REAL bargains

[Jeremy McCreary]

@Jeremy McCreary, thanks for starting this thread.

@PSm, Thanks for the link. I think I'll try one.

Thanks! Figured no better place to share inexpensive but durable and effective finds than EBR. Pricier isn't always better.

 

[PSm]

Here’s another. $23 and has worked out flawlessly with my Wahoo GPS, and my spin bike too. 1/2 the price of the Wahoo and Garmin HRMs https://www.amazon.com/Magene-Monitor-Protocol-Bluetooth-Compatible/dp/B0B8GJLTV4

 

[Rideagain]

Frogg Toggs rain gear.
Originally for motorcycle but they now cover just about everything.
I stumbled on to these at a motorcycle shop because my cheap plastic ones shredded at the first freeway use.
I can't remember when I bought these but I use them everywhere.
They claim to be breathable and waterproof. Not exactly true but maybe the new ones are. I only use the jacket to ride my MTB and E-Bike.

 

[PSm]

helicopter tape sheet - Google Search

I buy it this way and cut the shapes that I need.

Wasn’t sure about which vinyl, plastic or poly tape? I see an inexpensive 3M clear paint protection vinyl film for under $10, but then “helicopter tape” for $30-40?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Wasn’t sure about which vinyl, plastic or poly tape? I see an inexpensive 3M clear paint protection vinyl film for under $10, but then “helicopter tape” for $30-40?

Maybe the manufacturing standards are higher when you're taping helicopters together?

If this is how they maintain helicopters these days, I think I'll be staying out of them.

 

[6zfshdb]

I have several sets of panniers I've acquired over the years, but they won't attach to the thicker tubing used on the rear racks of many e-bikes. Faced with the prospect of spending $$$ on new panniers, I began looking at other ideas. There are rack adapters out there but they can be pricey and are difficult to fit on some bikes. Replacing the rear rack in my case is out of the question since the racks on my bikes are integral to the frame.

Instead, I made up this simple auxiliary rail using smaller 1/2" aluminum tubing which my panniers will fit. I attached the tubing to the bike frame using these insulated cable clamps:

The clamps are rubber lined and won't mar the bike's paint.

For a finished look, I added these end plugs:

I've been using these pannier rail adapters for 5 years now and they've held up perfectly.

It's a very simple DIY project requiring just a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. It took around a half hour to install. All the parts are readily available in most home improvement stores and cost less than $20. Far cheaper than a new rack, rack adapter or new panniers.

 

[BlackHand]

@PSm, Thanks for the link. I think I'll try one.

I have this as well and it's very handy. I do recommend paint protection under the straps. The motion of repeatedly pulling out and replacing a water bottle polished a shiny strip in my matte paint under the straps pretty quickly.

 

[fooferdoggie]

well you cant beat the price of this one. a worn out grip works great for a 20oz co2 sleeve. this was the first use of the portland works shiny object inflator. it works great no leaks it was so quiet I did not know it was working till I overfilled the tire. the knob ides not get too cold to handle either. for the 240z size I take the plastic liner out.

 

[tomjasz]

I NEVER buy compulsively. More often than not a deeper search and patience can save unbelievable dollars. Often Amazon fulfillment products are a good example. The first hit can be 10 to 50% higher. Buyer beware. A fool and his money are soon parted. Last year I bought $350 BBS01B mid drives for $125. Patience pays back in spades.

 

[ruffruff]

I assume this thread also applies to products that aren't specifically designed for bike use but can be repurposed.

I carry my bikes in the open bed of a pickup truck and the handlebar accessories take a beating on the highway from wind, rain & airborne debris. Over the years, I've tried various handlebar protectors, some cheap and some not so much. None have lasted more than a few trips before the wind tears them up.

A few years back, I came across these arm protector sleeves

Amazon.com

At $11/pair, they are the least expensive protectors I've tried that actually stand the test of time. After 5 years and over 5000 miles, they show no signs of deterioration.

View attachment 147810 View attachment 147811

They are made of weatherproof nylon & PVC and the elastic openings allow them to be installed quickly and easily.

Whoa...PERFECT! I do the same, throw the bike in the bed. I get road spray/salt on the front. I've been looking for something like this.

 

[AlanDB]

The best ebike bargain for me has to be the first generation Bosch Nyon display/computer I bought on eBay in October of 2019 for $75 as an upgrade for the standard Intuvia display that came on my Gazelle Arroyo. Back in 2018/2019, after Bosch had replaced the original 1 GB version of the Nyon with a hardware revision with 8 GB of memory, they apparently allowed the existing 1 GB stock to be bought out and resold by third party sellers as used items on eBay. Even though they were sold as used, they were brand new unboxed devices that still had the original protective film on the display. At that time, Bosch didn't market or even support the Nyon in the US, so buying it third party was the only option, but the retail cost of buying and shipping it from a foreign retail seller was very expensive. Getting it in the US market on eBay for $75 was remarkable! I even bought a second one as a backup in case the first one ever fails.

