Jul
19
What’s So Great About Hybrid Bikes?
What is it that makes hybrid bikes so popular? Essentially a hybrid combines those features of mountain and road bikes that most appeal to the leisure cyclist. Those who do most of their riding on the road find the wide knobbly tyres and small frame of a true mountain bike hard work. At the same time, the uncompromising riding position of a road bike is too uncomfortable for leisure cycling and the narrow tyres make it impossible to explore the tracks and trails.
So, what does this compromise look like?
- All have flat handlebars. These are far more suitable for the everyday cyclist than the drop handlebars fitted to road bikes. Vibration is absorbed by the padded grips and you can alter your hand position regularly to avoid strain.
- Semi-slick tyres, with a thickness somewhere between road and mountain bike tyres. These produce a great combination of low resistance for road speed, together with enough grip for ventures off the beaten track. The wheels are customarily road size, 700mm, instead of the 26″ rims fitted to mountain bikes.
- Either a beefed-up road frame, or an extended MTB frame, depending on what the designer wants to achieve. The most widely used frame material is aluminium. Top-of-the-range bikes are often of carbon fibre. Some may be equipped with suspension forks as well. Many models come in either mens or womens versions.
- The gears are designed with low ratios for hillclimbing together with high ratios for covering the miles on the road.
However, no compromise is perfect for everyone, so there is a choice to be made depending on the style of riding you will be doing most, and also on your personal taste.
Those who really like the MTB look and will be doing plenty of cycling over rough ground will probably appreciate the Cannondale Bad Boy range. With MTB-style frames they will love being away from the beaten track. There are disc brakes and 26” wheels on most models as well.
For more road-oriented cycling (commuting to work or out in the country lanes at the weekend), the Scott Sportster or Kona Dew ranges might suit better. These bikes will feature more road bike components, together with narrower tyres on 700 mm road wheels for speed. They are much better suited to covering the miles on the tarmac.
So the choices are available, whatever your style of riding. For the cyclist who just wants to get out and about, there’s little doubt that a hybrid has the most to offer.
Kodak Playsport ZX3 mountain bike handlebar mount
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Giant XC SL Handlebar Bicycle Grips White MTB $4.99 |
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Klein Attitude Mountain Bike 1992 18″ Mission Control stem -handle bar $650.00 |
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1pair Cycling MTB Bike Bicycle Tube Type Lock-On Handlebar Rubber Grips Blue $0.99 |
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2012 Cycling LOCK-ON Bicycle BIKE HANDLEBAR BAR GRIPS NEW MTB Groove Type Silver $0.99 |
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2x MTB Bike Bicycle Carbon Fiber Handle Bar End Comfortable Bar End $8.99 |
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Hylix Integrated MTB Carbon Flat Handle Bar+Stem/600mm-Mountain&FR bike $0.99 |
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HYLIX Carbon Riser Handle Bar 31.8-660mm-165g-XC-FR-MTB-Mountain Bike $0.99 |
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HYLIX Carbon MTB flat Handle Bar 31.8*600mm-115g-XC-Mountain&29er Bike $0.99 |
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FELT DOUBLE BUTTED ALUMINUM MTB RISER HANDLEBAR( 620MM, 25MM, SILVER) $9.99 |
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FELT DOUBLE BUTTED ALUMINUM MTB RISER HANDLEBAR( 620MM, 25MM, SILVER) $9.99 |
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FELT DOUBLE BUTTED ALUMINUM MTB RISER HANDLEBAR( 620MM, 25MM, SILVER) $9.99 |
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FELT DOUBLE BUTTED ALUMINUM MTB RISER HANDLEBAR( 620MM, 25MM, SILVER) $9.99 |
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Tranz-x MTB Mountain Bike Handlebar Bar End 130G $15.88 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Shift Mountain Bike Handlebar NEW $0.99 |
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1 Pair MTB Bike Bicycle Carbon Fiber HandleBar End Bar End $9.99 |
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VINTAGE 1980s NOS Odyssey PRO Freestyle BMX or MOUNTAIN BIKE BICYCLE Handlebars $9.99 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Shift Mountain Bike Handlebar NEW $0.99 |
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HL CORP Mtb Chromed Steel Bike Flat Handlebar 25 54cm NEW $1.97 |
