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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists
Slide Nr 1Now that summer has arrived, there are no obstacles between you, your bicycle and the open road. Almost. If your two-wheeler is looking a little worse for its winter hibernation, all you need is a little ingenuity and a few vintage add-ons to turn your “beater” into a shiny retro bicycle – and feel like you’re riding straight out of a 1920s travel poster.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 2For Having A Seat – A bike seat is to a cyclist as a throne is to a king. As necessary as it gets, the saddle is perhaps the first place you might look to add a touch of vintage style, with, for example, a simple yet swanky saddle cover. You’ll be surprised how far you can go to customise these covers; they’re expertly crafted by artist Kara Ginther, who began carving her first Brooks saddle in 2009 and has never stopped believing in the importance of “offering goods that encourage authentic self-expression”.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 3For Saving Your Skull – If you have to protect your noggin, do it in style! BEG Bicycles offers a well-crafted carbon fibre helmet that can either be worn alone or – especially during the cold months – with a smart, 100% wool tweed cap cover, as well as other interchangeable “hats” made by the Cambridge-based company. Alternatively, if you don’t want to pass on practicality, this Carrera Folding helmet combines retro-vogue with modern technology, thanks to a flexible core that allows the helmet to fold and fit more easily in bags or lockers.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 4For Getting A Grip – Not afraid of a bit of (easy) DIY? Online store Happy Bicycle offers stylish Portuguese-made leather grips to cover your handlebars. All you have to do is lace them together with the colourful cotton laces, add the cork end plugs and voilà! A simple, yet rewarding project that instantly spruces up your ride.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 5For Gauging Your Speed – Especially for casual cyclists, there’s often no real need – aside from curiosity – to measure your speed on two wheels, but we dare you to deny how cool one of these ‘80s-era speedometers would look on the front of your ride. If you’re not able to nab one of these limited models from collector Tomasz Maciejewski, you can divert your attention to these other facsimile antiques, ready to record speeds up to 50mph/80kmh.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 6For Sounding The Alarm – A brand-spanking new bike, or a gracefully restored classic, can certainly give you a lot of satisfaction, but it’s no good if you’re thwarted by pedestrians. To make the crowd of people part like the Red Sea, you’ll need a bicycle bell, such as this retro brass one (amusingly engraved with “saved by the bell”). Need something more powerful? Give this bugle hooter a squeeze: everyone will certainly know you’re coming.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 7For Carrying Stuff – We’d all love to be cycling through southern France right now, lavender fields on either side of the road and fresh-baked baguettes peeking out of a wicker bike basket. Idyllic, indeed. If nothing else, you can at least look like you’ve just cycled from the French Riviera; in addition to classic bike baskets made from finely woven vine or cane, you can also add a handcrafted barrel bag inspired by St Bernard brandy barrels, or space-saving roll-up saddle bags made with water-resistant canvas. Regarding the background, let your imagination fill in the rest.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 8For Storing Stuff – Like a Vespa lock box, but for your bike. This sleek and sturdy storage crate sports an old-fashioned look, with a marine-grade wooden top and brass-plated zinc handles for closing the leak-proof hamper, as well as nylon side pannier bags that work as extra storage space. You can ride assured, knowing your stuff is safe and dry inside. Available in red, blue navy and silver.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 9For Staying Hydrated – Oft-overlooked, but key for every pedal-powered vehicle that runs on human sweat, a water bottle is essential. For history buffs, we recommend this replica of the bottle used by most riders during the post-WWII era. It’s made with stainless steel – 100% washable, safe and reusable – as well as a Portuguese cork stopper with twine cord, and you can opt to have it engraved. Alternatively, if the liquid you plan to transport is of the “spirited” variety, consider a leather wine caddy or 6-pack frame cinch – a secure, hands-free way to deliver the goods to your next picnic or dinner party.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 10For Staying Clean – Generally disregarded, but important nonetheless, mudguards are the unblinking sentries that prevent your precious bike – and yourself – from getting swamped with water, mud and grime. Translation: less time spent cleaning your bike frame! Apart from their undeniable effectiveness, these sleek bamboo fenders can even be the unexpected accessory that turns your cycle from anonymous to A-list. To get the most out of them, you need them as close to your wheel as possible: therefore, adjustable length struts and fittings are essential.
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10 Vintage Bike Accessories For Nostalgic Cyclists.
Slide Nr 11For Moving Forward – Last but certainly not least, pedals are the stars of the bike – without them, we’d be going nowhere. Opting for pedals that combine comfort and superb workmanship is imperative – and when it comes to adding a touch of vintage chic to classic platform pedals, these oak pedals are a win. Available in a dark-stained finish or left natural, the wood is professionally lacquered for protection.
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