There is a bicycle in almost every home. And it doesn't matter at all whether you drive it to work or just drive around the city for fun. With the growing popularity of this transport, the demand for various "toys" for it is growing. We invite you to get acquainted with interesting and unusual devices. We'll warn you right away that the price tag for them is not very small. So, 8 useful and unusual bike gadgets.
Patchnride
It is very easy to puncture a camera on a bicycle, and it always happens at the most inopportune moment. It's good if you carry a set of tools with patches and glue with you. But it happens that they are not at hand. Yes, and you spend 30-40 minutes with them. The inventors of the Patchnride tool, apparently, too often got into such situations, so they decided to create a tool that would not take so much time.
What is this Patchnride? It includes several modules: the tool itself, a sealant and an air leak detector. With the help of the latter, a puncture is detected, and the sealant closes the punched hole. The whole process takes a couple of minutes - and the bike is ready for the next trip. You don't even need to remove the tire to repair the puncture. Agree, it is very nice to keep such a tool in your backpack. It is also compact, i.e. there will be no problems with its transportation at all.
A quick camera fix and clean hands are great, of course. But the price of this tool is around $ 30 on the manufacturer's official website. It is up to you to decide whether it is a lot or a little.
Stompump
In addition to punctures, it also happens that the tire just deflated. Many people carry small hand pumps with them to pump up the wheels as needed. Although there are those who do not take the pump with them for the reason that there is nowhere to put it.
This is where the small Stompump foot pump comes in handy. It is compact, inflates the wheel several times faster and is attached to the bike frame.
The price of such a device is 69 American rubles.
Skylock ellipse
A bicycle is the same vehicle as a car, and it also needs to be secured against theft. Of course, you can find a simple cable lock, but we decided to present this unusual item to you.
This is a U-shaped lock, which is stuffed with various additional "buns". The body contains Bluetooth version 4.0. You can open the lock using an application on your smartphone or set it up for your approach. If you are afraid that you will not be able to open the lock without a phone, then it is in vain: you can also unlock it with a regular code combination.
The body also houses a Wi-Fi module and accelerometers. If you and the lock are on the same Wi-Fi network, a notification will be sent to your smartphone in case of an attempt to hijack. If there is no wireless network, the lock will communicate with the phone via Bluetooth, provided that there is no more than 10 meters between them. Running to the bike every time it gets hooked is a poor prospect. Therefore, it is possible to configure the sensor when it starts signaling.
The lock also reacts to accidents. This means that in the event of an unforeseen situation, the application will ask you about your state. If you do not answer, a comparison will be made between the readings of the sensors of the lock itself and the paired phone. So in the event of an accident, Skylock Ellipse will call emergency services.
The lock has a built-in small battery that powers all the electronics. A solar panel serves as a charge for it. If suddenly it was not possible to charge the lock in this way, then there is a micro-USB connector on the side.
A very interesting gadget. There is also a fly in the ointment - the cost. The price of this miracle of technology is at $ 200, which is quite a lot.
Rubbee X
In 2013, a device was presented to the world that turns absolutely any bicycle into an electric one. It is an electric motor with a rubber roller that is lowered onto the rear wheel, helping to pick up speed and making it easier to climb.
This gadget is mounted under the seat. When it is necessary to activate the device, the handle is turned, which presses the roller with a spring against the rear wheel. Further, wireless sensors mounted in the bicycle pedals are included in the work. They send the engine a signal to work, and the engine begins to actively help you.
The Rubbee X can hold up to three batteries. One battery can drive up to 16 km. A 250W motor comes standard with one battery. He is capable of speeds up to 25 km / h. But, if you decide to buy three batteries at once, you will be offered a more powerful 350 W motor, and it is already capable of delivering 32 km / h.
Everything is fine, but there are several "buts": the mass release is planned in June, and the pre-order price is 399 dollars.
Blinkers
Now on to Velohub's Blinkers smart headlights. The developers of the device decided to help cyclists with road alarms. The headlights consist of two lights: rear and front. The brightest and most noticeable back, because it has the main function. Both lanterns are bright and conspicuous, visible from any side.
