Lee Hill
Do you commute by bike for work often? Are you looking for the best bike accessories for commuting?
Commuting by bike is one of the best modes of transport. It helps avoid traffic and public transportation and is an easy and fast way to commute. Nearly 760,000 people bike to work every day in the US.
Riding a bike is not difficult if you have the right accessories and tools along with you. To get an excellent riding experience while you ride, you need to invest in some best biking accessories. In this article, I have listed some of the best bike accessories for commuting that you will find comfortable and safe.
#1 Ascher Bike Ride Light Set
If you like riding at night on a quiet and peaceful road, you will need front and backlights for your safety. The Ascher bike ride set has enough brightness to ride at night. I love these lights as I can ride for long hours on a single charge. The batteries are durable and long-lasting.
Key Features
- Advanced Design
- Different Light Mode
- Easy To Install
- Versatile
- Waterproof
Advanced Design. The Ascher bike light has a USB 650 mAh rechargeable battery. This light lets you ride for long hours at night without worrying about the battery. You can charge the battery using a USB cable and attach it to the light’s USB port.
Different Light Mode. The light has different light modes for the head and taillight. You can change as per your preference. You can adjust the light to full brightness, and it will for 3.5 hours. In half brightness, it will last for 10 hours. You can also change it to slow flashing and fast flashing as you prefer.
Easy To Install. The light consists of silicone mount straps. You can open it from one side and fit it to any side of your bike as you find comfortable and fasten it up. You can fit it around your seat, handlebar, or in your backpack.
Versatile. You can use the bike light for cycling, trekking, camping, or any outdoor activity. You can use it as an emergency light as well. This asher bike light is an excellent accessory to use at night or any less visibility place.
Waterproof. The light is IPX4 waterproof. You can use the light in any weather without any worry.
Pros
- Different modes of light
- Great battery life even on full brightness
- Easy to mount silicone straps anywhere in the bike
- IPX4 waterproof
- Rechargeable light
- Affordable
Cons
- No warning when the battery is low.
The Ascher bike light set is an impressive and affordable light to use for commuting. One of the features I found excellent is that the lights are IPX4 waterproof. You don’t need to worry about the weather. The light is easy to mount anywhere and is lightweight as well.
#2 BV Bicycle Strap-On Seat Bag
If you are looking for a bicycle seat bag that is easy to mount and keeps all your essentials, then the BV seat bag is a great choice. The mesh pocket is impact-resistant. It is just ideal for storing any essential items in this bag. It comes in 3 different sizes. You can choose as per your preference. You can even expand it to store more items.
Key Features
- Different Sizes
- Easy to Install
- Easy To Access
- Safe
Different Sizes. The BV saddle bag comes in various sizes to choose from. You can choose from small, medium, and large size bags. The large size bag is 4.5-inch high and can be expanded, 4.3-inch wide, and 7.5-inch deep. The medium size bag is 4-inch high and can be expanded, 3.5-inch wide and 6.5-inch deep. You cannot extend the small size bag.
Easy to Install. The bag has a simple mount system. You can attach the bag safely under your bike or at the back of your seat quickly. It has an adjustable Velcro strap that is easy to mount and detach from the bike.
Easy To Access. You can easily store items and take them out with wide-opening zips in this bag. It is a perfect place to keep your smartphones, tools, lock, and even a mini-pump.
Safe. The bag uses high-quality 3M Scotch lite reflective trim. You can ride your bike safely at night. It has a tail light hanger where you can fit your bike light for safety purposes while riding.
Pros
- Easy to set under the bike’s seat.
- Excellent build quality.
- Bright reflective trim for safety purposes.
Cons
- The bag is not waterproof
- It can get quickly fit in a thin bike seat only.
The BV bicycle strap-on-seat bag is excellent to have on your bike. This compact design has helped you store all your essentials in one place and has wide zip. With its 3m reflective trim, you can ride at night safely. Overall it is of great use and has excellent build quality. I have recently bought this saddlebag for my bike and have found it very comfortable and convenient to store things with ease.
#3 Schwinn Thrasher Helmet
If you are thinking of riding a bike outdoors, then having a helmet is a must. Among various helmets available nowadays, the Schwinn thrasher helmet is the best one to choose. It helps keep your head safe and has a LED light. The light makes it safe when riding at night.
Key Features
- LED Light
- 20 Flow Vents
- Built-in Visor
- Adjustable Padding
- One Size Fits all
- Build Quality
- Lightweight Micro-shell Design
LED Light. The helmet has an LED light that provides safety while riding your bike at night.
20 Flow Vents. It has an excellent ventilation system. The helmet comes with 20 flow vents that help keep your head cool. It thus provides plenty of airflow over your head.
Built-in Visor. The helmet has a built-in detachable visor. It helps keep the sun rays away from your eyes. You can even ride comfortably in a drizzle with this helmet on.
