Lifestyle

6 Genius Bike Inventions, or Crazy Cycling Contraptions?

Are they ground-breaking inventions, or flash-in-the-pan gizmos?

There are some very inventive people in cycling. At TWC we receive daily emails about exciting products that could revolutionize the way we ride. Every so often, we’ll spot one that really makes us stop and think.

We’ve compiled a list of six of the most inventive – yet in some ways puzzling – creations we’ve seen so far. So, without further ado…

Cyclee

The Cyclee device has been constructed to attach onto the back of your seat post, from there it relays information from your mobile to project signs on your back. The signs then change with the action of the rider. The purpose of this is to make cyclists more noticeable to drivers, and make them aware of the rider’s actions.

We wonder what the result would be if you’re wearing a backpack, or a printed t-shirt…

Dryve

When commuting to work on your bike, there’s nothing worse than getting drenched in the rain, and then spending the day feeling soggy. Coming out of Switzerland, where cycling is a popular choice of transportation, the Dryve is a quick fitting rain shelter for your bike. It’s available in a number of colours, it’s easy to install – 30s according to their fact sheet – and extremely lightweight.

It’s a great idea in theory, but how would it fair against the harsh winds the UK is so prone to?

ICGlove

Research revealed that the most dangerous areas of traffic riding are at junctions and turnings, so to help combat this vulnerability, ICGloves have come up with a brilliant solution.

The ICGloves are designed as cycling indicators for when you’re riding amongst traffic. They are powered by coin batteries, and they flash when you lift your hand off the bike to aid signalling. They are brightly lit by LED lights so they even assist in making the rider more visible at night time.

These gloves are designed with the intention of not only being functional for signalling, but also waterproof and warm for the riders comfort.

A-Bike

Commuting to work has now gotten easier with an electric and folding bike designed by British inventor, Sir Clive Sinclair.

The A- bike is powered by a 24V battery which can be charged during the day, and lasts you for 15 miles. It’s super lightweight, as it weighs just 12kg, even with the casing for the chain drive. It may look like a fumbley contraption, but it’s claimed to be easily folded away in just 10 seconds – pretty impressive when you’re in a rush to that all important meeting.

COBI

This one is for the cycling gadget lovers. The COBI device connects your smart-phone with your bike to provide a number of essential functions that will benefit any cyclist. These features include and automatic front and rear light, bike-navigation, smart-phone holder with charging function, alarm system, bell and bike computer.

This innovative concept is like the Swiss army knives of bike tech. It can do so much, even run your Strava app at the same time as the other processes. It comes with a 6 button thumb remote that attaches to your bars for easy navigation through the modular system.

Now, if only it could clean your bike after a ride...

Handlebar Cup Holder

No need to miss out on that hot cuppa on your way to work with the handlebar cup holder. The strong spring system enables the holder to clamp hard onto the bars, withstanding lumps and bumps in the road. The holder has two ring sizes, enabling you to flip it upside down for varying cup sizes. Just make sure to avoid the pot-holes….

These gadgets are just a few that we’ve pulled together, but there are always new things coming onto the market… have you spotted any amazing inventions lately?