Search Results for: kid helmet

Our Take

At the risk of stating the obvious, we are boosters of e-bikes. We believe in them because they come with so many benefits. From making life less expensive and reducing our carbon footprint to the physical and mental health benefits from riding, we’d love to see everyone riding e-bikes when possible.

That said, we do carry concerns about e-bikes that can be unlocked and ridden at unrestricted speeds. We’re experienced enough that we know how both drivers and pedestrians can misunderstand the closing speed of someone on an e-bike. We also know how the faster you’re moving the worse the injuries can be if something goes wrong, and helmets are tested at speeds of 11 or 14 mph (depending on the test), not 34 mph.

If the market becomes flooded with e-bikes that don’t conform to the three-class system, state and local governments are likely to step in with additional restrictions, as Utah is doing, especially if the number and severity of injuries begin to rise. Our preference would be to see brands simply respect the three classes rather than market products based on falling into a gray area that isn’t highly regulated, yet. After all, if both the number of injuries and the severity of the injuries rise, that’s not good for the e-bike world as a whole.

However, we also see some potential issues with this legislation from the State of Utah. We’ve already mentioned how they are not defining max vs nominal watt output. Given that max output from motors only occurs for short bursts, we would prefer the model legislation to focus on nominal/continuous output instead of max. Either way, a distinction should be made between the two.

In addition, we would prefer that model legislation focused more on speeds vs power output of the motor. We feel that how fast the bikes go is a much easier challenge to tackle, and it also doesn’t exclude the possibility of motor manufactures designing more efficient motors that are capable of producing more than 750 watts of power but that are also very safe.

The Most Reliable, Economical Hitch Rack: Hollywood Rack SportRider Hitch Rack

Hollywood’s Sportrider is one of our favorite hitch racks for e-bikes for a couple of reasons. First, it’s one of the only hitch racks that can handle e-bikes weighing up to 80 lbs. Second, it’s noticeably more affordable than most of its competition. It lacks a ramp to be able to roll an e-bike into place, but that’s the only knock we have against it. They also introduced a new e-trike attachment so that people don’t need a big SUV or a pickup in order to drive somewhere with it. It can handle e-bikes with a wheelbase of up to 60 in., which covers a number of compact cargo e-bikes. It can even handle e-bikes with step-thru frames, with the addition of an accessory.

The Stylish Shoe: Giro Deed Shoe

Not all cycling shoes make you walk like a duck. The Deed from Giro looks like a regular sneaker but is built to offer riders a bit more support than you get with street shoes and it has an upper that is scuff-resistant and the outsole is made from a very grippy rubber to keep feet from slipping off the pedals. This lace-up shoe comes in both men’s and women’s sizes

Classics Never Die: Vans Classic Slip-On

Vans have been popular with cyclists and skateboarders for as long as they’ve been around. Thanks to their grippy waffle outsole they are ideal for gripping pedals. They come in enough colorways to fit even the fussiest fashionista’s style requirements and the low-profile upper and padded collar add style and comfort. They also come in sizes to fit anyone from a toddler to an NBA player.

The Reliable Favorite: Thousand Helmet

Wearing a helmet is a good idea, full stop. But we get that no one wants to look like they are an extra in a bad sci-fi film, which is what makes the Thousand Heritage 2.0 Bike and Skate Helmet such a great option. It casts a stylish look without overdoing it. And though it looks normal enough from the front, sides and rear, it includes six vents at the top to keep the rider cool on hot days. It also includes an innovative little port in the back through which a lock can be passed so that you can lock your helmet to your bike, protecting your investment.

For the All Hours Rider: Giro Escape Mips Helmet

Visibility is often a concern for commuters, especially as the days get shorter. Giro’s Escape Mips helmet offers a fresh take on being seen. The designers included rechargeable lights in the front and rear of the helmet. The front light provides a power of 75 lumens, while the rear light provides 40 lumens. The battery will keep the lights flashing for up to 10 hours. Riders who tend to run hot will appreciate that it incorporates 15 unobtrusive vents into its design. This helmet also includes a MIPS liner that helps to reduce rotational force should someone suffer a fall. Giro is one of the best helmet makers on the planet and the Giro Escape Mips Helmet provides first-rate quality without a first-rate price.

