Inexpensive Cycling Accessories For Your Ride

There are a lot of bike accessories out there to better your ride experience and the following five are products I use regularly that are under $10.  They are simple in design but do their intended job effectively.

Rough Riders

$5

Rough Riders is a new product from Miles-Wide Industries that was designed to give fingers a better grip on shifters, brake and dropper post levers.  They work for both road and mountain bikes.  This extra grip is made possible with a product called "Stubble" that acts similar to sandpaper.  Rough Riders are very thin, slightly elastic and waterproof for use in any riding condition.  Available in Black and Burgundy from Miles-Wide Industries.

CamelBak Podium Mud Cap

$6

If you're anything like me, you enjoy riding off the beaten path and may encounter sand, dirt and mud along the way.  This is where the CamelBak Podium Mud Cap for their Podium bottles comes in real handy.  Unlike their old style mudcaps, this one just slips over the nozzle and is ready for use.  Keep all of the grit and grime out of the valve so you don't end up with a mouth full of it.  Made out of Silicone and comes in colors Black and Blue.  Available from CamelBak, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Bontrager Storage Bottle

$7

One thing a cyclist should never leave on a ride without is a rescue kit that contains the items needed to get you up and rolling again in the event of a mishap. The Bontrager Storage Bottle is perfect for such a kit.  It has enough space to store the items I always carry with me in a convenient package that fits securely in my water bottle cage.  Available from Trek, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

General HeroMount for GoPro

$7

I had a more expensive GoPro Handlebar Mount but was not happy with the bulkiness of it and wanted to get something smaller.  I found the General HeroMount Handlebar Mount for GoPro on Amazon for under $7 and decided to give it a try.  Its design allowed me to mount my GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition neatly out of the way under my bars so as not to take up space on my cockpit that already contained my Garmin and a headlight.  This mount held my GoPro very secure and made for some great video without any vibration or shaking.

I liked this mount so much that I bought a second one to put on my fatbike so I could easily mount my GoPro to the bike of my choice for that day's ride.  Made from aluminum, weighs 45 grams and fits bars from 30-32mm.

Mirrycle Incredibell Adjustabell 2

$8

Through many miles of commuting and riding I've found that the simple ring of a bell is very effective to alert other cyclists and pedestrians of my approach and passing without startling them.  I recently got a new road bike and I wanted a bell that I could mount on drop bars that would be easily accessible while riding without having to move my hand placement to ring it.  The answer was the Mirrycle Incredibell Adjustabell 2.

This bell has a fully adjustable handlebar clamp (fits bars 15-39mm) so it can be placed anywhere on the bar.  The dinger can be adjusted to any position around the dome of the bell making for a truly custom fit for ringing with a finger or thumb.  Available in black or silver from Mirrycle, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Gift Ideas for the Cyclist on Your List

The holidays are almost here and many of you have a cyclist to shop for.  I have compiled a list of  gift ideas for products that I use and enjoy.  There is something here for just about any type of rider and budget.

Fix It Sticks

($36)

The new Fix It Sticks Replaceable Edition is the ultimate compact multi-tool a cyclist wants with them for repairs or adjustments during a ride.  Its small size fits easily into a seat pack or jersey pocket and comes with 8 bits (2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, Phillips #2, Torx 25) to handle most jobs.  Steel construction gives Fix It Sticks 40 ft/lbs of torque and the "T" configuaration provides plenty of leverage.  Available from Fix It Sticks and select bike shops.

CatEye Strada Smart

($80/$140)

New this year is the CatEye Strada Smart which brings together a cycling computer and Bluetooth accessories (Speed/Cadence, Heartrate and Power) with your smartphone.  Works both in Mirror Mode and Sensor Direct Mode. 