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Stubby Mountain Bike Alloy Handlebar Bar Ends 70mm NEW $7.97 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Mountain Bike Handlebar Pr Grips NEW $0.99 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Mountain Bike Handlebar Pr Grips NEW $0.99 |
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Golden Cycling Mountain Bicycle Bike Handlebar Bar Ends Barends Ultralight MTB $17.99 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Mountain Bike Handlebar Pr Grips NEW $0.99 |
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Sunline Vone OS Handlebar // 73cm 31.8mm Clamp Mountain Bike Low Rise Bar DH FR $19.99 |
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FSA SL-K SLK Mtb Handlebars Bars 660mm Carbon Fiber 31.8mm Riser 18mm Rise NEW $0.99 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Mountain Bike Handlebar Pr Grips NEW $0.99 |
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FSA SL-K SLK Mtb Handlebars Bars 660mm Carbon Fiber 31.8mm Riser 18mm Rise NEW $59.97 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Mountain Bike Handlebar Pr Grips NEW $0.99 |
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Mountain Bike Bicycle Ultra-light Full Carbon Riser Handlebar Fiber 31.8mm * $19.99 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Mountain Bike Handlebar Pr Grips NEW $0.99 |
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ERGON GP1-S Mountain Bike Bicycle Handlebar Grips NEW $19.97 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Shift Mountain Bike Handlebar NEW $0.99 |
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Truvativ Noir T30 carbon fiber mountain bike handlebar used $0.99 |
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Best Quality OnexPair MTB Bike Bicycle Carbon Fiber Handle Bar End Bar End $7.95 |
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2012 New Bicycle Mountain Bike Ergonomic Lock-on Handlebar Bar Grips $0.99 |
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HL CORP Aluminum Mountain Bike Flat Handlebar 31.8 560mm NEW $2.97 |
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GT Mountain Bike/Bicycle Super Lite Handlebar and Stem $19.99 |
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HL CORP Aluminum Mountain Bike Flat Handlebar 25.4 540mm NEW $2.97 |
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PLASTICHE PRO GRIP Mountain Bike Handlebar Pr Grips NEW $0.99 |
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Silver Mountain Bike MTB Bicycle Handlebar Lockon Grips $12.88 |
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1 Pcs Blue/Red/Black/Silver color Bicycle Bike Bell Compass Handlebar MTB $0.99 |
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2x MTB Bike Bicycle Carbon Fiber Handle Bar End Comfortable Bar End $8.99 |
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New Syncros AM Alloy MTB DH FR Handlebars 31.8mm $34.99 |
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90′S KLEIN MISSION CONTROL MOUNTAIN BIKE HANDLEBAR AND STEM COMBO ALLOY 1″ QUILL $100.00 |
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Set Lock On Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycle MTB Handlebar Bar Grips $7.59 |
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Mountain Bike Bicycle Ultra-light Full Carbon Riser Handlebar Fiber 31.8mm * $19.44 |
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Vintage Mountain Bike / BMX / Cruiser Stem SR MTS 100 from Mongoose ATB double $25.00 |
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1 Pair Lock On Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycle MTB BMX Handlebar Grips $7.59 |
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FUNN Full On Mountain Bike Riser Handlebar 31.8 OS Black 15mm Rise 810mm Width $44.95 |
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Set Lock On Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycle MTB Handlebar Bar Grips $1.00 |
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New Bike Handlebar 25.4mm + Grips Fixed Gear Single Speed MTB bicycle $22.00 |
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KORE Race Riser 31.8mm x 66cm x 25mm Mtb Handlebar $19.93 |
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SRAM MTB Handlebar End Plugs, Qty 2 Safety Bar end caps $11.42 |
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brand new bontrager superstock 5 degree bend mountain bike handlebars $30.00 |
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brand new salsa moto ace 5 degree mountain bike handlebars $30.00 |
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Used Truvativ BooBar XSL Alloy Riser 20mm MTB Mountain Bike Handlebar 31.8 700mm $19.99 |
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NEW ANTI SLIP ATB MOUNTAIN BIKE HANDLE BAR GRIPS 2209 $2.15 |
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MTB LITE & STRONG HANDLE BAR.PROFILE BAR NONE SILVER ALLOY HANDLE BAR. $25.00 |
