Bike gadgets can be very practical

Most often, we could do without them. These are accessories that are meant to make life easier, connect everyday items with our hobbies, or sometimes (unfortunately, quite often) look good. They're also a typical gift idea ( you'll find our list of the best gifts for cyclists here ). However, I'll try to present cycling gadgets that are practical or at least interesting enough to be enjoyable to read about. There won't be any dust-collecting gadgets (porcelain bikes) here, but there are a few clever ideas. A few silly ones too.

Clothes

It always works. Both cycling gadgets and regular clothing with interesting graphics. Of course, "I <3 my bicycle" t-shirts are completely boring. I recommend looking deeper, as there's no shortage of interesting designs. When it comes to sportswear, there's no shortage of boring either, a prime example being the brilliant Cinelli cycling caps with their unique and often bold patterns. The same goes for other cycling apparel – why be just another person in a Majka or Sagan jersey when you can go beyond the usual clichés? You're probably not sponsored by CCC anyway.

Jewelry

Let's be honest – a chain bracelet (preferably a chained one) is a highly controversial piece of jewelry. However, there are ways to approach the topic with a more elegant touch. While I'm not entirely convinced by chain cufflinks, I must admit that you can approach the topic in a more original way, as best demonstrated by the Polish brand Jeździsz . They have great bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and the aforementioned cufflinks, and most importantly, everything is made with excellent components. A great idea!

Bicycle gadgets

We can definitely mount more interesting things on a bike. And we'll start with a favorite category of all gadget lovers.

Electronics

First and foremost, computers and bike computers. Forget the wired ones—they're not only ugly and a pain to install, but also prone to damage. It's worth investing in ones with useful features, like multi-bike memory and, above all, a cadence counter. Calculating calories burned and CO2 saved is a piece of cake. However, if you're a bit more obsessed with cycling information (and have a bigger wallet), it's worth considering a Garmin. It combines navigation with a computer that collects all the data you provide (heart rate, speed, cadence, power, etc.). It also uploads your results to Strava. A great feature that will significantly simplify intense training sessions. What else? Gadgets for your touring bike. You can easily find a USB charger for your generator, smartphone holders, and, of course, all sorts of lighting (including turn signals). A small GPS transmitter is practical, as it's easy to hide, and if your bike is stolen, it can be very helpful in locating it. A dashcam is also a good idea for almost any ride. In the city, it'll be helpful in the event of an accident, and on singletrack, it'll allow you to record impressive footage.

What can you put in the pipes?

Contrary to appearances, there are quite a few useful things. The most popular are tire levers mounted in bar ends (the end caps at the ends of handlebars). A simple and effective solution. You can also use a through-axle crank. The Italian All-In Multitool includes six of the most popular wrenches and a chain breaker, and it looks aesthetically pleasing (I'm talking about the current black model). On the other hand, the price of 68 euros isn't very appealing. However, the most interesting things can be placed in the steerer tube or instead of a standard top cap. Of course, multitools; there's a wide selection of them. Bells integrated with the top cap are also popular; Crane makes beautiful ones. But there are more interesting things. For example, an adapter that allows you to mount a beer bottle cap on the end. Simply put. My favorite, however, is one. The Iozzio brand offers a product called Shotgun . Not only does it allow you to counterbalance your headset, but it also houses a sealed compartment for hemp and a spring-loaded ceramic pipe. We all needed it. Also available is a version with a tiny pipe cleaner and a model with a fire starter. The perfect set for road training.

All kinds of inventions

A map holder. A leash attachment (a terrible idea). It would take ages to list all the trinkets and trinkets you can hang on your bike. A compressed air horn, inflated with a pump, is certainly eye-catching. It'll attract the attention of drivers. I'd also include gel saddle pads in this category – a surefire solution for chafing.

Tools

These can also be bicycle gadgets. Multitools fall into this category – I recommend choosing medium-sized ones. Smaller ones have limited capabilities and lack leverage. However, "all-in-one" tools are cumbersome and heavy. The most important thing is to include basic Allen wrenches and a Phillips screwdriver. A chain breaker is also an option. It's worth carrying separate tire levers – the more coarse, wide, and hard they are, the better, except perhaps metal ones, which can easily damage the rim. But how do you inflate a tube after replacing it? I carry a small plastic pump or a CO2 cartridge. The latter is a proven method that takes up little space. It easily fits into a small saddlebag, for example, and can even inflate a wide tire on a Niner. There are also plenty of chain cleaning tools available. I don't recommend them. A trusty cloth and a toothbrush or paintbrush are best.

Bicycle gadgets for the home

The first things that come to mind are more or less sophisticated hangers. Vertical ones are more practical and space-saving, while horizontal ones allow you to display your bike and are often combined with shelves. Popular home accessories for cyclists include kitchen accessories. Beer openers, of course. Park Tool even makes its own, offering beer glasses, mugs, and more. You can also easily find tiny pizza-cutting bikes – that's a neat idea. But there's only one king. My "beloved" Campagnolo offers a wine opener for just €179. It's huge and, I have to admit, very stylish.

Funny bike gadgets

"Funny" is, of course, a relative term. Recently, an ad featuring an adorable, squeaking duck with a buckled helmet has become incredibly popular on the cycling internet. If that's amusing... I also regularly come across a scrotum-shaped light hanging under the saddle. Are these cool bike gadgets? I don't know. I'm more convinced by the aforementioned beer bottle caps on the top cap. I suggest Harnaś, preferably on sale. It's perfect with a beer opener mounted under the saddle . Fun bike gadgets also include LED modules mounted on the wheels. The more advanced ones allow for animations. However, they're not cheap, and they can seriously disrupt wheel balance. Seriously, it's best to use your imagination and your own hands. Even classic wine corks holding the wrapper in place will have more oomph and character than the ideas above. This is a common feature of most gadgets – many of them can be made yourself, and you simply don't need even more. However, practicality isn't the point of a hobby.