BIKE ACCESSORIES
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Hydration is important whether you’re at the office or just running errands, so you should consider carrying a reusable bottle. In particular, vacuum insulated steel bottles have become quite popular thanks to their durable construction and impressive insulation properties. In this review we’ll be looking at the CamelBak MultiBev which is part of CamelBak’s extended drinkware lineup. The MultiBev is available in both 17oz and 22oz variations with retail prices of $48 and $50 respectively. What makes the CamelBak MultiBev stand out from the crowd is the multifunctional design. CamelBak has integrated a removable travel cup that simply twists off…
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Cycling computers can vary from simple wired setups that only show speed all the way to expensive touch screen variations. In this review, we’ll be looking at the latter with the new Bryton Rider 750 GPS bike computer. Although the model number scheme is a bit confusing, the Rider 750 sits at the top of Bryton’s GPS lineup and features the latest technology and connectivity. Designed around a 2.8” color touch screen, the Rider 750 can interface with sensors, power meters, electronic shifter groupsets, smart bike trainers, and even Shimano E-Bikes. Additionally, the Rider 750 provides turn-by-turn navigation and on-board…
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Oversized pulleys have become increasingly popular among professional cyclists looking to improve their performance. As the name implies, oversized pulleys utilize larger jockey pulleys which have smoother chain routing and upgraded bearings to reduce drivetrain losses. Visually they are also hard to miss as the pulleys can be nearly twice the size of the stock pulleys. Token’s Shuriken oversized pulleys offer a well designed affordable upgrade for a variety of drivetrain configurations. In this review we’ll specifically be looking at the Token Shuriken oversized pulley for the Shimano 105 R7000. Not only is this one of the few oversized pulleys…
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Night time riding on the road with high-powered bike lights can be fun unless you’re on the other end of the beam. If you’ve ever been on a bike trail or city streets, you’ll know that it’s easy to be blinded by high output bike headlights from cyclists traveling toward you. Traditional bike lights have cone shaped beams that light up the road and everything around it making them unsafe in high traffic areas. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Kryptonite Incite X8, their brightest headlight which combines high output with focused optics. The Incite X8 offers a…
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Although most cyclists associate Kryptonite with bike locks, the recently introduced Incite series of bike headlights and tail lights offer some features and designs. In this review we’ll be focusing on the brake sensor equipped Kryptonite Incite XBR tail light which is the brightest tail lights currently offered in the Incite series. With a maximum of 0.2 lux (lux is a measure of output on the ground vs. lumen which is total output from a source) output and curved beam optics, the XBR tail light is designed to distribute the beam to optimize visibility without blinding others behind you. The…
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All-in-one or commuter bike lights offer a compact form factor by integrating the battery and lens into a single housing which makes it quick and easy to install as well as remove the light from the bike without having to deal with bulky battery packs. Unfortunately, most affordable commuter lights tend to use simple lens design that can blind oncoming cycling or traffic. Kryptonite’s new Incite lights offer a unique combination of anti-glare beam cutoff lenses with simple integrated design. In this review we’ll be looking at the mid-level Kryptonite Incite X6 headlight which offers 60 lux output and a…
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As a cyclist it can be daunting to share the road with cars and traffic. Most drivers these days are too busy on their phones to pay attention to the road so it’s easy to be overlooked when you’re on a bicycle. That means as a cyclist you need to not only ride defensively (i.e. assume everyone is out to get you), but you also need to take proactive steps with powerful lights, reflective clothing, and protective gear. Although you can ensure you are seen, it’s difficult to make sure you are heard as well. That’s where the Loud Bicycle…
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The Kryptonite Incite X3 headlight and XR tail light are the most affordable variations in Kryptonite’s Incite product line. Even though Kryptonite is better known for bike locks, as with the other Incite lights, Kryptonite has focused on beam optics instead of simply raw output with the X3 and XR lights. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Kryptonite Incite X3/XR set which retails for about $8 less than it would cost to buy the lights individually. The X3 headlight features a dual aspherical lens design that focuses the light on the road with 30 lux of output and…
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Magicshine has long been associated with affordable and bright bike lights for commuting and mountain biking with the Monteer 6500 being one of their brightest offerings with an impressive 6500 lumen output and wired battery design. In this review, we’ll be looking at the new Magicshine 6500S that utilizes upgraded LEDs, improved optics, and an updated battery pack. Although the 6500S may look similar to the previous model, the updates bring higher output in the lower modes while also extending the run-time. Unlike many cheap bike lights on the market with falsely claimed high outputs, the Monteer 6500S has a…