Smart tools: Bike trends 2023: These gadgets make biking even more fun

The bicycle was one of the big winners of the corona pandemic.

Smart tools: Bike trends 2023: These gadgets make biking even more fun

The bicycle was one of the big winners of the corona pandemic. According to the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV), 5.04 million bicycles and e-bikes were sold in Germany in 2020. According to the ZIV, this is almost 17 percent more than in 2019. An increase that other industries can only dream of. Two-wheelers are not only the means of transport of the 2020s for the sake of the environment. So that you can get through this bike year carefree, we have put together the bike trend tools 2023. From the mobile bike stand to the recycling bike bag for the luggage rack.

Classic air pumps are bulky and somehow unwieldy. Clamping them into the frame on the saddle or top tube only works on very few bikes. Mini pumps can at least be stowed in a backpack. But very few of the small pumps are really powerful. In addition, you usually get pumping yourself. The solution: a portable e-air pump like the Xiaomi model. The tool is nothing more than a mini-sized compressor. The tire is inflated at the push of a button. The pressure can be checked via a digital display. One battery charge should be enough for eight tires. The tool is supplied with all common adapters and a small bag. Here is the mobile compressor from Xiaomi.

The bicycle helmet is the most important tool next to the bike. He must not be missing on any tour. But what to do with the head protection when you arrive at the bathing lake or in the park? It takes up a lot of space in the backpack. Hung on the handlebars, it's easy prey for thieves. Closca has developed a helmet that can be folded up after use. According to the manufacturer, the 400 gram light "loop" complies with the applicable safety standards EN1078 and CPSC. It can be folded up into a practical format in no time at all, so that even more fits in the backpack than just the bicycle helmet. Of course, the "Loop" is also suitable for kids who prefer scooters or inline skates to their bikes. Here is the "Loop" by Closca.

Gravel bikes are the bikes of summer 2023. Manoeuvrable and stylish bikes with racing paintwork are currently experiencing a boom. The hybrid of cross bike and road bike is a true all-rounder. Gravel bikes are the perfect companion both in everyday life and on longer tours (flat or mountainous). Rovativ has developed a saddle bag especially for gravel bikes. The backloader holds 10 liters and is mounted on the seat post behind the saddle. Rain showers don't bother the bag. It should be 100% waterproof. Here's the Rovativ saddle bag for gravel bikes.

On a bike trip into the countryside or longer bike tours, bikers often have no choice but to put the bike flat in the meadow or lean it against a tree during well-deserved breaks. This is also more elegant. For example with a mobile and handy bike stand. Topeak's "Flash Stand" weighs only 500 grams and can be folded to a size of 20 centimeters. It is not only suitable as a mobile bicycle stand. The Flash Stand also serves as an assembly stand for minor repairs. Here is the Topeak Flash Stand.

Sustainability is also an important and big topic on the bicycle market. With the Mora for bikers, glove manufacturer Roeckl has a glove in its range whose yarn is 100 percent recycled from old fishing nets and fabric waste. To do this, the developers recycled polyester from PET bottle waste. Even the Roeckl logo comes from waste generated in the wood industry. It doesn't get much more resource-efficient. Here's the Mora and the short-finger version Bosco from Roeckl.

The pallet of milk under the arm, the shopping bag with fruit and vegetables on the handlebars. Two rather bad ideas, cycling home from the weekend shopping. The smart Danes from Cobags thought so too. That's why they worked on a practical and sustainable solution to the transport problem. The result was Bikezac 2.0, a multifunctional and reusable shopping bag that can be securely attached to the saddle with two clicks via a patented fastening rail. The bag can be closed with an integrated rubber band so that the purchase doesn't end up on the street. Bikezac 2.0 is made from recycled polypropylene fabric, which can later be 100% recycled. Here is the Bikezac 2.0 in green or black.

Bicycle theft is unfortunately still part of everyday life in Germany. In 2020, around 260,000 thefts were reported. It is all the more important to secure the two-wheeler as well as possible as soon as you let it out of your sight. The different types of bicycle locks have advantages and disadvantages. A weak point is often the lock itself. You don't need a key for the smart folding lock from Abus, nor do you have to remember a combination of numbers. The owner can open the lock via Bluetooth as soon as he is nearby with his paired smartphone. If a stranger tampers with the lock for longer than five seconds, a 100 dB loud alarm sounds, similar to that of a car alarm system. The lock's battery can be charged via USB-C. In addition, up to 29 end devices can be authorized for a lock. The Bordo Alarm 6000 folding lock from Abus is available here.

Even in summer, cyclists are occasionally surprised by a rain shower. With the right clothing and at the right temperatures, you can easily get over it. It gets uncomfortable when your helmet hangs carelessly on the handlebars while it's pouring rain. Anyone who has ever put a helmet wet on the inside knows that it's no fun. But what to do with the helmet? The solution could be a combined saddle and helmet cover. The helmet bag is slipped over the bicycle helmet and saddle and pulled tight. The safety rope can be connected to the bicycle lock. Complete. This is nice, but a rather useless feature. On the other hand, it is cool that the helmet bag can also be used as a shopping bag. The helmet bag is available here.

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