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HL CORP Mtb Chromed Steel Bike Flat Handlebar 25 54cm NEW $1.97 |
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Stubby Mountain Bike Alloy Handlebar Bar Ends 70mm NEW $7.97 |
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LED Flash light MTB Road Bike Fixed Gear Head light handlebar Fork $6.29 |
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Mountain Bike Bicycle Torch Light Flashlight Universal HandleBar Mount Bracket $1.85 |
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Mountain Bike Bicycle Torch Light Flashlight Universal Handle Bar Mount Bracket $1.90 |
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Mountain Bike Bicycle Torch Light Flashlight Adjustable Handle Bar Mount Bracket $1.85 |
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FUNN Full On Mountain Bike Riser Handlebar 31.8 OS Black 30mm Rise 750mm Width $44.95 |
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TOPEAK BarXtender Black Stem Handlebar Mount Extra Light Mount Fixie Road MTB $24.99 |
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BMX Mountain Bike Front LED Handlebar Light Waterproof Lamp Bicycle Torch Mount $8.35 |
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Ritchey Mountain Bike OS O/S flat bar, 31.8 O˚ x 5˚ sweep x 580mm handlebar $15.00 |
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Set Lock On Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycle MTB Handlebar Bar Grips $1.00 |
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Scott USA bullhorn bars, mtb bull handlebars, vintage retro rare $36.00 |
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White Topeak ERGON GC2L Ergon Bar End Handlebar Grips Bicycle Mountain Bike MTB $19.99 |
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Black Topeak ERGON GC2L Ergon Bar End Handlebar Grips Bicycle Mountain Bike MTB $19.99 |
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New Origin 8 MTB Riser Mountain Bike Handlebar Blue $24.99 |
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FSA K-Force Carbon Monocoque MTB Handlebar 31.8/660mm/18mm $69.99 |
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MERIDA Alloy Lock-on Comfort Bicycle MTB XC Bike Handlebar Grips $16.85 |
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New mountain bike full carbon handlebar carbon bicycle Handlebar carbon parts $0.99 |
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2012 Brand New Full Carbon 3K MTB Mountain Bike Flat Handlebar 600mm Stem 100mm $99.00 |
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2012 Brand New Full Carbon 3K MTB Mountain Bike Flat Handlebar 600mm Stem 110mm $99.00 |
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Tranz-X Black MTB Mountain Bike Handlebar Bar Ends $22.99 |
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FSA K-Force Flat Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike Handlebar 31.8OS 620mm 156g NEW MTB $89.99 |
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Cycling MTB Bike Bicycle Handlebar Bar Grips Lock On Antiskid Black 1 Pair $9.99 |
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MEREK MTB Bike Full Carbon Riser Handlebar 25.4 Black $65.00 |
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NEW IDIO MTB Full Carbon Low Rise Handlebar White 31.8 $69.00 |
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Pro Storage Bottle 500 cc Bike Bicycle Cage MTB Road $11.99 |
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Pro Storage Bottle 750 cc Bike Bicycle Cage MTB Road $12.99 |
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Pro MTB Carbon Straight Blade 1-1/8 Inch Fork For Disc Brake With Alloy Steerer $252.12 |
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Gusset Slade Low Rise Alloy MTB Bike Handlebar for Freeride & DH Gloss White $62.85 |
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Pro Atherton Oversize 31.8 mm DH MTB Riser Bar Handlebar 745 mm x 20 mm Rise $79.99 |
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2012 New Bicycle Mountain Bike Ergonomic Lock-on Handlebar Bar Grips $9.99 |
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HL CORP Mountain Bike Alloy Handlebar Bar Ends 65mm NEW $9.97 |
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MOUNTAIN BIKE MTB ERGO BICYCLE HANDLEBAR BAR GRIPS $8.87 |
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1pair Cycling MTB Bike Bicycle Tube Type Lock-On Handlebar Rubber Grips Gold $0.99 |
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2012 Cycling LOCK-ON Bicycle Mountain BIKE HANDLEBAR BAR GRIPS #H-21-R $14.69 |
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2012 Cycling LOCK-ON Bicycle Mountain BIKE HANDLEBAR BAR GRIPS BLACK #H-21-B $14.69 |
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35G 1PC WHITE ALLOY WATER BOTTLE CAGE 74MM 35G ROAD MTB $19.94 |
