Accessories and gadgets for your bike?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 67
Bikes: 13 Raleigh Cadent FT1/ 16 Specialized Allez Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Accessories and gadgets for your bike?
What accessories do you have for your bike that you cant live without? or simply just think is awesome.
Im always searching amazon and other sites for cool bike accessories. Headlights? Bells? saddle bags? Cycle computers? phone mounts?
Im always searching amazon and other sites for cool bike accessories. Headlights? Bells? saddle bags? Cycle computers? phone mounts?
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NoVA - DC Metro
Posts: 1,220
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Prelude -- 1995 Specialized Hardrock Sport GX
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 296 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
My computer and saddle bag filled with tools. I dont care for having alot on my bike, but i do like looking at all the accessories that are out there. Oh, and a bar-end mirror...thats what i like/use most.
#3
Senior Member
My saddle bag and the tire tools inside of it and the pump. Listed by priority is the bag with the tools, pump, water bottle cages and bottles, computer is last. Riding at night would add the lights before the computer.
Mirrors are ok, I tried using one and I found for myself it wasn't necessary, I've been riding for over 40 years without one so when I got one I found out I didn't really need it, but that's a personal thing that only you can decide if you need one. Bells is another unnecessary item, bells cannot be heard of the din of city traffic, plus it takes a hand to operate the bell that is now taking a hand off a brake and potentially increasing your chance for an accident; besides my voice is louder than any bell.
I don't know what "cool" stuff you're seeing on Amazon but you do have to be careful you don't over do it with unnecessary accessories, and believe me besides all the stuff that Hardrock and myself mentioned there isn't much left that is important nor will be found but on a very very few bikes.
Mirrors are ok, I tried using one and I found for myself it wasn't necessary, I've been riding for over 40 years without one so when I got one I found out I didn't really need it, but that's a personal thing that only you can decide if you need one. Bells is another unnecessary item, bells cannot be heard of the din of city traffic, plus it takes a hand to operate the bell that is now taking a hand off a brake and potentially increasing your chance for an accident; besides my voice is louder than any bell.
I don't know what "cool" stuff you're seeing on Amazon but you do have to be careful you don't over do it with unnecessary accessories, and believe me besides all the stuff that Hardrock and myself mentioned there isn't much left that is important nor will be found but on a very very few bikes.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Maryland (DC area)
Posts: 274
Bikes: Trek DS 8.5 Scott Hybrid Thunderbolt folder '75 Schwinn Varsity '95 Schwinn cruiser '58 Wstrn Flyr...
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post

Computer, Tools, mirror. Those are the top three.
I include one spare inner tube and mini pump as part of "tools".
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28,823
Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12536 Post(s)
Liked 4,665 Times
in
2,405 Posts
I like to keep it simple:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 28,823
Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12536 Post(s)
Liked 4,665 Times
in
2,405 Posts
That's from last month in Montana at the start of an eleven day tour through the mountains.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/105349...57667672266654
There are actually no bike gadgets other than flat fixing stuff, a bike computer and a tail light. But inside there is, among other things, a full kitchen. The only other electronics were a dumb phone, charging cord, headlamp, camera (carried in the jersey pocket), a few spare, rechargeable AAA batteries and their charger. I like to keep things low tech. Didn't use a computer once during the trip.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Maryland (DC area)
Posts: 274
Bikes: Trek DS 8.5 Scott Hybrid Thunderbolt folder '75 Schwinn Varsity '95 Schwinn cruiser '58 Wstrn Flyr...
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I still have lights on my hybrid. My fitness routine was wake up before going to work, and get in a ride. it was early dawn, and warranted the lights. No mostly daytime, but the flashing rear light does come in handy.... like on a foggy morning.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 540
Bikes: Novarra Randonee 2016, Trek Verve 2 2015
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 97 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Front and rear high power blinkies, simple speed/distance computer and a rack bag with tools and rainjacket. Also, a big bike bell (love it!...).
#12
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 23,594
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, an orange one and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 1,335 Times
in
823 Posts
What are you waiting for, Christmas? Pick a date, pick a route and make it happen.
__________________
Stuart Black
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
Stuart Black
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
#13
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 23,594
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, an orange one and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 1,335 Times
in
823 Posts
Pump, CoolTool, Rema Tiptop patch kit, computer. Lights in the winter.
__________________
Stuart Black
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
Stuart Black
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Days of Wineless Roads. Bed and Breakfasting along the KATY
Twisting Down the Alley. Misadventures in tornado alley.
#15
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 12,292
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 186 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3958 Post(s)
Liked 1,720 Times
in
1,107 Posts
None of my accessories has been a complete waste of money, but there are a few I use every ride, more or less in order of how often I use 'em:
Stuff I carry every ride but don't often actually need:
I just added an Ion Speed Pro video camera a couple of weeks ago. Just for safety purposes. My rides aren't interesting enough to publish many videos, although occasionally I see some amusing or crazy stuff and plan to edit 'em down to a year end compilation.
- Mirrycle handlebar mirror. Feel nekkid without it.
- Bottle cage and 24 oz Polar bottle. Me thirsty. Me drink like hot dog in summer.
