There are more flashy cycling-specific gadgets out there than you can shake a selfie stick at right now, so we’ve filtered out the less promising ones and rounded up some of the most interesting cycling gadgets out there right now. From lights and collision sensors aimed at increasing safety, to body temperature and hydration sensors designed to improve performance…whatever you want or need, there’s probably a gadget for it. exists.
Road cycling can require a large investment, especially considering the variety of cycling techniques you may be tempted to purchase. While some of the items listed may remain mere wishes, others may prove to be truly beneficial.
> Where cycling products disappear: Great bike technology that failed to catch on
Even if some of these innovations are currently in their infancy and/or very expensive, there is no guarantee that they will really stand the test of time, either in their current form or with updates and trickle-down technology over the next few years. I have selected what I can think of. . Of course, let us know what you think about our suggestions in the comments section…
Hydration sensor? Doesn’t your body already have one of those built in? It’s more complicated, according to Flowbio, and the S1 hydration sensor is aimed at people who want to say goodbye to cramps and guessing how much they sweat.
The device clips onto your heart rate monitor and is compatible with most optical monitors, including wrist-worn monitors. It is also said to provide data on real-time sweat production by analyzing small amounts of sweat.
You get detailed information about your sweat rate and sodium content, and Flowbio says the app’s patented algorithm predicts your hydration needs for upcoming sessions and helps you decide what to do before and after each session or race. It can also recommend what you should drink.
Drones have evolved from high-tech gimmicks to functional devices. While this drone isn’t perfect (our drone suffered significant water damage), it’s a good example of where drones will go in the future, as it doesn’t require a controller.
HOVERAir X1 is a pocket-sized autonomous flight camera that allows you to capture video while riding. It has a nominal weight of 125g and folds up to fit in your pocket or bag, so you can take it anywhere.
“The Hover X1 comes with a selection of pre-programmed flight paths, and you can also customize whether you want to take photos or video clips, and adjust the height, distance, and angle. ” says the brand. For example, Follow mode allows it to follow you from the front or rear at up to 20km/h (12.5mph) and keep you centered in the frame.
Apple’s Find My technology has made its way into cycling and power meters, courtesy of 4iiii. “Find My” (formerly “Find My iPhone”) is familiar to many of us, and it’s an Apple app that allows users to find their Apple devices and friends who have shared their location with them. is provided.
You can now check your power meter (and therefore your bike) using 4iiii’s Precision 3+ power meter, which has Apple’s Find My technology built right into it. While this may seem like an odd place to put a tracker, it’s actually a very smart place to be, as thieves are unlikely to think to look for your tracker there. Anyway, until the thief figures it out…
Measuring the heart’s electrical activity is not a new concept, but traditional ECGs often require bulky and heavy equipment, making them unsuitable for everyday activities and exercise. Fourth Frontier The Frontier X2 smart heart monitor is said to be the first heart rate monitor to perform continuous ECG (electrocardiogram).
Frontier
Aerosensors or live drag meters, such as the “Aerosensor” (above) and the Body Rocket System, claim to measure CdA (coefficient of drag) in real time. It’s a technology previously used in airplanes and Formula 1 cars, but now teams like Lidl-Trek are using it to make cyclists go faster.
Competitive cyclists often emphasize the importance of aerodynamics, but why should we focus on aerodynamics? In almost all cases, drag is the greatest force that hinders our progress.
Aerosensor calculates CdA by integrating data from ANT+ speed sensors and power meters, as well as altitude and wind measurements, to account for the aerodynamic effects of changes in body position and equipment without the need for a wind tunnel. Helps you evaluate.
Recently, Canyon sparked some conversation about the future of cycling helmets with an unreleased lid that throws traditional helmet straps out the window. The new helmet strap system is called HighBar and aims to reduce brain injuries with new technology designed to make helmets easier to adjust and wear correctly, the brand says.
This is a helmet strap system that has curved arms on each side of the helmet, connected under the chin by a non-removable strap. The side arms are integrated into the helmet shell and connected by a retention system that is also located within the helmet’s internal shell.
So how do you wear a helmet? The chin bar rotates all the way to the bottom of the front to put on and take off the helmet, and when you’re ready, simply tighten the “bar” under your chin.
