Best Bike gadgets, accessories, and add-ons?
July 16, 2022 3:40 PM Subscribe
My bike has has an Orp for 6 years and it's saved my ass many times. I recently bought a Beeline Velo 2 and love it. My bike also has a Freitag Knight Rider frame bag and a Plume, neither of which are made any more and both of which are great! What are your favorite bike-related gizmos, accessories, etc?
Who makes the best racks, bags, gadgets, lights... everything, for bikes? Interested in the still available and out-of-production.
Who makes the best racks, bags, gadgets, lights... everything, for bikes? Interested in the still available and out-of-production.
Response by poster: The Orps are all sold out and they're having supply chain issues, bug138. If you need something now, you should check out Loud.
posted by dobbs at 4:03 PM on July 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by dobbs at 4:03 PM on July 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
I have Axiom panniers, and I love them. Insides are always dry (and I commute in Seattle), and the front pocket is super-useful for wallet/cell phone so you don't have to open the bag and dig around. They don't make my model anymore, but the closest I see now is this. It looks like they've changed the mounting system, and while mine (the Modul-Rail, here) is great, I can't speak for the Vario, which it looks like the new bags use.
I have a Lezyne pump mounted on the bike, and it's been great as well. The piston isn't huge, so you have to pump a while. but it's compact and easy to use.
I have Light and Motion lights. I think mine is and 800 lumen version of this one, but I'm not sure. I don't ride much at night, so just use daytime flash most times, and it lasts a long time.
posted by Gorgik at 4:10 PM on July 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have a Lezyne pump mounted on the bike, and it's been great as well. The piston isn't huge, so you have to pump a while. but it's compact and easy to use.
I have Light and Motion lights. I think mine is and 800 lumen version of this one, but I'm not sure. I don't ride much at night, so just use daytime flash most times, and it lasts a long time.
posted by Gorgik at 4:10 PM on July 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have a Roam phone mount but I use it to hold my garage door opener instead so I can cruise directly into the garage.
posted by HotToddy at 4:26 PM on July 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by HotToddy at 4:26 PM on July 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
I love my handlebar feed bag that I can put a water bottle in. Great for cruising around town with pals. Revelate makes a good one but it's pricey. This Etsy Store comes recommended to me by bike friends and has some cute options for a cool $26.
My Cygolite Metro lights rock, although be warned they can be VERY BRIGHT if you don't adjust them.
I also have a (pricey) Chrome Industries 100% reflective hi viz and waterproof jacket I wear in cooler temps. You're never not seeing me and it's great for spring/fall showers. Annoyingly they only have a "men's" cut, but I am a 30D and a size small fit me ok, although a bit loose in the waist.
posted by threementholsandafuneral at 4:27 PM on July 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
My Cygolite Metro lights rock, although be warned they can be VERY BRIGHT if you don't adjust them.
I also have a (pricey) Chrome Industries 100% reflective hi viz and waterproof jacket I wear in cooler temps. You're never not seeing me and it's great for spring/fall showers. Annoyingly they only have a "men's" cut, but I am a 30D and a size small fit me ok, although a bit loose in the waist.
posted by threementholsandafuneral at 4:27 PM on July 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Locking (keyed) axels with hot glue filling the holes is useful if you leave your bike outside. I don't know if any brand is better than any other.
Wald makes cool baskets and panniers and stuff. (The rear folding baskets are great, but I had to buy extra hardware stuff to attach it to the thick tubes on my bike. It wasn't hard, but did require a drill and screws.)
posted by eotvos at 4:49 PM on July 16, 2022
Wald makes cool baskets and panniers and stuff. (The rear folding baskets are great, but I had to buy extra hardware stuff to attach it to the thick tubes on my bike. It wasn't hard, but did require a drill and screws.)
posted by eotvos at 4:49 PM on July 16, 2022
Also, BikeLaneUprising has cool spoke reflectors. And other cool stuff. (and is run by great people.)
posted by eotvos at 4:50 PM on July 16, 2022
posted by eotvos at 4:50 PM on July 16, 2022
My favorite pannier is the Banjo Brothers Market pannier: https://banjobrothers.com/collections/panniers/products/market-pannier
It's super hand for grocery shopping - it has a shoulder strap, handles, and can accommodate a lot of groceries. I have two, and if I pair it with my Schwinn cargo trailer (https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/daytripper-cargo-trailer?variant=41490057625769), I can haul enough for a family of four for a good while.
