Bicycle Gizmos

[Little Lyon]

Anywhere you look, there are tons of add ons for bikes. Looking at mirrors, locks, hand pumps, lights, cyclo computers, and water bottle holders, my mind starts to spin. I was wondering what people have found to be useful to actually have attached to their bikes. There is, of course, limited space for these doo-dads and I don't want to buy things that are useless! Thanks!:D

[lo123]

Essentials:

water bottle cages (holders) - 2 of them if you plan to do long rides
Rear blinky light
Seat bag to hold tubes, CO2 cartridges and tire levers


Optional:

Headlight if you plan on doing any night rides
Cyclocomputer

[OakLeaf]

Water of course. Some people prefer hydration packs, most people prefer frame-mounted bottle cages, especially for shorter rides.

Rear-view mirror - essential for safety. There are many different styles and mounting points. Which one you choose is personal preference.

A patch kit and a pump. It can be a mini-pump if you're using it as a backup to a time-saving CO2 system, or a full-sized frame pump if you have room for one and you don't want the waste that goes with CO2 canisters. You never know how many flats you're going to have, even on a short ride if conditions are especially bad - and if you don't have the capability to patch a tube and inflate it after you've exhausted your consumables, you're walking. Even a short ride can be a looooong walk, pushing your bike wearing cycling shoes.

A mini-lock, just to deter crimes of opportunity. Even if you never plan to leave your bike, you may decide to stop for a bathroom break or a snack, and it might be somewhere that you don't feel confident leaving your bike completely vulnerable. A lightweight combination lock obviously isn't suitable for all-day parking, but it's cheap insurance for those bathroom breaks.

A multi-tool. 4, 5 and 6 mm Allen wrenches are enough for adjustments and tweaks, and tightening things that may have come loose, for a short ride. For a long ride in the boonies, a chain tool, spare cables, and the knowledge of how to use them.

[Grog]

Rear rack

Lock (not actually attached to my bike)
Lights
Pump, seatbag (with CO2 carts + adapter for those winter-time flat tires, tire levers, multi-tool, spare tubes, a few bandaids) + skills to use the above
Water-bottle cage

Bicycle computer
Bell

[skhill]

I have different stuff on my two bikes:

Both have computers and bottle cages, and I always carry my cell phone

Road bike: small wedge bag with spare tube, patches, minimal tools, etc.

Commuter/ running around town bike: tail light (all the time) and headlight (only when I'll need it)
rear rack
locks
bell
and the trunk bag and grocery panniers as needed

I know I really ought to carry tools/ flat kit in town too, but the only mechanical trouble I've ever had on that bike happened within .25 miles of my house, and most of the time I'm within 4 miles of home... Sometimes I carry the kit, but usually not.

[DDH]

I have two water bottle cages, a rear rack and bag. The bag has lots of little compartments. I have a compartment that has some paniers stuffed in there that I can bring out and use if I need them. It has a mini cooler to keep water cold until I am ready to use it. It has a little top zipper space that I can keep a small first aide kit with just bandaides and other little stuff in, and I put a few kleenex cause my nose always wants to run while riding, and some chap stick and just little stuff like that. I'm not a professional by any means so the extra weight of the bag and rack don't bother me. I have a cycle computer which I love cause I want to know how far I have gone and I want to be able to see progress. I have bar extenders to have other ways to place my hands. I have a hybrid with straight bars so that's why I can use those, but I love them. I have a back blinky light attached to the back of my rack but I don't ride at night so I don't use a headlight, but I have one and keep it in my bag should I ever need it. There is a place for it on the handle bars.
I use or have used everything on my bike. It all depends on what you use your bike for, and what conviences you like. Almost everything you can buy, has a purpose or use for someone out there. If expense is an issue then you buy the most useful thing first and then go down the line as you can get more. If you don't want a whole bunch of stuff on your bike, then you get only the essentials and add nothing more. Some don't want the extra weight, and those that commute or grocery shop or do other shopping while on the bike can use a lot of those things. It's all just relative to each individual person.
Today I am not riding far cause I have been off the bike for a bit over a year, but I still left my bag on the back and put an extra water bottle in the cooler. I like to be prepared just in case and that bag makes it easy for me to do. Besides, I am so heavy that that little bit of weight from the rack and bag is nothing compared to hauling my big body up the hill. LOL
Why did I write so much on here. Goodness, it was a simple question wasn't it? Sorry, I think I am just excited form my first ride back on the bike today.

[Becky]

The other posters have already mentioned most of the doo-dads on my bikes. One that hasn't been mentioned is the Mountain Feed Bag (http://www.epicrideresearch.com/product-information.php).

