Norz80

Just ordered a BMC Alpenchallenge AC01 Three Hybrid bike ! Color is blue turquoise.

Been riding bikes all my life but this is my first NICE bike so I want to do it right accessories wise. And feel fine with investing some money in it.

I'm gonna need a bike lock obviously, would like something that's both light and efficient, I guess that'll be the most expensive accessory right ? What do you guys like ? (under $100 would be nice if possible).
A nice looking triangle bag for cellphone, wallet, keys, etc but I assume anything on Amazon will do or do you guys have something you particularly like ?
Regarding the tail light, I've seen some pretty good looking led that are integrated to the seat post. Is that good ? Compatible with every bike too ? Or just a flashy mediocre gadget ? Any other suggestion ?
I guess any bottle cage will do.

If you guys have some thoughts it'd be really appreciated. Thank you !

EDIT - Almost forgot, could use some good pedals + foot restraints (is that even the english word?).

Is it reasonable to think I should be able to get all accessories for around $200 and still get good stuff ?

Iride01 

$200 dollars..... maybe 35 years ago.

I guess it depends on what specific accessories you want. Bottles, bottle holders and pedals of some sort you probably can stay within budget.

A lot depends on what type of riding you are going to do. How long you expect to ride at a time and how often.

Norz80

I mean, if the whole things costs $300-350 then be it. As long as the spending makes sense. But I definitly do not wanna go cheap after spending a solid amount on the bike itself. Might as well do it right !

Which is why I'm asking here and not merely browsing Amazon. You guys might have some good suggestions.

Iride01 

How can we suggest anything for you? Are we to assume that from the type bike you bought?

What type of riding are you going to be doing? How long per ride and how often.

Norz80

Alright.

2x ~5-6miles to work and back during week days. The occasional longer ride (nothing too intense) during the week end with the gf for a couple hours.

I'm looking for a lock that's good enough and not TOO heavy as I'm not going to leave my bike outside at night. I'll have to leave it outside during the week days sometimes, but in town, doubt there is too much of a risk.

Besides the lock, I think what I could use help with is the pedals + foot restraints. Not anything "clicky" (sorry not sure what the word is, english isn't my first language) but just something I can put my foot into. On a quality enough pedal.
Also the tail light, are the models with leds integrated to the seat post decent ? or is it more a flashy, mediocre gadget ?

Elvo

I would definitely not leave a $2100 bike outside at night

Iride01 

For the type riding you say you are going to do, just plain platform pedals should be fine. If you are going to be pedaling at higher cadences of better than 80 RPM, then you might want SPD, SPD-SL or just simple toe straps. But for the short rides you are talking about probably not needed. If you've never used them, they might result in a injury if you didn't learn how to fall when younger.

As for locking up your bike. I don't know. I haven't left a bike unattended outside and out of my site for probably 50 years. I used to use a cable and a padlock. I preferred a key lock, others prefer combination locks. No matter what lock you get, it's no match for a battery operated angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.

I'd recommend you ask your local police department or sheriff's office about bike theft in the areas you'll be in with your bike. Hopefully it's not a big deal where you are, but some places it's an eye opener to know what is going on.

Check with your insurance agent about theft. Also you might want to talk to them and find out if your current policies, will cover you for liability and your own healthcare if you are the injured. Bikes do crash into things and damage other people and property when their operators are negligent or just simply make a mistake.

If that didn't take care of the 200 dollars, then at least get a floor pump to keep your tires properly aired up. They will need it every few days. Rubber is permeable to air and bicycle tires and tubes are much thinner than automobile tires.

Which ones to get? Buy some inexpensive things that seem to be made by a manufacturer that is a name in the cycling world. Personal experience helps with deciding what to get. So get some experience.

Norz80

Not going to, trust me !

