Bikes are relatively simple machines, but you can ensure every ride is fun and fuss-free by bringing along or outfitting your rig with a few extras. So we’ve compiled a list of our favorite bike accessories, from day-to-day maintenance and on-the-bike repair tools to things that make your rides safer.
Perform fixes on the fly
Never spill mid-ride again
A compact classic
Super light and ridiculously tough steel
A quick-release mount means you can carry it around
Do I Really Need All This Stuff to Ride?
The short answer: No. To have fun, all you need is a bike and somewhere to ride it. Still, as you fall in love with cycling, and presumably ride more often, you’ll probably encounter situations (like a flat tire, a blazing hot day, or the need for a snack) where the right accessory will prove helpful. So consider what kind of riding you’ll be doing and what sort of obstacles or opportunities might arise along the route.
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How We Chose These Products
We basically went shopping for ourselves. Bicycling’s staff tested or recommended everything on this list based on personal experience and wish lists. We took into consideration a combination of user reviews, experience with the brands, and overall aesthetics to create a thorough evaluation. These are the accessories we recommend to enhance your riding experience.
Biria Plaza Basket
Pros
- Available in bright color options
- Quick-release allows you to carry it around
Cons
- One of the more finicky initial mounting systems we tested
A handlebar-mounted basket is a quick and easy way to expand the carrying capacity of your bike. Although attaching it is most often a pain in the neck. But a quick-release mount, like on the Plaza, saves you the headache of wrangling all those little pieces into place while still affording the option to take a ride sans basket. And if you’re shopping, the attached handle allows you to gather your goods as you go and skip the disposable bag at the end. This lightweight, plastic basket comes in an array of bright and muted colors.
Spurcycle Compact Bell
Pros
- Easy to mount
- Good volume
Cons
- Fits only 22.2mm handlebars
This sleek, simple bell gives you a polite and pointed way to clear the trail so you can cruise on. It’s got a clear, loud ring, but it’s small and compact enough that it won’t get in your way or interfere with your handlebar setup. The bell is also easy and intuitive to mount—and Spurcycle promises a lifetime warranty, so you don’t have to worry about the parts wearing down. Just be warned: The design is compatible only with 22.2mm handlebars—which includes many mountain and commuter bikes, but not drop bars.
Oopsmark Bicycle Wine Rack
Pros
- Arrive to the party in style
Cons
- Make sure you arrive to the party without falling on the way
We all know wine bottles are too big to fit in a bottle cage, despite how much we try. This handmade leather bicycle wine rack solves that problem. It easily attaches to the top tube of most frames; the top tube must be at least as long as the bottle you want to carry. Rest assured, the antique brass fasteners are just for looks—hidden clamps hold the bottle securely. Each piece is handmade in Montreal and available in tan, brown, and black, if you want to match it to your saddle. Check out an installation video here.
Thousand Heritage Bike & Skate Helmet
Thousand Thousand Heritage Bike & Skate Helmet
Thousand Thousand Heritage Bike & Skate Helmet
Pros
- Stylish and available in 12 colors
- Has hidden port for lock
- Magnetic buckle easy to secure one-handed
Cons
- Matte finish scuffs easily
Here’s one helmet we actually want to wear to the bar. Inspired by vintage motorcycle helmets, the trendy, comfortable Thousand Heritage earned a spot in our 100 Best Products of 2020. It has vegan leather straps, and vents on the top and in the back to keep you cool. The logo in the rear pops off to reveal a small channel through which you can run your lock to secure the helmet. An adjustable dial allows you to fine-tune the fit, and we had no trouble securing the magnetic buckle with just one hand. But if you tend to set your helmet on the ground, do so dome-up with this one—it scratches easily.
Orucase Saddle Bag
Pros
- Made of tough and light X-Pac
- Ski strap mount is super secure
Cons
Orucase—maker of the beloved Airport Ninja and Sub62 travel case—recently expanded into bike bags. The Saddle Bag is a masterpiece of minimalism, with one zipper and one strap and made of sturdy, waterproof X-Pac sailcloth. Available in two sizes (25 or 30 cubic inches), this little bag offers enough space for a compact flat-repair kit (you’ll want an extra tube sized for your wheels, tire levers, and a portable inflation device) and mounts extra-securely with a Voile ski strap.
