We’ve all been there. You head out for a ride with your friends and, despite trying to match each other’s pace, a gap emerges and your social ride is not so social anymore.
Sena, the communication device company, thinks it has a solution to this problem. Its new BiKom 20 is a walkie-talkie device that fits to your helmet strap and enables you to communicate with your riding buddy up to half a mile apart.
Best known for Bluetooth communication devices designed for motorcycling, Sena says its latest bit of kit redefines cycling communication “as the world’s most compact and lightweight communicator” weighing only 20g.
How does the Sena BiKom 20 work?
Sena started as an industrial technology manufacturer, providing Bluetooth networking products to companies.
But it later realised this technology could be used to provide wireless rider-to-rider communication for motorcyclists. It launched its first motorcycle Bluetooth communicator, the SMH10, back in 2010.
Bluetooth is at the core of Sena’s Mesh Intercom 3.0, which the BiKom 20 uses for “seamless communication with nearby riders” and a “real-time, uninterrupted connection”.
Sena says the technology supports “virtually unlimited” participants, so you can use it for group riding. However, this will require everyone on your ride to have one of the devices, which might be a luxury preserved for Sena’s partner, Team Picnic Post NL.
The BiKom 20 also has six customisable channels, to avoid interference with any other users out on the road, and a talk time of eight hours.
Safety and noise control
Like many of the best headphones for cycling, the BiKom 20 has an open-ear design for safety. Sena says it “leaves the ears uncovered, ensuring that users can remain aware of their surroundings and stay safe”.
The device also utilises Sena’s expertise in noise-control technology, learnt from developing motorbike headsets.
Sena says the system “effectively eliminates wind and ambient noise”. This is so any communication with your riding friends remains clear.
If you’ve had enough of your friend’s yabbering or want to focus on your own effort, you can fold the microphone away to mute the BiKom 20.
How do you install the BiKom 20?
Sena says it takes less than a minute to install the BiKom 20. All you need to do is clip it onto your helmet strap, cap or other gear.
This also means it’s easy to share the device between people, if you desire.
Sena includes a variety of different strap and clip mounts in the box so the BiKom 20 can fit different headware or helmet straps.
How much does the BiKom 20 cost?
The Sena BiKom 20 costs $159 for a single device, but there is also a dual-pack option, which will set you back $299.
