Essential cycling gadgets: what’s worth it?

Not really a new technology, at all, but definitely a must-have for both recreational cyclists and performance-oriented bikers. Heart rate monitors are very convenient to monitor our health status and they are relatively cheap, so for me it is a big yes.

There are different models on the market and even cheaper ones provide good reliability and durability. To me, there is no need to spend too much money on big brands, for example, I used this basic one that I paid less then 30€ on Amazon and it worked great.

Final verdict: is it worth it? Yes

Another technology that is not exactly new, but still not so widely adopted, also due to its cost. Being crank based or on pedals, power meters are a nice toy to play with. Do we really need them? It depends, if you want to follow a training plan and aim to boost your performance then absolutely yes, if you are not so performance oriented, then I would spend money elsewhere. But if you decide to do an investment, I would recommend buying pedals, such as the Garmin Rally or the Favero Assioma, instead of the crank based ones, so you can also easily use them on different bikes.

Final verdict: is it worth it? Yes if you want to boost your performance.

I first saw Core Body Temperature some years ago at Eurobike and nowadays there are different temperature sensors available and they are commonly used by many professional riders. The device aims to ease the heat acclimatization during training and it allows to monitor the core temperature during races. To put it simple, heat stress stimulates blood plasma production and with these device you can increase the intensity of sessions in the heat, based on how core temperature is coping.

Is it worth it? Considering the cost and the complexity of the subject, if not expert enough, it isn’t. It is a technology that I see suitable only for pro riders and expert coaches, I can’t see real benefits for amateur riders, at least for now.

Final verdict: is it worth it? No, not yet at least

At first I didn’t expect it, but after trying them, I can confirm the titanium water bottles by Keego are a game changer. They are way more durable than standard plastic water bottles, don’t give the plastic after taste and above all they don’t absorb the flavours, something I hate about plastic ones, where if I put an electrolyte orange drink inside once, it will taste like orange forever. Not exactly cheap, but considering their life span, they end up being cheaper than standard bottles.

Final verdict: are they worth it? Yes

Sales of bike lights reasonably skyrocketed during the last few years, among the many alternatives on the market, I think this small but effective Ryzon light clip stands out of the competition, also thanks to its competitive price (30€).

Final verdict: is it worth it? Yes

Starting from 89€, this small e-pump is extremely handy and thanks to its compact design, it comfortably fits into the pocket. The price point is not the lowest, but it is a useful and user friendly gadget, that pumps tires in a fast and reliable way.

Final verdict: is it worth it? Yes

Used and sponsored by Visma – Lease a Bike, Food coach is probably the most famous cycling nutrition app on the market. It connects to all your devices and apps and delivers daily food plans based on training schedule and personal characteristics, suggesting recipes that fit into your daily meal plan. The year plan cost 150€ and after testing it for a while, I came to the conclusion it wasn’t worth the money: the calculation of the daily intake need is not accurate and the suggested recipes don’t represent a plus as they are rather plain and repetitive (if I am paying a fee, I expect something more than oatmeal with blueberries and healthy banana bread!)

Final verdict: is it worth it? No

Similarly to The Athlete’s Good Coach, Eatmyride calculates your daily intake needs and allows you to track your consumption. Eatmyride has two advantages: it is more accurate and it suggests the correct nutrition strategy for your rides that can be sent directly to your devices, such as your Garmin. The yearly plan is 49€ and if you are struggling with correct nutrition/intake on the bike, it is a very good ally. You can also subscribe for a couple of months, study your needs and the strategy and then continue the journey on your own.

Final verdict: is it worth it? If you struggle with correct ride intake and nutrition isn’t your strongest asset, yes.

Dynamic cyclist offers stretching and strength plans specifically designed for cyclists. The plans are available for different levels, from beginners to advanced, and can also focus on specific needs. The workouts are diverse and well explained and the cost is 9.9€/month. I think it is the best App of this kind and if I wasn’t lazy and had more time, I would still use it. I especially recommend their stretching workouts.

Final verdict: is it worth it? Yes.

Training Peaks doesn’t need any introduction, as it is widely known and used in the cycling industry: data analytics, training plans, scheduling, tracking for 19€/month. My opinion on the platform is probably against the general trend, as I find it isn’t user friendly and it is too complex for amateurs and recreational cyclists, so…

Final verdict: is it worth it? No, unless you are a pro or a pro-amateur

Similarly to Training Peaks, Intervals.icu deeply analyzes training and riding data, delivering statistics, graphics, insights and even comparing tables to see how you are performing respect to the other users of your category. The advantages? It is free and very easy to use, a big yes from me.

Final verdict: is it worth it? Yes