For years, my favorite cycling bag was the Road Runner Bags Evil Mini, an ultralight rolltop backpack that collapses down to nearly nothing. Over time, however, I grew annoyed by its lack of interior pockets.
A new bag from Road Runner, the Comrad, one-ups the old Evil Mini by taking a similar collapsible design and adding a few storage options, like a sectioned external pocket big enough for a U-lock, a smartphone, and a sunglasses case.
There's also a main compartment big enough for a laptop and a jacket, clips on the straps and on the back for lights and carabiner'd gear, as well as two side pockets for water bottles. One other key improvement is the top closure, which uses an elastic drawstring instead of a zipper, so reaching inside to snatch something is a one-handed breeze instead of a two-handed chore.
The Comrad's design—ripstop nylon with no padded panels—keeps its weight to just 5. The whole thing stuffs into its own external pocket and squishes down to the size of a paperback novel. New developments in waterproofing technologies mean that most rain jackets are now light and breathable enough to pass for windbreakers. The black color of the North Face's Futurelight trail running jacket isn't ideal it does have reflective logos on the front and back , but so far, it's my favorite jacket to grab when I'm headed out the door.
The Futurelight fabric doesn't rustle or crinkle like traditional wind- and waterproof jackets. And because it's a running jacket, it's slightly longer in back to keep me covered. Just to be safe, I also slip a reflective xinglet over the jacket if I'm biking at night.
I wasn't totally sold on the Kinekt before I got on it, or any suspension seat post, really. Aren't my knees my suspension? Yet every time I hit an unexpected pothole or crack in the road without standing up, the Kinekt saved my backside from teeth-chattering impacts traveling up through my bike frame. The springs absorb heavy shocks, and if properly set up, the seat should be firm enough to not sag under your weight and sap pedaling power. Make sure you go through the adjustment settings before you ride.
Most people who complain that the Kinekt is too springy likely haven't set it up correctly. Using the hex head adjustment screw on the back, you should set it so the seat barely rises when you stand up out of the saddle. I prefer cycling in slip-on shoes. That way, I never have to worry about getting a shoelace caught in my chain. After years spent replacing pair after pair of Vans slip-ons, I found these things and changed my shoe habits forever.
They're elastic laces—you just yank out your tie-up laces and install these in their place. They'll turn just about any pair of regular shoes into slip-ons. It takes five minutes and a little trial and error to adjust the tension so they don't come off easily, but hey, no more chewed-up laces and no more laces, period.
They work especially well with cheap canvas shoes like Converse, Vans, and Keds. Bonus: The laces' reflective coating serves as a subtle signal to prospective love interests that you're a cyclist, and a smart one. When you search for these at a retailer, you should type "seamless headbands" or "sport scarves. They're great for rides in the cold fog or at night. Slip one around your neck to keep warm, then pull it up to your chin for extra coverage.
If you have long hair, you can pull one up into a headband. They look great on your dog too. Total bargain. I wore them under a pair of merino wool sport leggings for a long gravel ride on a freezing degree day. Tribit's Stormbox Micro is the perfect speaker to pop on your handlebars. It's got a rubberized strap on the backside that allows it to easily hold on wherever you place it, which means you can aim the little square speaker right at your ears when you ride.
That, plus easy pairing, eight hours of battery life, and an IP67 rating, means you'll be riding with this thing everywhere. You can even pair multiple together, for fun group rides.
Now is not the time to be ducking in and out of coffee shops for a quick drink. The uninsulated Miir was our top water bottle pick before, but we're swapping it to the insulated version. It might be a little bit heavier, but I think it's worth it for the ability to keep water cool in your hot bag as you skedaddle around town. As reviewer Matt Jancer says, the bottle is built like a tank, and the cap's loop is big enough to fit multiple fingers as you carelessly dangle it from your hand.
If you'd like something lighter and smaller, Vapur's collapsible bottle rolls up into its own carabiner and has survived six months of being kicked around in my backpack and on my floor.
Strictly speaking, this isn't a beginner bike accessory. But if you've been biking awhile, you may have realized that while it's more comfortable and efficient to pedal with your legs fully extended, it's awkward when you come to a stop and have to tip over to stand on the ground.
Enter the dropper post, which lowers your seat when you stop! You mostly find these on mountain bikes, but PNW Components has made a relatively affordable one you can install on your commuter.
If your commuter bike doesn't have suspension, the dropper post also has 40 millimeters of travel to make bouncing over bumpy roads just a little bit more comfortable. Ever have sore wrists after biking on a long trip or after many days of riding? Chances are you're pinching nerves due to poor wrist posture. It can manifest as carpal tunnel syndrome, where you're putting pressure on your median nerves, or cyclist's palsy, where you're putting pressure on your ulnar nerves.
Both cause pain and numbness that can last a long time. Ergonomic grips taper into a flatter surface at the grips' edges to correct your wrist posture to prevent or mitigate this.
The wings on the GA3s are soft and pliable, and not much larger than a conventional bike grip. Lock up yer bike. Thieves target bikes that look easy to steal, and while no lock is impervious to an angle grinder, having a well-secured bike is often enough to make them move on and look for another target. I always push people to buy a U-lock over a chain or folding lock.
You can read why in my guide to the best bike locks which also includes tips on how to protect your bike by locking up the frame and back wheel at the same time. Riding every day will knock a few things out of alignment on your bike, so a good multitool is necessary for making those tiny adjustments. If the multitool kit above is too much, this aluminum tool set from Park Tool should do the trick.
It's loaded with hex wrenches, a Torx bit, and a screwdriver. Even though the screwdriver is a flathead, I've found I can use it to twist the Phillips screws on my bike. Different types of sports cause different types of impacts, which means you usually need a specific helmet for every activity. It's certified for bike, skate, and snow activities, and it is customizable, with optional summer liners, rechargeable lights, and ear pads that both protect your ears and can accommodate headphones.
Wear a helmet! Be safe! Unless you're already a bike enthusiast, shelling out more than a grand for a bike is almost unthinkable. That's why I was relieved to hear that reviewer Parker Hall loved the Propella 7-speed. It's one of the more affordable electric bikes, and it has reliable, name-brand components—like a Samsung-cell battery and a Shimano shifter. It's lightweight, and it looks pretty spiffy too. We have a ton of other recommendations in our guide as well, from folding to cargo ebikes.
Photograph: Nutcase. Photograph: Kryptonite. Photograph: Thousand. Photograph: Delta Cycle. Photograph: Lezyne. We are committed to slowing the spread of Covid, and to keep our customers, employees, and communities safe.
We hope that this horrible situation ends soon and that everyone takes care of themselves both mentally and physically. If you can get out and walk, hike or ride, then take advantage of it. It certainly helps with stress and anxiety during difficult times. Lastly, don't forget to stay in close contact with friends and family, especially those isolated.
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