Bicycling is undergoing a renaissance. With rising gas prices and increased awareness of the health and environmental benefits, more people than ever are riding bikes for transportation, exercise, and fun. This has led to an explosion in gadgets and accessories designed to enhance the cycling experience.
In this post, we’ll look at five of the best gadgets to ride bikes available in 2023. Whether you’re a casual rider or hardcore cyclist, these devices will help you ride faster, smarter, and safer. Read on to see which gadgets can take your cycling to the next level!
Introduction
Riding a bicycle used to be a pretty simple affair. All you needed was a bike, a helmet, and maybe a bike lock. But thanks to advances in technology, today’s cyclists have an array of high-tech gadgets to improve performance, navigation, safety, and more.
From wearables to smartphone apps to advanced bike computers, bike tech has come a long way. These innovations allow riders to track their stats, follow routes, see incoming calls and texts, avoid accidents, and much more.
But with so many options on the market, how do you know which gadgets are actually useful? We’ve tested and compiled this list of the five best gadgets that will enhance every ride. Whether you’re a tech-savvy road warrior or casual urban cyclist, these devices will take your riding experience to the next level in 2023.
Best Bike Computers: Garmin Edge 530
Overview
A bike computer is one of the most useful cycling gadgets you can own. Bike computers attach to your handlebars and provide a range of performance stats and navigation help. The Garmin Edge 530 is the best bike computer available today thanks to its full-color mapping, varied connectivity, and in-depth metrics.
Key Features
- Full-color touchscreen display for easy navigation
- Preloaded cycle maps for turn-by-turn directions
- Connects with smartphones, bike lights, sensors, and more
- Advanced performance monitoring, including VO2 max estimate
- Incident detection and assistance messaging for emergencies
Why It’s the Best
The Garmin Edge 530 tops our list because it offers the complete package for cyclists. The color display is easy to read and navigate. The preloaded maps provide detailed bike-friendly navigation so you can find and follow cycling routes.
You can connect it to your smartphone to make calls, get text alerts, and listen to music. It also pairs with bike lights and sensors for even more data like cadence, heart rate, power, and more. Safety features like incident detection, GroupTrack, and assistance messaging add peace of mind on every ride.
Bottom line, if you’re looking for full-featured bike computer with detailed training metrics, advanced navigation, and safety features, the Garmin Edge 530 is the clear choice. It will take your rides to the next level.
Best Bike Phone Mount: Quad Lock Bike Mount Kit
Overview
One of the handiest cycling gadgets is a phone mount for your bike. This allows you to see mapping, tracking, music controls, and more on your phone during rides. The Quad Lock Bike Mount Kit is the most versatile and secure phone mount available.
Key Features
- Low-profile mount attaches firmly to handlebars
- Spring-loaded arms grip phone securely on bumpy roads
- Works with or without a phone case
- Weather resistant construction
- Comes with anti-vibration dampener
Why It’s the Best
There are lots of bike phone mounts out there, but none match the quality and security of the Quad Lock system. The handlebar mount locks solidly into place and stays put even on rough terrain.
The spring-loaded arms grip your phone tightly so it never pops out, even on bumpy roads. Yet you can still quickly twist and release the phone for stops. The mount works great with or without a phone case and comes with a dampener to reduce vibrations.
Cyclists love that the low-profile mount sits close to the stem for improved aerodynamics and handling compared to bulkier mounts. For the most versatile and secure way to see your phone while riding, Quad Lock is the clear winner.
Best Cycling Glasses: Oakley Radar EV Path
Overview
Cycling-specific glasses are another must-have gadget that improves performance, comfort, and safety on every ride. The Oakley Radar EV Path stands out as the top cycling glasses with their stylish design, lightweight frame, and impact protection.
Key Features
- Impact-resistant Plutonite lenses block 100% UVA/UVB/UVC
- Prizm lenses enhance visibility in varied conditions
- Three-point fit keeps frames secure during active riding
- Adjustable earsocks and nosepads for customized fit
- Available with prescription lenses
Why They’re the Best
Oakley dominates the cycling glasses market, and the Radar EV Path model is their best for biking. The Plutonite lenses offer complete UV protection and meet ANSI safety standards to block impact.
The Prizm technology enhances vision in different environments so you can see contrasts and navigate changing terrain better. At just 23 grams, the frames are lightweight and the three-point fit keeps them anchored in place during aggressive riding and racing.
Customizable earsocks and nosepads allow you to dial in the ideal fit for all-day comfort. Available lens tints and prescription options allow you to customize precisely for your needs. For unparalleled performance, protection, comfort, and style, Oakley Radar EV Path glasses win our top spot.
Best Bike Tail Light: Garmin Varia RTL515
Overview
Staying visible is crucial for safe cycling, especially when riding at night or in low light. The best gadget for enhancing rear visibility is the Garmin Varia RTL515 bike tail light with integrated radar.
Key Features
- 70-lumen tail light with multiple modes and patterns
- Integrated radar detects vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards
- Alerts rider via connected devices when vehicles approach
- Visible in daylight up to 1 mile away
- Recharges via USB
Why It’s the Best
The Varia RTL515 combines a powerful tail light with radar-assisted awareness that gives cyclists total situational awareness. The 70-lumen light attaches to seat posts and features various steady, flashing, and strobe patterns to stand out.
What sets it apart is the radar that works independently of the light to detect approaching vehicles from up to 153 yards away. It sends alerts to connected devices to warn the rider without distraction.
For day or night riding, the Varia gives total awareness of what’s behind for increased confidence and safety. The rechargeable light provides peace of mind by enhancing rear visibility better than any other cycling gadget.
Best Cycling GPS Watch: Garmin Fenix 7
Overview
Serious cyclists know that using a GPS cycling computer is crucial for recording routes, distance, speed, elevation, and other performance data. The Garmin Fenix 7 GPS watch puts these advanced metrics right on your wrist.
Key Features
- Full-color topo mapping to navigate anywhere
- Built-in cycling activity profiles with advanced metrics
- Heart rate monitoring, pace guidance and more
- Up to 57 hours of battery life in GPS mode
- Rugged design for rain, mud, and accidental impact
Why It’s the Best
The Garmin Fenix 7 packs premium multisport features into a rugged watch built for outdoor athletes. The full-color maps, extensive activity profiles, and metrics rival dedicated bike computers.
You get detailed ride logging and tracking without having to mount anything on your bike. Cycling dynamics, training status, recovery metrics, and more give you the raw data to take your training to the next level.
The always-on color display lets you view stats and maps without slowing you down. It’s also rugged enough for any ride and offers long battery life even in GPS mode. For cyclists who want advanced data without the bike computer, the Garmin Fenix 7 is the clear choice.
Conclusion
These five gadgets represent the best cycling gear you can buy in 2023 for performance, navigation, awareness, and overall ride enhancement. From the data-packed Garmin Edge 530 computer to the safety boosting Varia tail light, these devices will step up every bike outing.
If you’re looking for gadgets to help you achieve new PRs, expand your navigation, improve awareness, customize your comfort, or just quantifiably enhance your riding experience, these five are must-haves. They make cycling more enjoyable than ever.
So whether you just started biking or you’re a seasoned enthusiast, try adding one or more of these top gadgets to your rides. They’ll open up new possibilities and take you even further on two wheels. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself seeking out new routes and riding more than ever just to try out your cool new cycling tech.
