What are your favorite bike accessories? [Archive]

awakenedsoul

8-13-14, 8:08pm

I know many of the people on this forum use their bikes for transportation. I love all the extras you can buy at the bike shop. Here are some of my favorites:

my sheepskin bike seat cover
hand grips
Tuff tube and slime to prevent flat tires
A headlight and tail light that I can recharge on my computer (instead of buying batteries)
my lock
my walkydog attachment

When I was a child, I loved my Mickey Mouse bell and the horn that I got for Christmas. Sissy bars and flowered banana seats were big in those days. The kids in our neighborhood rode out bikes everywhere. Nobody wore helmets back then...now I always wear one.

How about you?

bae

8-13-14, 11:45pm

A good sidecar and a Browning.

http://info.detnews.com/pix/joyrides/2007/barber07/machinegun.jpg

Selah

8-14-14, 3:48am

LOL, bae!

Of course, I love my lock--it's clear someone already tried to steal my bike at least one time, and twice I had my lovely headlight stolen. Now I have little plasticky ones that I can just pop off and throw in my purse whenever I park my bike, so no one can steal them.

I love my gorgeous and comfortable leather seat, and front basket, which is great for keeping my purse in view and my phone easy to access if I have to pull over and answer. I run a small business, so answering the phone as soon as people call is very important.

I also love my ugly, rusting, wire basket on the back of my bike, which neatly holds my backpack and at least three bags of groceries. I wish it were in great shape and painted black, to match my bike, but it functions beautifully.

The only tiny problems my bike has is that it won't hold a water bottle holder (because of the "girl" frame), and it has narrow tires which are great for the street, but not so good for gravel or dirt roads (which Israeli streets frequently and inexplicably turn into, even in residential areas). Otherwise, my "old lady" bike is wonderful and I love her more than any other bike I've ever had!

awakenedsoul

8-14-14, 10:43am

I don't see all the posts. You sound so enthusiastic about your bike, Selah. Sorry to hear you had your headlight stolen. (twice.) I have to remember to take my head and tail lights off each time I lock my bike, too. I'm afraid someone will take them. I have the little plastic ones, too. They're great!!! Have you seen those huge headlights for driving at night? They provide almost as much light as a car. (I used to commute from work at night. I got home at 10:00 p.m.)

A leather seat! Wow! I haven't seen those. It sound like you really take good care of your bicycle and use it all the time. I've been meeting a lot of people who commute by bicycle, and they're really nice people. They always seem so happy and positive.

Another thing I love is the bike racks they have on our city buses. I really don't feel like I need a car here. (except for Costco trips.) We have over 100 miles of bike paths that can take you all over the city. The metro train station is also within biking distance, or a short trip by bus. We can take bikes on the train here, too.

Anybody else?

ToomuchStuff

8-14-14, 11:01am

awakenedsoul

8-14-14, 3:34pm

There's a guy where I live that has something that sounds just like that. It sounds like a lawnmower when he rides by me. He loves it.

I have one of those gel seats. It's really comfortable. It was starting to wear out, so I patched it with an old pair of jeans.

Gardenarian

8-18-14, 7:21pm

I don't have any accessories! I'd like to get a water bottle holder.

awakenedsoul

8-18-14, 7:30pm

Gardenarian, Oh, me too. Especially in this heat. Maybe I'll buy one of those tomorrow. I also have this fabulous backpack designed by Betabrand. My mom bought it for me as a gift. The ad had a girl on a bicycle with all of her groceries in it. It has all of these zippered compartments that are lined with plastic. It holds all the contents of my box of organic produce from the co op. I think it was really expensive, but it's held up with daily use for years. I just love it. It's such good quality.

I have a feeling my new Burley bike trailer will be another favorite. Some of the pet trailers I researched sounded very rickety. This one is very well made, and should last for years..

Oh, another favorite of mine is my bike basket. I got it at the Salvation Army. It's a wire mesh basket that is perfect for holding my purse. It snaps off and you can bring it with you. I got it for a dollar...

pony mom

8-18-14, 10:34pm

The only real accessory I have, besides my water bottle holder, is a small zippered pouch that fits beneath my seat. In it I can squeeze my cell phone, car keys, tissues, fruit bar, xylitol (can't neglect my teeth), and a business card with my name and phone number/home number in case something happens to me. Looking at it today, a larger bag would be handier to carry more food. Or one that fits on the handlebars.

Oh, I also have one of those computers that tracks mileage, speed, etc. Since I'm a person that loves keeping track of things, I keep a log for each trip and include something of interest from that trip (like today I saw a blue heron).

awakenedsoul, is your sheepskin seat cover real sheepskin or synthetic? I want a real one ever since I used a real pad for my horse. It's warm in winter, cool in summer, and breathes so it doesn't get smelly. My horse saddle has one on the seat and it's comfy.