Data summary from the CatEye Cycling app can be uploaded to Strava, CatEye Atlas and Training Peaks.  App works with iPhone 4S (IOS 6.1) or later and Android devices with Android 4.4/Bluetooth 4.0.  Available in Strada Smart and Strada Smart Package from Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

CamelBak Podium Bottles

($9-$25)

The CamelBak Podium line of water bottles has been a favorite of cyclists because of their innovative design and high flow spill-proof Jet Valve.  They come in a variety of models that include the Podium, Podium Chill and Podium Ice in sizes from 21 to 25 oz. depending on the model.  Chill and Ice models are designed to keep your water cold longer in warm temperatures or slow down freezing in the wintertime.  Available from Camelbak, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Banjo Brother Frame Pack

($33/$35)

The Banjo Brother Frame Pack is a favorite of commuters and gravel grinders alike for its convenient 2-pocket storage with easy access.  It comes in two sizes, small (70 cubic inches) and medium (102 cubic inches) that fit sloping frames down to 15".  Keeps snacks, spare tubes, keys and wallet close at hand and the medium pack is large enough to accommodate a 2L (70 oz) hydration bladder.  Available from Banjo Brothers, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

SKS Airchecker

($25)

The SKS Airchecker is handy little digital tire pressure gauge that works with both Presta and Shrader valves.  It has a swivel head to make seeing the large digital readout easy at any angle and switches from Bar to PSI with the touch of a button.  Accurate readouts for low pressure fatbike tires to high pressure road bike tires with measurements up to 144 psi are what makes this a versatile multi-bike gauge.  The compact size fits in a seat bag without taking up too much space leaving room for other things like a tube and tire levers.  Available from Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Finish Line Super Bike Wash

($9-$13)

Cleaning your bike and keeping it looking new is easy with Finish Line Super Bike Wash.  This safe for all surfaces, non-toxic and biodegradable product can be used two ways to remove dirt and grime with little or no scrubbing.  Spray it on and wipe it off or hose it off allowing you to clean your bike inside or outside.  Available in 1 Liter ready to use spray bottle, 1 Liter refill and 16 oz. concentrate at Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Quad Lock Bike Kit

($70)

The Quad Lock Bike Kit is a lightweight and strong bike mount system for your smarthphone.  For those that like to use their smarthphone with ride tracking apps or for navigation, this kit is the way to go.  The Bike Mount attaches easily to the stem or bar with rubber O-rings or zip ties for a secure fit.  The dual action locking mechanism allows quick attachment or removal of the phone from the bike.  Quad Lock has models for Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5/5S, and iPhone 6.  Available from Quad Lock and Amazon.com.

DeFeet Woolie Boolie Socks

($13-$25)

For the cold weather cyclist, any one of the DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks would be a great addition to their cycling apparel.  Made from American Merino Wool, Nylon and Lycra, this sock line is warm, comfortable, doesn't bunch up and is not itchy.  They come in heights from 1" to knee high in men's and women's sizes.  Available from DeFeet, fine bike shops and Amazon.com.
  

Scosche boomBOTTLE

($130)

The Scosche boomBOTTLE is a rugged IPX4 Splashproof/Weatherproof Bluetooth connectivity speaker designed to fit in a water bottle cage or cupholder.  Skip the earbuds and enjoy listening to podcasts or music while riding and still be able to hear approaching vehicles or passing cyclists.  With a 10 hour battery life and rich loud sound this speaker will keep you entertained on those long rides.  Available in a variety of colors from Scosche, Amazon.com and other online retailers.

Park Tool Chain Checker

($30)

Chain stretch can cause sloppy shifting, uneven drivetrain wear and premature cassette replacement.  Know your chain's percentage of stretch and replace it before it has a chance to do damage with the Park Tool CC-2 Chain Checker.  It is 10 and 11 speed compatible and has readings from 0 to 1 % of stretch.  For most chains replacement should be done at or before .75% of stretch.  This simple tool is easy to use and will take the guess work out of when to replace that worn chain.  Available from Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Gift Cards From Your Local Bike Shop

Don't know what to get the cyclist on your list?  Gift cards from your local bike shop are always appreciated.  They can be used for tune-ups and overhauls, component and part upgrades, accessories, apparel, unexpected repairs (crash) or toward a new bike purchase.  Gift cards are available in a variety of denominations and are always the perfect size.

Product Review: New & Improved CamelBak Podium Bottles

CamelBak took the innovative design features of their Podium water bottles and made them even better this year with a few new improvements.  Each bottle is still made with CamelBak's BPA-Free TruTaste™ polypropylene with HydroGuard™ to let you taste the water and not the bottle.  The new improvements make hydrating on the bike even easier.