Stan’s No Tubes Dart Tool
Stan's NoTubes Stan’s NoTubes Dart Tool
Stan's NoTubes Stan’s NoTubes Dart Tool
Pros
- The most effective tubeless plug we’ve used
Cons
- Extra plugs are pricey
It only took a decade (or more), but tubeless tires have taken over. Despite their benefits—lower pressures, fewer flats—repairing them is a dark art. Enter Stan’s Dart. A compound on the “feathers” reacts with latex-based sealants and virtually regrows the tire’s casing. It works fast and lasts a long time (one tester’s Dart-ed tire was still going strong months later), plus the applicator tool is well designed.
SKS Commuter II Fenders
Pros
- Protects you from tire spray and puddle splashes
Cons
- No quick-release installation or removal
Mounting a set of fenders to your bike will seriously improve your iffy-weather riding experience. Even if you wait until the rain stops, riding on wet roads makes your tires flick water up into the air at your face and at your back. Protect yourself and your clothing with this affordable, stainless steel pair from SKS. The fenders are available for multiple wheel sizes (so double check yours before purchasing) and also come in silver or black. They take a bit of time to install, but are better looking and more durable than temporary plastic fenders that can be attached and removed more quickly.
Portland Design Works Owl Cage
Portland Design Works Portland Design Works Owl Cage
Pros
- Other animal cages include Sparrow, Lucky Cat, and Very Good Dog
- The Cat and Dog also have matching water bottles
Cons
- Not for cyclists looking to shave weight
Portland, Oregon-based PDW makes all kinds of fun accessories for your bike, like the Rose City Tool Keg that holds CO2 and tire levers, bar tape covered in donuts, all sorts of racks and baskets, and this and other nifty alloy bottle cages. In addition to the Owl (shown), you can also choose from the Sparrow, Lucky Cat, and Very Good Dog (those last two, which cost $6 more than the other two, even have matching water bottles available on PDW’s site). These aren’t for the weight worriers of the race-bike world; they’re for the happy-go-lucky recreational riders among us.
Bovon Bike Phone Mount
Pros
- 360-degree rotation
- Stretches to fit a wide range of phone sizes
Cons
You can download any number of ride-tracking apps that allow your smartphone to function much like a cycling computer. They can log data from your backpack, but to watch your ride in real time, it can be helpful to have a handlebar mount for your phone. The silicone straps on this one offer a little suspension when you go over bumps, allowing the phone to bounce without flying out of the holster. Use you GPS hands-free, track your workout, or make a call while you ride.
PoCampo Chelsea Trunk Bag
Pros
- Waterproof
- Self-standing
- Easy to attach
Cons
This 8- by 7- by 12-inch bag solves half of your bike commute complications. It’s easy to install securely on your rear rack with four hook-and-loop attachments. It’s self-supported, so it maintains its shape when not fully stuffed. And it has eight purpose-built pockets for important essentials, like a tablet, water bottle, phone, and wallet. It’s even completely waterproof, so you’ll never have to worry about your groceries or electronics getting soaked. Once you reach your destination, just use the long, adjustable strap to carry it with you like a stylish shoulder bag. And in case that’s not enough to feel good about, Po Campo gives 1% of the MSRP of every bag sold to a charity of your choice.
Topeak FlashStand
Pros
- Folds down for easy transit
- Compact bike storage alternative
Cons
- Not intended to be your permanent workshop work stand
Topeak’s FlashStand is a gussied-up version of an old-school storage and repair stand. Like a Transformer, it folds down, just into a small rectangle (instead of a car) that’s easy to throw into your travel bag. When you need it, simply unfold it and perch your bike on it for a quick drivetrain repair or application of lube, or use it to store a bike without leaning it against your car or freshly painted walls.
Goodr Mach GS
Pros
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Less durable
Goodr makes UV-protecting sports eyewear that’s lightweight, stylish, and inexpensive—a boon to those of us prone to immediately losing more expensive sunglasses. These new Mach Gs have a throwback aviator style that covers more of the face than the brand’s best-known OG styles. They’re not designed to be cycling-specific but work perfectly in that capacity—they sit close to the eyes and don’t shift or bounce while riding.
Garmin Edge 530 Computer
Pros
- Easy to use
- Packed with features
Cons
The Edge 530 is the best bike computer we’ve tested thus far, packing almost every navigational and recording feature you can imagine into one compact, lightweight device with good battery life and a sharp screen. One of our favorite new features, the Climbpro, can alert you to upcoming climbs and show how much more suffering you have left, by distance and pitch, on a pre-uploaded route. Track your VO2 max, recovery time, training load, hydration, and heat acclimation—or just track how and where you’re riding every day. Somehow despite this exhaustive list of training and mapping features, the Edge 530 is still easy to use and reliable.