ToomuchStuff

8-19-14, 2:16am

awakenedsoul

8-19-14, 12:45pm

awakenedsoul, is your sheepskin seat cover real sheepskin or synthetic? I want a real one ever since I used a real pad for my horse. It's warm in winter, cool in summer, and breathes so it doesn't get smelly. My horse saddle has one on the seat and it's comfy.[/QUOTE]

It's real. I found it on Amazon. It's lasted for years, and it's just as you described. I really like it in the winter when it's cold. I used a lambskin for yoga. I got it at Costco. The dogs always eye it as if to say, "I'd really like to sleep on that."

awakenedsoul

8-19-14, 12:49pm

One I didn't mention, is an accessory I use, but not a lot of other people do; handcuffs. I have two bags on the bike, the one under the seat, holds a spare innertube and change tools, while the one at the front, holds the handcuffs, to lock up the bicycle. People see it handcuffed, and tend to not mess with it. (and they were around the same cost as some of the better bike locks)

That's a clever idea. Very creative. Plus, my bike lock is really heavy. I carry that and two locks with me. One I use for my locker at the gym. I'd like to start paring down what I bring. I really don't need to bring my purse. I also have a tool that works like a screwdriver for bike parts. I use it to tighten my handlebars, Walkydog attachment, etc.

I should be able to change a tire, but I don't know how. I usually just hop on the bus and go to the bike shop. They sell slime and tuff tube and that's been working well for me. I like to give them my business. They're really nice. That's great that you do your own work on your bike!!!

ctg492

8-22-14, 12:33pm

I think I have purchased every item on the assorted bike sites and bike shops I visit. Bungee cords are one item I try to keep in my bag, never know when I need to bring a find home.

Gardenarian

8-23-14, 2:49pm

Handcuffs! Cool. Are they very expensive?

awakenedsoul

8-23-14, 4:51pm

I think I have purchased every item on the assorted bike sites and bike shops I visit. Bungee cords are one item I try to keep in my bag, never know when I need to bring a find home.

I need to get a set of those. I've been looking at bicycle shop websites on line. I can see how it would be easy to start buying a lot more really cool bike accessories: a wicker basket, panniers, those things for your spokes that make them glow....all the gear! I saw a helmet that was an animals print on line...but I don't need another helmet. It sure was cute, though. The European stuff is really stylish...leather bags, etc...I have to control myself.

ToomuchStuff

8-24-14, 10:48am

Handcuffs! Cool. Are they very expensive?

The last time I bought any (LONG time ago) around $20. (I was a security guard as a second job, in a bad area of town) Later, they were loaned to a LEO relative, who misplaced his cuffs. (kid wanted to play with them and hid them, to try to make them stay home)

Packy

8-24-14, 4:02pm

I ride "road bikes". They aren't the preferred type for strictly in-town use, but most of my trips are outside the city. I like a rear rack/carrier with a zippered trunk bag. I have even insulated the large compartment in the trunk. Many road riders these days don't even have racks & bags, as a matter of fashion, but that's their problem. I like to carry camera, phone, ibuprofen, allergy meds,lip balm, cash, toolset, Gatorade & m&m's; Continental "Gatorskin" 700-28 tires; spare tire & tubes, inflation kit, etc., anytime I go. 2 Bottle brackets-- 1 bottle with diluted ammonia; pepper spray; cycle computer, simply for mph/distance/time; cycling gloves, helmet, clip-on mirror; cycling shoes for clipless pedals; spandex shorts; chamois butt'r; Brooks saddle, which, btw, has NO padding, but I use a very thin polyester slip cover on it, which further reduces chafing. ; lizard-skin brand (plastic) bar wrap; lighting kit-2 front, 2 back; 1-on seatpost. Of course--a cable lock. Just a $5 one. Plus, a bubble inclinometer. These are kind of hard to find, but essentially a small line-level like masons use, that is mated to a handlebar mount. Tells you the gradient of the roadway you are on. Oh, yess--a bungee cord or two.

Packy

8-24-14, 4:23pm

I've been in the process (slowly) of trying to come across a cheap old bike, preferably made here. (only found girls or wallyworld imports) I want to put one of those small Chinese motors on it and paint it line an OLD (1900-1915) motorcycle and use it for runs that are a little longer then I want to pedal to. (pedal for a while then use the motor)
Other then that, probably a bike computer and a gel seat.They are not practical--actually downright dangerous. The kits are about a $150, but too crudely designed. Bicycles are not engineered for a motor, other than the rider. Best bet if someone doesn't care to pedal is a 50cc motorbike.

awakenedsoul

8-24-14, 4:58pm

I really like my bell, too. People move to the side when I ring it. It's calm but effective. It's so much better than calling out, "Excuse me!"

Baldilocks

8-20-17, 8:58am

I have a lot of item's on my bike. Light, front and back. A mirror, a rack a trunk bag. I even put a bell on it. Pedal clips and I put some custom handle bar on it. What can I say. I love my bike. No matter how complicated my bike gets, it is much simpler than the most primitive car. It give's me exercise, transportation and recreation. :D
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1884&stc=1http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1883&stc=1

bae

8-20-17, 1:45pm

I just tried out some of the Electra Go! hybrid bikes here. They seem to be a game-changer, they basically flatten out hills, of which we have plenty. Our local hard-core bike store is really into them. I'm quite tempted to say my favorite bicycle accessory is now the Bosch electric-drive system.

http://www.electrabike.com/e-bikes

Gardenarian

8-21-17, 1:03am

Electric bikes are the future! I ride mine in 100+ heat, not worrying about heat stroke. I love being able to zip across intersections. All the pluses of a regular bike with none of the negatives!

One accessory that I think is really a must have is a rear-view mirror. It makes a tremendous difference when riding on roads. I will never ride a bike without one again.