
You can buy a bicycle from Craigslist for $100, or spend $600 at your local bike shop. But even when after you’ve spent that money, your spending has just started! Bike accessories are big business, and for good reason, since they protect your body and your investment!
Bike Helmet: $35+
Generally the more expensive the helmet, the more comfortable. A $35 bike helmet provides just as much protection as one costing twice as much, but the pricy bike helmets have more air holes in them, meaning your head will stay cooler during the summer.
Bike Lock: $50
You don’t want your new bicycle to get stolen, so you need a bike lock! My favorite is the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-5 Bicycle U-Lock, which costs around $50 online, sometimes $65 in a bike shop. This bike lock is small, light, and works like a charm.
Bike Lights: $50
Useful if you’ll ever be riding past sunset. For bike lights it makes sense to buy two: a front flasher is so people and other bikers to see you, and a rear flasher helps cars see you at night. Bike lights can save your life!
Bike Gloves: $25
I’m a big fan of gloves! It’s not a matter of if you might crash, just a matter of when. And the first thing that will hit the ground? Your hands! So cover them up with a decent pair of bike gloves gloves.
As you can see, all these bike accessories can add $100 or more to the cost of simply owning a bike, but they’re all pretty important!