Peugeot, Skoda, Rover… there are lots of car manufacturers which first made their name as bike builders. But here is one going the other way. BMW’s Cruise bike is a distinctive update of the original Californian cruisers which launched the mountain bike craze back in the 80s.
It’s all sleek lines and minimal detailing: the white paint job and blue rims are very Beemer in their aesthetic. The only other hint of its provenance is a discreet BMW badge lurking on the head lug. It has 30 slick Shimano gears, hardcore disc brakes and chunky tyres to ward off glass shards outside pubs.
This is very much a comfy commuter: a Boris bike on steroids. It’s also pretty hefty, but it soaks up the bumps and is perfect for cruising round the city with just a hint of German class (shop.bmw.com).
Price: £670 (€949)
Weight: 15kg
Frame: aluminium , front sprung
Continental Cruise Contact tyres with ‘safety system’
Forks: SR Suntour XCT
Brakes: Shimano BR-M395 180mm disc
Gears: Shimano Deore 30
Reflected glory: Proviz REFLECT360+
This time last year I bought a reflective cycling jacket – or rather my wife did in a bid to keep me safe on the roads while commuting. It was a Proviz Reflect 360 and is without doubt the most commented upon garment I have ever owned. Every journey for months other riders would stop and ask me about the jacket. I can confirm that the space age-looking jacket that glints and glimmers when a light is shone on it is not only safe but highly social! It did have one small drawback. It was a bit sweaty despite the fact it had zip openings under the arms and on the chest. Therefore the designers at Proviz have now gone one better and launched the Reflect 360+ range. This new version has been designed using a different highly technical film to ensure better rates of breathability while not losing any of the incredible reflective capability of the original fabric. So it’s safe, social and not quite so sweaty. The jacket is sold in more than 70 countries and has won countless awards – it’s easy to see why. It is well-made with high-quality zips and fastenings. During the day it is a rather chic grey garment while at night it transforms itself into an flashing disco jacket. It’s that rarest of things – a super visible safety jacket that doesn’t make you stand out like a sore thumb… £109.99, suitable for men and women provizsports.com
Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter at @MartinLove166
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