The Best Bike Accessories
For all the relative simplicity of a bicycle, and the decision to ride one instead of taking public transportation, there's a lot of gear you need to make a bike really effective for commuting or errands. Drivers need to see you at night, so there are lights to buy and mount. You'll never get all your groceries in your backpack, so you need to find a good bike bag for that. Wet roads will coat you in grime when you inevitably ride through bad weather, so you should consider fenders. And you need to be wearing a helmet, period. We consulted fellow WIRED bike enthusiasts Adrienne So, Michael Calore, Parker Hall, and Matt Jancer to pull together our favorite bags, bells, and other bike accessories.
Wait—did you forget to get a bike? Be sure to check out our Best Electric Bikes guide and find out what, exactly, makes an ebike an ebike.
Updated December 2020: We've added nine new items and removed the Abus Bordo 6000/90 folding lock and REI Co-Op Junction Biking Shorts.
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Photograph: NutcaseA Crown of Light
Nutcase VioThis helmet comes equipped with MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System), which allows the innermost layer to move slightly within the shell to dissipate energy in a crash, reducing the risk of brain injury caused by rotational forces to the head. The orange and red LED lights on the sides and back put out 65 lumens of light too, which is as much or more than most bike-mounted taillights. The Nutcase logo on the front also lights up as a 200-lumen LED headlight, which isn't quite enough to illuminate a desolate backroad but might suffice for streetlamp-lit city streets. Altogether, you get 360 degrees of visibility to drivers and other cyclists at night and in bad weather. Those lights last for three straight hours before needing a recharge via a USB cable. You can have the lights off completely, flash, glow steadily, or pulse slowly. —Matt Jancer
Photograph: Marty Wood/Wolf Tooth ComponentsRide Prepared
Wolf EnCase Handlebar Bike Tool SystemCarrying around a multitool is a good idea in case you need to do emergency repairs or adjust the height of your bike seat. Rather than using up valuable backpack space or leaving it dangling somewhere on your bike, begging to be stolen, consider the EnCase System. Most of your bike frame and handlebars are wasted space—these two multitools fit securely inside your handlebars. One holds all the hex, Torx, and screwdriver bits common to bikes, plus a spoke wrench and valve core wrench. The other includes a chain breaker, tire plugs (for punctured tires), and a tire plug inserter tool. Plus there's room in both to store extra chain quick links. —Matt Jancer
Photograph: NutcaseGet Noticed
Nutcase Bike BellI feel nervous whenever I'm on a tester bike and I've forgotten my bike bell. Short of shouting "Ding dong, dumdums!" at every corner, a bike bell is the best way to make sure that cars and pedestrians take notice of your presence. Like bike lights, a bike bell is important not only for your safety but for those around you. In many cities, a bell (or some other way of making a loud warning noise) is mandatory.
It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. I have this standard Nutcase bell, which comes in a startling variety of colors and designs. It's also a fun way to accessorize your handlebars. —Adrienne So
Photograph: KryptoniteBright Lights
Kryptonite Incite X3 and X4 SetIf you plan on riding at night or in rain or fog, lights are also essential safety gear. Depending on when you'll be riding and where, cheap ones from Amazon might be just fine. I also like small Bkin lights that I can pull off and keep in a pocket. Don't leave your bike lights on your bike! They tend to get quietly plucked off, like berries on a bush.
But I've recently tried Kryptonite's new lights, and the Incite X3 has a lot of features for such a small light. It's bright enough for city riding, rechargeable via Micro-USB, and has an LED light strip to show how much battery is left. It also has small sidelights, so you don't have to string Christmas tree LEDs on your bike frame to be visible from the side. It also comes with two sets of clamps, so you can leave the mounting bracket on your handlebars if you like. —Adrienne So
Photograph: ThousandProtect Your Head
Thousand Heritage HelmetHere's the sad truth: A bike helmet will never look or feel as great as having your curls bounce around in a brisk breeze. But Thousand's Heritage helmet comes close. The size medium I (and other WIRED staffers) wear weighs slightly more than a pound and has vents at the top of the head and back. It has an easy-to-use one-handed clasp and, my favorite feature, a small pop-out in the injection-molded plastic that allows you to clip it easily to your lock or backpack. —Adrienne So
Photograph: Delta CycleCheck a Map
Delta Cycle XL Smartphone Holder Bike MountFor many people, getting on your bike is an excuse to put away your smartphone. Unfortunately, my phone has completely eroded my sense of direction. A bike mount keeps me from having to pull over and check where I'm going every few blocks. I can also easily switch music and podcasts too. Delta Cycles' mount is relatively affordable and easy to install. It stretches to accommodate even the biggest phone and case, and if yours isn't weather-resistant, it comes with a plastic bag. Even when I jounce over big potholes or tree roots, my phone stays put. For an even cheaper option, WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu says this one from Amazon takes a few seconds to install and keeps his phone securely in place. — Adrienne So