The humble helmet strap is one of the few things in the cycling world that hasn’t changed much over the past few decades, and I’m quietly convinced that this new initiative could have a real impact (Cycling Helmet Strap Design (Please keep it on the ground for your safety rather than impacting it), it has uses far beyond road racing.
Gravaa R-40/44 wheels (4,299 euros/3,700 pounds)
Gravaa KAPS (Kinetic Air Pressure System) technology was first used by Team Visma Lease a Bike during last year’s classic race, allowing riders to adjust tire pressure while riding via a pump built into the hub. I did.
This may not work for everyone, but if you’ve ever run on cobblestones, you know that they can tumble you all over the place. Riders want high tire pressures on pavement and low pressures on cobbled sectors for more comfort and control, but until recently it has been impossible to get a single setup that can do both. was.
The Gravaa R-40/44 wheel, the result of a partnership with Reserve Wheel and DT Swiss, was designed to solve this problem.
Small electric pumps are becoming increasingly popular and can easily fit into your back pocket or saddlebag, making them perfect for taking out on a ride. Numerous products have appeared on the market, including products from Cycplus and brands such as his Rockbros.
The Cycplus is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves and is a very simple kit. There’s a battery inside to power the pump, and a button on the outside to turn it on, and Cycplus says it can inflate two tires up to 100 PSI on a single charge.
Garmin Varia combines rear light and radar technology to provide effective early warning of overtaking “objects”. You might question the need for it at first, but Varia will alert you to approaching objects before you can see or hear them.
Garmin isn’t the only company selling products like this. Trek launches its own CarBack Bike Radar, which warns you of vehicles approaching from behind up to 240 meters away and provides a rear light that is visible even in daylight. The price is also the same as Garmin Varia RTL515.
We’ve been reporting on glasses with heads-up displays for years. This puts data right in your field of vision so you don’t have to look down at your bike computer. They look like ordinary cycling glasses, but they display real-time information in your field of vision, such as your riding speed and distance to the next cafe.
A great example of how this is achieved is Engo Eyewear’s Engo 2 Sport Smartglasses, which work with either the associated app or any Garmin, Apple, Sunnto or Android device.
Will these finally be the smart shades to break out? Admittedly, it looks much better than the old head-up display his glasses… Does anyone remember Recon Jet?
These days you can measure almost any metric while riding, including heart rate, power, cadence, and glycogen levels. It is now possible to measure core body temperature as well.
Measuring core body temperature is not a new concept, but continuously monitoring it requires invasive methods such as thermometers, probes, and pills, usually in a controlled environment.
So why do you need to measure your core body temperature? Just like high altitude training stimulates the body to produce more blood cells, heat stress stimulates the body to produce more plasma. To do. This sensor allows you to safely increase the intensity of your session in the heat based on how your core body temperature is coping.
The collision detection system uses in-vehicle sensors to detect the impact of a collision, syncs with your smartphone via Bluetooth, and notifies emergency contacts, giving you peace of mind even when you’re riding alone.
Specialized’s ANGi is an example of this system. It’s small and discreet and attaches to the back of almost any cycling helmet. If ANGi detects a collision during your ride, the Ride app will display an accident countdown alert on your phone and an alarm will sound. Depending on your app settings, you must cancel within 15 to 90 seconds before ANGI alerts your emergency contacts via text or email and sends your last uploaded GPS location.
Cycliq’s Fly6 Pro is Cycliq’s latest product and combines a rear light with a built-in video camera, allowing you to record videos while riding.
Why would you want to photograph what’s behind you? The inventors came up with the idea from a safety perspective, but believe other road users would behave differently if they knew they were being filmed.
The device claims to take safety to the next level with cutting-edge features designed to improve visibility and record your rides with 4K clarity and electronic image stabilization.
We reviewed the previous Fly6 Gen 3 camera and were impressed with its image quality, but less impressed with its battery life…especially when using the light feature. This latest version has the “largest battery in its class” and is said to give him 7 hours of runtime. It is also IP67 certified, making it highly waterproof and dustproof.
That concludes this summary! You’ll probably check back in a few years the next time you pull out your crystal ball, but if you can’t wait, you can always check back when we last did this nearly a decade ago The gadget has stood the test of time (spoiler alert: it’s safe to say that the Copenhagen wheeled electric bike conversion product pictured above didn’t catch on very well and was discontinued in 2020. However, Swytch Other conversion kits have proven more successful, such as
What is your favorite cycling gadget? Let us know in the comments below…