{"id":46582,"date":"2023-02-08T18:00:46","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T17:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=715795"},"modified":"2023-02-08T18:34:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T17:34:21","slug":"6-commuter-bike-accessories-i-couldnt-live-with-out","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/6-commuter-bike-accessories-i-couldnt-live-with-out\/","title":{"rendered":"6 commuter bike accessories I couldn\u2019t live with out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deputy editor Jack Luke on his essential kit for any commuter bike <\/p>

By Jack Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 08 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Cycling to work comes with many benefits \u2013 it will save you money, it\u2019s good for the environment, it\u2019s beneficial for your physical and mental health, and is usually faster.<\/p>\n

While any bike can be used for commuting duties, it\u2019s worth buying (or building) a dedicated commuter bike<\/a> if it\u2019s a regular fixture of your working week.<\/p>\n

A specific commuting bike prevents wear on your pride and joy, and you\u2019re more likely to fit dorky practicality-boosting accessories without the fear of abuse from friends.<\/p>\n

That final point is critical \u2013 carefully selected accessories are what separates a run-of-the-mill bike from a true super commuter.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re setting up a commuting bike, these are the six must-have accessories that will make your ride more enjoyable, safer and, in the long run, cheaper.<\/p>\n

1. Mudguards<\/h2>\n
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Mudguards are not a crime.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I\u2019ve said this many, many times before, but life is simply too short to ride without mudguards.<\/p>\n

The best mudguards<\/a> keep you and your bike dry, prolonging the life of consumable parts and boosting morale.<\/p>\n

You are much more likely to commit to riding year-round if you know you\u2019ll arrive dry(ish). It also usually negates the need to change clothes when you arrive at work.<\/p>\n

Provided they\u2019re installed well, full-cover mudguards will last for years of rattle-free service.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t delay \u2013 embrace a drier cycling life in 2023.<\/p>\n

2. Cargo-carrying capabilities<\/h2>\n
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I like to ride with a trendy front rack (please ignore the jaunty angle of the bag!).<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with carrying your stuff in a backpack<\/a> but, if you\u2019re a regular commuter, it\u2019s worth investing in some kind of luggage system for your bike.<\/p>\n

There are many ways to carry stuff comfortably on your bike, shifting weight off your back.<\/p>\n

Pannier bags<\/a> mounted to a rack are good for heavier loads. If you only have a small amount of stuff, a little handlebar-mounted basket will suffice.<\/p>\n

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While I carry most of my stuff in the basket bag, I can also fit panniers to this Pelago rack.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayer \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I prefer a large platform-style front rack with a basket. A custom-made bag then fits inside this.<\/p>\n

This is a better option for me, because I don\u2019t like the \u2018tail wags the dog\u2019 sensation of riding with rear-mounted panniers (particularly on a flexible frame). I like being able to see my stuff when riding, too.<\/p>\n

I also think this setup looks cool \u2013 and I\u2019m a fashion victim. Make of that what you will.<\/p>\n

3. Lights (ideally dynamo-powered)<\/h2>\n
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I\u2019m yet to invest in a dynamo setup for my commuting bike, but you\u2019ll find them on two of my road bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Running lights is both sensible and a legal requirement<\/a> after sunset.<\/p>\n

Even during daylight hours, the best bike lights<\/a> boost visibility \u2013 no bad thing on busy urban roads.<\/p>\n

The ideal commuting bike will be fitted with a full complement of dynamo lights<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Because they\u2019re powered by a generator, you never need to remember to charge dynamo lights.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Powered by either a generator built into the hub or a bolt-on accessory, you don\u2019t have to worry about charging dynamo lights.<\/p>\n

Most dynamo lights are also bolted to your bike permanently, so you can never forget them.<\/p>\n

I find it hard enough putting my pants on in a pre-commute stupor, let alone remembering to charge and fit lights, so they\u2019re a must for a dedicated super commuter.<\/p>\n

Dynamo lights are also much harder to steal.<\/p>\n

4. A chain guard<\/h2>\n
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I regret not fitting a chain guard years ago. This Velo Orange one has been fitted solidly for months.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Though my little leggy pegs will be out and proud in shorts once the mercury hits 15\u00b0c, for the rest of the year, you\u2019ll find me be-trousered (if I manage to get them on pre-commute).<\/p>\n

This presents a problem for my three identical pairs of moleskin trousers \u2013 left unrolled, they run the risk of a soiling, dangling mere centimetres from my rarely cleaned chain.<\/p>\n

As the name suggests, a chain guard covers the drivetrain of your bike, keeping your trousers unmolested by oily chains.<\/p>\n

Chain guards have the added benefit of protecting your drivetrain from the elements. A clean chain<\/a> will prolong the life of your whole drivetrain, particularly if you commute year-round.<\/p>\n

5. A kickstand<\/h2>\n
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Kickstands are not sexy, but boy-howdy are they good at stopping your bike from falling over.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Kickstands are criminally uncool<\/a>, but oh-so practical.<\/p>\n

Finding your bike dangling by the lock in ungraceful repose after a hard day\u2019s graft is annoying and risks unnecessary damage to it (or others).<\/p>\n

A kickstand will\u2026 well it will stop your bike from falling over. There\u2019s not much more to it than that.<\/p>\n

6. Battle scars<\/h2>\n
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Well-abused and, hopefully, less steal-able as a result.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A stolen bike is not a useful one.<\/p>\n

While you, obviously, shouldn\u2019t ride a totally knackered and unsafe bike, one that\u2019s a little rough around the edges will be less attractive to ne\u2019er-do-wells.<\/p>\n

Scrapes, bumps and a cheeky spot of rust all add to the character of a well-loved commuting bike, and make it harder to re-sell.<\/p>\n

Similarly, a pre-bashed bike will also reduce anxiety when leaving it locked on crowded bike racks.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Patina or trashed?<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

My dad makes bespoke hardwood furniture and, on delivery, advises clients to scratch a new table promptly \u2013 that way, you\u2019ll stop worrying about the inevitable. The same is true of bikes.<\/p>\n

On a similar note, I\u2019d strongly advocate turning a neglected older bike into a commuter<\/a> for the same reasons. You can also build a solid commuter with parts pilfered from an overflowing shed.<\/p>\n

Giving old parts a new lease of life is green, satisfying and cheap, and that\u2019s exactly how my lovely green commuter came to be.<\/p>\n

With the exception of the frameset (bought for a whopping \u00a380 locally) and the front rack, everything came from the depths of my Shed of Stress.<\/p>\n

Touch wood, this pre-knackered bike has yet to attract any unwanted attention, and I hope we have many years of hassle-free commuting to come.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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