Is your daily bicycle ride turning into more than just a bit of exercise? Then you should check out these top ten high tech accessories for your bicycle. Whether you're planning on riding your bicycle in the Ride Across America or just becoming a bicycle enthusiast, these high tech accessories will help you better enjoy the sport of bicycling.
Cyclocomputers
One of the most recognized high tech bicycle accessories, cyclocomputers, gives you the ability to keep track of your training and riding statistics. My local know-it-all, Ed Baltes, says that many riders need that extra something to keep them riding, and keeping statistics can provide just that motivation. Here are two high tech accessories to give you an idea of what's available.
- Garmin Edge 705: Need the latest and greatest? Garmin's Edge 705 is the accessory for you. This cyclocomputer does practically everything you need. The basics are included, of course – speed, heart rate, distance traveled, time traveled – just to name a few. GPS enabled, it has a base map feature and the ability to download more maps to it, and it's able to store your routes. Don't worry about carrying maps on your bicycle any more. Priced between $500 and $600, weighing less than 4 oz., it's the ultimate for the high tech gadget lovers.
- Topeak Comp 140 with Cadence: At the other end of the high tech accessory spectrum is the Topeak Comp 140. For bicycle riders who want the fun and motivation of keeping track of their statistics, this cyclocomputer offers the necessities: a timer for your trip, current and average speed, as well as an odometer to total the miles you ride. For around $35, this Topeak accessory also gives you a cadence sensor to help maximize your training.
Lights
Lights have become a very high tech accessory, more than a flashlight on your bicycle's handlebar. As Ed explained, lights come in quite a few varieties for several different purposes. A helmet mounted headlight allows the light to aim where your eyes are directed – especially nice when rounding corners and your eyes are out ahead of the bike; a handlebar headlight aims where the bike is going- usually straight ahead.
- Nite Hawk K2 Digital Emitter Headlight: This headlight is built around what Nite Hawk's website calls a "revolutionary emitter technology," a super white light which shines steadily because of a microprocessor control. The bicycle light has three settings and, with the NiMH battery, can last over 4 hours. This high tech accessory mounts either on your helmet or handlebars. Priced at just over $200 (MRP), this high tech accessory can be found for as little as $130.
- Cateye EL220 Headlight: Small and handlebar mounted, this high tech accessory uses an opticube lens technology to provide a wider light coverage. This bicycle headlight offers a flashing mode which saves on batteries when being visible to oncoming traffic is most important. The Cateye sells for between $20 and $30 and runs on 4 AA batteries.
Pedals
Clipless pedals are also a great high tech bicycle accessory. Attaching your foot to the pedal allows you to use your energy more efficiently by pulling up on the pedal as well as pushing down. Once you've purchased clipless pedals, be sure to practice clipping and releasing before you go out on a long ride.
- Time Atac XS Carbon Pedal: For the mountain biking fanatic, the Time Atac XS carbon is a excellent accessory to consider. Its technological design allows for easy clipping in and out, and even cleans itself when you do so. The carbon composite body keeps the pedals lightweight yet durable. This high tech accessory sells for around $200.
- Time RXS Carbon Road Pedals: Time also has developed high tech bicycle pedals for the roadie. Carbonless, like the Atac XS, these pedals are actually lighter than their mountain bike counterparts, and designed with aerodynamics in mind. The technology in the float adjustments allows the pedals to adapt to how you ride. These sell for $170 – $210.
Seats, otherwise known as saddles
Saddles don't sound very high tech, do they? Oh, but they are. Today's bicycle saddles employ the technology of ergonomics to design a more comfortable and safer ride. Also gender specific, this high tech accessory can make the difference between enjoying or abandoning a long ride.
- Terry Fly for the Cure Saddle: Designed for men, this saddle provides support in the back for the male tailbones, yet has a cutout which relieves pressure on those sensitive areas and provides better ventilation. This particular saddle sports a pink ribbon, showing your support for breast cancer awareness. Selling for $85, twenty percent of the proceeds goes towards breast cancer research.
- Terry Donna's Black Butterfly Saddle: This saddle is the precursor to the Fly for the Cure saddle. Ergonomically designed for women, the wider back supports a woman's tailbones, while the cutout also relieves pressure on soft tissues. This accessory also sells for $85, 20% of which goes to breast cancer research.
Miscellaneous High Tech Accessories
These last two high tech accessories are certainly worth looking at. One is a must for riding in less than perfect lighting conditions, the second a must for, well, just about any type or length of ride.
- IllumiNITE® Cycling Clothes: The ultimate in high tech bicycle clothing, IllumiNITE uses technology their website calls "microscopic retro-reflective sataLITE™ DISHES." Basically this clothing transforms from, say, a normal looking bike jacket to a bike jacket that seems to have lights in the fabric. These jackets reflect like a stop sign does, making you as visible as you'll ever be when the sun is not its brightest. The jackets and vests sell for $25 and up, with tights and other accessories like helmet covers available.
- Genuine Innovations Ultraflate Patch Kit: In the event you need to inflate a tube, you can either carry a bicycle pump with you, strapped to your crossbar, or you can go high tech and carry an inflator in your pocket or seat bag. Genuine Innovations makes several different types of inflators, all of which use a CO2 cartridge to inflate the tire in no time at all with very little energy expended on your part. This accessory kit comes with an inflator and three cartridges, as well as a patch kit for any puncture your tire may endure. The kit sells for $30, and extra 16g cartridges beyond the three included sell for $2.50 – $3.50, depending on if they are threaded or non-threaded. The inflator will take both.
I've added resources following this article so you can check out these high tech bicycle accessories yourself. I'd also like to thank Ed Baltes at the Chain Station Bike Shop in Hiram, GA for his time in answering my questions.
See what's out there in the world of bicycling. From riding the local trails to covering the entire state, cycling can open up your world. Broaden your horizons!
Resources:
Ed Baltes, personal interview. The Chain Station Bike Shop
"Bicycle Emitter Systems." Nite Hawk
"Cycling." Garmin Electronics
"Front Lights." bikenashbar.com
Performancebike.com
REI.com
"The Science of Visibility." Illuminite.com