From Stealth AirTag Mounts to Custom GoPro Holders: 10 Bike Upgrades You Can 3D Print This Weekend
Solve common cycling problems and add a personal touch to your bike with these ten must-have 3D prints.
Your bike is more than just two wheels — it’s your commuter, your trail companion, and your ticket to freedom. But what if you could make it even better? With a 3D printer, you have the power to create practical, personalized, and fun upgrades that you simply can’t buy in a store.
Forget one-size-fits-all accessories. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 3D printed parts that will transform your ride. From a stealthy anti-theft mount for your AirTag to fun, flashy valve caps, these projects solve real-world problems and let you show off your personality.
Ready to get started? Fire up your printer, because your perfect bike is just a weekend project away. Here are the ten upgrades you’ll want to print immediately.
Bike Phone Mount
A phone mount is a must-have accessory for any modern-day cyclist. Being able to use GPS and listen to music can improve any bike ride, but you need to be able to see your phone, swipe, charge, and access accessories. Plus, the mount has to really hold, especially for mountain biking.
Simple Option: Of the many phone holders out there, you may just find your particular brand of bike. Designer VedanshG at Printables offers a simple phone mount (above left) for a Specialized Crosstrails bike that attaches to the center of the steering. This four-piece phone mount needs some M3 x 15 mm screws, M3 nubs and some electrical tape on the bike for a more snug fit.
Stem-Mounted Racing Option: If you’re looking for a low-profile sleek version of a phone mount that you’ll glance at occasionally as you cruise down the road, this sleek one (above right) from designer Evan Chancellor at Printables requires just a few screws.
Commuting Option: If you’re like me and your phone is part of a large case or wallet and you may need to take it out of the mount to jot off a quick text on your bike commute (while pulled over of course), you’ll want this handy pocket-style phone mount (below) that doesn’t require any unscrewing yet also enables you to see your Google Map. Design from Djedje_zr7 at Printables. Adjust it in your favorite CAD program to fit your phone.
AirTag Mount
Bike theft is one of the worst things that can happen to a cyclist, which is where the Apple AirTag comes in handy. But, where do you hide it?
This mount (top left) from Cewo at Printables fits one Apple Airtag under the saddle directly over the clamp. Printed with black filament the device is hardly visible. You’ll need a few screws with this design.
This sneaky little design (above right) from Kesti3D at MakerWorld attaches to the bottle holder screw holes and sits underneath the bottle holder itself, keeping it out of sight from any potential thieves. It can be used with or without the bottle cage attachment. Installation requires two M5x25 screws.
A Better Bottle Holder
There are countless water bottle holders online and you may already have one, but do you have a can holder? This inspired design (above left) from 3dprintsfelix at Printables can hold a can over any rough terrain or road bump — shaking it up enough to spew when opened, but that’s beside the point. The designer recommends printing with PETG.
Another bottle holder upgrade is this double bottle holder (above right) for those long, hot-weather rides. If your road bike has an upper set of bolts on the inner bar, you can mount this holder that can fit two 24-oz containers. Designer Mrdeeds says there’s clearance enough for his knees, but if he stands up to sprint, he has to flair his knees out just a little bit — the price of staying well hydrated. Also includes a hidden AirTag stash.
GoPro Helmet Mount
If you want to give friends and fans a first-person point of view of your ride with a GoPro, you’ll need to securely mount it. Helmet mounts are ideal since the camera will swivel alone with your line of sight.
At it’s most basic, this model (above left) is a GoPro specific mounting plate secured with a band of heavy velcro so it should fit just about any helmet. Designer Doppiozero at Printables says they use nylon filament not PLA for strength. If you prefer to SuperGlue the mount on your helmet, there’s this variation from LD, also at Printables.
If a snap-on mount is more your style, this model (above right) from EngineerPro at MakerWorld enables you to securely record your ride, then, with an easy snap while still filming, take the camera in hand. You can also use it backward-facing for filming your friends.
Upgrade Your Pedals
There are toe clips and then there are pedals but they don’t always work together. These adapters enable you to attach your favorite top clips to you bike of choice.
Printable designer SteveJohnsen needed to attached toe clips to his flat mountain bike pedals so he came up with this adapter bracket to accept toe clips (above left). The adapters replace one of the reflectors on each pedal. Besides removing those two reflectors, you can also remove the bottom side grip screws.
If you prefer clipless pedals but occasionally need platform pedals, this quick conversion part (above right) for Shimano SPDs are ideal. Print using a sturdy material (carbon-fiber nylon or PC is ideal) and secure with two M5 screws. Design by 3D PrintFox at MakerWorld.
Mudguards
For a little piece of plastic, mudguards can be surprisingly expensive, even though they are an essential bike part that protects you from all the mud and water that your tires kick up. There are all shapes and sizes avilable and you may want to have more than one type depending on where or how you’re riding.
With simplicity in mind we like the one-piece mud guard (above left) Dr.dentz at Printables. The unsophisticated design is secured with zip-ties but, really, that’s all you need and it ensures that this design is flexible enough to fit almost any bike.
Yet, if you really want to add some style to your ride, this Pikachu-inspired mud guard is a must. Designed by Pipe Aguirre at MyMiniFactory.
Custom Valve Caps
If you want to add just a touch of personality to your bike, what better way to do it than adding fun valve caps? Sure, if you’re just looking to have plain spare caps on hand there is this basic version, but why not this Mando (above left) from Cwlewis1 or this butterfly edition from Drabulok.
If you need a better grip on your valve caps, print out a few of this grippy caps (above right) from Emoticon that make securing your valve easier, and if printed in red, easier to see when you drop them.
Wall-Mounted Stand
As the weather starts to cool (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least) you may want to start bringing your bike inside overnight and you’ll need a convenient place to store it.
For those who don’t have much floor space, wall-mounted stands are the perfect space-saving solution for storing your bike. Our editor Shawn Frey printed his own and you can follow his journey here, but if you’re just looking for a quick solution there are several we found and recommend.
This mountain bike mount (above left) is partly for convenience and partly for display. Designed by Durnak at MakerWorks, it holds your bike level and is especially space-saving once you loosen the handlebars so everything is flush to the wall. Not ideal for daily use, probably.
Another option that takes up a bit of floor space but is probably the most practical is this design from SmonstrDesign that enables you to just clip in your front wheel, secure it with a simple pin, while the bottom wheel rests on the floor. You can also add a bottom wheel clip for added stability. Pain it your wall color and no one will even notice it when you’re bike is not there.
Better Bike Handles
In the category of things you didn’t know you needed but will change your biking life, we present this simple bag hook. It also works for dog leashes when you pup has more energy than you do. Designed by Arne S, this model is sturdy enough to carry several kilos.
Another simple accessories that will just make your biking journey easier is this eye glass/sunglass holder. When you need to quick swap between you glasses, nothing is easier. Thanks designer Notdolair.
And just for fun, this handle bar vase. Designer Colleen Jordan is clearly a women who pulls over to pick some wildflowers on her rides, and what better way to show them off then this nicely engineered holder.
Pimp Your Kids's Bike
Biking is fun enough as it is, but when you have fun accessories, it’s even better. Take, for example, these spoke decorations from NC-Designs. The dinosaur snap-fit bicycle wheel spoke clips (above left) with 2mm diameter spokes. Simply push them onto the spokes using the groove on the back of each clip (it should be a tight fit). If dinos aren’t your style, there are also rainbows and butterflies.
Don’t leave Teddy behind when you have this one-piece stuffed animal bike seat that only needs one screw. Unfortunately, there’s no safety strap, so be sure to tie him or her in tightly. Designed by Vector_B.
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