Your favorite bike widget of 2011

[Flounder]

As the year comes to a close, we'd like to know what was the one widget you bought this year that you really think is the bee's knees?

It could be a tire, bike, pair of shoes, or anything else.

What was your favorite bike related purchase of 2011?

[Jay H]

MRP xcg. Its a chain ring protector that goes between an out board BB cup and the bottom bracket shell. This thing has taken some serious abuse and keeps my XT cranks looking good big ring and all. So simple and so effective.

Also I really like WTBs new all mountain TCS tires with the dual rubber compound there inner peace side wall reinforcement. I run the Mutano raptor 2.4 when its dry out and the 2.3 weirwolf. I am stoked that they are also bringing this technology to 29ers in the weirwolf LT.

[NothingClever]

My new Manitou fork for my Litespeed MTB. Really scrubs off the harshness of riding over exposed roots plus the lockout is the jazz when I want to get into the big ring up front. Oh, can't forget to include my NR helmet mount....I'm much faster now that I can look way ahead whenever I want.

[goodtimes]

75147

[hochung]

13-29 cassette for my road bike. I am aging and not getting any younger. And the 12-25 cassette I had was starting to dig into my knees. Now I am able to big-ring most of my ride.

[LR Max]

Fizik saddle for my road bike. I spend most of my time on the road bike and this has made a huge difference, as you can imagine.

New 2.3" wide tires on the mountain bike are a close section. As you can imagine, they are very grippy! Also look awesome.

[mtnbike28]

I finally found my CX bike, Salsa Las Cruces.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwRetYxDBOA/TrcjAbHPoVI/AAAAAAAAFyU/fbftBDoehDs/s400/110611podB.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjKY8DEsJEk/TrciTxFnoNI/AAAAAAAAFx8/-oIOr7BMWQE/s400/110511pod.jpg

[weezerbot]

Backcountry Research Awesome Strap....I have the Ragtop, which apparently they have discontinued for 2012. Too bad, I really like having the extra flap covering my tube. They are cheap enough though I might buy a few extra of the new models. :bike_rider:

http://www.backcountryresearch.com/

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4R_Mxyw2SMU/TKSKCgdRoQI/AAAAAAAAEDU/DmLj6ATlN6k/s1600/newastrap1.png

[3konas]

My Haulin Colin trailer I received last week. I live on a island and now I can save money by not having to take the van across on the ferry when I need to pick up larger items, besides, it's a lot more fun to ride!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll195/3konas/2011-11-10143230-2.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll195/3konas/2011-11-10143302-1.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll195/3konas/2011-11-10143316-1.jpg

[NothingClever]

Dad gum...now that's a bike trailer!!

[phsycle]

http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/images10/large/Bell_jellibell_red10.jpg

Trail hikers/runners appreciate the heads up, since my SS is stealthy quiet.

[Spicy McHaggis]

I bought my first bike computer since the Cateye I owned in 1987. This one was a Garmin Edge 500. Wow. Never in my old racing days would I have imagined all the data you can store on such a little plastic thing!

[goinsurfin]

Shimano XTR platform pedals!

I use them on my road and mtb. They are lightweight and platforms give me the option to not use cycling shoes when on leisure rides- pulling kids in the Burley trailer.

[mntbkrguy]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/mntbkrguy/iphonedrybag_mnt1.jpg

http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/phone_drybag_bk_2

It's a drybag for the iPhone that has a window for the camera, belt clip and rotating mount. I have mine on the stem of my touring bike but you could mount it on the handle bars and even video if you wanted to.

[thecriscokid]

Probably my Easton Haven Bar. Wide, light, and damp!

To this day (15yrs later) favorite thing to replace are Speedplay Frog cleats. I get a lot of funny looks about the pedals but, if you have ridden DH on flats and pre released spd style pedals inward putting your foot into your wheelwhile pressing a corner? You may enjoy them too.

My first carbon bar for my first carbon bike! Santa Cruz Tallboy shouldn't get left off the list

[MAD Duo]

Bought my wife a Cypher2, now she can ride with me:Wow1:

[jaygoss]

The new Shimano disk brake system. I was skeptical at first but my bike shop buddies insisted I try them and I have been completely impressed with them. A word of warning though: these are truly 1 finger brakes- you will go over your bars the first time you use these if you apply anything but gentle pressure! They are that good!

[Trout]

Wahoo Fitness Bike Pack - running Cyclemeter app. Favorite feature is it adds my rides automatically to my calendar.

2012 widget is already underway - Alfine 11-speed for my Bianchi Roger.

[Flounder]

I've been doing a lot of travel with the bike lately. I've become super fond of my little Lezyne Micro Floor Drive pump. It's small enough it fits in my little travel bag with a few other basic tools, gels and other ride essentials. It goes with me everywhere, and can pump up a tire to 120 psi with no problem at all. I even slipped it into a jersey pocket for a ride when I realized I didn't have any other pumps to take along. You'd never think of putting a proper floor pump in your pocket, but this one is pretty small. That said, it pumps like a champ.

79460

http://www.lezyne.com/hand-pumps#panel-7

[ThomD]

My favorite for the year is the Cy Fi bluetooth speakers. Unfortunately, it looks like the company has gone out of business.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41o6vP2elNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Bike_Mech]

Gotta be my Enve carbon bars. I finally replaced my old 25.4 carbon eastons with some 31.8 wide bars on my favorite mountain bike. I've had several oversized bars on other mtbs and road bikes for a long time, but never got around to changing these over till now.

-Chris