Equipment and accessories

All new bikes sold in the UK must, by law, come equipped with a bell and reflectors (white at the front, red at the rear, yellow on the pedals, and white or yellow on the wheels). That’s a good start, but you’re likely to need a few additional accessories.

There are lots of excellent online stores with competitive prices, but you’ll need to fit your purchases yourself. If you’re not confident in your ability to fit accessories yourself, we recommend buying from your local bike shop who will be happy to install them for you.

Mudguards

Unless you only ever cycle on dry roads, you will probably want a set of mudguards. Without them you will get wet feet and a wet stripe up your back. Guards that fit closely to the wheel and extend quite close to the ground will be most effective.

There is a risk that front mudguards can jam and throw you over the handlebars. We strongly recommend SKS mudguards with a Secu-Clip that is designed to release the mudguard if it jams.

Lights

It is a legal requirement to have lights if you’re riding at night. You must have a white light at the front, and a red light at the rear. These can be flashing or have a steady beam. If you’ll be riding on unlit roads, you’ll need a front ‘headlight’ that is designed to light up the road ahead of you.

Modern LED lights are very bright and the batteries usually last for a long time. Most have a variety of modes that change the flash pattern (or give a constant light), and you can adjust the brightness on some. When choosing a light you will probably want to consider:

  • Power supply. Lights that take disposable batteries are cheaper to buy, but may cost more in the long run than lights with built-in rechargeable batteries (usually charged via USB in the same way as your phone). There are also lights available that use traditional dynamos, or small magnets attached to your wheels.
  • Brightness. The cheapest lights may not be very bright. Bear in mind that the brighter a light is, the less time the battery will last.
  • Viewing angle. Some lights are visible from the sides, which will make you more visible to traffic approaching from side roads.
  • Mounting mechanism. What is most appropriate will depend on your individual setup. Be careful if you mount a rear light on the seat post below your saddle as it may get covered by your coat or blocked by your tyres/mudguard.

There are a bewildering variety of lighting options to choose from. Your local bike shop will be able to advise on the best options for you.

Lock

You will probably need to lock your bike up at home and when you reach your destination. There will be a trade off in the security of the lock, its weight and the price. The most appropriate choice will depend on the value of your bike, they types of places you will leave it, and how heavy a lock you are willing to carry around.

Cable locks are best avoided as they are very easy to cut with bolt cutters (although they could be used in addition to another lock to secure your wheels). Combination locks are also not very secure. You can look for products carrying a ‘Sold Secure’ label, which is an industry scheme for rating lock security. Locks are rated Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

The security of your bike also depends on how and where you lock it. When you are out, try to park in a well-lit and busy area. Lock through the frame to an immovable object (avoid posts where the bike could be lifted over the top). Consider separately locking the wheels, especially if they have quick releases on them.