Accessories
by on October 15, 2008
After picking your bike, accessorize it! Luckily, many of these items come as part of the deal in India so you will not have to spend extra money for them.
For one, get mudguards – front and rear – which are large enough to actually serve their purpose. The best ones hug close to the wheels without actually touching them and cover at least half the circumference of the wheel. They make your bike look dorky, but they also keep the slush from hitting your back and your luggage.
Which brings us to rear racks. If you are any normal rider, you will eventually have the need to transport stuff around on your bicycle. Rear racks are useful to tie up things upon. Most racks in India also feature a spring-loaded clamp which holds whatever it is you are carrying in place. If you do not have the clamp you can get bungee or nylon cord and tie things in place.
Some people use backpacks or messenger bags to carry stuff around which is fine if you have to dismount often and need to carry your stuff with you. The downside is that they leave you with a sweaty shirt where the straps hang on your body. If you ride often then it makes sense to invest in panniers (or make your own!). These bags hook up to the rear rack and can easily hold your papers, stationery, mobile phones, a jacket, lunch and a small toolkit for emergency repairs. You can also attach baskets to the front of your bicycles.
Attach a bell or air horn to your bicycle unless you have a very loud voice. Pedestrians and motorists often ignore bicycles or underestimate its speed when it is lurching their way. Drawing their attention before you smack into them with your bicycle is certainly a polite gesture.
A kickstand and a lock complete the mix. Both are essential when parking the bicycle. The first lets you prop it up where a suitable support cannot be found while the second lets you be reasonably certain of finding it again where you propped it when you return to pick it up. Locks come in many varieties. Besides the popular chain, cable and U-locks we also have locks that attach to the frame of the bicycle and lock up the wheel when in place. They are not as secure as chain locks in that you cannot physically tie up your bicycle to a stationery post or fence, but they are very convenient because they snap into place in seconds and you can be off. Just do not trust them to secure very expensive bikes.
Many riders also like to have lights installed on their bikes, not as much to illuminate the road as to be seen by fast-moving motorists. They definitely take your safety several notches up.