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43G RED GI ANT MTB ROAD Bike Water Bottles Cage $12.94 |
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26G IDIO MTB ROAD Bike Water Bottles Cage Black Carbon $34.90 |
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18G IDIO UD Carbon Water Bottle Cage BLUE BIKE MTB ROAD $34.90 |
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18G IDIO UD Carbon Water Bottle Cage RED BIKE MTB ROAD $34.90 |
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SELCOF MTB Low Raiser Handlebar White 31.8mm $10.00 |
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DURAGADGET Waterproof Cycle/Bike Mount Hard Case For Apple iPhone 4 & New 4S (4g, 8gb, 16gb, 32gb, Wifi) $10.99 Monitor your training or simply find out where you are quickly and easily with our new purpose designed iPhone case. Its water resistant shell keeps your phone safely sealed away from mud and rain while cycling. The transparent front allows you to see the hole screen and allows use of the phone’s touch screen without having to remove the phone from the case. The bike mount will fit a varaty of … |
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Garmin Forerunner Bicycle Mount Kit $6.82 Attach your Forerunner to your bike to collect workout data while cycling. Great for multisport workouts. The Forerunner quickly attaches to the bike mount for a clean transition from running to biking…. |
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GoPro Chest Mount Harness for HERO Cameras $37.99 Chest Harness for your quick-release HERO camera. Makes it easy to capture immersive video and photo footage from, well…your chest. Perfect for skiing, mountain biking, motocross, paddle sports, or any activity where you want to get a “lower than the helmet” view of the action. See more of your arms, knees poles, and skis while skiing…or your arms and handlebars while biking or riding your mot… |
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GoPro Roll Bar Mount for HERO Cameras $25.99 Use the GoPro Roll Bar Mount to attach your GoPro Hero HD camera to the bars of your dune buggy, four-wheeler, or big mountain bike. Attach this sturdy stainless steel and polycarbonate camera mount to any bar or tube with a diameter 1.4 to 2.5 inches wide and add more angles to your films.. The three-piece orientation arm allows three-way adjustability and gives you the versatility you need to ke… |
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Mirrycle MTB Bar End Mountain Bicycle Mirror $9.00 Mounts onto bar end, installation wrench included Wide view convex mirror pivots to any viewing angle… |
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Delta Airzound Bike Horn $23.95 115 decibel horn with volume control switch. Mounts to most handlebars. No batteries needed. Air reservoir is easily refilled with any bike pump. Extension allows for more versatility when mounting…. |
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Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 Standard Bicycle U-Lock with Bracket (4-Inch x 9-Inch) $73.99 Kryptonite Series 4 Evolution U-Locks feature a 14mm, hardened MAX-Performance steel shackle with a double deadbolt design.14mm, hardened MAX-Performance steel shackle with double deadbolt designHigh security disc-style cylinder with more than a million key variations, 2 standard and 1 lighted keyReinforced anti-drill/pull cylinder with center key location and overhead cam locking mechanism$2,250 … |
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Allen Tension Bar Bicycle Cross-Bar Adaptor $12.50 Adaptor bar adds a top tube to non-conventional frames. Internal spring maintains constant tension. Quickly attaches to wide range of frame styles. Plastic coated hooks protect your bicycles finish…. |
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Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount Bracket $15.03 Now securing your GPS onto the handlebar of your bike is a snap with Garmin’s Bicycle Mount Bracket for Etrex/Summit. This bicycle mount fits bars up to 1 inch in diameter and is a safe, secure way to take your GPS with you. It’s also great for motorcycles and ATVs. The Garmin Bicycle Mount Bracket comes with hardware and instructions. Note: For “Cx” models customer needs to use the clip that isi… |
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RAM Mounting Systems RAM-B-149Z-GA12U Handlebar Mount for Garmin Astro 220, GPS 60, GPSMAP 60, 60C, 60CS, 60CX, 60CSx $27.98 The RAM marine grade aluminum mount with zinc coated U-Bolt rail adaptor base includes a 1” diameter ball and socket system with RAM plastic cradle for the Garmin Astro 220, GPS 60, GPSMAP 60, 60C, 60CS, 60CX, 60CSx. The rail adaptor base will fit circular rails from .75″ to 1″ in diameter. Manufactured in the USA and comes with RAM Lifetime Warranty…. |