The lantern is divided into several parts. As in a car, the part of the headlight starts blinking in which direction the cyclist is going to turn. When maneuvering, the headlight also comes on, so your action can be seen from both sides. In case of braking, one of the areas of the lamp lights up red.
The brightness of the lanterns is regulated independently by the built-in light sensor. There is an unusual feature: you can turn on the lasers, which will show all road users a safe area for the cyclist.
The headlights are controlled by a small remote that can be easily operated with one thumb without taking your hands off the steering wheel.
The headlights are equipped with 1600 mAh batteries. The device is charged via the USB port.
The maximum cost of such a toy on the manufacturer's website is 199 US rubles.
Smarthalo
The rather unusual Smarthalo cycling computer seemed worthy of attention. The first thing that catches your eye is the design: stylish, effective, unbroken. There is no display in the usual sense with information about speed, distance traveled, etc. All (and not only this) information will be on your phone, which you can study after the route. Communication is supported via Bluetooth using a special application.
There are many interesting solutions in this device. For example, having plotted a route in the application, the bike computer will show you the turns with a pleasant green indication, and if you miss them, it will notify you about it. When dusk begins to deepen, a photosensor activates a lantern that will illuminate the road. If you stop, the headlight will turn itself off.
Through an application on a smartphone, the gadget monitors weather conditions and notifies about possible precipitation. You will also find out that someone called you or sent you an SMS. The built-in security mechanism will notify you if the vehicle is decided to be stolen. Stealing the gadget itself is also very difficult: you can remove the computer only with the help of the personal key that comes with the kit.
The device itself is waterproof and dustproof, it is not afraid of bad weather. Charging is done via a USB port.
The purchase of this device will cost you $ 150.
Battery stem
Smartphones have long and firmly established themselves in our lives. Now a discharged phone is almost a disaster. The situation is especially bad for cyclists who move during the day on their iron horse, or take long walks. After all, they have nowhere to recharge.
With these nuances in mind, Battery Stem was developed, a practical and weatherproof power bank that attaches to the bike frame. It is waterproof and dustproof and has a capacity of 10,000 mAh.
The project is still on kickstarter.com, the estimated price is $ 190.
Rinsten Spring
Many cyclists, especially those who ride off-road most of the time, have experienced back pain. This is, to put it mildly, unpleasant.
Apparently, Ukrainian engineers came to the same conclusion when they decided to create a special shock absorber under the seat. It is designed to smooth out jolts and provide a softer ride. Installing Rinsten Spring is easy and takes a few minutes. The cost of the device is $ 44.
These navigators have special maps that include bike routes. It also has a POI database built specifically for cyclists. In principle, there are practically no special differences in comparison with the automobile. Unless these navigators are made vertical, not horizontal, it is so much more convenient on a bicycle. Well, some more models can work as a bicycle computer, so you don't need to connect several gadgets at once. But the devices are expensive, and even more expensive than car counterparts. So, the cheapest Garmin Touring will cost 20 thousand rubles. However, if you like to travel by bike, then you cannot do without such a gadget. But if you need to lay a simple city route, then a phone is enough, then we will tell you how to attach it to the steering wheel.
Locator
Now all car companies are concerned about safety, including ensuring that cars can easily coexist on the road with bicycles. Some cars already have radar systems, but what about a bicycle one? The risk of an accident on the road depends both on the driver of the car and on the athlete on the "iron horse". In order for the cyclist to also be aware of whether there are cars around him, the Backtracker bicycle radar was created.
11.03.2015 | 488
We offer you a selection of the most essential gadgets and accessories for your bike.
The arrival of spring is marked not only by melting snow and swelling of the kidneys, but also by the appearance of cyclists. Lovers of a healthy lifestyle and speed, as if waking up from hibernation, are again fighting inattentive pedestrians for their rightful place on the bike path.
So let's see what useful gadgets cyclists equip their two-wheeled iron horse with.
This is an inexpensive and perhaps the most needed gadget that even a novice cyclist has. The bike computer has a built-in clock and keeps statistics during the trip: the screen displays speed, mileage (total and since the device was turned on), time (total and on the way).
The gadget is attached to the steering wheel, is lightweight and does not interfere at all on the road.
