea, so even your batteries are safe from thugs. Currently, the product is receiving funding through Kickstarter, and through April 14, you can grab The Defender for a $50 pledge, a $20 savings. It may seem a high price to pay for a bike light, but when you consider the safety implications of a stolen bike light, it’s a theft-resistant steal.
Bottle Lock
Once your bike light is secure, it’s time to take care of the rest of your bike. Locks and chains can be cumbersome and insufficient for tying down your frame and both wheels, but Küat’s Bottle Lock wraps a five-foot chain inside a standard-sized water bottle. The 8mm braided steel coil is long enough to wrap through both wheels and the frame and lock itself back inside the water bottle. A keyhole on the top of the bottle locks everything into place. Plus, you get a little extra security in the form of confusion as a would-be theft tries to figure out why your chain and your water bottle are hugging. While you can’t use the water bottle to hold any water—that would make too much sense—there is a small container at the bottom that can hold money or keys while you’re practicing for the Tour de France or your next YouTube stunt video. $34.
Fohawx
Bike light? Safe. Bike? Safe. How about your noggin’? Sometimes it can be difficult to get kids to wear a helmet—something about helmets being for dweebs and spazoids. Instead of using parenting skills to explain to your children the safety and legal reasons behind wearing a helmet, trick them into the act with bright colors and zaniness. A Fohawx accessory attaches to any helmet via an adhesive strip and provides an instant neon haircut. If you decide that dreads don’t look good on you—do they look good on anyone?—you can peel off the Fohawx and apply one of the mohawk styles. Inspired by a 9-year-old’s design for her younger brother, the Fohawx should pep up any family bike ride whether it’s the kids or adults donning the wacky new ’do. $20.