Bike Accessories and Why You Need Them
Accessories lets you personalize your bike, keeps you safe & comfortable. Here are eight essential accessories and why you should invest in them
02/01/2023
Whether you bike for leisure or sport, bike accessories play a vital role in enhancing your cycling experience. With these accessories, you can personalize your bike to stand out from the crowd and improve safety and comfort. From accessories like bike wrenches that unfasten and tighten bolts to smart bike locks that’ll improve security, here are some of the essential gear you’ll need to enhance your biking experience.
1. Helmet
Without a doubt, helmets are one of the essential accessories when riding a bike. It minimizes the probability of your head receiving fatal blows and concussion in the event of an accident. The hard plastic shell dispels the force of the impact, and the soft foam inside reduces the pressure applied to the skull.
2. Lights, Headlights, and Rear Lights
Getting into road biking takes practice and
stamina. If possible, ride during the day,
especially if you’re a beginner, just to be
safe. However, if you plan on riding at night,
you must install lights on your bike. Most
accidents occur at night and happen to those
bikers who don’t have proper lights installed.
Installing headlights helps you see the
oncoming motorized vehicles and bumps on the
roads that probably wouldn’t be possible to see
at night.
Rear or tail
lights are just as important as headlights.
These lights, typically attached to a bike
seatpost, are designed to flash behind your bike
for other riders to see you. That way, they’ll
know to slow down.
3. Mirrors
Another essential accessory is the rearview mirror. This improves your visibility when switching lanes and creates better awareness of your surroundings, such as steering clear of a speeding vehicle.
4. Horns
Horns on a bike are an overrated safety device. It is one of the best accessories to alert drivers and pedestrians of your presence and gives them time to move away to avoid a collision.
5. Gloves
Good quality cycling gloves can help protect
your hands from extreme weather conditions
and/or in the event of an accident. Gloves help
in preventing friction and blisters from
forming.
Another main reason to use
gloves is that it protects your ulnar nerve. The
ulnar nerve passes through the palm of your
hand. When you place your palm on the bike
handles, there is ongoing pressure on this
nerve. This leads your fingers, and eventually
your entire hand, to become numb. Cycling gloves
come with padded palms to prevent this from
happening.
Pro tip: Whether you ride a
mountain bike or a road one, buy mountain bike
gloves. They are designed to deal with cold
weather, have extra padding for protection when
riding downhill, and provide a firm grip on the
bars.
6. Multi-functional Tools
Having a bike means you’re bound to face
unpredictable circumstances on the road. This
includes punctured tires, slipped chains, loose
bolts, etc. By having a maintenance or repair
kit ready, you’ll be able to fix minor issues
during an emergency.
The tool kit
includes:
● Tire Pumps:
Pump your bike’s tires regularly to keep the
tire pressure up. This helps in preventing
punctures and flats on the road. Having a
mini-pump with you is a good idea when bike
riding. Though it isn’t ideal for long-term
maintenance, when on the road, it’s enough to
get you home.
● Wrenches: A wrench set (2-12 mm in size) and open-ended wrenches (6-17 mm in size) can come in handy for loose or tight bolts. A new wrench called the palm wrench is designed to allow easy use in small spaces. It has seven different spline sockets (ranging from 8-17 mm) and is so small that it fits on the palm of your hand, hence the name!
● Chain Lube: A good quality chain lubricant ensures the longevity of your bike’s chain and your safety. There are two types of lubes available: wet and dry.
Wet chain lubes are oily and difficult to
wash with water, making them perfect for cold
and rainy weather conditions. Switch to dry
chain lubes if you plan on riding in a dry,
dusty climate. Wet lubes on this climate trap
sand and dirt that will gunk up your chain.
Dry chain lubes are also wet
but dries up quickly. Though it washes away with
water, it’ll keep your bike chain cleaner in the
long run.
7. Bike Lock
We have discussed the safety, comfort, and
convenience of investing in bike accessories.
Another important one is security. Bike locks
are a must-have accessory especially if you’re
riding rented bikes.
Normal cable locks
are perfect for low-crime areas. For tougher
steals, you can invest in a chain or U-lock. You
can also put on a smart bike lock that locks and
unlocks with the touch of an app on your
smartphone. In the case of rented bikes, locks
are provided by the shops. If not, ask for one,
or you’ll be stuck paying for a bike
replacement.
8. Hydration Gear
Health is just as important as being safe and comfortable. A hydration pack or gear attached to your bicycle can rejuvenate you, especially during a strenuous ride.
The amount of water you’ll need depends on your destination. An insulated water bottle will suffice if it’s only a casual ride. However, if you plan on mountain biking, grab a reservoir. The main point is to have enough water to keep you hydrated, as running out of water can be inconvenient and dangerous.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, purchasing a new bike or riding an old one - bike accessories can help keep you safe and comfortable. Apart from the essential accessories, some can make you stand out from the crowd, such as new color paint, tubeless valves, caps, grip covers, replacing old bolts, etc. All these accessories have only one goal: to give you a comfortable and safe biking experience! SO pick wisely and have a great time out riding on your bike.