posted by skwm at 5:10 PM on July 16, 2022
It's super hand for grocery shopping - it has a shoulder strap, handles, and can accommodate a lot of groceries. I have two, and if I pair it with my Schwinn cargo trailer (https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/daytripper-cargo-trailer?variant=41490057625769), I can haul enough for a family of four for a good while.
posted by skwm at 5:10 PM on July 16, 2022
My favorite accessory is the Spur Cycle Bell. I’d rather ring a polite-sounding bell for cyclists and pedestrians and save my very loud shout for clueless drivers.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:25 PM on July 16, 2022
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:25 PM on July 16, 2022
Apparently the only thing I care about in a bike is neither squishing nor being squished. Also ergonomics. Recumbents all the way!
Generator-powered bike lights, never worry about the battery dying!
the safety wing
I have a second-hand unbranded pair of pedals with motion-powered LED lights in them.
Garden flag - especially on the bike trailer, so that when drivers turning out think I've gone by, they see the flag and don't hit my trailer. Again, I mean.
A roll of reflective tape that alternates white and red. I cut rectangles off and put them on things like my easy DIY waterproof bucket panniers.
A free or cheap tutor.
the "DON'T SQUISH ME AT HIGH SPEEDS AND BTW THERE WILL BE NO BLAMING THE VICTIM WHEN YOU DO" triangle - I have linked to the highest quality I could find, which you can tell by how high the number after the decimal is. It's steel. It's not actually that heavy.
Hi-viz vest:
- ANSI Class 1 rated if you're only on roads with up to 25 mph roads.
- ANSI Class 2 rated for if you ride on roads with up to 50 mph roads.
- ANSI Class 3 rated for roads with speed limits above 50 mph.
posted by aniola at 5:27 PM on July 16, 2022
Generator-powered bike lights, never worry about the battery dying!
the safety wing
I have a second-hand unbranded pair of pedals with motion-powered LED lights in them.
Garden flag - especially on the bike trailer, so that when drivers turning out think I've gone by, they see the flag and don't hit my trailer. Again, I mean.
A roll of reflective tape that alternates white and red. I cut rectangles off and put them on things like my easy DIY waterproof bucket panniers.
A free or cheap tutor.
the "DON'T SQUISH ME AT HIGH SPEEDS AND BTW THERE WILL BE NO BLAMING THE VICTIM WHEN YOU DO" triangle - I have linked to the highest quality I could find, which you can tell by how high the number after the decimal is. It's steel. It's not actually that heavy.
Hi-viz vest:
- ANSI Class 1 rated if you're only on roads with up to 25 mph roads.
- ANSI Class 2 rated for if you ride on roads with up to 50 mph roads.
- ANSI Class 3 rated for roads with speed limits above 50 mph.
posted by aniola at 5:27 PM on July 16, 2022
If you have a newer phone, the peak design mount system really can't be beat. https://www.peakdesign.com/collections/mobile/products/out-front-bike-mount
posted by dbx at 6:00 PM on July 16, 2022
posted by dbx at 6:00 PM on July 16, 2022
They get mixed reviews, but definitely a gadget: laser lanes. (the turnsignal light on that page is also interesting).
posted by rhizome at 6:55 PM on July 16, 2022
posted by rhizome at 6:55 PM on July 16, 2022
A dynamo light setup is the absolute best! I have three bikes setup with them and never wondering if my lights are charged is the best.
posted by advicepig at 7:11 PM on July 16, 2022
posted by advicepig at 7:11 PM on July 16, 2022
Varia rear radar & light. It is surprisingly good and helpful. It warns you of traffic approaching from the rear - via a phone app or your GPS unit if you have one. Also has a very bright light connected, which becomes more flash-y when an approaching vehicle is detected.
If you are price-sensitive, you might want to wait for one of the two similar alternative radar products just announced. Both will be released later this summer. They are looking to be around $120-ish whereas the Varia is more $200-ish.
posted by flug at 8:35 PM on July 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you are price-sensitive, you might want to wait for one of the two similar alternative radar products just announced. Both will be released later this summer. They are looking to be around $120-ish whereas the Varia is more $200-ish.
posted by flug at 8:35 PM on July 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I can recommend Moon Nebula back lights. They have a variety of settings, including some that are supposed to be daytime only. They also come with about five different mounts, so you can use the same light on different bikes/bags, whatever.
posted by asok at 2:11 PM on November 25, 2022
posted by asok at 2:11 PM on November 25, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bug138 at 3:50 PM on July 16, 2022