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Graphic Design

Points for Creativity: MONIKER Bicycle Handlebars by Taylor Simpson

By Ray Hu - January 18, 2013

What's in the box?

At risk of overexposing conceptual bicycle components today, this reader submission was too good not to post. Taylor Simpson is one short semester away from completing his baccalaureate in communication design at Brooklyn's own Pratt Institute, and he recently sent in a branding/packaging project that he completed last year. A riff on bullhorns, MONIKER is a concept for a set of "handcrafted bicycle handlebars made of genuine deer antler and recycled metal."I originally came up with the concept of Moniker Cycle Horns while participating in the World's Longest Yard Sale on Route 127 in 2010, an event I look forward to every year. While traveling the sale, I found a pair of genuine deer antlers a local man was selling somewhere in Kentucky. As a cyclist I thought it would be clever to create bicycle handlebars made of animal horns and antlers.

Thus, the bars consist of a set of antlers from a six-point buck, bonded to what I assume is a short length of pipe to form the clamp area and painted in a black satin finish. (For better or for worse, the second edition of Bikesnob's cockpit contest has come and gone; there was actually an antler category the first time around.)

Anyway, assuming the epoxy doesn't give, I'd actually be curious about how bone compares to more traditional materials such as steel, aluminum and carbon fiber. For example, I was interested to learn that antlers "grow faster than any other mammal bone," and "as a result of their growth rate, antlers are considered a handicap since there is an incredible nutritional demand on deer to re-grow antlers annually, and thus can be honest signals of metabolic efficiency and food gathering capability." (Also, moose antlers serve as natural hearing aids.)

As for the packaging itself, I find the corrugated cardboard box to be a bit underwhelming. While it effectively conveys a sense of mystery as to its contents, it seems like a generic approach to an otherwise compelling product.

Meanwhile, the branding and visual elements reflect the clean lines of a track bicycle, marking a stark contrast with the sinuous curve of the antlers themselves: the triangle motif makes for a nice logomark, but belies naturally-occuring form of the product itself. Curved tubes and stays notwithstanding, I've always found it interesting that the handlebars are the only curvilinear component of the bicycle (Nitto B123AAs FTW); insofar as antlers emulate and exaggerate the ergonomic swoop of handlebars, I couldn't help but feel that the brand identity should follow suit.

Nevertheless, Simpson's concept is thoughtful and exceptionally well-executed... though I'm a little surprised, as a fellow Bulls fan, that he didn't add a little blood to the tips of the horns.

Graphic Design

Ray Hu

Ray is a writer, editor, and researcher

12 Comments

Collin Vorhees

7 months ago

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Comment on this
I wanted to make a comment about the antler handlebars I thought that they were made of metal in simply looked like antlers but where in fact made of metal and actually strong enough to be able to perform it's intended function as bicycle handlebars I'm not familiar with the strength of antlers but I imagine they are not as strong as metal and I know if my handlebars on my bicycle we're made of any material that was not as strong as the metal they are currently made of then they would have broken several times over since I have on the bicycle simply from aggressive riding and inevitable accidental impact. And I think just the shape of them as the antler is attractive enough it doesn't actually have to have the grain like the wood grain or the antler grain as detailed it can simply be metal shaped as it is in smooth and black and itchy you the same style and function and all you would have to do is use your actual antler to make a mold and then use that mold can make the metal handlebars.
Durable stronger capable of mass production Anda products that can make customers happy be safe and bring profit but trying to find real deer antlers either in the woods or harvesting them yourself is not a business model that will produce prophet as I see it

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Janver Castro

5 years ago

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Please sir, I really hope this is produced and is available to the public! I would do anything to get my hands on them! The way the tips curve in assure that you wont be stabbing anything you pass. Basically this design is genius and I would love to have one on my single speed! It would look so clean! I hope you consider it. Thanks for you time.
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benjamin

6 years ago

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hello Taylor,
in first place I have to congratulate you for your job with the handlebar, it's simply amazing!. I'm from Chile, and I have a mark of leather articles called SAMAI, it's for bikes and urban style people. casually, my logo it's a deer so put the bikes in the shop with one of your handlebars it would be PERFECT.
I want to know: how can I get one of them? how much it cost? can you send it to Chile?

please answer me as soon as you can, I really hope it be possible to buy it.

I'm attent to your comments, greetings!!
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Blair Miller

6 years ago

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I'll second what Bill George had to say. If you ride on a regular basis, for pleasure or exercise or to get from point A to point B, it's not "if" you get into an accident, it's "when". And it likely won't be your fault. And it'll likely involve a motor vehicle. And those subjectively cool pointy-horn handlebars? Well, I suppose some people would consider one less hipster in the world a Good Thing.

And for those of you who believe these are still a good idea, do yourself a favor and go read reviews for any of the more popular helmets on Nashbar or Performance--hip yourself to the sheer number of tumbling-out-of-control, over-the-handlebars, into-the-side-of-a-car accidents people end up in through no fault of their own.
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Bill George

6 years ago

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When you fall off your bicycle and crash, you don't plan it out and chances are pretty good you'll get gored by these beautiful handlebars. The concept of multiple riding positions is appealing but the risk for injury is too great.
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Max009

6 years ago

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It is a weapon ! too dangerous for everyone ...except me!
Just give it to me !!
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Aj hop

6 years ago

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Can I buy these now please
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Pam

6 years ago

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So creative and resourceful I might add! so proud of you Tay
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Andrew

6 years ago

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I'm sorry, but how are these genius? Someone has fused item A to item B. Great. Not design at all. Nice box.
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Matt Kesler

6 years ago

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These are amazing!!! I couldn't stop thinking about them, ever since I saw them!! I would buy them in a heart beat. Create a cast aluminum version! I suspect that they have a great ergonomic feel with this more natural, organic form!
Concerning the liability issues...people, get over it! There are a million ways to hurt yourself!!! These would certainly be dangerous for an idiot charging into a crowd, but then so would anyone on a bike, antlers or not!!
If you do not make these, I will make my own version to use on my single speed. But, please MAKE them Taylor! I want to support your genius!!!
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Ben Rodgers

6 years ago

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I love the idea of using deer (or any antlers) in this manner and maybe they need to be sharp for the photo shoot, but seroiusly? People sue companies for stupid enough reasons in our society. This is just asking for it.
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James

6 years ago

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Very, very cool! I have a bad feeling that the ambulance chasers will have a heyday with the first impalement.
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