you should go for preventive measure rather than corrective measure.
It's better to avoid getting flat rather than repairing 10 flat
Mr tuffy liner inner and outer + puncture proof tires
rather than
pump + puncture repair kit + spare tires + etc..
For commuting i don't bring anything anymore as i don't have flat anymore.
So much more peace of mind
I have ergon grips. It works but doesn't do miracles
The locks:
kriptonite ulock + cable is a good solution
Don't forget to lock the saddle as well with a cable lock or a used chain in an old tire
There are clip pedals as well but it's not so fun if you have to stop every second
I would add reflective tape everywhere on the bike
this one is pretty efficient
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-...eflective+tape
Regarding the saddle as you're looking for comfort, if you don't mind taking your time (cruise style: vertical or nearly vertical position), you should try the pro hub x2 saddle.
There is a nob which allow you to set the saddle according to the size of your seatbones. So it adapts to your butt up to 250lb and it is a noseless medical saddle with a 100% perinea relieve.
All the infos about the science behind are available here and there
http://www.sq-lab.com/sqlabor/ergono...radsattel.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/sc...ewanted=1&_r=0
I'm currently on a more speedy saddle the charge spoon saddle supposed to be one of the most comfortable saddle in its category according some reviews (with brooks, selle anatomica). It's ok but not amazing.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...n-cro-mo-21369
The reason why i didn't go for brooks or selle anatomica it's because these are not designed for road bike riding position even tho some pretend it is and because of the price gap. The charge spoon is probably the cheapest noticeable road bike saddle on the market today. But as I said before I find it ok not amazing.
Anyway to find the ride saddle I would proceed this way.
-determine your needs (comfort, speed or touring, weight, price, leather or synthetics or whatever, medical level, padding thickness, chromoly or titanium or whatever, waterproof or not, care, offset, seatpost fixation, design, esthetics)
-determine your riding position (0-30°, 31-45°, 46-60°, 61-75°, 76-90°)
-determine your sitbones gap
-find the right saddles
-find the shop allowing you to test it
-compare then decide then buy