Adjustable Padding. The padding of the helmet is relatively thin but is adjustable. You can adjust the padding according to your head shape and comfort.
One Size Fits All. The helmet has a dial at the backside. You can adjust the strap according to your fit. This one size can fit everyone. My head is pretty small, and it fits me perfectly.
Build Quality. The helmet is built with thick foam and has excellent padding done. I made all the adjustments with the padding, and still, it did not break. The clips of the helmet are solid and help keep you safe.
Lightweight Micro-Shell Design. It uses a three-piece micro-shell. It is durable and long-lasting.
Pros
- LED Light
- Adjustable
- 20 vents airflow
- comfortable fit
Cons
- May get defects after using for a while
The Schwinn bike helmet is one of the excellent help and essential accessories for bike riding. Its 20 vents airflow helps keep you relaxed and comfortable while riding. One thing which I liked about this helmet was the LED light feature that provides safety to ride in the dark.
#4 CAW.CAR Bike Phone Holder
If you are used to looking at GPS while riding, then having a phone holder is necessary. It will be easy for you to follow maps using a phone holder. The one which I found amazing is the CAW.CAR phone mount holder. You can use it on bicycles, motorcycles, or ATVs. It can support a phone width of around 3.5 inches.
Key Features
- Versatile
- Adjustable Grip with 360° rotation
- Secure and shock absorbing
- Phone Access
Versatile. You can mount any phone in this handlebar that is up to 3.5-inches. You can fit this holder in any handlebar having a diameter of .2-inch to 1.6-inch. You don’t require any tool to install this holder. It fits perfectly from iPhone 5 to iPhone 11 pro easily.
Adjustable Grip With 360° Rotation. You can adjust and keep your phone safe by rotating it at any angle. The ball joint in the holder helps to rotate the screen freely at any position. Adjust the angle you find comfortable, and enjoy your ride.
Secure And Shock Absorbing Clip. The phone holder has silicone belts that keep your smartphone safe. The bands cover the edges of the phone of any size, even with covers. You can ride as fast you want and not worry about the phone falling as it holds it very tight.
Phone Access. The holder helps access your phone fully while being mounted. You can use the phone for music, GPS, or any other purpose. You don’t have to unmount it to use your smartphone.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Versatile
- The ball joint helps rotate the screen at any angle.
Cons
- The rubber straps are not of good quality.
Overall, the phone holder is an essential tool to have while riding your bike. This durable smartphone holder fits any bike or motorcycle. This product is an excellent option among various other holders I looked at because of its build quality and durability.
Buyer’s Guide
Focus
Before purchasing any bike accessories, you need to look at the necessary things as you will have to carry them along in your bike. There are a lot of accessories available for your bike. You need to list down things you need.
So it is essential to focus on the necessary bike gear that you find comfortable, safe, and easy to store. If you don’t see any item as comfortable and safe, don’t go for it.
Function
After finding comfortable, safe, and easy-to-store accessories, you need to look into details. Look what item you need the most while commuting and keep it in your bag.
You need to look at the weather forecast and keep accessories accordingly. Keeping accessories also depends on how many miles you are commuting. If you are riding for just 2 miles, you won’t need too many accessories.
Budget
You will have to invest in a few accessories you need, but it’s unnecessary to buy top-quality ones. You need to make sure whatever you buy functions well and are of use to you. Look at your budget before purchasing any bike accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Commuting by Bike?
If you commute by bike for work, you can get fit, and it is a great workout. By commuting by bike, you can avoid traffic and save money as well. Riding a bike will help you improve your mental health as well.
When you ride by car, you spend money on fuel, vehicle registration, and maintenance. Once you get a bike, you can ride freely any time and find it easy to go anywhere you want to.
What Are the Necessary Bike Tools You Should Always Have?
To maintain your bike, you should always have bike oil, a degreaser, and a screwdriver. You need to maintain your bike and clean it in regular intervals. If you ride on a muddy road or spend a lot of time riding in the rainy season, you need to clean it often. You need to clean the chains and wheels and remove all the dirt that gets stuck.
Can These Accessories Be Used for Hiking as Well?
Of course, yes! You can use all the above bike accessories for hiking, trekking, or any biking trip. You will need to keep some other accessories and clothing according to the weather. Choose the one you can carry comfortably and efficiently while trekking or hiking for long hours.
Conclusion
I have provided a list of the best bike accessories for commuting based on my personal experience and reviews online.
In my opinion, the Ascher Bike Ride light set is the most important bike accessory that you should have. It has different light mode options available and is necessary for riding safely at night. You can use it in any weather condition as it’s waterproof.
The BV Bicycle Strap-On Seat Bag is another must-have accessory. You can store all your essentials with ease, and it has excellent build quality.
