Bike gadgets and stuff that improves the experience
04-04-24, 09:06 AM
#52
ignominious poltroon
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Shouldn't this be in the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets subforum?
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04-04-24, 09:07 AM
#53
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Exactly what I was going to post. I've heard some way, "What good is it? What are you going to do, head for the ditch?", but it's not so you can avoid being run over from behind. It's so you know when it's safe to leave the bike lane to pass a slower rider, or for when you need to cross traffic lanes, like for a left turn or getting past freeway on ramps. It's not a substitute for looking over your shoulder. It's a supplement to it.
When I'm commuting through town I usually don't bother to even mount the Varia, since it'd beep at me the whole way. It's really not terribly useful in traffic.
04-04-24, 09:14 AM
#54
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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Out here in Gravel Central, the smoothest line might be down the middle of the road or even all the way to the left side of the road. Between the sound of my tires crunching the gravel, the wind, and my lousy hearing, I might not hear a vehicle coming up behind me; in those situations, the Varia is great.
When I'm commuting through town I usually don't bother to even mount the Varia, since it'd beep at me the whole way. It's really not terribly useful in traffic.
When I'm commuting through town I usually don't bother to even mount the Varia, since it'd beep at me the whole way. It's really not terribly useful in traffic.
Last two nights, riding the newly rebuilt Circuit for the first shakedown rides, I skipped head unit, lights, etc. and just rode it old school. And really missed the Varia!
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04-04-24, 09:40 AM
#55
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Your reply is good advice for urban riding. My riding is strictly out in the country with low traffic. Before I enter a blind curve or blind hill, I must absolutely know if there is a car approaching. I also ride trails a lot, and faster riders many times give no warning they are about to pass you-quite dangerous. Happens all the time.
Last edited by Low Gear Louie; 04-04-24 at 11:13 AM. Reason: misread post I was commenting on
04-04-24, 03:37 PM
#56
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Before buying a Varia, I also thought it would not be useful in a suburban environment. But it turns out to be great for (a) crossing lanes to make left turns, and (b) moving out of bike lanes impeded by maintenance vehicles, speed warning radars, and parents waiting to pick up their kids from school. If the definition of gadgets excludes apparel and components, a Varia would definitely top the list.
04-05-24, 08:30 AM
#57
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I'm late to this thread, so probably nothing new here, but at the top of my list is my packable Pearl Izumi wind vest and Columbia fleece neck gaiter. Those two are worth their weight in gold !!
04-05-24, 11:32 AM
#58
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The GoPro will not improve your cycling experience, but will let you share it, if you're willing to put a lot of time into video editing.
Here are the products that have really improved my cycling experience over the last year:
Cat Ears, to protect my hearing from wind blast:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2LSOQ6...t_details&th=1
Fender set, so I can ride right after a rain and not get my clothes dirty:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P93NMHL...t_details&th=1
A high quality folding lock, with a holder that doesn't let it rattle and which mounts to bottle cage bosses:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5V9WK1Q...t_details&th=1
A good helmet-mounted mirror makes it SO easy to ride safely in traffic!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
A chest strap heart rate monitor to pair with my GPS lets me know how many calories I burn on a ride and if I'm in the safe zone for heart rate. (sometimes I go overboard)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Gel pads to go under my handlebar tape wrap; keeps my hands "awake" longer on those long road rides:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This chain cleaner makes chain maintenance a lot less dirty and time-consuming:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
No affiliation with any of those product mfrs.
Here are the products that have really improved my cycling experience over the last year:
Cat Ears, to protect my hearing from wind blast:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2LSOQ6...t_details&th=1
Fender set, so I can ride right after a rain and not get my clothes dirty:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P93NMHL...t_details&th=1
A high quality folding lock, with a holder that doesn't let it rattle and which mounts to bottle cage bosses:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5V9WK1Q...t_details&th=1
A good helmet-mounted mirror makes it SO easy to ride safely in traffic!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
A chest strap heart rate monitor to pair with my GPS lets me know how many calories I burn on a ride and if I'm in the safe zone for heart rate. (sometimes I go overboard)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Gel pads to go under my handlebar tape wrap; keeps my hands "awake" longer on those long road rides:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This chain cleaner makes chain maintenance a lot less dirty and time-consuming:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
No affiliation with any of those product mfrs.
