Adult Biking Gear

Biking Gear for Adults

• Cycling Adventures are gear heavy and having the right gear can make a huge difference in how an outing goes

• Many of the gear recommendations for Scouts focuses on getting the appropriate gear at the minimum price point

  • For Scouts, the outing should be about getting a quality and safe experience

  • Scout Outing should NOT be expensive

• For Adults, your priority may be a little different

  • Adults generally weigh more

    • May need more robust gear

  • Adults have stopped growing, so they can focus on longer term biking solutions

  • A larger investment in quality products to enhance performance may be worth the extra expense

    • Better components may enhance performance in several ways

    • Having the right tire for the outing can help significantly

      • Better ride

      • Faster ride

      • Better traction

      • Better floatation 

      • Less flats

  • Adults don't want to deal with mechanical issues that will place a pause on outings

    • This will happen with Scouts

      • Part of cycling experience

      • Part of learning 

    • Dealing with breakdowns and flats for adults is more problematic

      • This can hurt moral for Scouts

      • This can end an outing for everyone if you are short on riding adults

Bike Computer

Adult Leads MUST know where they are at and where they are going.  It is possible to use paper maps and memorize routes, but you really should have a more dependable method of mapping out your routes. 

• Cell Phones

  • Work Great

  • You already have one and probably know how to use them

    • Make sure you download offline maps

    • If you don't know how to download offline maps, come talk to our Bike Team

  • Use of GPS drains batteries quickly

    • If you use a cellphone for navigation, you MUST have a battery bank to keep it charged

  • Heat

    • Phones can overheat, especially if used on a handlebar in the direct sun on hot days

• Bike Computers

  • Batteries last a long time

  • Conserves power for your cellphone, which is needed as your primary emergency communication device

  • Read about Bike Computers on our Cycling Computers Page 

AeroBars

Aero Bars had designed to change the riding position of the rider into a more aerodynamic position.  This is important on long individual rides, like triathlons and cross country touring.  Aero bars can also add another hand position and provide a more comfortable ride while bikepacking.

Drawbacks of Aerobars

• There are problems with aero bars, which is why we don't promote their use in Scouting

• Compromised Braking and Maneuverability

  • It is difficult to brake and maneuver while using aerobars

  • Surprise road hazards and unpredictable scouts on bikes requires quick reaction speeds

  • Dangerous when riding in a Pack

  • Avoid use around Scouts!

• Decreased Visibility

  • Decreases visibility in a pack

  • You can't see ahead of other riders

• Uncomfortable

  • Many find aerobar positions uncomfortable

Benefits of Aerobars

• Enhanced Aerodynamics

  • In Triathlon, where drafting is illegal, use of aerobars have a significant impact on ride times

    • May save up to 15 minutes on a full triathlon

  • Allows you to travel 1-2 MPH faster

    • Speed is nice

    • Saving energy may be even nicer

• Comfort

  • Aerobars allow of or a different hand position

    • Gives your hands a break on longer rides

    • Takes pressure off of hands and wrists

  • Pressure relieve of Neck and Shoulders

    • More relaxed position than using drop bar position 

    • Takes pressure off of neck, shoulder and arms

• BikePacking Gear

  • Adds more attachment points for gear

  • Can hang bags under bars

  • Can mount electronics out front

BikePacking Aero Bar Use

• Aerobars can help with aerodynamics on long rides

• Comfort is usually the bigger reason to get aerobars

  • They provided another hand position on your bars

    • Particularly important on flatbars

  • They allow you to rest your shoulders, arms, wrists and hands

• cyclingabout.com/bikepacking-aero-bars-comfort-speed-bike-adventures

• Example BikePacking Aerobars

  • Profile Design Sonic Ergo

    • Very popular bar for Bikepacking

    • 550 grams

    • Considered best of aerobars for dropbars

    • Will fit flatbars if you use a Fred Bar

  • Bontrager Race Lite Aero Clip-On

    • Good value aerobar 

    • 550 grams

    • For flat or drop bars

  • Pro Missile AL Aerobar 

    • 484 grams

    • Considered best of aerobars for flatbars

      • Doesn't need a Fred Bar Steerer Mounting Kit

  • RedShift Switch Aero System 

    • Carbon 564g

    • Aluminum 640g 

    • Allows you to quickly add and remove your bars

  • BarYak Expedition 

    • 484 grams

    • Extension only come in 2 different lengths

    • Better suited for dropbars due to lack of adjustability 

    • Designed to mount gear above and below bars

Mirror

Helps you keep track of who is behind you and if they are still there. 

Sprintech Dropbar Mirrors

• These work well for dropbars and don't create the blinds pot that helmet mounted mirror create. 

Food

You MUST power your body during long rides.  If you don't, you will suffer.

Recommendation

• Review our Cycling Food Page 

  • Understand and calculate what you really need to consume

  • Pack more than enough food

  • Pack extra for Scouts who aren't prepared

  • Share with Mr. B, he likes snacks

• Alcohol

  • Use of alcohol is banned by the BSA

  • Our Troop is NOT OK with you using alcohol on any outing with our youth

  • Use of alcohol after a ride causes multiple problems

    • Dehydration

    • Interferes with uptake of glycogen 

      • You won't recover as well

    • Results in dumb decisions - dumber than drinking in the first place