Portland Design Works Coffee Bar-Ista
Portland Design Works PDW Bar-Ista Coffee Cup Holder
Portland Design Works PDW Bar-Ista Coffee Cup Holder
Pros
- Holds your coffee upright and steady
Cons
- Not adjustable
Putting a coffee cup in a bottle cage is way too precarious and a good way to get a latte all over your shoes. This cup holder mounts directly onto the handlebar so you can bring along a travel mug or to-go cup from the local coffee shop as you commute or run errands.
Cotopaxi Mariveles Del Dia Duffel
Cotopaxi Cotopaxi Mariveles Del Dia 32L Duffel
Cotopaxi Cotopaxi Mariveles Del Dia 32L Duffel
Pros
- One-of-a-kind bag made in the Philippines
Cons
Cyclists, as you’ve likely noticed, have a lot of stuff. How do you deal with all of it? More stuff—like a handy duffel. This bag from Cotopaxi is medium-size, light, uncomplicated, and reasonably priced—perfect for collecting and hauling a day or two’s riding gear. What makes it unique is it’s part of Cotopaxi’s Del Dia collection, which repurposes materials discarded by other companies into new products and makes each duffel‘s colors one-of-a-kind.
Swiftwick Pursuit Seven Ultralight Socks
Pros
- Warmth without bulk
- Seam-free toes
Cons
Swiftwick’s cozy merino socks are the most comfortable our tester owns—the Pursuit Ultralights in particular barely make it out of the dryer before they’re back in running or riding commission. Smooth and lightweight with gentle compression, they have all the wool-blend warmth you need in cool weather without overheating your foot in the summer. They also have a seamless toe, so they won’t give you blisters or bunch up in your shoe. These Sevens are a nice, “tall crew”-length height, but the brand also makes the socks in no-show Zeros, ankle-length Ones, and crew-length Fours.
Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool
Crank Brothers Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool
Crank Brothers Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool
Pros
- 17 tool functions
- Sturdy aluminum and steel construction
Cons
This multitool is small and lightweight, with smoothed forged aluminum side plates that are shaped to be comfortable on your palm while in use. If you’re looking to carry a tool in a pack, seatbag, or pocket that can get you out of just about any jam, this is a good choice. The Multi 17 features that many different tool functions, including seven hex wrenches from sizes 2mm to 8mm, a chain tool, a Torx T-2, two screw drivers, four spoke wrenches, and an 8/10 open wrench.
Hiplok DX Bicycle U-Lock
Pros
- Light yet strong
Cons
- Can be cumbersome to carry
This is the lightest, strongest U-lock we’ve tested so far. It weighs only three pounds, compared to similarly performing options that are closer to six. And the lightness doesn’t detract from its strength: We tried to cut the 14mm hardened steel shackle with a hacksaw, and it took several blade replacements and over half an hour. It also has a carrying clip that makes it much easier to attach to a belt or backpack while you’re riding.
Bontrager Ion 200/Flare RT
Bontrager Bontrager Ion 200 RT / Flare RT Light Set
Bontrager Bontrager Ion 200 RT / Flare RT Light Set
Pros
- Dramatically increases visibility, even in daylight
Cons
- Pricey
Bontrager says the Ion 200 RT (front) and Flare RT (rear) daytime running lights are visible from 1.2 miles away. With multiple steady modes, flash modes, and the ability to control them from your cycling computer, they’re also user-friendly. The taillight is angled to shine straight behind the rider when mounted on a seatpost, and the USB charging port has an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it can be submerged for 30 minutes in up to one meter of water. For such tiny lights, they pack a lot of power. But if you’re on the fence about purchasing a fancy, expensive set of lights, consider this one from Ascher. It packs a lot less punch, but when you’re pedaling home in the dark, some light is always better than none.
Specialized Propero III + ANGi
Specialized Propero III + ANGi MIPS Helmet
Specialized Propero III + ANGi MIPS Helmet
Pros
- Integrated crash sensor
- MIPs
Cons
The Propero is a great option for road riders looking for a lightweight and comfortable helmet with a sharp, race-oriented style. The adjustable fit system has four height settings, so you can get a snug, well-aligned fit that doesn’t squeeze your skull. But the real draw here is the helmet’s high-tech safety add-ons, including a MIPs liner and a built-in ANGi Crash Sensor. The integrated sensor can be set up on the (included-for-free) Specialized Ride app to text contacts for help if it detects you’ve fallen or been in a crash.
