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17 Best Bike Accessories for Those Who Plan to Ride All Summer

From helmets to phone mounts, discover the bike gear that will make your ride smoother and safer.
Cross country biking woman with bike accessories on forest trail
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Bicycles are endlessly customizable, with all sorts of bike accessories available to make your rides more comfortable, practical, and safe, whether commuting, exploring the local rail trail, or pedaling through a brand new city. And for those new to the cycling world, having the right tools and gear can make you feel truly independent on your bike. I still remember getting my first flat tire in a park miles from home: I pulled my repair kit from my under-saddle bag and told myself, “You’ve got this.”

While a helmet is a must-have, other bicycle accessories are optional, letting you pick and choose based on your type of riding and convenience needs. Ahead, discover 17 of the best bike accessories, from bottle cages to tire pumps, to consider adding to your setup. (And if you're still deciding on which bike to ride, we've got a guide for you here.)

This article was originally published in June 2020. 

1. Road helmet 

Giro Agilis MIPS

It’s a no-brainer: Wear the bucket. All bike helmets sold in the U.S. must meet safety standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, so differences come down to fit (most come in small, medium, and large sizes), coverage, ventilation, style, and aerodynamics. Look for a dial-in back to fine-tune the fit and provide added comfort for long rides. 

This road helmet is a great blend of value, style, and air flow. We love the MIPS Fit System, which allows for on-the-fly adjustments—handy for accommodating a hat or ponytail. 

2. Commuter helmet

Bern Brentwood 2.0 MIPS Helmet

With a look borrowed from skate culture, this commuter/fitness helmet doesn’t have much ventilation, but it’s super comfy and has a mount for an optional rear light, helpful if you plan to pedal around at night or early in the morning.

3. Cross-country helmet

Octal X Spin

This do-it-all bike helmet has more coverage to deflect off-road debris and low branches, along with excellent air flow, and patented ‘spin’ pads designed to better protect in a crash. Silicone grippers let you secure your sunglasses when you're not wearing them.

4. Bike pump

Bontrager Charger Floor Pump

Unless you want to be trotting to the bike shop every time your tires are low (believe me, you don’t), get a home floor pump. Look for dual valve heads to fit both Schrader (found on mountain, hybrid, and cruiser bikes) and Presta valves (road, gravel, and other skinny-tire bikes). The Bontrager Charger floor pump has a dual head for both major valve types, plus an easy-to-read gauge. I like the base flange, which lets you hold it down with your foot while pumping.

5. Bike lock

Kryptonite New-U KryptoLok Standard U-Lock with Cable

If you want to horrify yourself, cue up some ‘bike theft’ videos on YouTube and see how easy it is for someone to steal your beloved road bike or mountain bike. A U-type lock, like Kryptonite's KryptoLok, can be mounted to your frame for storage. Register for Kryptonite’s anti-theft service and if your lock is broken, the company will reimburse you up to $7,000 (depending on which lock you buy). My own Kryptonite lock has lasted forever and hasn’t been cracked yet. The extra cable lock is handy for securing easy-to-steal accessories, too.

6. Tire repair kit

Lezyne Twin Kit Bicycle C02 & Tire Repair Kit

A flat tire turns your happy ride into a huge headache. I don’t go anywhere without a spare tube, CO2 cartridge, and inflator tool. With a little practice at home, learn to fix your own flat in the field—or be a hero and come to the rescue of a fellow cyclist. Lezyne's twin bicycle CO2 and tire patch kit is well-designed and compact; tuck it into a pocket or secure it under your saddle. Just add a spare tube that fits your tire (check the sidewall to see the bike tire's size).

7. Water bottle cage

Supacaz Fly Cage Ano

Most bikes have frame mounts for a water bottle holder, but don’t include the holder itself. You want one that’s lightweight but snug so your bottle doesn’t go flying when you hit a pothole. I love the Supacaz Fly Cage Ano for its minimalist design and slick metallic colors, available in 11 shades (I don’t give a lick how well my pants or shirt go together, but when it comes to my bike, my bottle cage and helmet have to match). Even better, I’ve never catapulted a bottle on rough roads.

8. Bike water bottle

CamelBak Podium Bike water bottle

Hydration is a top priority while biking. For a bottle that'll fit in nearly any cage, try this Amazon bestseller—it is lightweight, leak-proof, and has more than 5,000 five-star reviews. Plus, it's available in more than 10 colors and patterns, and is easy to squeeze, meaning you'll get more fluid with less effort.

9. Phone mount

Universal Fit Bike Kit

Fiddling with your phone on a bike is dangerous—for you and the phone. Secure your phone to your handlebars to make it easy to follow maps or a GPS, hands free. There are cheaper options out there, but don’t risk it: The Quad Lock is the only mount I’ve tried that’s truly rock solid.

10. Powerful bike light

Dayblazer 1100 And Dayblazer 65 Front and Tail-Light Combo

Riding at night is a special thrill, quiet and peaceful. But you need front and rear lights, both to see and to be seen. The Blackburn Dayblazer 1100-lumen front light is bright enough to see the road in front of you, no matter how late. In this set, it’s paired with the red Dayblazer 65 rear light. Both are rechargeable and come with mounting hardware.

11. Rear rack

Topeak Explorer MTX Rack

A storage rack ups the utility of your bike immeasurably, making it one of the best bike accessories for longer rides. Strap down a bag or briefcase, or add a milk crate or basket for trips to the farmer’s market. The Topeak Explorer MTX is a universal back rack that fits nearly all bikes and doubles as a fender against mud and rain splashes. It’s compatible with Topeak bags, or you can use bungee cords to strap on your own carrier.

12. Kid carrier

Thule Ridealong Child Bike Seat

For younger kids not ready to ride on their own, the Thule Ridealong is a kid seat that clamps securely to the adult bike. With an adjustable seat, harness, foot straps, and foot rests, it'll fit most kids up to 48 pounds. Other nice safety features: a built-in reflector and safety light attachment.

13. Trailer bike

Kids' Electra Sprog 1 Trailer Bike

For older kids, the Electra Sprog 1 Trailer Bike is a mini-bike that attaches to the adult bike’s seat post, letting kids pedal and practice balancing instead of just being a passenger. The Electra is best for kids 3’9” to 4’4” tall.

14. Classic bike bell

Spurcycle Original Bike Bell

Riders can clear the way with this loud bike bell. When you're moving at high speeds and need to alert those ahead you're approaching, be it on traffic-heavy city streets or a bike path that has pedestrians strolling through, this bell gets the job done. It's loud, and rings three times as long as the average bike bell for added safety.

15. Quirky bike bell

Electra Domed Ringer Bike Bell

Inject a little personality into your bike bell. When the road gets steep, looking down at these playful otters just might give you a mood boost. Electra's bike bell is available in a handful of playful designs, including a donut, a cat wearing sunglasses, and an ice cream cone, as well as a more standard titanium option.

16. Bike basket

Ortlieb Up-Town City Basket

This low-profile bike basket is another key bike accessory, especially for those who tend to make a day of it. Attach this to your handlebars and use it to store just about anything, from groceries or take-out to a blanket and book. Inside, it has 17.5 liters of storage space and a sturdy aluminum frame keeping it upright. 

17. Bike pannier

REI Ortlieb Back-Roller Urban Bike Pannier

For even longer excursions, you can pack this spacious pannier with extra layers of clothing, a pair of sandals to swap into post ride, snacks, and more. It's easy to attach to your back rack, offers 20 liters of storage space, and is waterproof both outside and inside. Buy it in pepper (pictured above), ink, or pine.