MAAP - A Fresh Perspective on Cycling

Written by Liam Wilson

MAAP, an acronym that the Melbourne-based cycling brand cleverly uses to exemplify their approach, “Movement, art, and progress,” or “Merging aesthetics and performance,” to name a few. MAAP achieves a perfectly balanced act in both cases. Aesthetics fuel performance and the other way round, allowing them to create products both debuted in grand tours and found in Melbourne’s finest coffee shops. 

Founders Jarrad Cousins and Ollie Smith created the brand due to the feeling that they couldn’t see themselves in the cycling apparel that existed on the market. Both hailing from a fashion background, as well as the sports of skate, surf and BMX, it’s clear why the cycling apparel of traditional cycling brands didn’t connect. Their influences translate into a design code that is fresh and forward-thinking, creating cycling gear with no compromise on either aesthetics nor performance. 

A maverick approach to design, straying away from trends, has earned the brand respect all the way from the top cycling teams, earning sponsorship of Australian World Tour teams Jayco-AlUla and Liv-AlUla-Jayco. The founders see MAAP as more than just a cycling brand, putting themselves at the front of the pack of a new wave of cyclists, alongside the likes of PAS Normal, Attaquer etc albeit with very contrasting aesthetics. 

Following the launch of the Hoka x MAAP U Tecton X2 last year This Thing Of Ours brought in a selection of ride essentials from MAAP and the response from customers has been very supportive. Expect to see more this upcoming season in the form of colourful cycling jerseys, graffiti-inspired graphics and technical bib shorts alongside a selection of accessories and more. 

MAAP's alt-cycle ethos has helped reshape the experience of cycling for many, making MAAP an attractive choice for both veteran riders and those wanting to dabble in the sport. With spring finally seeming to be peaking round the corner of winter it’s certainly one that the team at This Thing of Ours looks forward to seeing more of and putting to the test on two wheels.

See more of MAAP available at This Thing of Ours Manchester store or online. 

Address: 9a Chapel Walks, Manchester, M2 1AE