Coolest bicycle tech you can buy

Circle A bicycles
Circle A bicycles

“It’s just like riding a bike” is the universal phrase for skills you never forget.

It is a fitting metaphor in that essential bicycle technology remains largely unchanged since its invention.

To wit: Someone who drove a Model T in the 1900s would have a hard time getting a modern Mustang out of the driveway. But someone who pedaled around France in 1885 would quickly figure out how to take a new Schwinn around the block.

“Everything we’ve tried to do in the last 100 years is basically a tweak, a fine tune of what’s already there,” said Chris Bull, a founder and builder at Circle A Cycles in Providence, RI.

Circle A Cycles is a worker-owned shop that specializes in custom steel bicycle frames. Their motto is “Our bikes are the best bikes on the bloody planet.”

“A lot of what seems hot and new in the last 30 years – the boom in mountain biking, crazy suspension, and weird designs – you can find patents for those things in 1895 or 1913,” Bull said.

Back then the raw materials – cast iron, wood – couldn’t keep up with an engineer’s imagination. Now the materials have caught up. Titanium, carbon fiber and aluminum are helping engineers to make those technological tweaks.

Some of these advances will appeal to the serious cyclist. Some are for hobbyists. And some, like the bicycle flask mount, are just cool ideas whose time has come.

Electronic Power Shifting
Electronic Power Shifting

Campagnolo Electronic Power Shifting

Shimano introduced the first electronic shifters in 2008. It replaced mechanical derailleurs with motorized ones, electrical wires for cables, and buttons for levers.
Campagnolo, the fabled Italian bicycle company known for impeccable quality and styling, quickly adopted the technology. If they’re invested in a new bike technology, you know it’s the real thing.

The company’s Electronic Power Shifting (EPS) drivetrain is bleeding edge bike tech. The Italian designers elegantly fit an incredible amount of wizardry into their EPS. The levers simulate the classic Campagnolo click; a Digital Tech Intelligence unit – the system’s brain – continuously monitors the signals coming in from every EPS component and is able to detect malfunctions instantly; and the derailleur is equipped with an automatic position correction system.

One battery charge lasts about 1200 miles, but the system can be deactivated if you lose power on the road.

Helmet communicator
Helmet communicator

Uclear Bike Helmet Communicator

People who never want to miss a call can now do so safely and efficiently on their bicycle (or motorcycle, for that matter). Products such as the UClear HBC130 Bike Helmet Communicator let you talk, listen to music or even communicate with other bikers while your head is safely incased in your bike helmet.

The unit is equipped with noise-canceling headphones and hands-free voice command features.

Biologic reelcharge
Biologic reelcharge

BioLogic ReeCharge Power Pack

While you’re burning calories on your bike ride you’re also generating energy. Why waste it? Pedal powered generators transfer the energy you create into devices such as bicycle lights, phones and GPS devices. This model from ReeCharge is a personal power system that can charge most any USB-chargeable device, including smartphones, cameras or GPS units through the included micro-USB cable. Inside is a lithium polymer battery that can be charged via USB from a computer and, most importantly, any bicycle with a hub dynamo.

The splash-proof silicone case and specially sealed connectors keep the ReeCharge Power Pack working even if you get caught in a storm.

Hidden hooch
Hidden hooch

Hidden hooch

Some folks aren’t interested in high tech bike gear. Some people just want a sturdy cruiser between their legs and a nice afternoon ride to their favorite organic, fair-trade, locally sourced coffee shop where they play Lithuanian folk music (I’m looking at you, hipsters.)

Ateliers d’Embellie has just such a bike.
It’s a “Porteur”-styled bicycle (similar to butcher bikes, they’re meant to carry cargo) with a unique feature: A hidden flask built in under the seat.

You’ll probably want to find a cheaper way to bring along some booze on your next relaxed ride, so try the Ahearne Spaceman Bicycle Flask Holster ZX007 for about $30.

They say Evel Knievel used a hollow walking cane filled with Wild Turkey bourbon. That’s about as cool as it gets. For the rest of us, there are bicycle flasks. And for you beer drinkers, check out the 6 Pack Saddlebag.

Turbospoke
Turbospoke

The Turbospoke

If you’re a little too old to put baseball cards in your spokes but still childish enough to want a bitchin’ bike, the Turbospoke is here to answer your childhood prayers.

It looks like the exhaust from a motorbike and sounds like one as well. It works on the same “baseball cards in the spokes” technology you perfected as a kid. A thin plastic card is held tight against the spokes as you ride to create the “VROOM!” noise that is amplified by the “exhaust” tube.

No batteries are required for this cool piece of nostalgic bike tech.

Tail lights
Tail lights

Taillights

If you’re going to ride a bicycle you should know how to signal a turn. In case you need a refresher, allow me:

1. Signal a left turn by extending your left arm straight out in the direction of the turn, parallel to the road.

2. Signal a right turn by extending your left upper-arm out to the left, parallel to the road and angle your forearm vertically upward.

All bicyclists should know this. However, if you want to drop a few dollars – about $30 - to keep your hands on the handlebars you can go with the Yamaha LED Sport Bike Break and Turn Tail Signal Light. For about $30 this gadget signals when you are turning left or right or braking.

It’s not the only one of its kind, but it comes with a form-follows-function design from a reputable brand at a reasonable price.

Garmin Edge
Garmin Edge

Garmin Edge 500 computer bundle

This is for the die-hards, the people who refer to themselves as “cyclists.” The Garmin Edge 500 Red Bundle is small, lightweight, and packed with all your bike computer needs. It’s the only model of the 500 series to come bundled with Garmin’s premium heart rate monitor. The monitor has a soft fabric strap for comfort and, as Garmin puts it, “is optimized for use in congested areas like gym classes and starting lines.”

The Edge 500 tracks speed, distance, time, location and temperature, as well as altitude ascents and descents. For extra-precise ascent and descent data, the Edge 500 also incorporates a barometric altimeter to pinpoint changes in elevation.

It packs a high-sensitivity GPS sensor with HotFix satellite prediction to run predictive calculations of satellite positions to establish a lock on GPS satellites while the navigator is off, saving time when you restart. When you finally take a rest and your ride is done, connect the Edge 500 to your computer to analyze your performance. With a simple click, you can join a worldwide network of cyclists through Garmin Connect.

Universal Gadget Holder
Universal Gadget Holder

Universal gadget holder

OK, so this one is pretty obvious. It’s also the one thing on this list you’re most likely to buy. If you’re as old as I am you remember the dudes who carried their boomboxes on their shoulders while steering their BMX bikes with one hand.

Don’t be that guy.

This holder safely attaches your favorite gadget to your bicycle just as you would in your car. The Universal Bike Mounted Gadget Holder installs without tools and holds just about any device. It has a 360-degree swivel tip that lets you position your device at any angle. The manufacturer also claims the “vibration free design makes it absolutely quake-proof.” If you happen to be biking during an earthquake, let me know if this turns out to be true.

The holder will secure your mobile device on the handlebars of your bicycle and it is suitable for most mp3 players, iPods, iPhones, PDAs, GPS devices, and mobile phones.