Thank you very much

Ogsarg

Choosing a lock is really based on when/where you plan to leave the bike. Lightweight and effective don't go together when it comes to locks. I have a lightweight hiplock that is a total joke as far as protection goes but the only time I use it is if I have to run into a store for a second or use a bathroom so not for more than 1-2 minutes. I'm not willing to carry around a boat anchor for that so I accept the risk.

No opinion on the triangle bag.

If you ride in traffic in daylight, I recommend getting good lights to be seen. Cyglolite hotshot pro 150, 200, and the bontrager flare RT are all great daytime tallights IMO. I have a cyglolite Dash 460 headlight that I like but I have minimal experience with headlights. I like that it has a bright flash mode and the battery lasts a long time. If you want to spend less money, check out the best headlights and best tailights threads in the sticky section.

I would suggest starting with platform pedals. If you decide you want something different later on, do some research on SPD and the shoes you'll need to go with them.

You didn't mention it, but definitely put together a kit that allows you to fix a flat on the road and make sure you know how to use it. The exact tools and bits will depend on your bike and whether you have tube or tubeless tires. Talk to the shop where you got the bike if you don't know what you need.

Enjoy the new bike!

Miele Man

OP, what area are you located in?

Cheers

Norz80

That's very helpful, thank you ! Regarding the lock, it'll never be outside at night. But often enough in populated city areas for a couple hours at a time during the day. Nowhere with tons of crime etc, but still need something solid enough so someone with some tools and a van can't easily snap it in a min.

Geneva, Switzerland

Miele Man

If you like pedals and toe-clips I've found these Wellgo Pedals to be very nice as they're easy to get into and out of. I ride them with the straps loose in t he city. They're not too expensive but are nice pedals. I have them on a few of my mountain bikes that are used as road touring bicycles.

https://wabicycles.com/products/well...cing-pedal-set

A decent U-lock will stop the casual thief. Just don't get a really cheap U-lock as they often have trouble being opened with the provided key after a while.

I like to have a seat bag under my saddle for my multi-tool, patch kit, spare tube, and (when I carry them in addition to my frame or mini-pump) my Co2 cartridges and inflator. A bigger seat bag can hold my wallet and cell phone.

I think a good tail-light and a good headlight are need if riding at dawn dusk, or in the dark. I like a headlight that illuminates the road not just a "Be seen" light.

Regarding the patch kit and Co2 inflators; it's good to practice using the Co2 inflator at home so you know how to use it and how much you need to inflate your tires to a comfortable pressure.

I also like cycling gloves and polarized sunglasses.

Cheers

Norz80

Love them, but can't find them over here and overseas shipping would cost me an extra $24 which seems a bit dumb. Any other suggestion maybe ? (If somehow you can fiind them in metallic blue it's even better lol). Thanks !

Steve B.

I’d not be leaving a $2000 bike, locked or not, unattended in any city. Bike thieves get past every lock known.

polyphrast

Norz80 Regarding Locks: Decathlon has an U-Lock for ~30EUR which has been tested pretty good. If you like a bit more flexible locks, you could consider foldable locks, like the Abus Bordo Series or the Trelock FS Series. Both can be attached to a bottle holder (and the abus holder also has velcro straps for attaching it anywhere to the frame).


My 2 cents regarding the most necessary gear: i don't like CO2 pumps, because i do like to change my tire pressure while beeing on tour, depending on the riding conditions. Topeak has a range of nice pumps, i do have the Topeak TurboMorph and i am very happy with it (it pumps without big pain 5,5 bars in a tire). Also always take a bit of tire sealant for tubeless tires with you, even when you use a tube. It can help sealing small punctures (but some of those sealants don't like CO2..) Topeak also has some nice multitools, which can be attached to bottle holders.


