When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the Star Wars movies. I must have watched every movie at least two times. I absolutely loved them. But what impressed me most were the air vehicles.
I always imagined how it would be like to fly from point A to point B just as easily as you would ride your bike. Or better yet, to have flying bikes. Wouldn’t that be cool?
Bikes may not have wings instead of wheels yet, but there are some startups that are determined to change the way we look at biking. And while they may not make your two-wheel beauty fly, the gadgets they create will surely offer you a totally upgraded biking experience.
1. Helios Bars
Helios Bars are the world’s first integrated headlight & blinker system for bicycles. The system replaces your normal bar and comes in three styles: bullhorn bar, drop bar, and straight bar. It includes a headlight and rear LEDs. The headlight has a wide spread of illumination comparable to a car headlight, whereas the rear LEDs function like turn signals on a car, allowing you to indicate to other vehicles that you’re turning. It also has a GPS Tracker, and can connect to your smartphone.
Price: $279.
2. Revolights
Have you ever found yourself on a dark alley on your bike, not being able to see the puddles or even other bikes? You may remember that’s very uncomfortable, to say the least. But your need not worry again, because Revolights is here. It makes you visible from all angels, has a functional brake light, charges via USB and is water and theft resistant. That means you don’t have to take it off each time your leave your bike unattended, as you do with your current lights. It fits on almost every bike, but they also have a neat guide on their website to help you before you order.
Price: $199.
3. COBI
COBI is described as „the smartest way to upgrade your bike”. It places your smartphone on your handlebar and starts working its magic. The list of features is impressive. Here are just a few: real time data (speed, time, climb rate etc.), bike navigation, music, fitness (with a cool No sweat mode), assistance (Proximity wake-up is the best!) and safety. It’s so complex, that perhaps words are not enough to describe it. We’ll let this video do the job.
Price: N/A.
4. Hammerhead
The Hammerhead is a tool that provides you with real-time navigation on your bike. Simply design a route on your mobile app, and then place the Hammerhead on your handlebar – it will do the rest. It shows right turns, left turns or even U-turns.
Price: $85 (pre-order).
5. boomBOTTLE
Have you ever wanted to ride your bike in a …loud way? You can now. boomBOTTLE is a wireless portable speaker that fits right inside your bicycle water bottle cage. You can connect it to your smartphone and enjoy your favourite music. You and the rest of the street :).
6. Hövding
We know it’s not fair, but we have to admit that this one is our favourite. It’s the next level – an airbag instead of a bike helmet. You simply wear it around your neck. If you have an accident, the bag automatically inflates itself. The best part is that it protects a bigger part of your head than traditional bike helmets. Its algorithm can distinguish an accident from normal cycling, so there’s no danger in it turning on accidentally.
Price: €299.