Too many posts to search and see if this has already been mentioned, but I would add an mp3 player and speaker to the must-have list. I keep a $9 San Disk 4 gig that runs on a AAA battery and a speaker I bought on eBay mounted to my handlebars. Both are easily removable when I arrive at work.

Music makes the commute go so much faster and can generate a lot of energy for the work day ahead. My player also has a radio in it, so I can catch up on the news in the morning.

Where can I buy a AirZound?

Amazon

I'd give you mine but it is a fun little toy to have around. I'm darn sure I didn't pay more than $10 for mine though at some LBS in the clearance bin.

I'm a little late to this thread, but there's one thing that remains to be said. Maybe two.

As far as necessary can't live without, you're already set. Everything mentioned here is useful and advisable, but in my opinion not necessary for a daytime commute.

However, I will make an addition if using a cell-phone is not a convenient answer to mechanical problems: a multi-tool and a frame pump. I formerly would have considered the frame-pump as an optional accessory but twice in the last year my CO2 has failed me, so I've moved that to the necessary column.

Hotshots are $27 including shipping. Not really much more than a PBSF.

In my experience, the DX or Sette clones ARE significantly less well built than the PBSF. The PBSF is no great shakes but I have yet to have any of the 3 that I own actually break. The clones are just as bright but they only last about a year and then something on them breaks, usually a tab just falls off when I'm changing batteries or something.

A PBSF on Amazon is about $23. The Hotshot is only $4 more. That's a no-brainer right there, the Hotshot is 6x brighter and has built in rechargable batteries and many, many more modes and options.

Meanwhile, you continue to maginalize my perspective. So, what's that? Truth on your terms? No, it's continuing the disagreement here in this thread.

Seeing a PBSF in daylight is what caused me to ask the cyclist what kind of taillight he was running as it was so bright. When he told me I bought a few right away. A friend put me on to the Settes after losing a couple and I've been using them ever since. Same effectiveness at 1/3 the cost. Just like you the OP can take my advice or leave it as well.

Had them both out on the dining room table last night changing batteries and could see no significant differences in quality. And the Sette has an extra mode.

True. I've read several reviews. Until the mounting assembly is improved a ton, I'll wait.

Good info, though. The cheapest I'd seen them was 39.99+shipping...but maybe that was w/t pc adaptable cord.

Sorry there Nash guy...I still don't recommend your lighting. I believe something better is necessary. Is it OK to say that? If the OP wants to find the answer, they'll have to browse some of the lighting threads.

Actually, the Hotshot comes with the usb cable, but not always with the wall plug adapter.

To be honest, I'm debating between 2 of the Settes that are on sale and put those on the rack legs somehow or one Hotshot on the seatpost and move my Cherrybomb to a rack leg...

I was actually going to go for the hotshot for my rear light with maybe a few extra blinkies, then a good flashlight mounted to the front. Invest in rechargable batteries, then maybe get some cateye lights later to add more brightness; I work a lot of closing shifts, and if I need to ride in the rain, I want to be visible.

If you got the scratch now, the Hotshot is less than $28 shipped (free shipping). It's brighter than anything in it's price class- you'd probably have to spend at least 3-4x as much to find comparable brightness.

No matter what, you need more than one taillight. WHEN your taillight fails, you won't know it, so you want to be running two.

Actually with the higher power lights (Dinotte, MagicShine, Hotshot) I can look in my mirror and see traffic signs 300 feet behind me getting lit up by the lights flashing, so I can tell if they are on or not, but I don't know immediately if they fail.

Im definitely going to grab a few inexpensive blinkies to cover that until I have money for another tail light.

That's what I'm talking about. Leave no doubt.

I currently have a 4D Toplight and a Cherrybomb- but I want more. Torn between a couple of those cheap PBSF clones or a Hotshot. Pros and cons to each.

-Hotshot is brighter, programmable, and has a built-in battery; downside is that is only one light, lack of mounting hardware choices, and has a non replaceable battery.
-A couple of the PBSF clones offer built in redundancy, more mounting choices, and have replaceable batteries; the flip side is managing all of the batteries and they just aren't as bright as the Hotshot...

So I found an inexpensive pack of four blinkers with replaceable batteries with attachments for the bike and my person on amazon. Excellent for use with the hotshot.

What mirrors would y'all recommend? There are tons of brands, fixed, flexible, some that attach to the handlebars, to the end of handlebars, to helmets. I don't know what to look at. I want to keep price down, but get something I can rely on.

If you aren't planning on using bar ends, the mirrycle mtn mirror will work. It doesn't play well with bar ends. Mine is currently sitting in the parts bin for that reason.

The most efficient mirror is a glasses or helmet mounted style. The Take-A-Look is a popular eyeglass mount model and is what I use. I also have a helmet mirror which is equally effective though I cannot remember the brand right now.

btw, good for you on noticing the benefit of a mirror. Many cannot see it's value.

I do 3D printing - when I get my hotshot in a day or two, I may look into making a few different mounts for it.

So, this one's a little bigger than an accessory, but I wanted to ask without making another thread; what's the deal with drop bars? Everyone seems to want them, but I dont see what's comfortable about being bent over the bars the whole ride. The World 24 has adjustable handlebars so I could put them at whatever height/angle I like, which is good for my short arms, but I do wonder what the appeal is.

You have an adjustable stem, not handlebars. And while drops aren't for everyone, a bunch of people do like them. And you don't have to be bent over all the time- most people cruise with their hands on the 'hoods' (basically where bar ends on a flat bar would be) or the 'tops' <-might be 'flats' instead, not a roadie which is on either side of the stem (where your hands would be at on a flat bar).

Do note that drop bars also tend to be quite a bit narrower than flat/riser bars...

Actually, I do mean adjustable handlebars; they have a hinge you can loosen to swivel them to the exact angle you want them to be, the exact distance you want them from you/towards you. It's pretty sweet actually.

Anyways, thanks for the explanation. I've never quite gotten the appeal, so I guess I'll just have to test ride a road bike at some point to see how I feel about them. I like the upright position myself, even if it is less aerodynamic.

They work great too.

The hinged part that adjusts on your bike to move the handlebars is called the "stem".

Many riders, myself included, like drop handlebars because they give you several different positions to place your hands. I found on straight bars my hands would go numb and I had no alternate place to hold onto the bars. Also, riding in the drops while not the most comfortable, does put you in a more aerodynamic position which really helps with speed on windy days.