Bicycle accessories: what are and how to choose?

Bike as a means of transportation is becoming increasingly popular. But to ride it was comfortable, some accessories are needed. Now there are many such attributes, and they are becoming more popular.

All accessories for a bicycle can be conditionally divided into the necessary, which are used constantly, attributes for the safety of cyclists and modern electronics.

It is impossible to foresee all unexpected situations, but every cyclist must have a certain necessary set of bicycle accessories. Such a kit should include several items.

It is necessary to pump down a flat tire at any time. Typically, the pump has mounts that fix it to the frame, and many bicycles have a place to do so.

For fans, the usual manual model is suitable.

Such models have a pressure gauge that shows the pressure in the wheels, which is very important for high-speed racing.

It includes basic spare parts and basic repair tools. Typically, a first-aid kit consists of a set of hexagons and the most commonly used screwdrivers, with which you can carry out basic repairs, eliminate minor breakdowns. It can also be supplemented with a knife and squeeze for the chain.

There is also a special set called a multi-key that includes the entire tool. Such a set is convenient in that it is compact and takes up little space.

When choosing a bicycle kit, you should pay attention to the presence in it of a kit for gluing punctures in the chamber and a plastic spatula for mounting tires. However, some punctures cannot be fixed; therefore, it is recommended that you also have a spare chamber.

Theft of bicycles happens quite often. Leaving the bike unattended, it should be locked with a lock to prevent theft. Locks come with a chain, without it and with a cable.

Conventional metal chains are fragile and can easily be cut with a hacksaw. Leaving a bicycle with this lock is only possible for a short time. Chains made of a special alloy and with a link of complex configuration are distinguished by good strength: it is extremely difficult to cut them. Locks with a cable have less weight and they are more convenient in operation.

When choosing a lock the length of the chain or cable should also be considered: it must be such that it is possible to block not only the frame, but also the wheel. To ensure comfort while cycling, you should purchase several useful attributes.

These devices are designed to hold containers with liquid - flasks, bottles, glasses, thermos. They allow the cyclist to quench his thirst without stopping. The cup holder is usually fixed on the steering wheel, and the bottle holder can also be placed on the stand under the seat and on the trunk.

They are designed to provide reliable grip between the hands and the steering wheel. The versatility of this accessory makes it indispensable for a comfortable ride.

On long trips hands get very tired. Horns make it possible to change the position of the hands, so that the tension is removed from some muscles, redistributed to others.

They can also protect your hands when falling, and when climbing uphill, you can strengthen the pedals if you apply a wider grip with brushes, which is important for a mountain bike. Most often, grips are made of rubber, which conducts heat poorly, which allows you to create thermal comfort for the hands.

They are needed to protect the bike and the cyclist from contamination by splashes of dirt flying out from under the wheels. There are many models of this attribute: plastic, quickly removable models and fixed to the frame; metal-plastic elongated and with a large coverage of the wheel; metal constants.

For a mountain bike, wings of somewhat shorter length and a different shape corresponding to this type of bike are used. They can be easily installed and removed thanks to a special mechanism.

They are optional bike accessories, but they make it easier to carry luggage. When choosing a trunk, you need to take into account the dimensions and weight of the things intended for transportation. The model, which is fixed at 4 points, can withstand weight up to 50 kg, and a light load (up to 4 kg) can be transported in the trunk, which is installed on the seat post.

Bags for bicycles vary in design and also come in different sizes - from 5 to 85 l. The most comfortable are monobaul with straps, which makes it possible to use them as a backpack. Bicycle bags can be attached both to the frame and under the seat.

The comfort of riding a bike is heavily dependent on clothing.It should be sewn from high-quality material, which allows air to pass through well and allows the body to breathe, dry quickly and have thermoregulating properties.

Bicycle ammunition includes such specific clothing accessories as a cycling t-shirt that can take out moisture and dry quickly, breeches (shorts) with a sewn-in pad that absorbs sweat and protects against inconvenience while riding, reflective socks, a jacket with lights.

LEDs sewn into the sleeves are activated during movement. When raising their hands, they indicate to other participants in the movement their intention to make a left or right turn.

The progress of modern technology makes it possible to greatly expand the potential of the bicycle. There are many different devices for this.

It is a bike mileage counter and speedometer. Such a device is necessary for speed skating in order to control the course of training. This multifunctional device will allow you to monitor both the current and average and maximum speeds, determine the travel time, as well as the total and daily mileage.

There are also universal gadgets that simultaneously have the functions of a navigator, fitness tracker, anti-theft system, backlight and even a music center.

Such a device is necessary for cyclists making long trips over long unfamiliar distances. The touch screen will indicate the location of the bike at the moment, route, speed.

There are different slightly different models of navigators. So, the Schwinn Cyclenav model, reporting the route, directly sends a signal to the cyclist's phone, using ordinary sound and a screen.