Photograph: LezyneTotal Blowhard
Lezyne Steel Drive Floor PumpCheap pumps are only cheap for a while. After a couple of years, when the plastic pieces start to give out, you'll have to buy another. Plus, road bikes and commuters with skinny tires need greater air pressure than other types of bike tires, and cheap pumps often struggle with that. The Steel Drive Floor Pump can pump up tires to 220 psi, which is more than enough for any bike. Its third leg makes it more stable than most other floor pumps that only have two, and the large air pressure dial is easy to read while you're standing over it. The chuck screws onto the valve, rather than just popping on as most pumps' chucks do. It's only a little slower, but it'll never slip off while you're pumping. You can hook it up to Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop valves. The company also sells the parts to fix the pump over the long haul if you use it enough, meaning it's fully repairable. —Matt Jancer
Photograph: Portland Design WorksDon’t Get Sprayed
Portland Design Works Sodapop FendersRain falling from the sky isn't your top concern when you're riding a bike through a rain shower. It's the nasty, grimy spray kicked up off the road by your tires. Don't arrive at your destination with a greasy road-water stripe on your back. These fenders are made from 97 percent post-consumer recycled beverage bottles, and you can put them on and take them off in just a minute or two. The rear fender clamps onto the down tube under your bike's seat, and the front fender mounts to the eyelet hole in the fork. —Matt Jancer
Photograph: Road Runner BagsCarry On
Comrad Packable BackpackFor years, my favorite cycling bag was the Road Runner Bags Evil Mini, an ultralight rolltop backpack that collapses down to nearly nothing. Over time, however, I grew annoyed by its lack of interior pockets. A new bag from Road Runner, the Comrad, one-ups the old Evil Mini by taking a similar collapsible design and adding a few storage options, like a sectioned external pocket big enough for a U-lock, a smartphone, and a sunglasses case. There's also a main compartment big enough for a laptop and a jacket, clips on the straps and on the back for lights and carabiner'd gear, as well as two side pockets for water bottles.
One other key improvement is the top closure, which uses an elastic drawstring instead of a zipper, so reaching inside to snatch something is a one-handed breeze instead of a two-handed chore. The Comrad's design—ripstop nylon with no padded panels—keeps its weight to just 5.5 ounces and makes it eminently packable. The whole thing stuffs into its own external pocket and squishes down to the size of a paperback novel. —Michael Calore
Photograph: The North FaceA Light Windbreaker
North Face Futurelight Flight JacketNew developments in waterproofing technologies mean that most rain jackets are now light and breathable enough to pass for windbreakers. The black color of the North Face's Futurelight trail running jacket isn't ideal (it does have reflective logos on the front and back), but so far, it's my favorite jacket to grab when I'm headed out the door. The Futurelight fabric doesn't rustle or crinkle like traditional wind- and waterproof jackets. And because it's a running jacket, it's slightly longer in back to keep me covered. Just to be safe, I also slip a reflective xinglet over the jacket if I'm biking at night. —Adrienne So
Photograph: AmazonCushion Your Tush
Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Suspension Seat PostI wasn't totally sold on the Kinekt before I got on it, or any suspension seat post, really. Aren't my knees my suspension? Yet every time I hit an unexpected pothole or crack in the road without standing up, the Kinekt saved my backside from teeth-chattering impacts traveling up through my bike frame. The springs absorb heavy shocks, and if properly set up, the seat should be firm enough to not sag under your weight and sap pedaling power. Make sure you go through the adjustment settings before you ride. Most people who complain that the Kinekt is too springy likely haven't set it up correctly. Using the hex head adjustment screw on the back, you should set it so the seat barely rises when you stand up out of the saddle. —Matt Jancer
Photograph: Charles Harris/XpandSlip-On Shoe Strings
Xpand LacesI prefer cycling in slip-on shoes. That way, I never have to worry about getting a shoelace caught in my chain. After years spent replacing pair after pair of Vans slip-ons, I found these things and changed my shoe habits forever. They're elastic laces—you just yank out your tie-up laces and install these in their place. They'll turn just about any pair of regular shoes into slip-ons. It takes five minutes and a little trial and error to adjust the tension so they don't come off easily, but hey, no more chewed-up laces and no more laces, period. They work especially well with cheap canvas shoes like Converse, Vans, and Keds. Bonus: The laces' reflective coating serves as a subtle signal to prospective love interests that you're a cyclist, and a smart one. —Michael Calore
Photograph: AmazonNeck Sleeves
Kingree ScarvesWhen you search for these at a retailer, you should type "seamless headbands" or "sport scarves." But when they arrive, you should just call them neckies because that's more fun. They're great for rides in the cold fog or at night. Slip one around your neck to keep warm, then pull it up to your chin for extra coverage. If you have long hair, you can pull one up into a headband. They look great on your dog too. I don't know why I'm trying to convince you—$22 on Amazon gets you nine of these things. Total bargain. —Michael Calore
