Bike Accessories! Lights, Bag, Guards?

DaleTheWhale

DaleTheWhale

DaleTheWhale

Soldato
Joined
17 Aug 2012
Posts
6,593
Location
Tamworth, UK
Chaps,

I'm looking at adding a few bits and bobs to my bike to make it a little safer for road use, as I'm planning on cycling to work instead of catching the train to save a few pounds and I'd enjoy the cycle + it's good for me! I use my bike day to day for casual things, it's nothing special however it's a nice sturdy mountain bike which isn't too shabby or overly amazing.

I'm after a couple of things;

- Headlights for the bike, I've looked at the Cree Q5 on an auction place and they seem they would do the trick?
- Some mudguards, I'd be wearing office wear so I'd like to stay clean! :D
- A under frame waterproof bag to keep some repair gear in just in case + i've seen some bags that have a phone holder which would be nice also to listen to music.
- Flashjacket or high vis fleece of some sort?
- And of course, a helmet!

If you guys could recommend any gear that's half decent, rather than me ending up paying for some cheap gear that'll break, like my china headlights last time.
For everything minus the jacket and helmet, a budget or say £25-30 + jacket/helmet whatever that might cost?

Cheers! :cool:
 
I just bought this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130832506718?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619 and they burn the retinas out of car drivers that don't drop their high beams, you may look at it and think expensive but you never need to buy batteries again.

Even with mudguards I get covered, on my London bike I have the full half circle mudguards and they are great but not suitable for off road as they sit so close to the tyre.

There's loads of lower cost branded items on eBay, consider a reflective rucksack with built in or clipped on LED rear lights then you can carry the repair kit in that
 
You're gunna have to stretch it a bit.

Jacket and helmet are just personal preference. Here are few low end items I have had and have been great, although not the best:

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Thanks for the info, and I know the budget ain't great, I'm not looking for the best of the best kinder gear, just some half-decent stuff to keep me covered for the time being. The cycle between work/home should only be around 25 mins if i'm at a nice pace + it's mostly road so I don't need snazzy mudguards etc aha.

And that cateye torch looks amazingly good, if I could splash out big time I'd happily do so, but at the moment I want to keep it fairly low cost, I can up the budget a wee bit to make sure I'm getting decent-ish bits and bobs.

- Are there any decent repair kits from a decent brand? Where I live, the bicycle shops all have cheap tacky stuff that never works?
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/One23-Extre...6S4O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1361705327&sr=8-4

I've got this front light, amazingly bright. Obviously way above your budget, but just a thought.

Helmets, I like Giro.

R-evans said:
They are just bog standard mudguards really. If it rains, you'll have a wet back and crotch without them :) I get changed at work either in the disabled toilets or the first aid room :D

I have this multitool, can get similar for less, but Topeak are quality stuff.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Topeak-TT24...6X8U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1361704008&sr=8-6
Click to expand...

I'd get the crank brothers for an extra £5. Mostly as it looks better :p
 
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The Crank Brothers 19 piece looks rather tempting indeed! Might order a few things today to get the ball rolling, Topeak stuff looks good, might grab those Cree lights as they should be sufficient for road usage for what I need and then just grab some guards and that bag posted above :)!

As far as puncture repair kits go, are there are decent makes? Everywhere seems to sell just simple 1 quid kits? Are there decent repair kits to look out for? Cheap glue in kits seems to never work!
 
I'd just carry a spare inner.

For tool and bag, check Evans cycles. I know they do a pretty good bag and tool by Specialized for about £17.

It is more than adequate.
 
For tools I use a bottle holder that goes in a bottle cage and in there are a spare inner tube (don't bother with puncture repair kits), tyre levers (pay a bit extra for quality ones) and a topeak multi-tool. Don't forget a decent pump.

For lights I did pay £30 from Halfords but I'm using the £6 ones I got from an Aldi sale.
I've just bought some mudguards for my hybrid for £17 from Halfords (but not Halfords make) that fit very close to the tyres because I may put a pannier rack on.

On my road bike I have a Topeak pannier rack + their top of the range MTX Trunkbag DXP which is expensive but worth it. On my hybrid I just use a rucksack (at the moment).

Halfords do a 3 for 2 so check them out.
 
Standard ride really, mostly flat with the occasional uphill and downhill, around 30-40 minutes cycle each way. Standard Mountain bike, 26" it isn't branded as a main brand as far as it goes. I can grab a piccy from somewhere.
 
R-evans said:
Maybe I saw it on offer or it's cheaper in stores :)
Click to expand...

May well be, I'll keep my eyes open. Evans Cycles seem quite good for gear, been looking at the topeak stuff they have! Nice to get to know a few brands for bikes, get my head around whats good, and what not so good. :p

Vonhelmet said:
Only asking because if I was cycling for 30 minutes I'd be dripping when I arrived...
Click to expand...

Aha! I like to keep it a gentle cycle! :p
 
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