2. GPS bike navigator
This is an indispensable thing for those who ride a bike for more than a dozen kilometers a day and at the same time are poorly oriented on the terrain or like to master new routes in unfamiliar cities and villages. The touch screen of the gadget displays not only the current location and the desired route, but also the cyclist's heart rate, the speed at which he is moving.
The only drawback is the price of this device, which often exceeds the price of a middle-class bicycle.
3. Headlamp-lantern
In the dark, the bike must be equipped with a lighting system: a white headlight that operates in three modes (flashing and glowing at high and low power) and a red taillight. These gadgets are quite modestly powered by batteries, which are more than enough for an amateur cyclist for the entire season.
Lighting helps the cyclist not only to see the road in the dark, but also to be visible to people and vehicles around him.
4. Lock
If during a bike trip you leave your two-wheeled friend unattended for at least a few minutes (for example, when going to the store), then you cannot do without a special lock.
This gadget comes in different types. It is safest to choose a lock with a sufficiently long metal cable covered with plastic and a mechanism that can be locked with a key.
5. Keys
This is an incredibly useful thing. Even if you have never had to tighten the nuts in all sorts of iron things before, with the advent of the bicycle you will have to do it.
You should always carry special keys for a bicycle with you, as at any moment you can loosen, for example, the fastening of the handlebars - and you can continue driving only on foot. Believe me, I was convinced from personal experience that one unscrewed nut can completely ruin the whole trip, and with it the mood.
A bunch of keys does not take up much space and can easily fit even in the smallest bike bag, and besides, it is inexpensive.
This is a very practical accessory. Bags come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Therefore, you can easily choose what is right for you.
If you are not cycling long distances or shopping, then it is quite enough to limit yourself to a saddle bag, which will fit the most important things.
7. Flask for water with fastening
In this gadget, a mount is more necessary than a flask: it can be replaced with an ordinary plastic bottle. If you do not have a large enough bag with you, it is very inconvenient to carry drinking water. Therefore, a special structure attached to the frame is indispensable.
Join cycling - and you are guaranteed good health, good mood and toned buttocks!
Today, a huge range of gadgets has appeared on the market, designed not only for car owners, but also for cyclists. Thanks to these devices, riding on two wheels is taken to a whole new level. In our review, the "seven" of the most useful devices that guarantee cyclists' comfort on the road.
1. Electronic brake lights and turns
"Electronic feet and turn signals.
There is nothing more rewarding than installing electronic lighting on your bike. First of all, you need brake lights and turn signals. Among the more advanced models, there are examples that emit not only light, but also a characteristic warning sound, which will also be useful in improving safety.
2. Hammerhead
A curious bicycle accessory that will be useful primarily for avid riders in the urban area. Hammerhead uses light signals to indicate the direction of travel, works with GPS technology and synchronizes with most smartphones.
3. Siva Cycle Atom
Today, when mobile devices have entered our life, the situation in which you need to make a call or go online, and the battery of the gadget is at zero, seems to be quite alarming. For cyclists, this problem can be solved by Siva Cycle Atom - a mobile battery that allows you to charge devices while riding.
4.bikeSpike
A bundle of bikeSpike devices will help protect your bike from theft. Firstly, this marvelous set will allow you to park your bike almost anywhere and fix it to objects of the environment. Secondly, bikeSpike will immediately inform the user's mobile device of the theft, and also show on the map where the bike is at the moment.
5. Scosche boomBOTTLE
There is nothing fundamentally complicated in Scosche boomBOTTLE - this is the most ordinary flask for water. However, this fact does not at all make it less useful. After all, there is nothing better than drinking clean water after a bike ride. A flask is especially useful in the summer heat.
6. ICEdot Crash Sensor
As you might guess from the name, this is an emergency sensor. The principle of operation is not at all complicated, the device reports the fact of an accident if the cyclist still got into it. Where exactly the messages will be sent can be configured using a special application on the smartphone. There is an "emergency beacon" mode.
7. Helios Bars
Helios Bars is a set of sensors that can be installed on bicycles and cyclists' helmet. The kit also includes a smartphone application of the same name, which allows you to serve the location using GPS, register the speed and route, as well as many other data.