It's all too simple to get dragged into the technological arms race in biking today, which frequently sees new merchandise aiming to be lighter, stiffer and sooner, however usually this comes on the expense of performance , consolation and different advantages. . Many people merely desire a bike that's sturdy, simple to stay with, and does precisely what we’d like it to do.
This notion acquired GCNTech specialists Alex Paton and Ollie Bridgewood weigh in on their favourite tech for practical bikes – stuff that does the proper factor with out all of the bells and whistles. We're speaking mudguards, luggage and a superb pair of lights, issues we cyclists want in all probability greater than the most recent aerodynamic invention.
Right here now we have a removed from exhaustive listing of a few of the finest bike tech that's nice to stay with, based on Alex and Ollie – be happy so as to add your concepts within the feedback beneath!
Learn extra: Our prime 6 bang on your buck bike upgrades.
Dynamo hubs
Dynamo hubs permit a few of the power you create whereas pedaling to be transformed into electrical energy. Because of this when you journey you’ll be able to cost your lights or head unit and even only a energy financial institution for later use. Dynamo hubs have turn into more and more common with bikepackers as they permit for off-grid journey with relative ease.
Learn extra: How you can arrange your street bike for journey journey and bikepacking
That stated, there’s a penalty for utilizing a dynamo system, as they add a number of hundred grams of additional weight and additional drag from the facility unit. Over the course of about 100 kilometers, a dynamo-equipped bicycle would full the journey about 4 minutes slower than a bicycle with common hubs.
In case you don't thoughts setting the quickest recognized point-to-point time and as a substitute prioritize the peace of thoughts understanding you'll be capable of cost your units and energy your lights with out the necessity for any exterior energy sources, then a dynamo could possibly be for you. They're sensible and helpful, which is strictly what this listing is all about.
Mudguards
Whether or not you go for a set of conventional full-length mudguards or a set of clip-on mudguards, we expect they're a few of the finest bits of equipment you’ll be able to match in your bike. Not solely do they hold you longer cleaner and drier on the street, however they will additionally hold grime and particles away from the extra delicate elements of your bike.
In case you're going exterior throughout the moist and winter months, investing in a superb pair of mudguards pays for itself very quickly and enhance your enjoyment when you're out and about. In case you determine to make use of the comfort of clip-on mudguards, be sure you mount some form of protecting tape to the body to forestall injury to the body beneath the mudguard mounting level.
Learn extra: How you can set up clip-on mudguards on virtually any bike
Bar luggage
Basically strapping a large pencil case to the entrance of your bike isn't going to win you any aerodynamic awards, we admit. Nonetheless, for secure rides and gravel adventures, bar luggage are arduous to beat. With all the pieces you want proper in entrance of you, the bar bag is the proper companion to maintain your necessities, together with all of your snacks shut at hand.
Ollie is eager to take it a step additional and believes the highest tube bag is much more practical because it permits simpler entry and doesn't have an effect on the entrance aerodynamics of the bike. Whichever sort of bag you favor, we expect they're the proper practical resolution for carrying your equipment.
Saddlebags
The unique practical solution to carry your spares and repairs with you utilizing a saddlebag lets you carry all of your important equipment in a single neat and tidy resolution and retains your shirt pockets free on your telephone, snacks or a further layer. . As saddlebag know-how has developed over time, what you’ll be able to match into a comparatively small bundle has grown massively, with some saddlebags even having built-in instruments.
With the appearance of TPU inside tubes, the footprint that spares take up has shrunk, that means all the pieces you want for a mid-ride crash will be tucked away underneath the saddle. These smaller saddlebags are nice as a result of they will virtually be seen as an addition to your bike, all the time there if you want them.
Learn extra: How you can carry equipment and spare equipment on a motorcycle experience
Excessive visibility
Carrying excessive visibility clothes is among the best methods to be seen on the street. Carrying an merchandise that’s each vivid throughout the day and reflective at evening could make you simply seen to different street customers.
Becoming high-visibility cuffs to tights in winter has the additional advantage of being on one thing rocking: the up-and-down motion of the pedaling movement implies that the high-visibility cuff will stand out extra to street customers than a static part resembling in your torso.
Lights
One other great point to pair with seen clothes is a pair of lights. Lights aren't solely used at evening, and analysis has proven that intermittent flashing lights throughout the day are among the best methods to attract consideration to your self. Lights are significantly extra of an funding than high-vis clothes, however for metropolis driving, we expect they're price the price and a necessity if you happen to're going to be driving at midnight.
When on the lookout for a superb gentle, we all the time suggest one thing USB rechargeable as this may let you simply recharge your lights wherever you go. The opposite factor to search for is that they’ve a flashing setting at least, however ideally an irregular flashing sample as it’s more durable for different street customers to select off.
Learn extra: Keep seen in autumn and winter: how to decide on the proper bike lights
Belt drives
If biking is solely a mode of transport that you simply use to get round a city or metropolis, then having an oil-covered chain on the size of your pants cuff could make issues complicated. Returning to work with an oily foot shouldn’t be the way you wish to begin your day. For metropolis riders, belt drive bikes are a extra interesting choice. These use arduous rubber belts, have a lot much less related upkeep and may run with out service for round 30,000km.
There are some disadvantages to belt drives, resembling a small effectivity penalty as a result of belt drive bikes have barely larger system friction. The limiting problem with belt drive bikes is that they both have for use with an inner hub gear or a gearbox system if you wish to have extra gears accessible.
Inner gears
Inner hub gears take all the fragile elements of a motorcycle's drivetrain and transfer them right into a sealed housing contained in the bike's rear hub. This has the impact of making a weatherproof surroundings for the gears to take a seat in. A bonus of that is that they aren’t topic to the accelerated put on that comes from soiled or contaminated chains.
Learn extra: Labeled releases a white paper to show the effectivity of the Powershift hub
Inner hub gears are recognized for his or her lengthy life and ease of use. A typical hub gear can last as long as 10,000km between providers, making it the best resolution for riders on the lookout for a easy experience.
mirrors
Becoming a mirror to your bike, no matter which facet you see finest, will provide you with a greater view of the street round you. Having a mirror in your bike whereas driving by way of built-up areas will let you control the street forward whereas making it simpler to try what's occurring behind you with out having to show round head fully over shoulder. It will not be probably the most pro-looking accent, however that's not the purpose – it has an added practicality, so it earns a spot on this listing.
Did we miss one thing from our listing? Tell us within the feedback part beneath and be sure you try extra tech options discovered right here.