Ken Cox

Accessories?

It surprises me a little what some people think of as accessories, and yet, I understand.

Anyway, I have list of what I consider necessary accessories I have acquired over the past two years, and I will list them by priority.

1. A 10W Turbocat headlamp with lead acid battery lets me ride safely at night; and I mean safely.
This headlamp favorably compares to low beams on an automobile.

2. Raceblade fenders.
I only use the rear fender, most of the time.
It goes on and off easily.
It does wear the paint, though.

3. Armwarmers

4. Pearl Izumi shell gloves.
I can wear these alone or layer them over wool, cotton or poly glove liners.

5. Newspaperboy bag.
When weather permits, I ride with a cotton newspaperboy bag which I have mildly modified.
It makes carrying my "possibles" easy and comfortable.

6. Swix skull cap.
This skull cap has a surprisingly broad temperature range, but, most importantly, keeps my head warm on the most brutally cold mornings.

=====

That brings us to parts additions and upgrades:

1. Continental GP 4000 tires.
Light, flat resistant, sticky, perfect.

2. Profile Stoker bullhorn handlebars.
I don't move my hands around much on these bars, but they seem to allow a very broad range of body positions, both in and out of the saddle.
I like them enormously.

3. Biopace chainring.
This chainring has improved every phase of my cycling; whether uphill, downhill, or on the level.

4. EAI cogs.
Nothing else will do.

5. MKS chain tugs.
How can anyone live without them?

6. Ritchey Pro V4 pedals.
Light, double-sided, light, elegant, light, functional.
Did I mention light?

7. Cane Creek Volos Track Wheels.
They can't possibly have zero inertia, but it feels that way.

8. FSA setback seatpost.
I bought my frame for its standover height, and the top tube turned out too short for my long torso.
The setback seatpost lets me center myself over the bike, rather than using a longer stem and putting all my weight on the front wheel.

9. Selle San Marco Ti Aero Aspide saddle.
Sheldon Brown says an unpadded saddle will prove more comfortable in the long run, and now I agree.
This saddle lets me move forward and back as needed, and now that I have habituated to it, feels much more comfortable than any saddle I have used in the past, and it has not a whit of padding.

rexbantam

pipecutter to turn any handlebar into my playground.

joy&revolution

Best Things:
My red/white Chrome bag that has treated me beautifully
My little blue Park Tool Multi tool 3 allen sizes and a flat head and phillips screw driver so simple and so perfect.

Worst thing?
My absolutely terrible modolo stem that gives me nothing but problems.

chuck_norris

I'm really etting into pedro's wax lube. Keeps the chain quiet and clean.




But the beaters have definitely proved themselves.

whoosh!

bikeforums.net.

hyperRevue

everyone...awwwwwwwwww

thurstonboise

I just cracked a bottle of this myself. Fine stuff, but I think I like Unibroue's Trois Pistoles a bit more.

Matthew A Brown

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww



Be able to:

- stare down the driver who thinks he/she can sneak that left turn in ahead of you.
- change a tire
- flip to SS
- find the correct speaker jack in the back of some ****ass divebar across the border into S Carolina
- set up camp
- search random roadside in south GA for your lost wallet

The mother****er is slightly larger than a golf ball.


Runners up:

Mirror (very close 2nd)
BOB YAK trailer
Rivendell Hobo Bag
Syntace C2 aero bars
Smartwool socks (seriously do not wear cotton anymore unless I gotta go classy)



edit: Seriously, it is incredibly reassuring to know that whomever you are looking at can see you, especially at intersections. It's such an obvious/cycloptic thing-- Yes, I am looking at you.

Matthew A Brown

Don de Dieu > All


Sweet christ it's been awhile too, goddamnit....

legalize_it

smartwool and dumonde tech lubricants.

marqueemoon

I have the 10 watt Turbocat too. Love it.

ZachS

+1. i just can't go for the banana-y ester ****. well, i can, but there are other things I like much more.


my favorite accessories are rum and conti gatorskins. also merrell low-top goretex hiking boots - waterproof, not way too unstylish, and stiff grabby soles.

newest version (mine are not so curvy)

schnee

Padded MTB-style shorts.

Phil B

today i got a flite saddle for a dollar. maybe not the best purchase, but for a dollar, that's pretty hard to beat.

SCARFACE

for twenty bucks I got a pair of Izumi gloves great gloves but I could have gotten something cheaper.
electric tape is my favorite.

space_robots

ice cream sandwiches

foolish heart

Any photo?

chrisj

I'm a huge fan of bike tools:

My Tomity Chain Whip, Campagnolo Peanut Butter Wrench, Park Tool Bike Stand and my Lifu Crank Tool are among my favorites.

I also really dig my Cat eye bike light.

daibutsusan73

Specialized's Chicane optics. The Adaptalite lenses automatically adapt to the conditions, getting darker as it's brighter and vice versa. And they provide 100-percent UVA and UVB protection. Plus, the lenses are light, ultra strong and virtually unbreakable.

I also love my Chrome Metropolis.

brunop

i really dig:
my cateye cycloputer thingy
smartwool socks and skully
ibex shirt
bailey bag
brooks b17 narrow saddle
zinfandel and pasta

fatbat

Brooklyn machine works gloves. These things rock, have saved my hands from severe damage more than once, and last at least 2X longer than any other gloves i've tried.

Niterider HID light. Automatic respect from drivers.The difference between this and a standard blinky is amazing.

Nokian studded tires. Ride full speed on ice with confidence.

Shiznaz

hmm...

inner tube and electrical tape frame wrap
eggbeater pedals
full coverage fenders
high power removable front light
power grips
OURY HANDLEBAR GRIPS
UTW messenger bag
Park multitool with EVERYTHING on it
fleece balaclava
neoprene gloves
clear cycling glasses
"UNBREAKABLE" brand padlocks

sers

If components count, then it would have to be my 380mm Nitto RB-021 bullhorns.

If not, then it's definately my EMS Gunk Schoeller WB-400 jacket.

mrwhite

Definitely helmet.

drolldurham

finish line cross country chain lube

but since I guess that's not really an accessory:

wool socks. wool shirt too. anything wool, really.