The device generates and stores energy from which gadgets, phones and other devices are charged. The speed of charging depends on the speed of the bike, and most it effectively occurs at a speed of 20 km / h, although the process begins already at a speed of 5 km / h.

The case of such a device has a waterproof coating, and it is usually mounted on a wheel.

The device has 2 blocks: gadgets, one of which is mounted on the steering wheel, and the other on the seat post. The front gadget shows approaching vehicles from a distance of 140 m.

In the back block is an ARM processor and a radar system.

The mirror can not always give a sufficient amount of background view of the road. The camcorder easily copes with this task. One of the best models is the Hexagon camera, which is installed behind the saddle.

Having received a picture from the gadget, it then transfers it to the smartphone. The smart device also performs unusual functions: it monitors the well-being of the cyclist, records the distance traveled, sends the trip video directly to the Internet, reports the accident to the rescue services.

Bright LEDs are built into the camera body, which serve as flashlights at night.

There are many different models of this device. BikeSpike System, which, in essence, is a GPS beacon, looks like a usual holder for a container with water, and it can be used in this quality as well. The device is mounted on the frame.

When you try to steal, the device makes a loud sound, attracting attention to itself. Along with the signal, the owner’s phone receives a message about theft with an indication of the location of the bike on the smartphone screen.

Other anti-theft remedies considered more reliable are GPS pedals and GPRS pedals. A feature of the device is that it is impossible to remove the legs from the pedals without a special key.In addition to indicating the location of the bike, they also perform the function of a fitness tracker: they take into account kilometers of track and calories spent at the same time, indicate speed jumps and elevation changes.

Cyclist safety is very important. To ensure it, there are many necessary things.

When falling, the cyclist reflexively stretches his arms forward, while the palms are injured in the first place. Gloves will help prevent this. In addition, in gloves, the palms do not rub against the steering wheel and calluses are not formed.

Bicycle gloves come in 2 types - short with open fingertips, which are used in the summer, and long, covering the entire brush: They are suitable for winter and protect against frost and wind. The gloved palm is usually made of genuine or artificial, but high-quality leather, and the upper part is made of spandex, lycra or other material capable of passing air and moisture.

This is the most essential accessory for cyclist equipment. It is designed to protect the head from injuries in the fall. A quality helmet is made of foam, which does not have elastic properties. Replacing a helmet is necessary if it has even been hit once since it may not be able to withstand a second hit.

A slightly different construction has a helmet for a mountain bike. The case is made of an elastic material capable of restoring shape after impact. Therefore, it can be used repeatedly after light falls.

Glasses are necessary because during movement, the eyes often suffer from ingestion of midges, dust particles, and also from the wind. Glasses for a bicycle differ from ordinary sun glasses in their streamlined shape, the presence of rubber inserts and a denser fit on the face.

Glasses where lenses can be changed are more convenient. In cloudy weather, ordinary transparent ones are suitable, in sunny - dark glasses, and in fog - orange or light green. Glasses of such glasses do not break into small fragments upon impact, which means they can not damage the eyes.

This accessory is optional. But it is necessary for cyclists involved in extreme types of riding with tricks.

Such attributes are necessary, and their set is established by the SDA. They include a front light and a rear flasher. Flashlights provide safe night traffic.

According to the rules, a white lantern is installed in front, and a marker red at the back. In no case should lanterns be replaced with reflective elements. The range of front lights is quite large: they differ in power, mode of operation, and the presence of batteries.

More powerful lights are needed for those cyclists who make night trips. For mountain bikes, a lantern should be selected with a wide light diffusion radius to safely ride on unfamiliar roads.

The rear position red lights are designed to indicate the presence of the bike on the road. The difference between the rear lights is mainly in the blinking mode.

They can be placed throughout the bike, and at night they will be additional elements that make the bike more visible on the road. Reflective elements should also be on clothing.

It is believed that mirrors are not exactly the right attribute. However, they facilitate traffic in the stream of transport.It is inconvenient to turn back at speed, and this is necessary when making turns. In the presence of a mirror, such a need disappears, since one can see the situation on the road in it.

It is needed for a sound warning about the proximity of the bike to other participants in the movement. Signals can be of various types: ordinary bell, horn, squeaker.

Every cyclist wants his bike not only to fulfill its purpose, but also to look beautiful.

You can decorate a bicycle in various ways:

• stickers on the frame and steering wheel;
• decorative ribbons, artificial flowers, multi-colored wire, flags;
• painting in a different color of the bike body;
• knitting needles;
• lighting design.

The bike has a spectacular appearance if you put multi-colored LED strips on the wheels. They not only decorate the bike, but also make it very noticeable at night. Such a backlight can be constant, flashing and with a different mode of operation.

Luminous stickers and reflectors can also be mounted on wheels. On the spokes of a bicycle you can wear a multi-colored straw for drinks or wrap them with colored wire.

Learn how to choose accessories for a bicycle in the next video.