Worst cycling products

Worst/most hated lists are much easier than best-of lists. It's easy to hate and it comes naturally – we remember what irritated or disgusted us, and it doesn't take much thought to describe why a given item deserves a place among its peers. We've already had a list of the best cycling innovations , and now it's time for its opposite: the worst cycling products – pointless, dangerous, or interesting but disappointing. And all of this is completely subjective, so feel free to argue and defend today's heroes if you disagree!

Gel saddle cover

Decathlon's bestseller, constantly requested by customers seeking relief from an uncomfortable saddle. A compression bag with a gel insert seems like a sensible and, above all, inexpensive solution. However, it doesn't work. It doesn't grip the saddle properly, so it wobbles around loosely, causing chafing. Unfortunately, sometimes a saddle replacement is unavoidable – it's a very individual item. Another thing is that just as often, it just needs to be adjusted properly.

A-Head Steerer Tube Extension

I understand that the inability to easily and radically raise the stem can be frustrating. With traditional headsets, this wasn't a problem, unless someone completely ignored the limitations and lost their teeth due to the stem extending too far from the steerer tube. How do we solve this problem on modern bikes? With an extension, of course. And while, aside from its unsightly appearance, it makes sense for a short (but not too short) steerer tube, for example, on a trekking bike, you usually see them in a tall tower shape on an MTB designed for a leaning stance. The result is a bike that's not only uncomfortable but also handles poorly. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong type of bike for your intended use and expectations is still a common problem.

Folding bridge

The worst bicycle products often stem from good intentions and "brilliant" ideas. I once had such limited space in my apartment that I had to loosen the stem and turn the handlebars every time I hung my bike. Someone had obviously faced the same problem and thought a special, rotating stem would solve it. I encountered this solution once, and it was terrible – the stem was expensive, heavy, and had play. Now, a quick Google search shows that several people came up with this independently, but the result is always an engineering monstrosity. It's probably better to rotate the stem and check the headset for play at the same time.

LED and reflective spoke covers

I know the problem of cyclists' visibility from the side is a serious issue. The revolution was supposed to be simple reflective covers that clip onto individual spokes. And indeed, the effect at night is fantastic. Unfortunately, this doesn't last long – the covers quickly collect dirt, and cleaning them is a nightmare. LED modules have a similar problem, and most of them are heavy and cause noticeable vibrations from an unbalanced wheel. More of an occasional gimmick than a useful feature.

Noses

The worst cycling products weren't always the worst. For decades, toe clips were a must-have for road bikes, allowing for maximum pedaling efficiency. They're still a must-have on the track. But let's be honest – for street use, once you tighten the straps, they're a hipster suicide. Long live clipless pedals !

Non-carbon propellers

Aero! Three carbon spokes with flowing lines or angular Spinergy spokes destroy all standards of cool. This was quickly recognized at the turn of the century, but the problem of expensive materials was solved – after all, such wheels could be made from metal. They were mass-produced on supermarket mountain bikes, driving up their weight, and recently they've made a comeback among cheap singlespeeds and fixies from Allegro. A hideously heavy wheel that can't be trued? Awesome!

Cheap full suspension forks are the worst bicycle products

The propellers reminded me of a childhood nightmare: a full-suspension bike from Auchan. The steel frames, modeled on the Cannodale , weighed a ton, had hideous play everywhere, and often broke under the kids' thumbs. But the problem is broader. For a full-suspension bike to function properly, the frame must be precisely made, and the entire swingarm system must be supported by bearings. And that costs money. Add to that reasonable shock absorbers, and suddenly you've gone beyond the budget of a basic mountain bike, and you don't even have wheels, stems, or components. The result is that bikes of this type under 8000 PLN are full of noticeable savings on components – SunTour shock absorbers and 9-speed drivetrains are nothing unusual. Below 6000 PLN, the quality compromises are often so significant that the benefits of full-suspension cease to make sense – you end up with either a plainly cheap bike or a hideously heavy and rickety one. It's pointless.

What are the worst cycling products in your opinion?

Main photo: Julian Correa