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	<title>10 Ways to Pimp your (Bike) Ride</title>
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		<title>10 Ways to Pimp your (Bike) Ride</title>
		<link>https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/guides/10-ways-to-pimp-your-bike-ride/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Sep 2019 15:00:33 +0000</pubDate>
                <tcinfo:postPublishDate>2019-09-08 08:00:33</tcinfo:postPublishDate>
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		<dc:creator>Kristin Cook</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Guides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bicycle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bike]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[customizations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/?p=1683</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/author/kcook/">Kristin Cook</a></p>
<p>We can&#8217;t all afford to buy a brand new bike every summer, and most of us probably aren&#8217;t as skilled as the guy who made this awesome party bike (he&#8217;s from Portland &#8212; shocking!). But that doesn&#8217;t mean you have to be stuck riding around a lame bike all summer long. Here are ten easy, [&#8230;]</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/guides/10-ways-to-pimp-your-bike-ride/">10 Ways to Pimp your (Bike) Ride</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/author/kcook/">Kristin Cook</a></p>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons" ></div><p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-30-at-10.39.25-AM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2305 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-30-at-10.39.25-AM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_keg" width="578" height="400" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-30-at-10.39.25-AM.png 578w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-30-at-10.39.25-AM-300x207.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /></a></p>
<p>We can&#8217;t all afford to buy a brand new bike every summer, and most of us <em>probably</em> aren&#8217;t as skilled as <a href="https://bikeportland.org/2009/09/15/introducing-the-hopworksfiets-beer-pizza-music-and-true-portland-spirit-all-on-one-bike-23463" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the guy</a> who made this awesome party bike (he&#8217;s from Portland &#8212; shocking!). But that doesn&#8217;t mean you have to be stuck riding around a lame bike all summer long. Here are ten easy, mostly inexpensive ways you can add some fresh style, comfort and most importantly, fun to your ride.</p>
<h3>1. Fresh bar tape</h3>
<p>Obviously, your bike is going to need to look cool. Replacing the bar tape or grips is probably the cheapest and easiest way to make this happen. You can find <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;field-keywords=bar%20tape&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abar%20tape&amp;sprefix=bar%20tape%2Caps&amp;tag=bensbargaicenter&amp;url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">bar tape</a> in pretty much any color you can think of, probably for less than $15. Here&#8217;s a good <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHm88l3Vx-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">video tutorial</a> on replacing the bar tape on your bike.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.24.41-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2246 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.24.41-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_bartape" width="481" height="322" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.24.41-PM.png 481w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.24.41-PM-300x200.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 481px) 100vw, 481px" /></a></p>
<h3>2. New pedals</h3>
<p>For summer, go with some <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;field-keywords=bmx%20pedals&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Abmx%20pedals&amp;tag=bensbargaicenter&amp;url=search-alias%3Dsporting" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">plastic bmx pedals</a>. They’re cheap ($10 to $30), come in fun colors, and they&#8217;re big, so they work well with flip flops &#8212; perfect for biking to and from the beach.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;field-keywords=bmx%20pedals&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Abmx%20pedals&amp;tag=bensbargaicenter&amp;url=search-alias%3Dsporting" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2230 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.39.15-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_pedals" width="356" height="475" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.39.15-PM.png 356w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.39.15-PM-224x300.png 224w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 356px) 100vw, 356px" /></a></p>
<h3>3. Upgraded saddle</h3>
<p>I could go on and on about the different types of bike saddles, but here&#8217;s the bottom line: get a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;field-keywords=Brooks%20seat&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ABrooks%20seat&amp;tag=bensbargaicenter&amp;url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brooks</a>. They are expensive (around $100), but well worth the investment. It&#8217;s like the difference between sitting on La-Z Boy and a pile of rocks.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.46.57-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2233 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.46.57-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_brooks" width="336" height="211" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.46.57-PM.png 336w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.46.57-PM-300x188.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>4. Speakers</h3>
<p>Some of the greatest moments of my life involve biking around at 3AM, singing along to horrible Fall Out Boy songs with my friends. If you want to experience the greatness that is biking while jamming, you can buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SoundShell-Bicycle-Portable-Speakers-versions/dp/B00439CQKQ/bensbargaicenter" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">speakers for your bike</a> for under $30. Or follow this <a href="https://www.ubergizmo.com/2010/05/diy-solar-bike-stereo-fits-into-a-milk-crate/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">tutorial </a>and make your own solar-powered milk crate bike stereo.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/SoundShell-Bicycle-Portable-Speakers-versions/dp/B00439CQKQ/bensbargaicenter" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2240 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.11.01-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_speakers" width="583" height="421" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.11.01-PM.png 583w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.11.01-PM-300x216.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px" /></a></p>
