When It’s More Than a Hook—The Story Behind Talon

Where Does Talon Come From?

As a creative people, we are regularly grappling with new ideas; both a blessing and a curse. The creative among us can generate hundreds of them, and some of mine are connected to riding or riding gear. Naturally, many of them come to me while I’m actually riding.

There’s something about the riding experience that fosters creativity. It’s thrilling yet demanding, a paradoxical state of calm shaped by the competing focuses required to ride. In that calm, my thoughts flow freely, exploring new problems and potential solutions or revisiting old ones with fresh insights gained from time and experience.

When I’m on a long ride, that mental calm becomes fertile ground for deeper understanding. Problems take on new meaning and character. I can view them from multiple angles and with greater clarity. Often, it’s in these moments that solutions emerge—not just random ideas, but real solutions. These aren’t “products seeking problems.” Instead, they’re well-considered answers to real challenges.

This process of reflection, trial, and perspective is what gave rise to Talon.

The Problem Before the Solution

Too often, we rush to create solutions without fully understanding the problem. I’ve learned to slow down and truly consider a problem from different perspectives, revisiting it over time. With each new angle, my initial ideas often prove incomplete or even completely wrong. This iterative process forces me to rethink, refine, and improve until I land on something that truly works.

The problem that Talon solves isn’t new—it’s one I’ve experienced on countless bikes, across varied situations, and over many years. It’s deceptively simple: “Where do you put your stuff?”

Of course, the answer isn’t simple at all. The solution depends on what “stuff” you’re carrying, what bike you’re riding, and what kind of ride you’re on. For a long time, my answers were no better than the standard solutions: hooks under the seat, helmets balanced precariously on mirrors, or awkward straps. None of these felt right.

But then, one day, the experience and creativity collided in just the right way. The solution wasn’t about what the product did at all—it was about where it was located.

The Epiphany: A New Use for Handlebar Sliders

With all the potential places to mount a hook or strap, none of them felt intuitive. Then I realized the best place to keep your stuff isn’t somewhere out of reach or hidden—it’s right at your fingertips. And what sits right at your fingertips? The humble handlebar slider.

Handlebar sliders, also known as handlebar weights, perform a simple yet important role: they reduce vibration and protect the bike in case of a fall. But why not give them additional functionality? That’s when Talon Technology was born.

More Than a Solution—The Best Solution

Talon wasn’t created in a single afternoon. It emerged from years of riding, countless experiences, and a process of trial, error, and reflection. It wasn’t just about finding a solution—it was about finding the best solution to the age-old question: “Where do I put my stuff?”

Through Talon, that question finally has a simple, effective, and innovative answer.