Photograph: KorsHidden Comfort
Kor Women's Cycling Padded UnderwearI do have padded bike short liners for longer rides, but it’s harder to keep them from riding up if I go out biking in cold weather. So far, my favorite accessory for biking in the winter has been Kor’s padded underwear. They’re incredibly small, light, comfortable, and unobtrusive. I wore them under a pair of merino wool sport leggings for a long gravel ride on a freezing 30-degree day. They’re also small enough for me to wear under a pair of waterproof Duer jeans if I’m out biking and running errands in the rain. —Adrienne So
Photograph: TribitGet Loud
Tribit Stormbox MicroTribit's Stormbox Micro is the perfect speaker to pop on your handlebars. It's got a rubberized strap on the backside that allows it to easily hold on wherever you place it, which means you can aim the little square speaker right at your ears when you ride. That, plus easy pairing, eight hours of battery life, and an IP67 rating, means you'll be riding with this thing everywhere. You can even pair multiple together, for fun group rides. —Parker Hall
Photograph: AmazonDrink Up
Miir Insulated Narrow Mouth BottleNow is not the time to be ducking in and out of coffee shops for a quick drink. The uninsulated Miir was our top water bottle pick before, but we're swapping it to the insulated version. It might be a little bit heavier, but I think it's worth it for the ability to keep water cool in your hot bag as you skedaddle around town. As reviewer Matt Jancer says, the bottle is built like a tank, and the cap's loop is big enough to fit multiple fingers as you carelessly dangle it from your hand. If you'd like something lighter and smaller, Vapur's collapsible bottle rolls up into its own carabiner and has survived six months of being kicked around in my backpack and on my floor. —Adrienne So
Photograph: PNW ComponentsFlat Feet
PNW Components Coast Suspension Dropper PostStrictly speaking, this isn't a beginner bike accessory. But if you've been biking awhile, you may have realized that while it's more comfortable and efficient to pedal with your legs fully extended, it's awkward when you come to a stop and have to tip over to stand on the ground. Enter the dropper post, which lowers your seat when you stop! You mostly find these on mountain bikes, but PNW Components has made a (relatively) affordable one you can install on your commuter. If your commuter bike doesn't have suspension, the dropper post also has 40 millimeters of travel to make bouncing over bumpy roads just a little bit more comfortable. —Adrienne So
Photograph: ErgonProtect Your Wrists
Ergon GA3 GripsEver have sore wrists after biking on a long trip or after many days of riding? Chances are you're pinching nerves due to poor wrist posture. It can manifest as carpal tunnel syndrome, where you're putting pressure on your median nerves, or cyclist's palsy, where you're putting pressure on your ulnar nerves. Both cause pain and numbness that can last a long time. Ergonomic grips taper into a flatter surface at the grips' edges to correct your wrist posture to prevent or mitigate this. The wings on the GA3s are soft and pliable, and not much larger than a conventional bike grip. —Matt Jancer
Photograph: AmazonFrustrate Thieves
Kryptonite New York U-LockLock up yer bike. Seriously. Thieves target bikes that look easy to steal, and while no lock is impervious to an angle grinder, having a well-secured bike is often enough to make them move on and look for another target. I always push people to buy a U-lock over a chain or folding lock. You can read why in my guide to the best bike locks (which also includes tips on how to protect your bike by locking up the frame and back wheel at the same time). —Matt Jancer
Photograph: Park ToolToolin’ Around
Park Tool IB-2Riding every day will knock a few things out of alignment on your bike, so a good multitool is necessary for making those tiny adjustments. If the multitool kit above is too much, this aluminum tool set from Park Tool should do the trick. It's loaded with hex wrenches, a Torx bit, and a screwdriver. Even though the screwdriver is a flathead, I've found I can use it to twist the Phillips screws on my bike. —Michael Calore
Photograph: BernOne to Rule (Almost) All Outdoor Sports
Bern Winter WattsDifferent types of sports cause different types of impacts, which means you usually need a specific helmet for every activity. I hang my family’s helmets by the front door, so you can see how helmets start to accumulate if you’re just as likely to grab a skateboard as you are to hop on a bike when you run an errand. Bern’s winter helmet cuts down on clutter. It's certified for bike, skate, and snow activities, and it is customizable, with optional summer liners, rechargeable lights, and ear pads that both protect your ears and can accommodate headphones. It also means that I don’t have to futz with fitting headbands and sunglasses under my helmet. Wear a helmet! Be safe! —Adrienne So
Photograph: PropellaGet Fast
Propella 7-Speed Ebike (v4.0)Unless you're already a bike enthusiast, shelling out more than a grand for a bike is almost unthinkable. That's why I was relieved to hear that reviewer Parker Hall loved the Propella 7-speed. It's one of the more affordable electric bikes, and it has reliable, name-brand components—like a Samsung-cell battery and a Shimano shifter. It's lightweight, and it looks pretty spiffy too. We have a ton of other recommendations in our guide as well, from folding to cargo ebikes. —Adrienne So