Fun and functional: Stylish bike outfits and accessories for leisure cyclists
The pandemic cycling boom in the Philippines has made really biking more inclusive.
With more women and cyclists from different age groups taking up to the sport for exercise, leisure, and mobility, cycling has become a lifestyle. The growth of the cycling community is evident in the different styles of bicycles, clothes, gear, and accessories now available in the local market.
Want to inject some fun into your summer rides? Here are a few local brands where leisure cyclists can shop for trendy bike clothes and colorful bike accessories as seen during the recently held Pedal Up: Philippine Cycling Demo Day 2023 at UP Diliman.
Anti Polo Lifestyle
Anti Polo Lifestyle is a local apparel brand hailing from Taktak in Antipolo that caters to all bikepackers, mountain bikers, road and gravel urban cyclists. The shop launched in 2021 amid the pandemic cycling boom specializes in quick-drying sports clothing like polos as well as cropped dri-fit tees specifically for women.
Their bike polos come in retro-inspired and trendy designs that stand out from the traditional serious sporty athletic wear. In fact, the shirts are suitable for both exercise and casual, comfortable everyday wear. Their unisex sizes range from XS to 4XL so cyclists of every size can find something that’ll fit.
Specially priced at two for P1,500 during the event, the bike polos regularly cost P1,100 to P1,300 each. You can order these online from their online shop or through Instagram.
Ahon.ph
Show off your Pinoy pride with active apparel and athleisure that takes inspiration from Filipino heritage. Ahon.ph is a local shop that sells highly technical outdoor active apparel that with heritage-inspired designs like Baybayin, traditional tattoo patterns, and weaving patterns.
Ahon’s Baro button-up shirts can be used for biking, hiking, trekking, running, and other outdoor activities, while still looking “cool enough” for the office, mall, or even church. The designs come in traditional Filipino weaving patterns such as those from the Bagobos, Yakan, and Blaans, but in breathable material more suited for outdoor activities.
For athletes and long-distance bikepackers, Ahon also has a range of cycling jerseys that make use of premium fabrics and in sizes ranging from 2XS to 3XL. Their adventure jerseys are specifically made for multiple days on the road, and have been proven for 15 days at the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan (considered the hardest bikepacking race in the world).
Baro button-up shirts start at P2,250 while training jerseys start at P3,400. Order from their shop here.
Voodoo Salawal Co.
Voodoo Salawal Co. is a Taguig-based brand that sells trendy apparel like bike polos and cycling caps that bikers can wear on and off the trails.
Their dri-fit polos come in everything from Reggae designs to summer-inspired tropical prints that wouldn’t look out of place on the beach. Be highly visible on the road with polos plastered with iconic Lego bricks or Neon jeepney signboards. To complement the polos, you can also find matching cycling caps sporting the same prints.
Cycling polo shirts start at P1,250. Order from their Facebook shop here or visit the 420 Bike Shop at United Hills Village East Service Road Parañaque.
Courier
Courier is a Philippine-made apparel brand hailing from Iloilo. The brand offers a range of clothing wear like bike shorts and bike polos that will appeal to urban commuters and bikepackers.
They offer comfortable casual wear for cyclists who are not really into the tight kits, but still want to enjoy long adventure rides. Their items come in solid colors and prints like tartan and striped designs and vintage prints in both regular polo cuts and cropped tops. While the polos look like regular casual wear, they’re made of quick-drying fabric, making these ideal for urban commutes and casual coffee rides especially during the hot summer months.
Courier Polos start at P725. Shop online here.
Baybayin Bags
Do you need extra storage to carry all your stuff like tools, gear, and extra clothes during long rides and bikepacking trips? Baybayin Bags, an independent bag maker from Cainta, Rizal, sells colorful, stylish, and functional bike bags.
Their range of regular and mini lunchbox type and cylinder handlebar bags, mini waist bags, and triangular bike frame bags come in bright candy color block designs reminiscent of neon fanny packs during the 80s and 90s.
If bright colors aren’t your thing, the bags also come in solid variants, as well as more muted pastel color combinations and UP sablay-inspired colors (maroon, green and yellow). Baybayin Bags also has new Pinoy designs that make use of fabric sourced from Sagada Weaving.
Bike bags range from P880 for the mini bags to P1,200 for handlebar bags. Order online here.
Bikeary Biking Lifestyle
You can stay safe and visible on the road while still showing off your personality with the range of fun bike accessories from Bikeary Biking Lifesytle. This shop sells everything from bike parts, bike tools, racks, bags, and accessories.
Customize your bike with safety reflectors that come in cute designs like pizza slices, donuts, ice popsicles, rainbow hearts, vegetables, and more. Bikeary also sells a wide range of handlebar tape in Aztec, jungle, food-themed and floral designs, among others.
Bike reflectors cost P250-350 each depending on size and design. Order from their shop online here.