What is the most underrated bicycle accessory?
 

I have two.

1. Baskets, or in my case a waterproof box called the Donkey Boxx. Having the Donkey Boxx has completely changed bicycling for me. It's large enough for me to hold my bulky waterproof backpack (for years I wore my backpack on my back). Additionally, the Donkey Boxx is always there for me for impromptu shopping at grocery stores, etc. Finally, it's waterproof. If it's raining outside I put my helmet in the box and it stays completely dry. Sadly, it appears that the Donkey Boxx is no longer made. If anyone knows where I can get another one, please let me know.

2. Full chain cases. This only applies to internal gear hub (IGH) bikes, but full chain cases are nothing short of a miracle accessory. My bike spends most of its life outdoors, exposed to the rain, and I do a lot of biking in the rain. Having the full chain case, no gunk gets on my chain. After 8,000+ miles of riding I'm still using the original chain (still hasn't stretched hardly at all!). The sprockets remain in great condition, and get this ... I've only lubed the chain three or four times in two years. And I haven't made a single adjustment to the gears or anything. I do plan to have the hubs overhauled soon though. Riding an IGH bike doesn't compare to derailleur bikes when it comes to speed or climbing up hills, but they require even less maintenance than single speed bikes. If someone can figure out a way to fully encase a derailleur drive train, bike maintenance will be drastically reduced for the masses.

http://i.imgur.com/VHpT1EWm.png

the rider

A kickstand.

A bell.

Agree on the full chain case and the bell. I had been riding around without a bell for decades, why? I've no idea.

Rear view mirror.

Not underrated IMO, I wear two, but certainly controversial, not unlike helmets. :fight:

LED lights

I mostly commute...mirrors...Airzound Airhorn.

Id say pedals and a gps have made a huge difference for me.

What kind of mirrors do you guys use? Helmet mounted or bike mounted?

Glasses mounted.

Mudguards are really nice for keeping me somewhat dry during misty/rainy commutes. Sometimes my wife won't ride after a rain. The reason? Road spray. We haven't decided to go with mudguards for her yet...


I've always felt the neoprene booties fill a niche for when temperatures drop or there's cold precipitation. I like them.

A lock.

Bike mounted. Perhaps overly cautious but I don't like a stem and glass or plastic protruding near my eyes. I suspect the function is better for those who wear helmet mounted though.

Handlebar tassels.

quadriceps

Good stainless cages. I've found that the vast majority of plastic / carbon cages are bottle launchers here in the frost-heaved midwest. Having to stop, turn around and go get a launched bottle is annoying. Aluminum cages can be good but they make your bottles black and it's hard to bend them. Stainless cages don't mark up the bottles, you can tighten them easily for bumpy routes and they last basically forever.

Take a milk jug and cut it- zip tie and done.

I thought just to be funny to attach some but second guessed the decision.

:lol:

fify ;)

You're joking right, John? Even with a heavy investment of time and materials, there is no way to produce a mudguard with complete coverage like SKS Longboards for $50. The engineering would take hours, scrounding for materials, days. Developing a fastener for the metal stays...why even think it?

/thread

Fenders; once installed the bike is cleaner, drier and just better looking.

you want to spend $50, go ahead. I spent $2.