What is the most underrated bicycle accessory?
10-03-16, 09:06 AM
#26
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
You're joking right, John? Even with a heavy investment of time and materials, there is no way to produce a mudguard with complete coverage like SKS Longboards for $50. The engineering would take hours, scrounding for materials, days. Developing a fastener for the metal stays...why even think it?
10-03-16, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Handlebar tassels.
10-03-16, 09:16 AM
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Bottle and cage. If I forget to grab my water, I realize pretty quickly how vital it is. Fortunately, I live in the middle of 5,000 square mile or so of suburban sprawl, so there is always someplace close by to buy bottled water, gatorade, whatever 24/7/365.
10-03-16, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Stadjer
Do you guys distinquish between fenders and mudguards in the same way?
10-03-16, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Jean3n16
I was talking about a mudguard. he mentioned mudguard about his wife but his $50 ones are fenders.
10-03-16, 09:30 AM
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Air Zzhounds air horn. Thing has saved my life twice...makes cars stop on a dime (looking for the big truck) before they either back into you or turn and hit you. Worth every penny.
10-03-16, 09:32 AM
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Fenders=Mudguards in the UK. I've always thought they were the same. What's a USA mudguard look like? Is that similar to the clip on fenders for MTB that protect the fork crown and suspension from mud?
wiggle.com | Bike Fenders
wiggle.com | Bike Fenders
10-03-16, 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by linberl
Air Zzhounds air horn. Thing has saved my life twice...makes cars stop on a dime (looking for the big truck) before they either back into you or turn and hit you. Worth every penny.
10-03-16, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
Fenders=Mudguards in the UK. I've always thought they were the same. What's a USA mudguard look like? Is that similar to the clip on fenders for MTB that protect the fork crown and suspension from mud?
wiggle.com | Bike Fenders
wiggle.com | Bike Fenders
10-03-16, 09:47 AM
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Ok bringing cars and trucks is just making it more confusing.
Fenders/Mudguards are the same thing.
Mudflaps are what you're talking about. Easy to make from a milk jug although most plastic fenders come with them pre-installed.
Fenders For Your Bicycle
Fenders/Mudguards are the same thing.
Mudflaps are what you're talking about. Easy to make from a milk jug although most plastic fenders come with them pre-installed.
Fenders For Your Bicycle
10-03-16, 09:49 AM
#37
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I understand the confusion now...
...when I say mudguard, I really mean full length fender. I like the front fender to reach from well before the fork crown all the way down to the ground in the back of the front wheel. That way, spray on my feet is minimized somewhat. On the rear fender, I like to go back as low as practical, to limit spray on the person behind me.
Sorry for the confusion, @jean316 and others.
Sorry for the confusion, @jean316 and others.
10-03-16, 10:44 AM
#38
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Underrated and essential.
The banana holder, no one likes a sweaty banana.
The banana holder, no one likes a sweaty banana.
10-03-16, 11:36 AM
#39
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Originally Posted by Yendor72
Underrated and essential.
The banana holder, no one likes a sweaty banana.
The banana holder, no one likes a sweaty banana.
10-03-16, 11:37 AM
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A basic cycle computer, especially useful for navigating in unfamiliar areas.
And yes, mudguards/fenders/whatever they are called.
And yes, mudguards/fenders/whatever they are called.
10-03-16, 11:47 AM
#41
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10-03-16, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by CompleteStreets
I have two.
1. Baskets, or in my case a waterproof box called the Donkey Boxx. Having the Donkey Boxx has completely changed bicycling for me. It's large enough for me to hold my bulky waterproof backpack (for years I wore my backpack on my back). Additionally, the Donkey Boxx is always there for me for impromptu shopping at grocery stores, etc. Finally, it's waterproof. If it's raining outside I put my helmet in the box and it stays completely dry. Sadly, it appears that the Donkey Boxx is no longer made. If anyone knows where I can get another one, please let me know.
