The average cyclist spends a lot of money on bikes and cycling accessories. Before I spend my hard-earned money, I like to check that I’m going to get my money’s worth. Problem is that a lot of the reviews online are biased by commercial considerations.
So I decided to start doing reviews of cycling-related products. This is a list of some of the products I have used and reviewed as an average cyclist. I hope these reviews help other average cyclists to get their money’s worth. Click on the links for more in-depth information!
Bags and Panniers
Read about some of the best bike panniers in my post, 7 of the Best Bike Panniers.
Axiom Stormfront Panniers
These are fully waterproof and big … but they do have their problems. Weigh up the pros and cons and decide for yourself!
Read more about them here: Axiom Stormfront Panniers.
Axiom Dual Function Premium Pet Basket
We wanted to find a way to take our puppy cycling with us, and we did quite a bit of research before setting on the Axiom Dual Function Premium Pet Basket.
It took him a while to get used to it, but it’s actually a great basket!
Read the full review and get a video link to Billy’s first ride here: Axiom Dual Function Premium Pet Basket.
Shoes
Five Ten Urban Cycling Shoes
Definitely among my favourite shoes for cycling, the Five Ten shoes combine extreme grippiness with style. The grippiness was designed to help people climb mountains!
Read more about it here: Five Ten Urban Cycling Shoes.
Eyewear
Adidas Tycane Pro L cycling glasses
Adidas Tycane Pro L cycling glasses are expensive, but worth the price. These hydrophobic cycling glasses incorporate some of the latest lens technology to protect your eyes from UV rays and give you great vision.
Bolle Tactical Goggles (Avoid Spring Eye Allergies while Cycling!)
These goggles might make you look a bit strange on a bike, but they will protect you against spring eye allergies.
Read more about it here: Bolle Tactical Goggles.
Bike Computers
Garmin Edge Touring GPS Bike Computer
This is Garmin’s newest, most innovative product. It is an attempt to give cyclists the GPS guidance that many motorists enjoy. It’s a great STEP towards that goal, with impressive features that have improved my life as a bike commuter. However, it definitely has its faults too, and it’s not yet at the level of car GPS’s. On the other hand, it’s a whole lot cheaper than the Garmin 800 bike computer.
Read all about it to decide if you want to spend around $200 on it, in my review: Garmin Edge Touring GPS Bike Computer.
Garmin Edge 200 GPS Bike Computer
An affordable Garmin, reviewed by my wife, Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist. She discusses what this entry-level Garmin bike CAN do, and what it does NOT do.
Spoiler alert: for the price, it’s amazing how much it CAN do.
Read more about it in my Review: Garmin Edge 200 GPS Bike Computer.
Garmin Edge 705 GPS Bike Computer
This is a top-end bike computer. Any average cyclist planning to buy it should probably examine its features carefully, to make sure they justify the cost.
After all, this Garmin costs more than a lot of people’s bikes!
It does have a lot of great features, though, including a heart rate monitor.
Read more about it in my Product Review: Garmin Edge 705 Bike Computer.
Bike Accessories
Bike Wrappers
These are an ingenious product. They wrap around your bike frame, serving a dual purpose: protecting your bike from scratches, and making you much more visible in the dark.
Read more about it here: Bike Wrappers – a Great Way to Stay Visible on your Bike.
Thule 9032 Heavy Duty Bike Rack
This is a great bike rack that can comfortably carry two heavy bikes.
Bikes
2011 Specialialized Dolce Sport Triple
The 2011 Specialized Dolce Sport Triple is an “entry-level” road bike, but I think it’s outstanding quality at the price. I feel fast and powerful on this bike, and that’s not something I get to feel too often.
Read more about it: 2011 Specialized Dolce Sport Triple (WSD).
2013 Giant Avail WSD road bike
My wife Maggie got this and loves it! She looks and feels like an athlete on this bike, which is pretty good going for a grand mother!
Read much more about it in Mrs Average Joe Cyclist’s Product Review: 2013 Giant Women’s Avail 3 Road Bike.
Specialized Sequoia Elite 2009 Road Bike
This this was definitely one of my best bikes ever! There are some still available used; grab one if you can. A good, lightly-used Specialized Elite 2009 Road Bike would be a bargain at just about any price!
Some can still be found … Unfortunately, for marketing reasons, Sequoia decided to discontinue the Sequoia Elite … BAD decision, IMHO.
Read more about it here: Specialized Sequoia Elite 2009 Road Bike.
Electric Bikes and Electric Bike Kits
Panasonic Mid-Drive Bike Motor on Emotion BH E9502 Race Bike – An Average Joe Cyclist Product Review
Simply the most awesome electric bike ever! Fast, light, and does not look like an electric bike. Plus, you get lots of exercise as your legs work together with the gears and the crank drive engine to move you up hills with power, and along flats with speed! Read an in-depth review here – Panasonic Mid-Drive Bike Motor on Emotion BH E9502 Race Bike – An Average Joe Cyclist Product Review.
BionX PL-350 Electric Bike Kits
BionX makes some of the best-quality, highest-rated electric bike kits in the world. After-sales service is excellent too. The kits are now being fitted to all kinds of bikes, but you can also just buy a kit and retrofit your existing bike.
Read my Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: BionX PL-350 Electric Bike Kit
BionX PL-250 Electric Bike Kits
A smaller engine for those who don’t need or want as much power. Like its big brother, the PL-250 requires sweat equity to get it moving and keep it moving – but it does make you feel bionic! Read about what it’s like to take a ride on a BionX-powered bike in my Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: Test Driving my BionX PL-250 Electric Bike Kit.
Bike Lights
Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: The LuminTrail Headlight
I am loving my 1,000 lumens helmet light (it can also be mounted on your handle bars).
The only drawback to this light is that it can blind oncoming pedestrians or cyclists, but it does have 3 brightness levels that are easy to change while cycling.
Read all about this bright, bright light in my Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: The LuminTrail Headlight.
Electron Terra 2 Bike Front Lights
Small yet powerful and very hardy. These lights have three modes: bright, not so bright and flashing. Sold as a pair, they function independently, so you can have one on bright for seeing your way, and one of flashing so people will see you. Read all about these robust little lights in my Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: Electron Terra 2 Bike Front Lights
Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: MonkeyLectric Monkey Lights
Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: Serfas Thunderbolt (UTL-6) Taillight
Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: Reelight SL120 Lights
Bike Clothes
The Water proof Gore Bike Wear Gore-Tex Paclite Shell
That’s a whole lot of name for a jacket that seems to weigh less than an ounce, and can be carried with your little finger. And it just looks like a slim little black jacket. But it’s a BIG jacket in terms of what it does – keeping you dry in heavy, driving rain.
Read all about it in Average Joe Cyclist Product Review: Water Proof Gore Bike Wear Gore-Tex Paclite Shell
