CYKLO Eyewear From Vinylize Gives New Life to Old Bike Cables

"As sustainability and circular design gain more traction within the design space, greenwashing is also on the rise. Brands are riding the hype of new materials, with a head-in-the-sand approach to the unfortunate consequences of using new materials. Not so with CYKLO, an eyewear line from Vinylize that takes reclaimed bike cables and transforms them into eyeglasses and sunglasses. Breathing new life into material previously discarded (and notoriously hard to recycle), this line provokes welcome conversation around where things go when we're done with them."

"The lineup of dynamic designs keeps CYKLO feeling modern and fresh. The temples are created with the bike cables and fitted with lightweight cellulose acetate fronts made from old vinyl records, offering cohesion within styles. With multiple finishes, including a delightfully striped variant, each offers adornment while also offering prescription and UV protection as well. Since the cables are reclaimed, this means no two pairs can be the same, offering a one-of-a-kind, luxury product that also does good for the earth in tandem."

"The Bowden cable brake, first invented in 1896, enabled a burgeoning cycling industry to really take off, providing reliability and much-needed handling navigating rocky terrains or city streets. It is ingenious in its simplicity, with a simple three-layered design, yet has had a huge impact on design at large, quickly lending itself to multiple industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and industrial design. This somewhat humble invention has touched an unquantifiable amount of products and processes, enabling freedom and innovation."

CYKLO repurposes reclaimed bicycle Bowden brake cables into the temples of eyeglasses and sunglasses, pairing them with lightweight cellulose acetate fronts fabricated from old vinyl records. The three-layered cable construction makes recycling difficult, but Vinylize's approach salvages discarded materials and produces one-of-a-kind frames with variable finishes, including a striped variant. Frames provide prescription and UV protection while delivering modern aesthetics and luxury appeal. The project highlights the widespread production and disposal of brake cables since 1896 and demonstrates how a simple, ubiquitous invention enabled cycling's rise and later influenced multiple industries.

Read at Design Milk