Category: Bicycles

Cycling is one of the greatest hobbies that anybody can take up. Not only do you get all of the health benefits, but it can also be a ton of fun and a great way to get around the city while being environmentally friendly. In the early days of cycling, there weren’t many accessories that you could bring along with you unless you had a backpack and had to stop to use any of them.

These days, though, there are countless gadgets that make the cycling experience even better than it already was. If you want to add some flare to your next ride, here are five gadgets that ever cyclist needs for their bike.

Smart Helmet

Long gone are the days when the only options you had for a helmet were hunks of plastic that did nothing more than strap onto your head and keep you protected. These days, helmets are doing a lot more and can keep you entertained and in communication with other people during your rides. There are many companies that are making smart helmets these days, with the most advanced ones able to offer a lot of bells and whistles.

Many of the more cutting-edge smart helmets have LED lights, turn signals, and Bluetooth connection to your wireless devices. If you’ve ever been on the road and had to give someone a phone call, you may be tempted to fumble around your pocket and try to ride with one hand. Now you can do it all straight from your helmet, making things incredibly easy.

Bluetooth Speakers

Many of us like to listen to music when we’re riding, but it can be a hassle to wear earbuds when riding. For starters, you aren’t able to hear your surroundings very well, which can end up being a safety hazard. Sometimes, earbuds are just straight-up uncomfortable, especially when you’re working up a big sweat during your ride.

Thankfully, there are more Bluetooth speakers these days that are being designed for cyclists that allow you to listen to all of your favorite music without clogging up your ears. Companies like Ampulla make magnetic speakers that can stick to your bike while providing loud enough music so that you can jam out while riding. Also, the battery life on these speakers has gotten much better over the years so you can still listen during long rides.

Futuristic Bike Locks

One of the worst possible things that can happen to a cyclist is having a bike stolen. We put a lot of money into our bikes since we spend so much time riding, but they can be stolen easily if you don’t have the right lock. The older locks can be cut in an instant and your bike can be gone before you know it.

Thankfully, more modern bike locks are preventing theft, and some even require you to have your smartphone handy to unlock it. Bike locks like the Linka are able to make your bike completely unrideable unless the app opens it up. Other companies like Foldylock are also making compact locks that are essentially unbreakable.

Cycling Airbag

All vehicles (at least legal ones) come with airbags in the event of a serious accident. It wasn’t until recently that a similar device was introduced for bicycles, and thanks to Swedish company Hovding, cycling airbags appear to be a staple for the future. The airbag, when not deployed, looks like a large, soft scarf that you place around your neck.

You then connect the Hovdig to an app on your smartphone, and it can detect when you’ve been involved in an accident. The airbag will deploy in just 0.1 seconds, allowing time for full deployment to keep you safe. Anyone that’s ridden around in a busy city knows just how much of a lifesaver this can be.

Smart Lights

Even the technology of bicycle lighting is getting futuristic and helping riders around the world. These days, there are more gadgets introduced that show the speed of a cyclist depending on the light color and even adding turn signals and brake lights. One of the leaders in this industry is Revolights, which has all of the features we mentioned.

Other companies including Veglo, Brainy, and Double O are making futuristic lights of their own that can be placed on the bike or worn by the rider. It seems that in the near future, the number of lights that you see on a bicycle will rival that of a vehicle. That’s not a bad thing, either, as it allows for maximum safety and round-the-clock cycling.

Do you enjoy the great outdoors? Or, are you like most of us and feel guilty that you don’t get out quite enough?

 

In either case, finding fun outdoor activities is a must, and something that a lot of people are discovering is that cycling is fun, challenging, and great for fitness and boosting energy. If you’re starting to break into cycling, you might be thinking about getting your own shiny, fancy road bike.

 

It can be a great investment that leads to tons of fun and better health, but buying a road bike is not a simple task. There’s a lot to know, and if you’re truly new to this form of cycling, then there are a few things you’re going to want to know first.

 

The Posture Is Different

 

The first thing you really need to know about a road bike is that it is designed for a completely different type of cycling. Kids’ bikes and mountain bikes are designed for an upright posture. Road bikes are different. The bike pushes your posture forward (into what is often called an athletic posture), and the feeling is very different.

 

This posture is supposed to make you more aerodynamic, and it helps you generate more power as you pedal.

 

What matters most for someone who is new to road bikes is that this posture is going to force you to relearn how to ride a bike — to an extent. If you’ve never used a road bike before, try it out and practice before committing to any purchases.

 

The Tires Are Narrow

 

Road bikes have narrow wheels and tires on purpose. The thinner tires compress less, which means they create less friction and enable you to go faster. But, reducing friction in this way comes with consequences.

 

The first consequence is that thinner tires are also harder to balance. While you’re changing your posture and struggling with that balance, you get an extra challenge from the thinner tires.

 

The other consequence is that the thinner tires are a lot less durable. They really are designed for roads (bike paths and sidewalks are also fine). They can’t offroad at all. The wheels bend more easily than mountain bike wheels, and smaller amounts of damage can ruin thin tires.

 

There Is No Suspension

 

Mountain bikes have a suspension system that helps to absorb impacts and make the ride more comfortable. After all, mountain trails can be rough.

 

Road bikes are designed specifically for the relatively smooth surface of a paved road. Since suspensions have weight, road bike designers long ago came to the consensus that they are completely unnecessary, so it’s tough to find a road bike with a suspension system.

 

If you’re not used to it, the extra jolts in the ride can make things uncomfortable at first.

 

They Are Advanced Machines

 

The most intimidating aspect of buying a road bike for the first time is navigating all of the options. You can choose different designs, styles, materials, features, and price ranges, and each choice comes with consequences.

 

To get the right bike for you, you can dedicate the next six months to studying everything about road bikes. Or, you can get some help. Every bike shop in the country has someone working there who absolutely loves riding. They want to help you find the right bike, so let them help.

 

While you’re letting them help, remember that sorting through your options is going to take time and patience. Don’t rush into anything. Try out different styles and designs. When you can really feel the difference from one bike to the next, then you can pick your favorite — as long as it’s inside of your budget.