Bicycle accessories tested in 2022

Anyone who likes to travel longer with an e-bike or regular bicycle will hardly be able to avoid a few utensils. Be it a mobile phone holder, power bank or useful apps for route planning. GIGA presents the best gadgets for long bike tours and explains what else needs to be considered.

The best bicycle accessories for 2022: All GIGA recommendations at a glance

The summer temperatures lure many of us onto our bikes. The smartphone is a constant companion – but with the right gadgets or apps, you can get even more out of your iPhone or Android device. In addition, there are a number of other useful helpers that should not be missing on your next bike tour.

That’s why you can trust GIGA

We conduct intensive research for every article of this type so that we can then pass on the knowledge we have gained to our readers in a compact and, above all, understandable way. Likewise, all listed products are always selected with care and different purposes and price segments are also taken into account. You can find more information about our purchase advice in the article “How we advise”.

In addition to my fascination for video games and (PC) hardware, the bicycle is also one of my preferred means of transport – be it with the single speed in daily city traffic or with the gravel bike on tours lasting several days. Of course, I have even more fun with the right equipment, which is where my passion for technology comes into play again. The purchase of every new gadget is first thoroughly researched, which has meanwhile gotten around in my circle of friends and acquaintances. In order to give you the best possible overview, we have included external user opinions in our selection in addition to our own experiences.

Power bank for all weather conditions: Znex Notstrøm XT

advantages

• Protection against water and dust (IP67)
• Can be mounted under the cup holder
• Light weight

Disadvantages

• Relatively low battery capacity
• No quick charge

Most people probably use their smartphone to get from A to B during a bike ride. But what to do if you run out of juice in the middle? Here could be Znex Notstrom XT power bank remedy. For just under 70 euros you get a well thought-out battery that can be mounted unobtrusively on the frame of the bike and is also weatherproof. This is ensured by the waterproof housing IP67 standard and the insulated charging cable.

Miniature solar power station: BigBlue 28W portable solar charger

• Protection against water and dust (IPX4)
• Two USB ports for charging
• Foldable construction

Disadvantages

• Not suitable for charging while driving
• No quick charge

If you want to go one step further, you can solar powered charger Invest and thus charge all devices such as power banks, smartphones, headphones or bike computers completely independently. So even multi-day tours far away from civilization should no longer pose a problem. As long as the sun is shining, you theoretically never run out of electricity and you can also charge your battery-powered lights, for example.

Phone mount: SP Connect Handlebar Mount Pro MTB & Universal Interface

advantages

• High-quality workmanship and a secure hold
• Integrated vibration dampener
• Each case can be easily converted
• Compatibility of all products with each other

Disadvantages

• Mobile phone cases only for selected models
• Overall relatively expensive

Of the Handlebar Mount Pro MTB in combination with that universal interface from the Austrian manufacturer SP Connect delivers almost uncompromising quality when it comes to bike mounts. The attachment for the handlebars is made of solid aluminum and therefore feels high-quality. In addition to different holders or bags, there are currently suitable cases for various devices from Apple, Samsung or Huawei. Unfortunately, my Pixel 4a is still empty – thanks to the adhesive universal attachment, I was able to easily convert a case of my choice.

After I was able to put both gadgets through their paces extensively, I can hardly say anything negative about the clever mounting system. Even on rough rides over hill and dale, I always had complete trust in the holder and therefore never feared that my beloved smartphone would suddenly make an unexpected departure. The only criticism would be the relatively high price and the limited selection of official covers. As an Android owner, I think that’s a shame. In my opinion, if you don’t mind that, you still get one of the best bike mounts that the market currently has to offer.

Waterproof bicycle bag: Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic

advantages

• High quality
• Waterproof
• Integrated inside pocket

Disadvantages

Especially at higher temperatures, a backpack is probably not the best choice for a longer bike tour. Panniers like that Ortlieb Back Roller Classic On the other hand, they can be easily mounted on the luggage rack and often offer significantly more storage space. In this case, it is a total of 40 liters, which should be enough even for tours lasting several days, as long as you pack it in a space-saving manner. Another advantage is the fact that the bags are completely waterproof and the material really does pretty much anything. I’ve been using various Ortlieb products myself for a number of years and so far I haven’t managed to break one of the bags even remotely.

The only disadvantage, apart from the relatively high price, is that the bag effectively only has a single compartment, since the inside pocket is very narrow and accordingly offers little storage space. So if you want to stow away a lot of small stuff, you should bring additional bags if necessary. What can also help: the right saddle bag for essentials such as tools, a spare inner tube or snacks.

For emergencies: breakdown equipment

Nothing is more annoying than suddenly getting a flat tire while driving – almost. It’s even worse if you don’t have the right tools with you at such moments to get the bike going again. Therefore, a compact multi-tool like this Topeak Hexus X not missing on any trip. This tool has already helped me out of several emergency situations myself and I also use it from time to time for minor repairs.

A pump should not be missing either. GIGA editor Biagio has the mobile air compressor from Xiaomi was really impressed in the test, which is why I wanted to mention the practical gadget at this point. But a conventional air pump will do the job too.

Finally, appropriate repair kit and at least one suitable replacement tube should also be part of your emergency equipment. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also buy a safety vest, which provides a higher level of visibility in traffic.

Bike apps for iPhone and Android smartphones

Finally, we come to bike apps – and thus to one of the main reasons why your iPhone or Android smartphone should not be missing on a longer tour. With the appropriate apps, you can either get inspiration for your next trip or plan a specific tour meticulously down to the last detail. Likewise, cyclists with sporting ambitions can use various apps to track their progress precisely or to share it with others.

Navigation: Bike mode from Google Maps

To get from A to B, Google Maps usually regarded as the universal solution. And rightly so. The bike mode is also very usable overall. If you know the start and destination of your tour, you can start right away with Google Maps. Of course, the app also offers a navigation mode, but the routes are not recorded.

Tip: Sign in with a Google account and download the map material for the required area. Because over land you often have a slow internet connection or no internet connection at all. You can find out how this works in our collection of tips on Google Maps:

Planning bike tours: Komoot

Komoot is the first address when it comes to planning a route. This is possible directly on the smartphone, alternatively (and in some cases a little easier) via the website. In order to be able to use the navigation on the smartphone, the planned routes and the recorded driving statistics are saved in the user account and synchronized between the personal devices.

But it’s not just your own planning that’s successful thanks to marked cycling highlights along the routes and an overview of the road surfaces along the route. Komoot also provides many suggestions for things to do, for cycling as well as on foot. The active community contributes to a decisive added value here. But if you don’t want to actively participate, you don’t have to.

Bike tracking with your smartphone: Strava

Although Komoot can save your rides and statistics, if you get on the bike primarily for sporting reasons, it is best to download a dedicated sports app. Strava has made it its goal not only to provide you with valuable training data, but also with the necessary motivation. Every kilometer covered ends up in your personal statistics and, if necessary, you can share your sessions with the community afterwards. So if you’ve always wanted to compete with like-minded people, you’ve come to the right place.

There is also the option to combine Strava with other well-known services such as GoogleFit and also to link devices. For example, the recorded data of compatible smartwatches or bike computers – for example from Garmin or Wahoo – can also be loaded into the app. However, this usually requires a paid subscription. I myself have only used the free version of the app so far, but I have always been more than satisfied with the range of functions offered. So it’s always worth trying out.