The first two things I liked that CamelBak improved upon were the Jet Valve design and the larger removable nozzle.  The lockout on the Jet Valve is larger than the old design and much easier to turn to lock or unlock with one hand while riding.  The nozzle of the Jet Valve is larger delivering a faster flow and is easily removed for cleaning.  This new nozzle contains the self-sealing blue valve making it a breeze to clean, unlike the old design. 

The new Podium bottles are a softer and need less of a squeeze to deliver flow, this became apparent during several rides in chilly temperatures.  The old design would become stiff in cold temperatures requiring more squeeze pressure to produce flow.

The grip was redesigned, too.  It fits perfectly to your thumb and index finger providing a secure grip.  This design makes it easier to squeeze the bottle to produce flow whereas the old design was much more rigid and required more squeeze pressure.

In conclusion, the new CamelBak Podium water bottles are an improvement on an already good design.  Forget about those inferior standard water bottles, CamelBak did it right with this one.  Whether you are a serious cyclist or a casual weekend rider, you will enjoy the new and improved CamelBak Podium Series bottles.

 

CamelBak Podium bottles come in 21 & 24 oz. sizes and also an insulated version called Podium Chill in 21 & 25 oz. sizes.  Available at Penn Cycle, other fine bike shops and from the CamelBak Shop online. 

Disclosure:  CamelBak provided the review samples for this article, but offered no other form of compensation for this review.

Interbike 2013 Cool Bike Gear-Part 3

After five days in Las Vegas for Interbike, I have seen anything and everything bike related.  There was so much to see that it took all three days at the show and both days at the Outdoor Demo to take it all in.  I felt like a kid in a candy store and there were many things that caught my eye.  This is the third installment of four posts highlighting some of the cool new products at Interbike 2013 that are now available, available soon or are coming to a bike shop near you.

Hiplok V 1.50 & Lite

Hiplok is a unique lock and chain from the UK that is designed to be worn around the waist while riding.  The original Hiplok V 1.50 has an 8 mm hardened steel chain, a 10 mm hardened steel shackle in the buckle and weighs about 4 pounds.  It is adjustable, should fit waist sizes from 20 to 46 inches and has a Sold Secure Silver rating.  Retail price around $100.

The Hiplok Lite has the same design but in a smaller package with a 6 mm hardened steel chain, an 8 mm hardened steel shackle in the buckle and weighs in at around 2.2 pounds.  It fits waist sizes from  24 to 44 inches and has a Sold Secure Bronze rating.  Retail price around $65.

Both of these models have a flat padded nylon sleeve over the chain to provide a comfortable fit around the waist and prevent scratches when locking your bike.  They come in a variety of colors with a reflective Hiplok logo for extra visibility at night.  Both can be purchased on Amazon or select bike shops.

Camelbak Podium & Podium Chill

The Camelbak Podium Series of water bottles have been re-engineered for 2014 with a new bottle shape and a new jet valve cap.  The bottles are shorter and now have twisted velocity ridges making them easier to grab and squeeze.  The improved larger diameter opening on the jet valve cap now contains the blue valve unlike the previous design and has tabs for easy removal for cleaning.  Look for the Poduim & Podium Chill models to start showing up in bike shops in late October or early November.   

ESI Grips Silicone Wraps & Grips

From ESI Grips comes a line of colorful 100% silicone washable grips and bar wraps that are easy to install and provide plenty of shock absorbing grip.

The RCT Wrap for road, cyclocross and triathlon bikes has opposing bevels for easy installation and they are reversible.  They conform to your hands for comfort and provide excellent grip while reducing vibration.  Each set comes with two long and two short silicone wraps, two silicone tapes and two end caps.  I tried wrapping the demo bars at the ESI booth at Interbike and found it very easy to do.  Each set retails for $39.88 and can be purchased from the ESI website or at select bike shops. 

The ESI line of mountain bike grips come in a wide variety of colors and several styles to choose from.  The "Extra Chunky" (for those that like an extra chunky grip) has an installed diameter of 34mm, weighs about 80 grams and retails for $22.99.  The "Chunky" ($18.99) has an installed diameter of 32mm, weighs about 60 grams and can be used with grip shifters.  For those that like a thinner grip there is the "Racer's Edge" ($16.99) that weigh in at around 50 grams and has an installed diameter of 30mm.  These were my favorite, but a thin grip is my personal preference.  Custom models are also available in "Chunky" ($20.99) and "Racer's Edge" ($18.99) in a variety of two and three color combinations.  All mountain grip models can be purchased from the ESI website or at select bike shops.