I love this thing for stashing my keys and phone while commuting, for rides with a camera, and as a place to stash extra food on long unsupported road rides. It's been worth every penny!

[KathiCville]

My BF makes fun of all my gadgets but I won't part with any of them!

* Water bottle cage
* Mini Morph pump (I think that's the model)
* Small or medium waterproof underseat bag by Ortlieb for multi-tool, spare tube, ID, even a tightly-rolled-up jacket (in the medium bag in cold weather)
* Detours Digi Midge bag attached to my top tube near stem (great for carrying a small digital camera in one compartment and cell phone in the smaller compartment. Very, very handy.)
* Cyclocomputer
* Planet Bike Superflash rear light
* The mount for a removable headlight so I can add the light when needed on dawn or dusk rides
* Terrific Cycle Star adjustable bar end mirror that I can't live without.

[Owlie]

My bike doesn't have too many bells and whistles attached (though now that I think about it, I should get a bell...) Here's what I've got:

*2 water bottle cages with water bottles. One's a Polar bottle. The other was free with the bottle cages from the LBS.
*Seat bag, containing two spare tubes (well, until recently--I need to get more), 2 CO2 cartridges, and I have a mini first aid kit, multitool and tire irons on order (c'mon, postal service!)
*rear tail light (got lost in the move, it's in my room somewhere)
*cyclocomputer.

[DDH]

I forgot I have a seatbag also with a couple tools, 2 co2 cartridges and tubes.

[featuretile]

I have a rear view mirror, water cage, bike seat bag and and cycle computer.

My engineer husband asked me what I thought cyclists could use. I said brake lights. It seems that not all cyclists when riding in a group actually yell 'stopping'. I think there are accidents when cyclists crash into the back of a bike that stops suddenly. So, he made me one. I am wondering if this is actually a product that other cyclists would like to have. I get alot of comments on how neat it is when someone is riding behind me.

[Yelsel]

Commuter / gravel trail bike:
* Generator hub + front light
* 400L Di-Notte rear light + extra blinkie as backup
* red blinkies on bar ends
* Garmin 305 Forerunner mount + speed/cadence sensor
* 2 water bottle cages
* Back rack with rack bag; up to 2 waterproof panniers; quick-clip to add seatbag if I'm not using the back rack.
* Frame pump
* Locking: some combination of nothing, U-Lock, thick braided cable in rack bag.
* Trainer computer when in trainer (includes current, high, and average watts.)

Road bike:
* 400L Di-Notte front and rear lights (remove batteries for day rides)
* red blinkies on bar ends
* Garmin 305 Forerunner mount + speed/cadence sensor
* 2 water bottle cages
* M, L or XL seatbag with blinkie.
* Frame pump
* Locking: nothing yet(?)

I also need to set up the bad weather / winter / errand mountain bike. So far:
* Cheap front light
* Blinkie
* 1 water bottle cage
* quickclip to share seatbag with regular commuter
* water bottle pump
* 1" braided metal cable (mounted to the other water bottle cage bolts)
* back rack
* Plan to get: Garmin Forerunner 305 mount + speed/cadence sensor; sidewall generator (hub generator?) to run front and rear lights, possibly a bike trailer.

Seatbag always has: multi-tool, tube, tire levers, patch kit, tire boot, presta-to-shraeder adapter, extension for presta valves, wipes. Key/ID/credit card/money either in here or in foot pouch. Sometimes phone, extra food, spoke wrench. I really should put in duct tape, disposable gloves, chain links/linkers, gauze, tweezers, and iodine...

I know of at least two sources for rear tailights: Nashbar has a model (on sale Tues/Weds for 72% off an already cheap price), and Peter White Cycles has a hub generator front / back light duo where the back light functions as a taillight.

I love the look of the mountain feedbag!

[Little Lyon]

I have a rear view mirror, water cage, bike seat bag and and cycle computer.

My engineer husband asked me what I thought cyclists could use. I said brake lights. It seems that not all cyclists when riding in a group actually yell 'stopping'. I think there are accidents when cyclists crash into the back of a bike that stops suddenly. So, he made me one. I am wondering if this is actually a product that other cyclists would like to have. I get alot of comments on how neat it is when someone is riding behind me.

Can't tell you how helpful that would be! I have had several occasions where I have nearly rammed into someone. He should definitely market that.

