Palomar Bike Parts & Accessories

Palomar is an Italy-based maker of maps, lights, and optical equipment. Its catalogue is available online. Most product pages include an appropriate quote from one of Italo Calvino's works; he is the inspiration for the company's name, after his story Mr. Palomar.

Founded in 2001, by Fabio Palchetti and Christina Cencetti, the company's roots are a bit older; Fabio is the third generation Palchetti to make telescopes, Palomar representing a broadening of interest from its predecessor, Palchetti Importazioni, which focused on high quality astronomical observation equipment, from telescopes to meteorological instruments.

Palomar's collection includes ingenious items for cyclists. The Crumpled Map can be stuffed willy-nilly in a saddlebag or pocket, providing a handy reference to one of more than 50 of the world's most interesting cities. Lightweight and waterproof, it's a boon companion in new territory.

Palomar loves magnets. Two light sets, one for the bike and one for the rider, are available, both providing increased visibility in a tiny package, available in a number of colors. A bell is also offered, powered by the same commonly-available watch batteries and producing one of three sounds, from a classic bike bell to an ah-oo-ga horn.