Time for upgrades...
 

A couple of months ago, I bought a Trek 3700 to replace the ancient Ross 10 speed that a friend gave me, as I'd started commuting to work by bicycle. I'm a very tall guy, and the Trek 3700 was about the least expensive bike that came in a 22.5" frame, especially when I managed to get last year's model for a real bargain. Let me just say that I love it. Love it!

But now, even though I've insisted to my older relatives that they don't need to spend money on my birthday, I have some birthday money to spend and I'd like to start moving the bike towards being "the perfect bike" instead of just "my awesome bike." My commute is under 4 miles round trip, I seem to do a 10ish mile ride at least once a week and I'm working my way up to longer rides, but I'd also like to be able to use the bike for more of my errands.

So here's what I'd like to buy:

Fenders
Rack
something to attach to rack
cycle computer for when my phone crashes while tracking
lights? (still considering building a fancy light kit)

It appears that these fenders will fit my bike, though none of the LBS around here seem to carry them: http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Fr...7747661&sr=1-1

but I'm up in the air a bit about other choices. Do the extra posts that some racks have matter? Are wire baskets that fold up a better choice than bags? Is there a cycle computer that doesn't cost an arm and a leg but does display good info? Is this the wrong section of the forums? Hopefully :)

Fenders+1
The "extra" posts keep the pannier from going into the spokes and possibly add support and strength to the rack.
Bags or Baskets depends on what you want to do with them. Bags generally require packing, where baskets you just toss, whatever, in there. Bags offer some weather protection, baskets not so much. Baskets can lose smaller items, depending on the size of the mesh.
I have no knowledge of, or experience with bike computers.

Whether your rack needs the extra posts (doglegs?) or not depends on what you're going to put on it. My panniers have a stiff plastic insert or backing that holds the bag's shape. No dogleg is necessary to keep them from swinging.

What information are you looking for from a bike computer? Basic ones that show current/avg/max speed, odometer, trip distance are pretty cheap. Ones that show cadence, have a large display and back lighting are more expensive, as well as ones that can be mounted on multiple bikes or use multiple tire sizes. Add wireless sensors, GPS, heart rate monitors and they get more expensive still.

I guess I'm looking for the best value bike computer. I'd like time, current speed, and current distance. A "total distance" wouldn't be terrible to have, or temperature... don't need wireless or anything... not sure I even know what cadence is... definitely don't need GPS, probably don't need the heart rate thing... I guess what I'm saying is that I'd like to spend around $30, and get the most functional device available. Dogleg is a great name, as it makes me think of golf, which I don't get to play as often as I'd like :)

Glad to get the +1 on the Fenders :)

You can get decent bike computers that give the basic info for $15. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Produc...2_217197_-1___ Racks with dog-legged rear stays are worth having, but normally I only use a trunk bag on top (I think it looks more sporty). Get a waterbottle cage and bottle. Get bar-ends on the handlebars. When the tires start showing signs of wear, replace then with slick tires 1.5" wide - this will make the bike roll more easily.

Fenders are awesome. PlanetBike makes some great fenders that are easy to put on and fairly durable while still being pretty darn inexpensive.

On the other hand, I don't like PlanetBike's computers. CatEye's entry level stuff is really great though. Easy to install, simple to operate.

I've been considering the slicks, but at this point I'm not having trouble riding the bike, or even pushing it, and I hesitate to make the workout any easier... What's the deal with the bar-ends? I've seen them on accessory shelves, and I've seen them on some bikes, but they don't seem to adjust the grip all that much.

Slicks: Depends on what you're into. I kinda like going faster and quieter, myself. The constant vuvuzela-like hum of MTB tires on pavement annoys me.

Bar Ends: Right now you have one hand position. Bar ends give you 2-3 total. Is it a huge number? No, but it's 200-300% more than what a normal commuter/MTB has. Makes a difference on multi-hour rides.

+1 on bar ends. It's amazing how effective a little 4" extension can be. I'm still on the lookout for a set of trekking bars with the right bends/angles to put on my MTB. I've tried a set on a Breezer Finesse and they were wonderful.

I'm a big fan of the vuvuzela, so no worries there ;) I understand what you're saying about the bar ends, any suggestions on style/length/brand/whatever?

I consider my trekking bars to be one of the best things I have done for me and my bike, I have mine in what is called the reverse position. I tried it as a recommendation from a bike messenger. He had recommended the reverse position on another forum, I don't remember specifically why, however, I tried it and I liked it.

I liked the Ergon bar ends myself. They come in different sizes. These aren't handlebar sizes, they're hand sizes. You might wanna find a store (REI has them, for example) and play touchy-feely with 'em.

What make/model did you get? These are probably my favorite out of the lot I've seen on the 'net and they look like the Nashbar Trekking bars.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=157778

I don't actually know, I got them on the 'bay. I believe that they were some that came stock on some bike and the owner wanted something else.
That is what I was told anyway. If memory serves.

Sadly I live in North East Ohio, where there's no such thing as REI.... :(

Oooooh, those look nice. I might skip the bar ends this time, and pick up something like that later in the year :)

Okay, so I made it through the first round of accessory buying. I got the Planet Bike "Full" ATB fenders (ASIN B000RYBGKM), which needed a little bit of bending on the front supports to fit, but do a great job of keeping the splashes off of me. I got the M-Wave "Alloy Bicycle Carrier Rack" (ASIN B001NGF4W4) which fit great even though the instructions were printed in German, and the M-Wave Double Day Tripper Panniers (ASIN B001NGD4UI) which I think look a little bit small, but have enough room for me to stuff my laptop backpack in one and my son's backpack for camp in the other. And here's a picture of me standing next to my bike, taken with a poor quality cameraphone :)

I'm still looking at trekking bars, which seem pretty awesome, and after my wet ride in this morning I'm thinking about clips for the pedals.