- Combination bell/compass. Kitschy but useful. I have no natural sense of direction and refer to the compass often. The bell is less useful -- no amount of adjustment puts it where I can flick the clapper without compromising my grip stability. It could be more useful only if the manufacturer added a bobble head doll.
- Repurposed lens pouches from my old Lowepro waist bag, now used on the handlebar to hold my phone and other doodads.
- Bontrager BackRack S. With a bungee cargo net, bungee cords and long Velcro strap, and a shoulder bag I can always stop for a few groceries on the way home.
- Fairly heavy steel cable and disc padlock. Doubles as a melee weapon against the zombie hordes.
- Lights. Serfas SL-255 headlight, runs on a pair of AA's. Planet Bike Blinky 5 on the rear rack, runs on AAA's. On the helmet, Blackburn 2'Fer and Vivo-Bike Illuminati, both lightweight USB rechargeables.
- P&S camera, although I mostly use the old iPhone 4s for snaps and short videos, along with running a cycling app.
Stuff I carry every ride but don't often actually need:
- Some sorta Park multi-tool. I may add another with a chain and spoke tool.
- Patch kit.
- Topeak Race Rocket HP mini-pump. Since I use heavy duty puncture resistant tires I figured I'd rarely need a pump on the road. So I got the smallest decent pump I could find and usually take it with me off the bike.
I just added an Ion Speed Pro video camera a couple of weeks ago. Just for safety purposes. My rides aren't interesting enough to publish many videos, although occasionally I see some amusing or crazy stuff and plan to edit 'em down to a year end compilation.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 480
Bikes: 2014 Giant Roam
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 84 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Streamers that come out of the handlebars (no just kidding but it would be cool), and a quick release seat seat post.
#17
LET'S RIDE!!
Can't live without? I guess that would be my rack mounted bag with tools/pump/spare tube, headlight (when riding after dark), rear blinkie (on all the time, day or night) and also my handlebar mounted mirror. One too many close calls necessitated its addition this past Spring.
Nice accessories to have but aren't "life and death"...Edge 800 (when it decides to work) and my Hero4 Session.
Nice accessories to have but aren't "life and death"...Edge 800 (when it decides to work) and my Hero4 Session.

#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,254
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1837 Post(s)
Liked 863 Times
in
488 Posts
Headlight and taillight, of course. Stowaway 400 bag mounted just behind the handlebars on the top tube to hold keys, wallet, and smartphone. Under seat bag to hold tools, patch kit, and spare tube. Air pump mounted on side of seat tube.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,254
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1837 Post(s)
Liked 863 Times
in
488 Posts
Oh I never thought I'd need a bell, but since I've been getting up early and riding before work, I come across a lot of early morning walkers. So I've ordered a small bell but it hasn't arrived yet. Also got one for my son's bike, I'm sure he'll love it.
#22
Senior Member
My Taggio Pro Bicycle pump head is a must need for me. So simple to use, I need to order another one to have a spare.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NH
Posts: 126
Bikes: Jamis Coda
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 107 Post(s)
Liked 334 Times
in
306 Posts
I do a lot of riding at night, so my lighting setup is easily the most essential accessory for me.
Front lighting:
Fenix BT20 headlight for steady light
Planet Bike ½-Watt headlight used in blinky mode only
Rear lighting:
A pair of Planet Bike Blinky 3 tail lights
Additional accessories:
Mirrycle handlebar mirror
Saddle bag with tools, a small first aid kit, and a CO2 inflator w/2 carts
2 bottle cages w/24oz Polar bottles
Finally, as a numbers/stats nerd, this gives me much joy:
Sigma ROX 5.0 bike computer w/HR chest strap
Front lighting:
Fenix BT20 headlight for steady light
Planet Bike ½-Watt headlight used in blinky mode only
Rear lighting:
A pair of Planet Bike Blinky 3 tail lights
Additional accessories:
Mirrycle handlebar mirror
Saddle bag with tools, a small first aid kit, and a CO2 inflator w/2 carts
2 bottle cages w/24oz Polar bottles
Finally, as a numbers/stats nerd, this gives me much joy:
Sigma ROX 5.0 bike computer w/HR chest strap
#24
Senior Member
Distributed to my 3 bikes are 2 bells, 2 light groups, 2 computers so I guess those are the awesome gadgets, but not "can't live without".
Similarly for fenders, one without and two with.
Similarly for fenders, one without and two with.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,398
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 Stumpjumper, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, and looking for a Brompton M6R
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 1,366 Times
in
395 Posts
Hmm, can't live without or think is awesome?...
For my normal 20 mile ride, I like a frame bag and a small bag on the top of the top tube for my phone and some energy snacks.
I like a Super flash tail light but never need to use it, but the day that I do use it, it will be a life saver.
On my Touring bike, lights, reflectors, reflective tape and fenders.
For my normal 20 mile ride, I like a frame bag and a small bag on the top of the top tube for my phone and some energy snacks.
I like a Super flash tail light but never need to use it, but the day that I do use it, it will be a life saver.
On my Touring bike, lights, reflectors, reflective tape and fenders.