Serfas Thunderbolt

A new addition to the Serfas lighting line is the USB rechargeable Thunderbolt.  It comes in a front (USL-6) and rear (UTL-6) model that has a light silicone body and unique mounting system.  The Thunderbolt Headlight throws 90 Lumens of  non-directional light from a strip of micro LEDs and has a run time of 1½ to 9 hours depending on the setting.  The Thunderbolt Taillight emits 35 Lumens of  non-directional light also from a strip of micro LEDs.  Run time for the taillight is 1¾ to 9½ hours depending on the setting.  Both models can be seen from a long distance and have High, Low and two flash modes.  These lights have the flexibility to be placed in many locations on a bike.  Each retails for about $45 and can be found at local bike shops and the Serfas website.

Smith Optics Forefront 

Smith Optics has created a lot of buzz by entering into the helmet market with the introduction of its new mountain bike model at Interbike.  The Forefront is very lightweight at 285 grams and is said to have a 30% reduction in energy transmission (than traditional EPS foam helmets) with its patented honeycomb material called Koroyd.  This honeycomb design transfers air through hundreds of holes all around the head to help keep you cool.  It has an integrated mount for a camera or light on the top and GoPro and Light & Motion are said to be manufacturing mounts specifically for it.  The Forefront is scheduled to hit bike shops in March, 2014 with three sizes, ten color choices and will retail for $220.

Product Review: Camelbak Podium Water Bottles

I've tried all kinds of water bottles over the last few years and after using the Camelbak Podium water bottle, I've learned that not all water bottles are created equally.  The complaints I've had about the standard cycling water bottle are that they leak, they affect the taste of the water and the minor inconvenience of opening and closing the valve cap.  Camelbak's Podium water bottle line eliminates all of these problems.

The Podium line of water bottles comes in two sizes, a 21 ounce and a 24 ounce and fits in any bike water bottle cage.  For me, the 21 ounce bottle is a perfect fit and provides plenty of clearance for easy access due to the tight front triangle of my mountain bike frame.  If you prefer an insulated bottle to keep your water cold longer on those hot days, there is the Podium Chill (21 oz.) and the Podium Big Chill (25 oz.).  Each bottle is made from a proprietary blend of  BPA-free polypropylene and lined with CamelBak's HydroGuard to prevent bacteria buildup.  No more plastic taste or odor to affect the quality of your water or sports drink.

Besides taste not being affected by these bottles, my favorite feature of the Podium is the self-sealing Jet Valve.  With this valve there is no more opening, closing or leaking like on the pop-top style bottles when hydrating on-the-fly.  With a simple squeeze of the bottle, the Jet Valve opens and provides a high flow of water and immediately closes when you are finished.  Simply place the nozzle between your lips, open your mouth and give it a squeeze.  No more dripping down the front of your jersey or shirt.  For storage there is a rotary valve under the nozzle that can be used as a secondary lock out.  Keep it in the closed position to prevent leaks and spills in your bike bag, cooler, etc.

Twist the rotary valve to lock for storage.

The Camelbak Podium is easy to clean, each bottle is top-rack dishwasher safe.  Or if you prefer to wash it by hand, simply put a drop of dish soap in it and fill with hot water, give it a shake and squeeze.

When it comes to price on the Camelbak Podium bottles, they're going to cost a little more than the standard pop-top water bottle, but the design and convenience of the Jet Valve cap and the taste-free polypropylene construction more than make up for it.  The 21 oz. bottle usually runs around $9 and the 24 oz, $10.  The insulated Chill versions cost a little more with the 21 oz. at $12 and the 25 oz. at $14.

In conclusion, the Camelbak Podium water bottle line is a welcome change from the old.  These bottles, in my opinion, are the best I've used.  Since buying a couple of them, I have a cupboard full of old water bottles that I no longer use because they just don't compare.  I highly recommend them for anyone from the casual cyclist to the serious racer, they're just that good.

Disclosure:  Camelbak did not supply these bottles, I purchased them on my own to try them out and had no intention of writing a review, but I was so impressed by how they performed I decided to.