As one of many few individuals who can declare to now be in my third decade of residing an electrical bike-focused life, I’ve examined lots of gear through the years. Between the gear I purchase for myself and the piles of random stuff that exhibits up on my doorstep from overzealous PR businesses, I’ve gone by a variety of instruments, locks, clothes, equipment, and extra. Listed below are my favorites of all of the stuff I’ve examined this 12 months.
I’ll begin with locks as a result of I’m a little bit of a motorcycle lock collector. I’ve bins overflowing with them. Which means if a lock has made it out of the bins and into my regular-use assortment, it will need to have some actually good options and utility.
Foldylock Without end from Seatylock
Seatylock is one in every of my favourite lock corporations as a result of numerous merchandise’ mixture of safety and worth. The strongest lock that I exploit every single day is my Foldylock Without end. It weighs round 1/3 of a high-security chain lock (slightly below 3.9 lb or 1.8 kg) and is way quieter than most folding locks as a result of greater precision safety rivets. It’s rated Gold-Licensed by the premier lock testing company Bought Safe, and is proof against the most typical assaults of blades, bolt cutters, nut splitters, pry bars/jacks, and freezing assaults.
It opens large to perform like a series lock, wrapping round large objects like timber or small objects like signal posts, and I additionally actually just like the handy holster that makes it straightforward to stow and seize one-handed. The large design means you too can lock each the body and a wheel, which is necessary if you wish to have wheels in your bike once you come again to it.
This lock is definitely fairly pretty priced at US $99 on Amazon. Excessive-security locks value lots as a result of they’re meant to guard costly e-bikes, and this one is price each single penny. And that’s even an excellent sale worth, contemplating it usually prices $125.
I’ve additionally been testing a smaller model of the identical lock, the Foldylock Compact. It is available in a number of colours, however I just like the orange-accented one because it has that good poison treefrog coloring to let thieves see it from a distance and remind them to maneuver on to the subsequent poor shmuck’s bike.
Whereas this one isn’t fairly as sturdy because the over-the-top Foldylock Without end above, the Foldylock Compact is smaller and lighter for individuals who don’t desire a chunky lock. At simply 2.2 lb or 1 kg, it’s nearly half the burden and nonetheless options most of the identical necessary safety elements like these patented high-security rivets.
This is able to be an excellent choice for scooters, too, because it’s smaller and extra compact for the lighter frames on scooters.
At US $71 on Amazon, it’s a extra inexpensive model of the flagship Foldylock Without end lock.
The third and final lock from Seatylock that I’ve actually taken a liking to is the Mason 220. This may increasingly appear like a normal U-lock at first, however there are two primary variations I actually like about it.
The primary is that it’s large sufficient to suit across the chunky battery downtube in all of my e-bikes. Most U-locks can’t match round this large a part of an e-bike, that means you’re extra restricted on locking places. The Mason 220 has no drawback becoming wherever on my e-bikes.
The second factor I like is that the lock’s shackle has a pentagonal profile. That helps cut back weight whereas strengthening the cross-section in comparison with spherical or sq. bars. The engineering reply is that it places extra materials additional away from the middle axis with out losing materials the place it isn’t wanted. It additionally prevents thieves from having two flat surfaces on both facet for making use of numerous instruments. However in layman’s phrases, it’s only a extra environment friendly profile for anti-theft.
On prime of all of that, the lock is Diamond-certified 20/20 by Bought Safe, which is the best doable safety score. It’s proof against reducing, grinding, drilling, bending, prying, freezing, and mainly each primary lock assault.
At its present worth of US $76 on Amazon, it’s a no brainer.
I at all times suggest utilizing two locks on the identical time, and I typically mix the Mason 220 with the FoldyLock Compact (since my spouse tends to steal my FoldylLck Without end for her bike).
E-cuffs electrical scooter lock
This one is a little bit of a wierd lock, however stick to me. These handcuff-style locks make nice scooter locks, which is what they’re designed for. However in a pinch, you too can apply it to an e-bike.
These aren’t probably the most safe locks on the market, so I usually attempt to use them at the side of a second lock when doable, however the E-cuffs do have a number of good security options as a part of their design. The triple-ply metal is tougher to chop and the tight locking cuff makes it laborious to get a pry-bar inside the lock for leverage assaults.
Additionally they mount actually properly to the stem of a scooter to allow them to deploy shortly round no matter you select to lock onto.
I used them on the VMAX scooter I used to be not too long ago testing and located them to be a very handy answer for fast and handy locking.
Waterfield Vitesse waxed canvas backpack
For these of you who bemoan the dearth of American manufacturing, right here you go! The Waterfield Vitesse waxed canvas backpack is made in America. It’s additionally bought made in America pricing at US $219, however hey, you mentioned you’d pay for American manufacturing, proper?!
This bag is a murals, made of gorgeous waxed canvas from an American mill that has produced it this manner for practically a century. The luggage are sewn in San Francisco and have a primary open pocket with organizer pouches inside, a laptop computer sleeve that may match as much as a 16-inch laptop computer, and a pleated entrance pocket. The roll-top design additionally has a water-proof zipper, that means you don’t should roll the highest in case you want to stuff it pretty full. You may simply zip it once you don’t have the additional materials left over to roll it.
The neoprene-padded straps and leather-wrapped deal with are comfy and clearly constructed for years of wear and tear, as it is a buy-it-for-life sort of bag. I typically experience on days once you by no means know what sort of climate you’ll have, and so the waxed canvas and waterproof zipper are key for cyclists who desire a handsome bag that also withstands the weather.
