These days, it’s not enough to equip your bike with only a water bottle holder and a reflector. With so much new fitness and safety technology, why not add it to your bike? Don’t forget decking yourself out with protective tech as well.
More bike riders are investing in gadgets that can improve their performance and safety on the road or trail. Upgrade your ride around town with these essential bike riding gadgets.
1. Lumos Helmet
Lumos Helmet
Lumos Helmet
Buy Now On Amazon $179.00
This innovative Lumos Helmet comes in handy when riding on a crowded trail or on a busy road. It’s not just an ordinary helmet—its built-in lights can potentially save you from a devastating bike accident.
Attach the helmet’s wireless handlebar remote to your bike, and tap it when you’re about to make a turn. Your tap will send a signal to your helmet, which will blink on its left or right side, depending on which direction you choose.
The helmet also boasts ten white LEDs on its front and 38 red LEDs on its back. When you activate the hard brake light feature, the bright red LEDs on the back of your helmet will glow, alerting fellow road users that you’ve slowed down.
2. Wahoo RPM Speed Sensor
Wahoo RPM Speed Sensor
Wahoo RPM Speed Sensor
Buy Now On Amazon $33.99
Have you ever wondered how fast you pedal? Attach this Wahoo RPM Speed Sensor to your bike, and you can easily find out your cadence in a single biking session. It mounts to both your bike’s shoe or crank arm and weighs only seven grams.
The sensor will send data to your iPhone, Android, or bike computer via Bluetooth, so you don’t have to worry about any messy wires. The Wahoo RPM Speed Sensor is compatible with Wahoo Fitness, RideWithGPS, MapMyRide, Cyclemeter, Strava, and more. That way, you’ll be able to keep track of your cadence on every ride, while working towards a higher RPM.
3. SmartHalo
SmartHalo
SmartHalo
Buy Now On Amazon $128.00
SmartHalo is an all-in-one biking tool that helps you navigate the roads, measure your fitness progress, track your speed, and even protect your bike from theft. This circular device mounts right on your handlebars and gets its angelic name from its halo-shaped LED.
Connect SmartHalo to your phone’s GPS and SmartHalo will lead you in the right direction using your choice of compass navigation or turn signals. Instead of getting distracted by your phone’s map, you can just take a quick glance at SmartHalo’s light-up cues.
SmartHalo also functions as a light that you can use for night rides. When you’re done with your session, the light will automatically turn off. You don’t have to worry about leaving your bike in a public area either—SmartHalo will sound a piercing alarm if it detects any nearby movement or vibrations.
4. NiteRider Pro 1800 Bike Light
NiteRider Pro 1800 Bike Light
NiteRider Pro 1800 Bike Light
Buy Now On Amazon $225.00
If you’re serious about biking, the NiteRider Pro 1800 Bike Light is a must-buy. It’s perfect for the bike enthusiast who loves cruising on long rides that extend until dusk. A shoddy bike light will compromise your safety, especially if you’re riding on a wooded trail or a dark road.
The NiteRider shines 1,800 lumens of light in a wide beam in front of your bike. You can choose to mount this light on your handlebars or helmet, but you’ll need to buy the helmet mount separately. Either way, this waterproof and dust-resistant light won’t fall victim to whatever harsh condition you’re cycling in.
5. Garmin Varia Radar
Garmin Varia Radar
Garmin Varia Radar
Buy Now On Amazon $169.99
When you’re riding on a busy street, you never know what kind of driver is behind you. It’s nervewracking to look over your shoulder only to realize that a speeding car is coming a little too close for comfort.
Mount the Garmin Varia Radar to your bike’s seatpost, and you’ll receive a visual and audio alert every time a vehicle approaches you from behind. It also comes with a built-in taillight that keeps you visible at any time of day.
6. Activ Life LED Bike Wheel Lights
Activ Life LED Bike Wheel Lights
Activ Life LED Bike Wheel Lights
Buy Now On Amazon $13.99
Let’s face it; it’s hard to look cool on a bike without compromising safety. Not only do these brilliant Activ Life LED Bike Wheel Lights make your bike look stylish, but they also keep you safe when you’re riding at night. Simply use zip ties to attach the lights’ battery pack to your wheel, and twist the string of lights around your spokes.
When you turn these lights on at night, they’ll make your wheel glow in red, pink, blue, green, white, or in rainbow colors. These lights make your bike look super funky, and allow drivers and other bikers to see you at night. For added safety, you can opt to make the lights flash as well.
7. Garmin Edge 1030 Cycle Bundle
Garmin Edge 1030 Cycle Bundle
Garmin Edge 1030 Cycle Bundle
Buy Now On Amazon $719.99
The Garmin Edge 1030 Cycle Bundle is more than just a bike computer. It comes packed with features that track the data coming from your bike and body. It measures your speed, cadence, and even your heart rate.
Pop this computer onto your handlebars, and use it as a GPS. The Garmin Cycle Map will give you directions, and even suggest nearby bike trails. If your friend or family member texts you while you’re in the middle of the ride, you don’t have to pull over to answer. Simply respond using one of Garmin’s pre-made messages.
8. Zackees Turn Signal Gloves
Zackees Turn Signal Gloves
Zackees Turn Signal Gloves
Buy Now On Amazon $74.95
Pair your Lumos Helmet with Zackees Turn Signal Gloves for the safest possible ride. When turning on a street, you typically stick your arm out to catch drivers’ attention. However, when you use a hand signal at night, drivers might not be able to see your hand.
That’s what makes these breathable gloves an essential piece of nighttime safety equipment. After you slip on these gloves, activate their ultra-bright LEDs by making a fist with one of your hands. Although these gloves are advertised as waterproof, some customers report that they malfunction in the rain, so it might be a good idea to leave the gloves at home during a downpour.
9. Archeer Solar Power Bluetooth Speaker
Archeer Solar Power Bluetooth Speaker
Archeer Solar Power Bluetooth Speaker
Buy Now On Amazon $29.89
When you’re on a rough bike ride through the mountains, using your phone as a speaker just doesn’t cut it—it doesn’t have the greatest sound quality, and you’re risking your phone falling off your bike mount or getting splashed with water. Instead of sacrificing your phone for music, just mount the Archeer Solar Power Bluetooth Speaker right on your handlebars.
Its waterproof and dust-proof technology will make sure that the device keeps working even in the messiest conditions. Because this speaker is solar-powered, it can play music from your phone and charge simultaneously; on a full charge you can listen to music for up to 20 hours
10. SL Elite Fingerprint Bike Lock
SL Elite Fingerprint Bike Lock
SL Elite Fingerprint Bike Lock
Buy Now On Amazon $45.99
Your phone isn’t the only thing that comes with a fingerprint scanner. Now, you can use your fingerprint to unlock a bike lock as well. The SL Elite Fingerprint Bike Lock is one of the safest options for a lock. No one can crack your lock’s password because there’s no password to crack.
The SL Elite Bike Lock comes with a thick cable that can resist almost all attempted cuts. The device is also waterproof, so it’s perfectly fine to leave it out in the rain. Expect to unlock this device over 3,000 times before you have to charge it again.
Enhance Your Bike Rides
It’s hard to have a satisfying bike ride when you’re constantly worrying about your safety. These devices can help you feel safe, entertained, and will even help you keep track of your performance.
Some of these devices have theft prevention, but none of them will help you track down a criminal if your bike happens to get stolen. It’s important to install one of these bike tracking devices to help you catch pesky thieves before you go on your next adventure.
Read the full article: 10 Essential Gadgets for Bike Riders and Cyclists