Safe and comfortable: velotyuning and equipment

Perhaps the first and second can be understood: to pass downhill equally fun at any time of the year, not to mention the fact that sport is good for health, what you're probably aware of for a long time. But, anyway, before the winter yet still far away, but in the court of the Indian summer.

For me (forgive me fans of the snow-covered slopes), it can only mean one thing: it is time to write about velotyuninge, as long as the street are serene days are, and continue to please sportmagaziny discounts confined to the end of the current season.

Recall times when bike choice was not as huge as it is now, and the term "gadget" to our vocabulary familiar was not. What additional equipment could hang on their iron friend before?

It comes to mind only the so-called bottle dynamo. Rather frequent thing in general, had a number of disadvantages: wear the tires in contact with the head "Dynamo", considerable noise in switched state, and most importantly - the lack of comfortable trip level lighting.

Fortunately, the era of deficit safely sunk into oblivion. Today the market of various devices literally overfilled, and this observation is true for cycling. With the advent of smartphones in our lives and the widespread development of mobile network coverage to pedal It was much more interesting: here you and GPS, and count calories burned, and photo mountains in the background on the good memory.

Nevertheless, if there is such a rich feature set principled minus "tubes" remains, of course, a limited supply of the battery. And we know very well: the more active we exploit mobile, particularly taking advantage of geolocation applications and Bluetooth, the more often he asks in the socket.

But as they say, not a single smartphone! Technology moving forward by leaps and bounds, not only in the field of mobile communications. I already do not remember exactly how many years ago LEDs replaced incandescent bulbs. How long have appeared cycling computer with cadence sensor and heart rate monitor. Clothes made of lycra and velopampersy in the end.

What am I driving at? The fact that the deal with the tuning of a vehicle can be almost indefinitely. This is akin to the "blue disease" among fans of tattoos - would be money. After thinking about it, I decided to share my thoughts about what is important and must be pre-skated for nearly five months on the modern bicycle.

No, I'm not an old Soviet cyclist, just my last "horse" was the domestic bicycle "Vela" produced by the Frunze plant, given to me as a child. No additional devices other than conventional flashlight, bolted to the handlebars of blue electrical tape on it was not available.

Now I Hardtail GT production, talk about the characteristics of which we have now will not. Let's focus on additional equipment: what, why and how.

The main question is: why?

Why do you need to hang something on the bike? I think the answer should read at least logical. So I would say this: to ride on it has become a more comfortable and safe as possible.

Based on this judgment, we select a few gadgets meeting the requirements of the time (it's time to start saying the word aloud) in accordance with certain criteria for us.

So, in the first place? I think safety. That is why the first recommendation will address equipment the rider, that is yourself, not your bike.

Go!

Helmet, goggles and gloves

At first glance, it may seem unnecessary helmet wardrobe item, if you are not a professional racer. Immediately reassure you: a spoke in the wheel and sudden obstacles often get just the same on a normal road, not on the cycle track. Unfortunately, I have witnessed similar situations he found himself several times, if not the helmet, then do not even know what it would be. Especially if you are not the most experienced rider, not stingy to allocate funds for the protection of the head: yet it you have one, and the price of the helmet does not go to any comparison with the suffering of the received due to negligence injury.

Why in the same paragraph of the helmet follows the glasses? It's very simple: the sun can not blind you in a cloudy day, but from getting into the eyes of an insect or small branches no one is immune. Believe me, when you are under the eyelid gets a little midge, the eyes begin to water and closed, and it is very dangerous (for myself I know).

With all the gloves easier - they provide a reliable grip on the wheel, even if the sweating palms (they always sweat) when riding, due to which you will feel more confident.

lighting devices

They continue the topic of security, we have it today as a major. In summer, many ride from morning to night, and many nights. The last, I think, a long story about the pros do not have lighting. Generally, if you live in an area with well-lit streets and roadway, then the acute needs in front lamp and you can not feel.

But here on a trail or in a remote corner of the park area, he will be a reliable assistant and guarantee more confidence: believe me, sometimes even a small pit, or a fragment of brick on the road (as well as a lone pedestrian) can cause an incident consequences.

I would advise to get expensive, but more powerful and functional version - with velofaroy optional battery: at such a light source with multiple operating modes, including emergency and economical. Rear lamp is logically designed to indicate your presence on the road for other road users. And what it bigger and brighter, the better: unfortunately, cases where cyclists knocked even on the sidelines, are not uncommon.

To further attract the attention of drivers you can buy signal (the building) vest with reflectors: under the headlights of cars in the stream you will definitely shine Christmas tree.

backlight wheels

While driving at dusk or night-time potentially dangerous objects can arise not only from the front or rear, but also on the sides. In this case, just come in handy warning vest, Which can be purchased at any store overalls.

It is worth to buy a pair of additional reflectors of light and glowing caps on the nipples: when driving you will be seen by a lot better, and hence the risk of suffering reduced.

Now for a little less than the principal, but still important things. They will be treated to comfort and even some bling while driving.

Bike Computer

The thing is, of course, useful. For example, it allows you to monitor the status of your equipment, depending on the distance traveled. You can define a resource of a node, as well as boasting a total number of kilometers that you dashed off a season.

Many of these computers are equipped with GPS sensor and even a "personal trainer" - which analyzes your performance when driving. But what's really there, sometimes just wondering how you managed to squeeze, rolling down a hill.

Action camera

Here, and especially do not need arguments, it seems to me very interesting to look at their turns and pirouettes in newfangled POV format. In addition, it can help you detect possible errors in the "piloting".

And even if you manage to fulfill something of such things, you can become a star of video blogs.

Extra battery with the USB-charging

I think you will not deny that the phone you are using on the trip, and do not leave it at home (modern people can not be without the means of communication for a long time, a fact). Do not be surprised if you are using any application to display routes and terrain orientation. Almost certainly you make photos with your smartphone. Of course, you know that all these manipulations did not help save battery power. Fortunately, any additional chargers and mobile power supplies are not uncommon and certainly not a luxury item. Moreover, they can help you out if you suddenly need to call for help. Agree, anything can happen.

Portable speaker

"Maestro, the music!" - sometimes I want to cry out, pedaling towards the horizon. Not so long ago it became possible thanks to the emergence (finally!) Of powerful music, the Bluetooth headsets, flooded the market of compact devices. Discharge device for a long time, share energy with other devices, if necessary, and, of course, pleased with hearing your favorite tunes. There are models, as if created for flyagoderzhatelya, which can be attached to the handlebars or frame - whichever you prefer.

By the way, many of these "recorders" are equipped with a very capacious battery (my - 6000 mA). This automatically makes them a type of two devices in one: and portable speaker and an external power source.

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In general, it is basic, in my humble opinion, the things that can greatly increase the safety and comfort of travel and, as a consequence, the pleasure of it. If I missed something or just about anything I do not know, I propose to discuss in the comments!

P.S. Always take a multikey pump and bike lock. If you are traveling out of town, do not forget to take a spare inner tube, but rather two: puncture the wheels never happen on schedule.

Take care of yourself, ride more often and read Layfhaker!