Remco electrical lifting bike stand
This stand has modified the sport for my bike work. I assemble lots of e-bikes for evaluations and am consistently doing work on my bikes, whether or not regular upkeep or main repairs. Lifting heavy e-bikes onto a stand isn’t enjoyable, particularly as most of the “e-bikes” I evaluate are mainly 100-lb gentle electrical bikes.
That’s excellent for the reason that Remco electrical elevate bike stand can help as much as 100 lb fashions, and I really put that to the check with a number of 100lb+ fashions!
It’s bought a brilliant steady (and heavy) base plate, and the elevate itself might be programmed to recollect numerous heights which are most comfy for you.
The modular design permits you to use your individual clamp or theirs, that means you possibly can stick together with your trusty Park Software clamp in case you want.
Just a little over a 12 months in the past I damage my again (and had my first “OMG this should be what getting outdated is” second), and so using an electrical bike elevate for heavy electrical bikes is simply such a pleasant addition to my bike workflow that I can’t think about anymore muscling these 80 and 90 lb e-bikes into the air whereas attempting to help them one handed and shut the clamp with the opposite.
That is actually meant for bike retailers and professionals, however even of us such as you and me who simply are likely to do work on a number of heavy bikes can actually profit from it!
Past Riders protected using clothes
I’ve written earlier than concerning the significance of sporting protecting clothes, particularly on sooner electrical bikes. Past Riders has grow to be my go-to model as a result of its garments appear like typical on a regular basis clothes but have hidden armor and are produced with heavy-duty fibers designed for abrasion resistance.
I’ve simply began testing out their flannel shirt and cargo pants, which have choices for Degree 1 or Degree 2 armor inserts to guard your shoulders, elbows, backbone, hips, and knees. I’ll do a deeper dive on these quickly.
Their canvas using jacket continues to be one in every of my favorites too, and it doesn’t even appear like a bike jacket. It simply seems like a pleasant canvas jacket!
My spouse additionally likes that I don’t appear like I’m heading out for a bike experience, however slightly I can put on these items on date night time. Whereas that’s not my major concern, the “completely satisfied spouse, completely satisfied life” doctrine at all times applies. So if I can mix security and trend in a single, that’s the best choice.
The BEAM’s Virgo helmet
Helmets are clearly crucial security gear for e-bike riders, particularly since we are likely to spend extra time at greater speeds. However regardless of the know-how included in a helmet, if it solely sits on the highest of your head, then there’s an entire lot of face materials left flapping round within the wind.
The Virgo helmet is a full face helmet with added chin bar so as to add additional safety.
You pay handsomely for that safety, to the tune of US $299, however you get much more face protection than your typical helmet. Which means your jaw has a greater likelihood of staying connected in a catastrophic impression with a car or concrete curb. The included MIPS system additionally reduces torsional impression in your mind, which is turning into commonplace on all higher-quality helmets as of late.
And for much less disastrous crashes, you don’t have to fret about regrowing the pores and skin in your face. In case your face is the way you make your cash (otherwise you simply don’t wish to appear like a lasagna), a full-face helmet is a good suggestion. The chin bar here’s a bit flexy, so it’s not going to face up to the identical stage of crash as my motorbike helmets, however it’s additionally lots lighter and extra comfy than my motorbike helmets, making it excellent for biking.
Even simply the visor provides nice advantages. I can’t inform you what number of occasions I experience by a flock of gnats or an enormous mud cloud with one eye closed simply in case it will get compromised and I would like a backup eye. With a visor, you have got eye safety even on the times you aren’t sporting sun shades. And naturally you possibly can by no means predict the random rock that will get kicked up by a automotive tire and despatched immediately in direction of your eyes. You solely get two eyes they usually don’t heal the way in which pores and skin does. Defend them!
There’s additionally the built-in rear gentle for added visibility, and naturally, the a number of dimension and colour choices. There’s lots to love right here, even when the worth is slightly lofty.
Peak Design telephone holder
I’ve examined many telephone holders for e-bikes, scooters, and bikes. By far, my all-time favourite has bought to be Peak Design’s telephone holder.
I bought the case for my iPhone, and now I’ve the matching holding on a number of of my e-bikes, in addition to one on my Gogoro scooter and one other on my LiveWire Del Mar motorbike.
The essential idea is just like Quadlock or different quick-release holders, besides that there’s no twisting. A magnet guides the telephone’s case onto the spring-loaded locking tabs, which snap into place at the back of the case and securely maintain the telephone. To launch it, you possibly can press a button on both facet of the mount and your telephone immediately pops off. It’s rugged but simply launched – a difficult mixture to grasp.
I purchased the $39 common mount for my bikes and scooters and I’ve the $79 devoted motorbike mount on my LiveWire, however there are many completely different mount choices obtainable.
Tentsile tenting hammock
I LOVE bike tenting, and one in every of my latest acquisitions is supposed to make e-bike tenting all of the extra enjoyable with a soothing hangout. Tentsile’s tree hammocks aren’t your conventional hammocks, however slightly outsized triangular hanging platforms that may take the type of tents or hangout hammocks.
I bought the six-person large hammock not too long ago, however sadly I haven’t had a tenting journey but to attempt it out. Thus far it seems prefer it ought to work properly although, because it’s properly constructed and large! That’s one other good factor about e-bike tenting, you possibly can afford the additional weight of drugs like this as a result of the battery helps take the ache out of the pedaling.
That is one other one which ain’t low cost, at $384. However in case you’ve bought the luxurious of including enjoyable gear to your leisure bike-camping setup, that is undoubtedly one that can change the sport. As a substitute of a bunch of folding chairs, you and your pals can all be lounging within the air, suspended from Mom Nature’s anchors – timber!
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