10 Most Useful Bike Accessories in 2021
Complete your cycling gear this 2021.
There’s a reason why thousands of Australians are enamoured at purchasing bikes and cycling accessories: The personalisation is extremely flexible, plus accessory combinations and styles can be created that no one else has.
Today, bikes are more than just modes of transportation, they can also serve as a reflection of their owners. More than just a tool to get healthy and move from one place to another, bikes have also become tools of expression.
What are the Top Bike Accessories in 2021?
What accessories can one play with when customising their bikes? Here are 10 of the most common (and useful) bike accessories everyone should have in 2021:
Protective Headgear
Roadside accidents and collisions can be just around the corner. To help protect the riders, having a trusty protective headgear is always a good place to start.
There are heaps of headgear options one can choose from. Mountain bike helmets and road bike helmets can both be used to provide comfort and ventilation in addition to being extremely lightweight.
For extreme sports cycling, more protective headgears like full-face helmets are necessary. This type of helmet is light, provides ventilation, and can provide full face protection. A similar type of helmet is a time trial helmet. These are designed for speed and providing the best aerodynamics gain for triathletes.
To those who want just a simple headgear, any standard helmet would do. Those with other requirements for their headgear in terms of function and style can always browse through Stead Cycle’s catalogue to get started.
Bike Locks
Potential thieves can also easily steal bikes when no one is looking but having a bike lock can prevent bike theft from happening. Some bike locks come with special cables that secure easy-to-steal gears and accessories as well, so that would be a good bike lock variant to get.
One of the best bike lock variants to find in Australia is a U-lock, made with steel. This type of lock is typically unlocked using keys and cutting or sawing off the locks would not work because of its design. Another type of lock is a combination bike lock chain. Only a 5-digit password can unlock this chain lock, and a thick cable made from steel secures it. Look through Stead Cycle’s catalogue for more bike lock variants.
Water Bottle Holder / Water Bottle Care
Travelling through bikes can get tiring. To recover, riders need to hydrate regularly, especially during long rides. Having an accessory to mount their water is definitely a helpful addition to one’s bike accessory collection.
Water bottle mounts or cages are available in most bike shops, including Stead Cycles. There are also special lightweight water bottle mounts for those who don’t want the added weight to lug them down during bike rides.
Some of the most common water bottle holders are metal cages that hold the bottle in place while still being able to bend to accommodate smaller bottles. Apart from the usual metal cages, there are cages with special designs like an X-Grip design, which lessens damage on bottles while securely holding them. There are also variations of water bottle holders that use straps instead of all-metal cages to accommodate larger bottles. Stead Cycle’s catalogue has even more options to look through.
Drink Bottles
Cyclists will also need drink bottles to keep hydrated, especially on endurance journeys. When choosing your cycling drink bottle, take note of a couple of factors: the capacity, material, shape, mouth gape, spout type, and level of insulation.
Depending on the biker’s priority, there are various options to choose from. Some of these include regular cycling water bottles with collar necks, running water bottles and flasks with an ergonomic shape, insulated water bottles, and aerodynamic water bottles for triathletes.
Bike Pumps
Bikes used regularly will need to be pumped every now and then. Once bike tyres soften, it is recommended to pump air to prevent damaging those further.
While a person can easily go to their nearest bike shop if they want to have their bike tyres pumped, it’s faster and cheaper to do so at home. This makes a floor pump practical. Not only can one protect their bike tyres, but they can also save time and money in the long run.
Some of the most popular types of bike pumps are the Schrader valve pumps and Presta valve pumps. Most people use Schrader valves, as these are easier to use and are made for inexpensive bike models. However, more expensive bicycles often need Presta valves.
Phone Mounts
Using phones while biking can be a distraction. However, it’s becoming more and more useful nowadays, especially when using navigation applications. It is extremely risky to look at one’s phone while riding a bike, but it is even worse to do so with one hand holding the phone and the other on the bike handles.
With a phone mount, bikers would be able to easily check their phone hands-free. That way, they can focus on being steady on their bikes instead of multitasking. Check out the Stead Cycles shop for a wide range of bike accessories to offer, including phone mounts.
Bryton Computers
Apart from phones, riders can also navigate roads with the help of compact GPS devices like Bryton computers. These have long battery life, decent value for money, and are easy to use. A Bryton computer can also check the time, altitude, and speed of the rider.
Lights
There are times when it is necessary to go out on your bike early in the morning, late at night or on dark paths. During these times, a bike light is essential for bikers to see the road clearly and for others to see the rider. Having a good bike light is a matter of safety, so finding a powerful bike light is highly advisable.
There are different types of bike lights based on placement. Headlights are usually mounted on handlebars, but these can also be mounted on helmets. Rear lights are mounted on the back rack of a bike. Side lights are typically placed on the frames of the wheels, showing that the wheels are in motion.
There are high-output lighting systems that offer powerful illumination, while there are normal safety lights for motorists to see the biker in dim light conditions. The former helps the biker see, while the latter helps third-party individuals see the biker. It would be best to consult with experts at Stead Cycles to know more about the type of bike light that works best for the type of biker that you are.
Bike Baskets
To those who use their bikes for errands, a bike basket is a good accessory to have. They can place items inside the basket while biking. There are models of bike baskets that can be unmounted easily and carried around (which is surprisingly helpful for minor grocery runs!).
Compression Socks
Biking can get tiring, especially on the legs and feet. To minimise pain and injuries while or due to biking, having protective compression socks will help. These socks prevent the legs from aching, and they also ease swelling afterwards. This is definitely a biking must-have, especially for those who ride for long periods of time.
Get Your New South Wales Bike Accessories at Stead Cycles
There are many ways to personalise bikes, and you have numerous options to choose from. Stead Cycles is one such place. Family-operated and offering bikes and accessories, we also have a range of bike pumps, drink bottles, phone mounts, and even Bryton computers to choose from.
Everything you’ll need for your bike is here at Stead Cycles. Get started on personalising your bike with the best and most useful accessories this 2021.
If you are looking for bikes or bicycle accessories in NSW, all you need to do is head to Stead Cycles’ at 29 Landor St, Beresfield NSW 2322, contact us on (02) 4966 2141 or email info@steadcycles.com.au.