I am still using the Nyon on my Gazelle and I still love it!

 

[PSm]

Wasn’t sure about which vinyl, plastic or poly tape? I see an inexpensive 3M clear paint protection vinyl film for under $10, but then “helicopter tape” for $30-40?

Okay, got the 3M clear vinyl stuff, and it’s works fine

 

[PSm]

Don’t know why I didn’t think of this before, but on the long rides (50-60+ miles) there are not enough hand positions and comfortable places to keep my hands & arms from getting sore. I would sometimes rest my lower arms on the handlebars, but the contact with metal was uncomfortable.

Thought about aero bars, but the weight and the cost don’t meet my RB criteria. So instead, I used thick, well overlapped sections of foam handlebar tape to make a cushioned area to rest my arms on, finishing off the ends with the clear vinyl wrap as a RB in the earlier post. Cost me $8 for this: https://www.amazon.com/KINGOU-Road-Handlebar-Bicycle-Wraps/dp/B07P9FKVJB to have this, as shown on the right of the brake lever.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I use bar tape for my grips but it's tricky to keep on. so now I use some e6000 silicone adhesive on the bar then wrap it. you can peel it off with some work when needed but it really locks the tape in place.

 

[Prairie Dog]

For small jobs, such as finishing bar tape, I like self-fusing silicone tape as it only sticks to itself, stretches and conforms, removes easily and doesn’t leave any residue behind. Branded X-Treme in the US and Fusion Pro in Canada.

Another trick I use to adhere bar tape is to apply a layer of electrical tape sticky side up. Cheap and no mess to clean up.

Heat shrink tube is another great way to keep cables neat and tidy.

 

[PSm]

For small jobs, such as finishing bar tape, I like self-fusing silicone tape as it only sticks to itself, stretches and conforms, removes easily and doesn’t leave any residue behind. Branded X-Treme in the US and Fusion Pro in Canada.

View attachment 149069View attachment 149071
Another trick I use to adhere bar tape is to apply a layer of electrical tape sticky side up. Cheap and no mess to clean up.

Heat shrink tube is another great way to keep cables neat and tidy.

View attachment 149070

The silicone fusion tape was a great recommendation, thanks. MUCH better than electrical tape.

I went with this one for $6

https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Self-Fusing-Silicone-Rubber-Repair/dp/B0978PQJP1?th=1&psc=1

 

[PCeBiker]

These bullhorn bar ends have been great for me, to allow multiple hand positions when climbing and to prevent numbness especially during 4-6 hour rides. Only $14.99 !! Has lasted me 6000+ miles and 1.5 years so far.
https://www.amazon.com/Yizhet-Handlebar-Ergonomic-Mountain-Non-Slip/dp/B08MTGXDKV

Thanks @PSm for that.
I have a pair installed on my bike now.

And thanks @PedalUma for mentioning heat shrink tubing with glue.
I've got lots of shrink tube but it doesn't have glue and it's only 2:1 shrink ratio.
I found this on AliExpress,..

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtDgLem

It's big enough to fit over a connector then shrink down to the wire coming from it, then it seals it with glue.

 

[PedalUma]

I sometimes cheat when it comes to connectors. They are tossed into the phone bag on this Bafang BBS02 conversion to make them go away. Don't tell anyone. The bag was like $12. Zoom to see the apps on the 'phone,' which is actually foil covered cardboard.

 

[Deacon Blues]

I just ordered a bunch of diameter sizes of the 4:1 heat shrink tubing.

 

[PCeBiker]

I have several sets of panniers I've acquired over the years, but they won't attach to the thicker tubing used on the rear racks of many e-bikes. Faced with the prospect of spending $$$ on new panniers, I began looking at other ideas. There are rack adapters out there but they can be pricey and are difficult to fit on some bikes. Replacing the rear rack in my case is out of the question since the racks on my bikes are integral to the frame.

Instead, I made up this simple auxiliary rail using smaller 1/2" aluminum tubing which my panniers will fit. I attached the tubing to the bike frame using these insulated cable clamps:

View attachment 147881 View attachment 147883

The clamps are rubber lined and won't mar the bike's paint.

View attachment 147884 View attachment 147886

For a finished look, I added these end plugs:

View attachment 147882 View attachment 147885

I've been using these pannier rail adapters for 5 years now and they've held up perfectly.

View attachment 147887 View attachment 147888 View attachment 147889

It's a very simple DIY project requiring just a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. It took around a half hour to install. All the parts are readily available in most home improvement stores and cost less than $20. Far cheaper than a new rack, rack adapter or new panniers.

I was surfing around looking for those clips and found these,..
Similar idea, but they're kinda expensive.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrLseZu

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtsshEO

You can click on the item and you will get similar items showing.
You can find the best price including shipping and if you buy multiples.

I'm trying to figure out a way to attach a second battery to my rack or down tube.
I need something heavy duty.