2. Full chain cases. This only applies to internal gear hub (IGH) bikes, but full chain cases are nothing short of a miracle accessory. My bike spends most of its life outdoors, exposed to the rain, and I do a lot of biking in the rain. Having the full chain case, no gunk gets on my chain. After 8,000+ miles of riding I'm still using the original chain (still hasn't stretched hardly at all!). The sprockets remain in great condition, and get this ... I've only lubed the chain three or four times in two years. And I haven't made a single adjustment to the gears or anything. I do plan to have the hubs overhauled soon though. Riding an IGH bike doesn't compare to derailleur bikes when it comes to speed or climbing up hills, but they require even less maintenance than single speed bikes. If someone can figure out a way to fully encase a derailleur drive train, bike maintenance will be drastically reduced for the masses.
1. Baskets, or in my case a waterproof box called the Donkey Boxx. Having the Donkey Boxx has completely changed bicycling for me. It's large enough for me to hold my bulky waterproof backpack (for years I wore my backpack on my back). Additionally, the Donkey Boxx is always there for me for impromptu shopping at grocery stores, etc. Finally, it's waterproof. If it's raining outside I put my helmet in the box and it stays completely dry. Sadly, it appears that the Donkey Boxx is no longer made. If anyone knows where I can get another one, please let me know.
2. Full chain cases. This only applies to internal gear hub (IGH) bikes, but full chain cases are nothing short of a miracle accessory. My bike spends most of its life outdoors, exposed to the rain, and I do a lot of biking in the rain. Having the full chain case, no gunk gets on my chain. After 8,000+ miles of riding I'm still using the original chain (still hasn't stretched hardly at all!). The sprockets remain in great condition, and get this ... I've only lubed the chain three or four times in two years. And I haven't made a single adjustment to the gears or anything. I do plan to have the hubs overhauled soon though. Riding an IGH bike doesn't compare to derailleur bikes when it comes to speed or climbing up hills, but they require even less maintenance than single speed bikes. If someone can figure out a way to fully encase a derailleur drive train, bike maintenance will be drastically reduced for the masses.
KoKi HOBO bicycle bag | Decide2Ride
https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=...6439596861&f=1
10-03-16, 01:18 PM
#43
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^^^^ Donkey box? Just use a kitty litter bucket for a pannier.
10-03-16, 01:20 PM
#44
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Underrated? You all missed the mark. Coffee and bacon. / thread.
10-03-16, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Heyspike
What kind of mirrors do you guys use? Helmet mounted or bike mounted?
10-03-16, 01:30 PM
#46
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Yeah, fenders. True, I don't use them on half my bikes in the summer but riding is more civilized when they go back on. Wet or no, my clothes stay a lot cleaner when they are on. (It is easy to see just looking at the water in the washer mid-suds cycle. The winter washes are much cleaner than the summer ones.)
Ben
Ben
10-03-16, 01:45 PM
#47
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Baskets.
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10-03-16, 02:10 PM
#48
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+1 for Mirror (I'm partial to the Take-A-Look glasses-mounted one) as the #1 underrated cycling accessory.
Fenders are pretty great, too, but the mirror is a game changer. IMO bells, mudflaps, chaincases, power meters, and baskets get about as much credit as they deserve already.
Fenders are pretty great, too, but the mirror is a game changer. IMO bells, mudflaps, chaincases, power meters, and baskets get about as much credit as they deserve already.
10-04-16, 12:04 AM
#49
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Originally Posted by Leebo
^^^^ Donkey box? Just use a kitty litter bucket for a pannier.
10-04-16, 12:08 AM
#50
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Originally Posted by ShortLegCyclist
Can't help you with the Donkeybox but there is a similar plastic pannier made by Koki, the Hobo:
KoKi HOBO bicycle bag | Decide2Ride
https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=...6439596861&f=1
KoKi HOBO bicycle bag | Decide2Ride
https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=...6439596861&f=1
