New Bike Series – Accessories

Accessories

When setting your budget for your bike purchase, the bike is only part of the equation.  There’s usually additional items you’ll want to complete your newfound cyclist identity. There are accessories which attach to your bike, accessories for your body, and a few other stand-alone items to consider.

Accessories Attached to Your Bike

• Most bikes have mounts for water bottle cages, but no cage comes with the bike.  Most likely you’ll want one or two of those plus a bottle or two. 
• Most bikes don’t come with kickstands, and not all bikes are suited for them, but they are convenient to have.  You’re less likely to scratch your bike, and it’s way more convenient than leaving your bike in a heap on the ground.  One negative is that they do add weight. 
• Some bikes don’t come with pedals – usually mid to high end road and mountain bikes.  There’s a decision to be made as you get further into cycling, that being if you want to move from flat pedals or toe clips, up to clipless pedals.  When you wear cycling shoes that attach to the pedals, 

you’re going clipless. Click here to read about the many types of pedals. There are many brands of clipless pedals on the market, and each have a unique attachment mechanism.  People become fond on their favorite type, so manufacturers find it best not to include pedals at all.

• New bikes come with reflectors so you can be seen from the front, back and sides and they are somewhat effective.  One way to make sure that you’re seen is to install lights on the front and rear. There are less expensive lights designed with the purpose of being seen and I encourage their use both day and night.  Then there’s more expensive headlights that are for lighting up the road or path at night. I personally use USB rechargeable lights with a 500 lumen headlight and 300 lumen flashing red taillight. I’m covered day or night.
• If you ride in situations where you approach pedestrians or other cyclists from the rear, a bell is a nice thing to have.  I feel that it’s a subtle but effective way to announce your presence, with the alternative of shouting “on your left”, which seems to startle people.
• Current speed, average speed and top speed on your ride are good things to know.  Mileage, heart rate, cadence and GPS come in handy as well. Bike computers can provide all of that and more.  Note that you can also use your phone for a lot of those functions as well. Bike Werks carries handlebar phone mounts for your convenience.  Look for a future blog post on popular cycling apps.
• A rear-view mirror is a good idea especially if you ride on the road, but my experience is that most people get them and don’t use them.  Mounted on the handlebar, they get knocked out of adjustment and just get in the way. In addition to handlebar mount, there are mirrors designed to mount to your helmet.  If having one makes you comfortable and you’ll use it – by all means, get one.

• If you ride in wet weather, fenders are a welcome accessory.  When riding on wet surfaces, tires produce a spray which fenders will contain.  Though mostly found on hybrids, there are versions for road bikes (usually touring road bikes) and unique, less traditional versions sometimes found on mountain bikes.  Be aware that not all fenders are compatible with all bikes.
• Rear bike racks are handy to have.  Side saddle bags called “Panniers” attach to racks and are handy for commuting, trips to the grocery store or packing a picnic lunch.  There are also bags which sit on top of the rack to maximize your packing space. Some child seats also mount to rear racks.

• If you ride to destinations where you’ll be leaving your bike unattended, then a lock is mandatory.  There are locks that mount to the bike frame, but I’m personally not a fan of them. I feel it’s better to carry your lock in a backpack or pannier.  Whether a chain, cable or U-lock, the bike lock is a deterrent causing the potential thief to move on to an easier target.
• Frame pumps are good to have when you have inner tubes with Shrader valves (valves like those on your car).  They mount with the water bottle cage and tuck out of the way nicely. Most of these pumps will also inflate tubes with Presta valves (thin metal valve with screw tip), but when your bike has those a more compact and effective inflation device is a CO2 cartridge and regulator which fits in your seat pack which leads to the final accessory listed here
• Seat packs tuck under your saddle and depending on what you carry, can save you a long walk home.  Click here to learn all about seat packs and what should be inside of them so you’re prepared if you get a puncture.

Accessories for your body

• First thing you’re going to need is a helmet.  When you have an accident on a bicycle, there’s usually no time to react.  I’ve personally been spared severe head injuries by wearing a bicycle helmet.  Helmets these days fit comfortably, are rather light, have plenty of ventilation and come in many styles.
• Next thing on the list is gloves.  There are summer fingerless gloves, winter gloves and several in between.  They aid in gripping the handlebars, reduce vibration and usually have a terry cloth patch sewn on for wiping your brow.  More importantly though, they’re a safety measure in the event of an accent. Nothing worse than road rash on your palms. Your hands are one of the three touch points to your bike
• Another touch point to your bicycle is your feet.  Bike shoes have stiffer soles and have the mounts for pedal cleats.  (click here to learn more about pedals that interface with cleats). With road specific shoes, the soles are solid and not flexible.  This is ideal when you’re in the pedals, but road shoes are awkward to walk around in. Mountain shoes, on the other hand, have recessed cleat mounts.  The mounted cleats are almost unnoticeable when walking in them. This is ideal when you have to dismount your bike in the woods to “hike-a-bike”. It’s also nice when you’re riding urban casual and park your bike to walk around.

• The final touch point is your rear end.  Cycling shorts are one accessory that your body will thank you for.  Sewn into the saddle contact area is what’s called a chamois (shammy).   The chamois has evolved from a flat piece of foam to an anatomical wicking pad made of different density foams and pressure channels.  For the ultimate comfort, you can “one-up” your game by smearing some Chamois butter on your bottom. Most associate bike shorts with the traditional skin-tight versions, however  the mountain bike culture has brought something for those a bit more modest and shy – the baggy short combined with a chamois liner.  Liners are also sold separately, so you can add padding to your favorite shorts or pants.
• Nowadays, there’s more choices when it comes to cycling specific clothing than ever.  Traditionally, shorts, pants, jerseys and jackets are fitted for aerodynamics and eliminating the fluttering excess material.  Now you have the option of more casual, baggier, less fitted clothing still adapting to cycling. Jerseys have longer tails to adapt to the bent over position of your body when cycling.  Materials are light, wicking fabric for keeping cool in summer, and for layering in winter.  
• For road bikers and mountain bikers alike, it’s a good idea to wear glasses whether it’s sunny or not.  For riding off road, there’s the obvious need for eye protection. Clear or yellow lenses can maintain visibility while averting branches, dust and mud spray.  Eye protection on the road makes sense as well, with wind in your face and exposure to the sun.
• Hydration packs are quite popular among mountain bikers, but I’ve seen casual riders and road riders making use of them as well.  You can keep your eyes on the road or trail while hydrating. The liquid filled backpacks are also great for storage.

Stand Alone Accessories

• Sometimes you have to travel to get to the best cycling roads or trails.  There are several options when it comes to purchasing an automotive bike rack.  Several rack specialty companies offer solutions for nearly every kind of car.
• Your bikes tires are going to lose air – there’s no way around it.  Expect to inflate your tires to proper pressure on a regular basis. Most floor pumps these days will work with both kinds of bike valves – presta and shrader.  (There’s a third type of valve called a Dunlop valve, but they’re found mostly overseas). Make sure get a quality pump with a pressure gauge. 
• Always have a bottle of bicycle specific lube on hand.  Never use motor oil or WD40 on your bike. They attract dirt and gum up your drivetrain affecting shifting performance and causing friction reducing efficiency.  Click here to learn more about lube and how often to apply.