Over here in fettle land we’ve been celebrating so-called ‘freedom day’ and those starting make their merry way back to the office by bike. In fact, on the day itself we had a little banarama celebration, handing out bananas to those pedalling into work. You could spot us at Aldgate or Old Street, loading up passing commuters with fruit fuel.
And in the spirit of jumping back into the two-wheeled commute, we thought we’d share our recommendations for best commuting accessories. We often get asked for pannier and rack recommendations so we figured, why not share all our knowledge on commuting accessories with you lovely lot.
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Ortlieb Panniers
When it comes to panniers you can’t beat Ortlieb. Waterproof and highly durable, they’re not cheap, but they’ll last you years, if not decades. Coming in a variety of colours you can even go for bright (fettle) yellow if you want to make sure you’re seen.
Top tip: You can often pick up a bargain pair of second hand Ortliebs on eBay. People purchase them for bike packing trips, letting them sit in the cupboard upon their return before flogging them online.
Cateye Lights
If you’re going to be riding your bike every day, lights are essential, regardless of whether you’ll be pedalling in the dark or not. As soon as the great British weather starts to turn and you’re cycling on an overcast weather, you’re significantly less visible to drivers.
In fact, if you’ve ever driven in London, you’ll realise just how challenging it can be to see cyclists when you’re focusing on the road and pedestrians looking like they’re about to step out.
Stay lit with a pair of cateye lights. We love them because they’re so easy to attach and remove from your bike. There’s nothing worse than having to fiddle around with your lights every time you want to lock up your steed. And you can pedal over a few bumps with them staying exactly where you put them; no tilting up or down.
Gel Seat Cover
Yes, a controversial addition we know! Let’s face it, as much as some of us love cladding up in lycra, many don’t. Not everyone’s going to pedal in cycling shorts, or maybe they won’t be able to change at their destination.
If you’ve got a saddle that you find uncomfortable and it’s putting you off riding, then whack a gel cover on. Available on Amazon for a tenner, it’s a much cheaper solution than getting a new saddle. As you build tolerance and strengthen your sit bones, it will soon be unnecessary.
Hip Lock
If you often find your D-lock clunking around on your handlebars, why not upgrade to a hip lock? It’s the only gold rated chain lock, which you can wear around your waist for ease of use. Incredibly handy if you’re simply popping out without a bag, or don’t have a lock holder on your bike.
Phone holder
Chat to a non-cyclist in London and you’ll find two things put them off the most; buses and navigating. There are definitely cheaper options for phone holders, but if you want to guarantee your new Samsung isn’t going to fly out of its holder, and get crushed under the number 47, then go for a quadlock. Costing about £45 (you can get 10% off if you sign up to their newsletter), they’re neat, secure and take up little space on your handlebars when not in use.
What's your favourite cycling accessory?
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