For some cyclists, every ounce of gear and every megabyte of data matters. And while high-tech gadgets alone won鈥檛 make you a better rider, more information usually can鈥檛 hurt. So we鈥檝e compiled a list of brand-new gear designed to give you an edge during this training season. If you鈥檙e not faster by the time you roll up to the start line, don鈥檛 blame the tech.
See.Sense ($67)
Smart cyclists put their safety first, especially during long training sessions. 罢丑别听, available in April, emits a bright LED beam that鈥檚 smart enough to know where you are. An accelerometer can sense when you鈥檙e slowing down or circling through a roundabout. The gadget monitors ambient light, shining brighter in dimmer situations. The main rear light costs $67; the front and rear set runs $116. Lasts 12 hours per USB charge.
Wahoo Fitness TICKR ($60)
罢丑别听聽is unique among heart-rate monitors because it syncs over either ANT+ (for fitness gadgets and watches) or Bluetooth Smart (for iPhones鈥攕orry, no Android compatibility yet). Lights on the sensor glow when connected and when the聽TICKR聽reads your pulse correctly. 罢丑别听TICKR聽X version鈥攊t costs $99 and will be available in June鈥攖racks cadence using a built-in accelerometer.聽
Bike2Power BikeConsole PowerPlus Mount ($90)
罢丑颈蝉听, but also comes with a built-in battery for charging your phone. The safety lock opens easily, so it鈥檚 a cinch to extract your device quickly if you want to take a hasty聽selfie聽during your ride. The case can withstand drops of about seven feet. There are versions for the iPhone 5 and 5S, the iPhone 4, and the Samsung Galaxy S3 or S4.聽
Garmin Fenix 2 ($400)
Sometimes, it鈥檚 all about your data鈥攃adence, heart rate, power, and miles traveled. 罢丑别听聽is a powerful, smart watch that can sync to both the Garmin聽HRM-Run聽heart-rate sensor chest strap ($99) and the Garmin Speed/Cadence Bike Sensor ($60). There鈥檚 a GPS sensor on board. Plus, you can share live data using the Garmin Connect and聽Basecamp聽apps.
Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Leader ($270)
罢丑颈蝉听聽features a slick Boa retention system. A carbon sole makes this model lightweight (8.4 ounces) and plenty stiff for optimal power transfer. The upper proved highly breathable and comfortable during our tests.聽
Recon Instruments Jet ($599)
Available later this spring, the Recon Jet is a聽. As you ride, you can glance at a display that seems to hover in the air. Its computer tracks speed, distance, elevation, and more. The Jet connects over Bluetooth Smart or ANT+ to your smartphone, heart-rate monitor, and cadence sensors. In case all that isn鈥檛 enough, the device will let you install extra apps for checking up on weather and social media.
Hincapie Power Tour Vest ($130)
The cycling-wear company鈥檚聽聽vents sweat directly to the outside of the fabric. Other innovations include LTX Wind Repel (a聽hydrophyllic聽finish pulls moisture away from the body while a hydrophobic finish seals you in),聽RegulatorTek聽with聽ThermoCool聽(for evaporative cooling), and Breathable聽TempoMesh聽(a mesh that adjusts to body movements). The pockets are large enough for snacks and a phone.聽
BioLogic Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Sensor ($46)
聽attaches to your frame with twist ties. And while it can be a bit finicky to position, once secured, it will connect reliably to your smartphone. 罢丑别听BikeBrain聽app is the real selling point here. A training mode tracks speed, distance, laps, intervals, and other factors, and you can customize the view to show the data you want. The device will serve you faithfully for about 700 hours