It’s A Family Activity: Thule Yepp Child Seat

Child seats have come a long way. The Thule Yepp seat demonstrates just how far. The entire seat is padded and is shaped in a pleasant curve that kids find comfortable. It can handle children as large as 40 lbs. and up to 43.3 in. tall. The five-point harness will keep even confirmed pint-sized Houdinis from wiggling free. Because the seat uses no fabric and the padded cover is waterproof, all it needs is a quick wipe should it get wet. The seat includes a reflector in the rear to increase visibility as well as an attachment point for an additional light. It can be purchased either with or without the frame mount for the e-bike.

It’s A Big Family Activity: Burley D’Lite X Child Trailer

For the family with two kids, a trailer can be a great way to ride with kids. The e-bike is easier to handle without so much weight up hi and most kids love the panoramic view. The seats are adjustable and there is additional cargo space behind the seats for things like blankies, toys and diapers. When not hooked to the back of an e-bike the D’Lite X can double as a stroller and the five-point harness will keep kids from escaping. It folds up for compact storage when not in use.

GPS For Safety & Fun: Garmin Edge Explore 2

Not everyone is looking for a bike computer that will drill-sergeant you into better fitness, but a good GPS unit offers a number of handy ways to enhance your riding life. In addition to offering more real-time cycling data than an e-bike’s display, the Garmin Edge Explore 2 will record the routes you ride as well as allow you to upload a route it will guide you through. It also includes some terrific safety features such as incident detection that will alert your loved ones if you’re in trouble. It also includes handy fitness data like the calories you burned during your morning commute.

May As Well Complete The Ecosystem: Garmin Instinct 2 Smartwatch

For the active person who wants to track their riding with GPS, monitor important health metrics, receive push notifications or even receive workout suggestions and fitness coaching, the Garmin Instinct 2 Smartwatch will do all of that and much, much more. It comes in three different bezel sizes for personal style and ease of viewing along with a number of different colorways. Some include solar charging, night vision goggle compatibility, or a battery of surf-related data such as tide. In addition to tracking health basics such as heart rate, it also serves up snapshots of your sleep, blood oxygenation, resting heart rate and even abnormal heart rate alerts. Garmin Pay will allow you to make contactless payments.

If Garmin Isn’t For You, This One Will Do: Wahoo Fitness Elemnt Roam

If you like to go out and explore, a GPS unit can enhance your experience in a number of ways. First, they allow you to track the exact route you pedaled, and it will display your total distance, where you went and average speed, among many other data points. The Elemnt Road will also allow you to use a site like Ride With GPS to create a route and then upload it to the Elemnt Roam and receive turn-by-turn directions. No getting lost. The user can choose just which data they see on the color LCD display and—for those of us who don’t ride with our reading glasses—you can select just how large the numbers are to make reading the screen easy while rolling.

No Cyclist Can Live Without: Blackburn Core 2 Floor Pump

Everyone who owns an e-bike needs a floor pump. A floor pump is the easiest way to make sure that an e-bike’s tires are pumped up to the same pressure before each ride, and consistent pressure means consistent traction and handling. The Blackburn Design Core 2 Floor Pump is a remarkably affordable floor pump and it includes a large, easy-to-read gauge built into the base. The pump head will work with any type of valve (Schrader is most common with e-bikes) and the hose is long enough to reach the valve no matter how it is oriented.

The Stocking-Stuffer: Bontrager Thorn-Resistant Tube

Flats are no fun, amiright? One of the ways to cut down on flats is to run puncture-resistant tubes. These 4.1mm-thick tubes aren’t flat-proof, but the normal causes of flats—thorns, pieces of glass and other sharp bits—will have a tough time with these tubes. It’s an ideal upgrade for the commuter who doesn’t want to take a chance with a flat on the way to work. They come in nearly every size to fit any tire. It’s a small investment that results in big peace of mind.