Cycling

While plastic mountain bike pedals tend to be lighter and cheaper than their aluminum counterparts, they certainly don't last as long. Canadian company Squidworx has set out to combine the best features of both, with its Modular Flat Pedal.

When it comes to e-bikes, there are some that make a point of looking like high-tech electric bicycles, and others that try to look as normal as possible. The Platzhirsch occupies a sort of middle ground, as it's sleek yet also very eye-catching.

Electronically-shiftable bicycle drivetrains such as Di2 and eTap are becoming increasingly popular, but they're definitely pricey. Archer Components' D1x Trail offers a cheaper alternative, by adding electronic shifting to existing rear derailleurs.

While many people turn their bike over to perform repairs, doing so can damage handlebar-mounted components such as brake levers and e-bike screens. The Original Handlebar Jack is designed to protect those items, by keeping the bars off the ground.

It's no secret that motorists sometimes just don't "get" what cyclists are thinking. Ford Europe has envisioned at least part of a solution, in the form of its one-off Emoji Jacket.

Although many cyclists like the retention offered by "clipless" pedals, there's something to be said for the ease-of-use and wide platform offered by flats. Hustle Bike Labs has tried to combine the best features of both, with its magnetic REM Pedal.

Setting the preload, rebound and compression on a full-suspension mountain bike can be a daunting task. The MotionIQ system is designed to help, though, by assessing users' rides in order to determine the best settings.

When you're cycling over rough roads, there are two main parts of the bike where you feel it – the seat and the bars. Cirrus Cycles previously released a suspension seatpost to address the former, and now it's announced a stem to tackle the latter.

If you're a bicycle commuter, then you likely wear a backpack when riding. There are some items, however, that are better carried on the bike itself. A new setup is designed with this in mind, combining a backpack with detachable bike-mountable bags.

One of the great things about bicycles is the number of open-minded inventors they attract, who think, "Maybe it would work better if we did it this way …" The past year saw a bumper crop of the resulting products – here are our picks for the 10 most innovative.

Although cyclists sure do like multi-tools, they don't necessarily like having the things cluttering up their pockets or hydration packs. That's where Wolf Tooth's new EnCase System comes in, as it sits inside the bike's handlebars.

A helmet designed for maximum ventilation won’t be the best in terms of aerodynamics, but an Australian researcher is working on a dynamic version that could offer cyclists both, by changing shape at different stages of a race.