Touring Caravanning

Top 6 bicycle accessories every cyclist should have

The top 6 must-have bicycle accessories for safety and convenience.

Experienced cyclists understand that purchasing their bike is just the beginning, but novice cyclists can easily become bewildered by the amount of bicycle accessories on the market. Depending on where in the world you purchase a bicycle, it will come with or without certain extras that we take for granted. For example, in Japan a new bicycle is supplied with a kickstand, a bell, a headlight and a basket. In America, by contrast, a new bike is just that, the bicycle!

What are bicycle accessories?

By definition, an accessory is ‘anything that can be added to make an item more useful, versatile, or attractive.’ When we think of bicycle accessories, we tend to think of items that will improve rider safety, but accessories can make a ride more comfortable and add to the aesthetics of the cycle.

Bicycle accessories for safety

Front and rear lights are necessary whether you ride at night or not, as they don’t just illuminate the road for the cyclist but they make the cyclist more visible to be seen by other road users. In towns and cities, ambient light may mean that a small, bright unit will be enough to increase the rider’s profile and therefore make it easier to be seen. Where cyclists travel along unlit roads, however, LEDs are super bright and efficient, as well as compact and powerful, and are recommended for mountain biking.

Bicycle bells are often overlooked as a safety accessory and can be associated with vintage cycles of years ago. However, a bell or horn still remains the most efficient way for cyclists to alert others to their presence, and can warn motorists who may not otherwise see the cyclist. It’s also a polite way to request walkers to clear a path or trail, and will give road users and pedestrians the time to avoid collisions and prevent the cyclist from making forced stops. The BBB Loud and Clear Bell is lightweight with an exceptionally loud sound.

Bicycle accessories for greater convenience

Bottle cages and water bottles are essential for distance cyclists or anyone intending to be out for a while, as they allow you to stay hydrated easily, with minimum disruption and are easier to negotiate when riding than a bottle in a backpack!

Mudguards don’t look particularly racy and, unsurprisingly, not all cycles have them fitted as standard. However, if you cycle regularly in wet conditions, mudguards will stop mud, rain and snow from hitting you off the tyres.  Our range of mudguards is suitable for most hybrid and MTB type bikes.

Bicycle saddle bags are a great storage solution that sit underneath the saddle. Ideal for storing keys and vital spares, our saddle bags come in a variety of sizes.

Finally, there are items we believe every cyclist should have as standard, regardless of experience level, and consider them to be essentials rather than accessories.

Bicycle essentials

While it is not a legal requirement to wear a cycling helmet in the UK, the Highway Code recommends their use and most organised events and clubs will insist on helmets being worn. There is no doubt that a helmet can greatly reduce the impact on the head from an accident, so make sure you are as safe as possible when you cycle.

Damage to tyres can occur anywhere so it makes sense not to venture out on a cycle ride without some essential spares. As a minimum, we suggest that you carry a puncture kit, a spare inner tube and some basic tools – the necessary items to get you back on the road as quickly as possible following a puncture.

As well as accessories, we offer an extensive selection of equipment and maintenance items, from bicycles to chain cleaner, and our entire range for the leisure cyclist can be viewed here.