<h3>5. Multi-use bottle cage</h3>
<p>Summer biking means you&#8217;ll need a bottle holder that can handle everything from a fancy water bottle, to a beer can, to a coffee cup, and everything in between. This <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bontrager-Race-Lite-Nylon-White/dp/B003L94QGG/bensbargaicenter" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bontrager cage</a> has flexible arms and will fit a better variety of shapes than your traditional metal cage. Or there&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.ahearnecycles.com/flask/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this one</a>, which just holds a flask.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.07.35-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2235 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.07.35-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_flaskholder" width="642" height="463" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.07.35-PM.png 642w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.07.35-PM-300x216.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px" /></a></p>
<h3> 6. Some sun protection</h3>
<p>Avoid unsightly farmer&#8217;s tans by buying one of these ridiculous <a href="https://uberhood.co/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Uber Hood</a> bike umbrellas ($59). Or you could probably make one yourself with an old umbrella and some duct tape.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.14.28-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2236 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.14.28-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_umbrella" width="592" height="350" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.14.28-PM.png 592w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.14.28-PM-300x177.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px" /></a></p>
<h3>7. Racks and Baskets</h3>
<p>It can get really hot and sweaty riding around with a backpack in the summer. That&#8217;s why you should get yourself a bike rack and/or bike basket to haul your stuff around in. You can buy a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;field-keywords=bike%20rear%20rack&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abike%20rear%20rack&amp;tag=bensbargaicenter&amp;url=search-alias%3Daps" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">decent rack</a> for under $25, or <a href="https://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2013/01/six-pack-bike-rack-hack.html">fashion one yourself</a> using things around your house. Also, here&#8217;s a good <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C_XBN1lRY4">video tutorial</a> for a DIY front basket.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.25.10-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2237 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.25.10-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_rack" width="516" height="230" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.25.10-PM.png 516w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.25.10-PM-300x133.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px" /></a></p>
<h3>8. A bike camera</h3>
<p>Take it from me and don&#8217;t attempt to Instagram while biking. Instead, get a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/GSI-Quality-High-Resolution-Waterproof-Camcorder/dp/B004S7844U/bensbargaicenter" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">bike camera</a> ($75 to $100) or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/CMP227-Motorcycle-Bicycle-Handle-Cameras/dp/B00585CLVS/bensbargaicenter" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">camera mount</a> (under $10) to capture those moments you don&#8217;t want to forget. Or here&#8217;s a way to make a sweet <a href="https://content.photojojo.com/diy/attach-a-camera-to-your-bike/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">bike cam</a> yourself.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.14.57-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2241 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.14.57-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_camera" width="596" height="394" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.14.57-PM.png 596w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-11.14.57-PM-300x198.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px" /></a></p>
<h3>9. A unique helmet</h3>
<p>I still remember my dad trying to convince me that wearing a helmet was &#8220;cool&#8221; by buying me one that was designed to look like a baseball cap (sorry pops, I saw right through that one!). But there are actually some really fun options out there these days. Take this <a href="https://news.discovery.com/tech/gear-and-gadgets/diy-star-wars-bike-helmet-is-pure-star-wars-awesomeness.htm#mkcpgn=fbdsc17">DIY R2D2 helmet</a>, for example.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.48.07-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2238 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.48.07-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_helmet" width="580" height="375" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.48.07-PM.png 580w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-10.48.07-PM-300x193.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px" /></a></p>
<h3> 10. A reliable lock</h3>
<p>If you&#8217;re gonna spend all this time/money making your bike awesome, you need to make sure someone else doesn&#8217;t ride away with it when you&#8217;re not looking. Get a U-lock (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Bulldog-U-Lock-4-Inch-9-06-Inch/dp/B005YPKC5O/bensbargaicenter" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">OnGuard</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kryptolok-Standard-Bicycle-FlexFrame/dp/B005YPK8G2/bensbargaicenter" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kryptonite</a> brands are both great choices) and give yourself some peace of mind.</p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.53.24-PM.png"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-2234 aligncenter" src="https://bensbargains.net/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.53.24-PM.png" loading="lazy" alt="bike_lock" width="344" height="423" srcset="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.53.24-PM.png 344w, https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-Shot-2013-04-29-at-9.53.24-PM-243x300.png 243w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 344px) 100vw, 344px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/guides/10-ways-to-pimp-your-bike-ride/">10 Ways to Pimp your (Bike) Ride</a></p>
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