Pedals: if you like trying a easy and safe clipless pedal (in german "klickpedal"), take a look at "magpeds", the work with a magnet (in case you understand german: youtube.com/watch?v=tgdY1OzG1yc)


Light: if you consider riding in dusk or dark (winters are long...), get a proper "to see" light, which doesn't blind all oncoming traffic, there are numerous options: Cheap but decent Lumintop B01 (--> Aliexpress or Banggood); very good but more expensive: B&M Ixon Space (for the latter check that video, if you understand german: youtube.com/watch?v=oWbk9mPQuSg). Somewhere in between: Cateye GVolt 70 (can be fixed in a hanging position or a gopro adapter) or Lezyne Power Pro115 (the "Loaded" version is for hanging attachment to a GoPro Mount). Expensive and lots of light: Outbound, Lupine SL/SLF/SLX, Supernova

Norz80

polyphrast Thank you !

Regarding the U-lock I assume you mean the "ELOPS U Bike Lock920" ? (Sorry can't post a link to the actual lock here as I don't have enough posts). I had my eye on the Kryptonite Evolution Mini 5, but this seems just as good, not heavier, but cheaper.

Thanks for lights advices, it's noted, I'll check it out.

Regarding the pedals, I don't want clip less just yet. I think I'm gonna go with some toe clips, without the cage. Or at least with the possibilty to remove the cage quickly/easily just to use the clip. I found some blue alu pedals matching the bike that I like but as I'm super bad at bikes tech I have no idea if I'll be able to put toe clips on them. Brand is "Wacet", sadly, can't post link to them.

polyphrast

Here is a a report (german) of that test (done by stiftung warentest), it is the Decathlon BTwin 940 for 36EUR, so i guess you can either take the Elops 920 or 940, it looks like the just differ in length.
Regarding the pedals: in the linked video one of the guys doesn't like clipless pedals either, but he found the idea of magpeds good. Easy getting out.

znomit

That's a sweet bike. And love the colour. Given what you've invested already I'd cough up for a dynohub and lights.

fietsbob

Cant find them in " Geneva, Switzerland " tried leaving the house & going to a proper bike shop?

Norz80

Which parts? the pedals and toe-clips Miele Man is talking about ?

And didn't get a chance yet, but will visit a couple shops monday first thing before ordering anything online yeah, I'm not a huge fan of Amazon (or ordering abroad in general) and rather buy local whenever I can find what I want and that the price is fair (which isn't always a given in Switzerland lol).

fietsbob

You might save money shopping (in Euros) across the border in any direction, from CH.

Miele Man

I looked on Google Maps and there seems to be a lot of bicycle shops in Geneva, Switzerland. Surely one of those shops will have decent pedals.

I trried looking on their websites but most of them don't show individual components.

Cheers

speedlever

As a recent convert to the Varia RTL515, I can't recommend it high enough. The bright, interactive tail light is magnificent. And the overtaking traffic alerts are superb. You can use your cell phone for the alerts if you don't want/have a compatible bike computer. But it ain't cheap.

hsuBM

As a driver with acute ADHD, I can relate to texting and/or stoned/drunk drivers too well, especially in the afternoon when my pill has worn off.

forget cheap blinky lights. They might be fine in bike-heavy towns like Portland or Tokyo, but not where you can drive for an hour and have a 80% chance of seeing no cyclists at all and thus really aren’t looking for them.

In typical ‘merican towns & cities, with blinkies we look like a reflection in a shadow and are written off as such when an average-low intelligence/tired/entitled driver is focusing on other cars, traffic signals, and looking for the next turn to make till 0.5 seconds before we’re “oh****!”-swerve-passed.

Despite being a passionate cyclist, I’m guilty of having way too many of these close calls when I’m in my car.

get a minimum of 500 lumen front light strapped to your helmet and 300 lumen rear light.

I highly recommend Light & Motion Urban 1000 for the front as it is just about as bright as a modern car’s DRL, and the Serfas Vulcan 350- again, it’s nearly modern car bright. Leave them on steady, set them on low in the dark, on high during the day.

The L&M is only good for about 90 minutes, so it needs to be charged at work if I use it for more than half of my morning ride to guarantee full power use for the whole ride home.

The Serfas, so far, is good running low in the dark morning and high in the sunny afternoon without an at-work charge.