[owlice]

I have
a saddle bag with tire irons, a spare tube, CO2, multitool, patch kit, and latex gloves in it.
a handlebar bag with bandages, gauze pads, Bactine and handwipes, and Neosporin; I also stash cell phone, PowerBars, keys, wallet, etc. in it

a bell
a lock (cable type, as I used to ride with my son and sometimes would have to cable two or three bikes together)
a ridiculous bottle holder, because my bike came without braze-ons for a water bottle; what I have is a Cannondale velcro cradle, which requires a bottle with velcro on it. I use a regular one-liter bottle, put velcro on the outside of that myself, put it in the cradle and then use a bungee to hold it in place. When I carry an additional water bottle, I just bungee it to the bike frame. This is the only thing I hate about my bike: no water bottle braze-ons!!! (The men's bikes had them, so why not the women's? What, girls don't drink water?? Grrrrrr!!!!!!!)
a rack, just recently added (I hope correctly :D)

When I pick up my bike from the shop (in for maintenance, and boy, I hope I get it back today!), it will have

a cyclocomputer

Within the next two weeks, I will be adding

a headlight or two (Planet Bike's 1-watt Blaze and Sport Spot)
a taillight (probably Planet Bike's Superflash)
a minipump
a rear trunk, which I haven't picked out yet, and suggestions are most welcome!

[lph]

If you ride a lot in traffic it's good to have a bell. And reflective bands and a small blinky front and back even if it isn't nighttime or winter. It can be surprisingly dark on a grey, rainy day. Winter/nighttime - BRIGHT lights.

I just mounted a mirror, a bit early to tell but it saves me from having to turn around all the time. It's not quite stable though and tends to shift when I ride over bumps. I've also seen many riders with mirrors that don't look in them, though, I've come up behind them and their mirrors are askew and useless, or they never glance down at them.

A computer is fun but not necessary unless you're training. Lock - a light one can be handy if you need to pop into a store or something. I don't usually carry a pump or any mechy stuff on my commuter/mtb, I ride places where I can bus or walk home and I rarely flat on mtb tires. On my road bike I always carry a seat bag with 2 tubes and 2 co2 cartridges, plus some spare cash.

[Little Lyon]

I am amazed at the number of things you ladies can fit on a bike. Forgive me for butchering the terminology here, but I got one of those extenders to add more stuff to the handlebars (don't know what it is called, I call is a dashboard :p). I also got cross bars (those extra breaks for my road bike) put on, and they are JUST close enough to the stem that I can't add the extender thingy. So until I can fix that, I am doodad-less.

[GLC1968]

What do you need more handlebar space for? I don't have anything on my handlebars except for a headlight in the winter. My computer is actually on my stem and my mirror is currently in my bar end but I'm working on getting used to one on my helmet to replace it. I don't use a bell - my voice is way louder than any bell and it's much easier to carry. ;)

Both bikes also have road morph pumps mounted to the bottom of the down tube. They also both have two bottle cages. Lastly, under my seat on both bikes are tubes, a multi-tool, a tire lever, pen, paper, lip stuff, a gel and a blinky (on the back of the bag).

My commuter also gets a rack with panniers and fenders and extra rear lights.

[Little Lyon]

I have a hand me down cyclocomputer that won't affix to my stem. I have a water bottle holder, but I use a camelbak when I do much riding. I'd like to get a light and attach the computer, but it seems that they don't fit with my crossbars. I have a very very small under the seat bag that I use for my multi-tool, but not much else fits. It is taking some time to figure out what I need and what I can fit. It probably won't happen this summer, but I hope to eventually do a 50 mile ride, and want to make sure I have all that is needed!

This is my first summer biking since I was about 15.

[abejita]

I have a rear view mirror, water cage, bike seat bag and and cycle computer.

My engineer husband asked me what I thought cyclists could use. I said brake lights. It seems that not all cyclists when riding in a group actually yell 'stopping'. I think there are accidents when cyclists crash into the back of a bike that stops suddenly. So, he made me one. I am wondering if this is actually a product that other cyclists would like to have. I get alot of comments on how neat it is when someone is riding behind me.

That is a great idea...might have to whip one up myself...

[emily_in_nc]

On my Bike Friday very narrow (36 cm) handlebars:

computer
Halt holder (pepper spray for dogs)
air horn (for dogs and cars, mostly dogs)

I just have enough room for my hands if I choose to ride on the tops!

[Little Lyon]

I love having my top bar space and my cross bars because I have a bad shoulder. Having a chance to sit up for a bit is really the only way I can ride, although thanks to a new job, that isn't happening much ;)

[Becky]

What do you need more handlebar space for?

I 've used one of those extender things before. Not so much for the extra space, but to allow my headlight to project beyond my shifter housing. Otherwise, it casts this weird, annoying shadow on the road. Seems to be an issue with my 38-40cm bars, but not with DH's 44 cm bars.