Bicycles are growing only more popular as people look for alternative ways to meet friends, head to work, zip across town to run errands, and stay in shape, and electric bikes are expanding accessibility to people who have never considered a bicycle as their primary (or even secondary) mode of transportation.

Most bikes, however, arrive from the factory ready for a casual Sunday joyride but not much else. If you want to put your bike to work hauling cargo or commuting to the office, you will need some accessories to make those journeys comfortable and fun. Lucky for you, the vast majority of bicycles are highly and easily customizable, and there’s a mountain’s worth of gear to choose from.

These picks were tested with old-school pedal bikes in mind, but nearly all of them will work for electric bikes and nonelectric (acoustic) bikes. Take a look at our Guide to Ebike Classes and Best Ebikes for more of our thoughts and explainers on electric bicycles.

Updated August 2022: We’ve added new recommendations, including the Abus Steel-O-Chain 9809, REI Co-op Beyonder Soft Foldable Bag, PNW Coast Suspension Dropper Seat Post, ODI Rogue Grips, Sram Brake Bleed Kit, North St. Morrison Backpack Pannier, Bern Hudson helmet, and two Feedback Sports Velo bike racks. We’ve also replaced the Timbuk2 Division Backpack with the Division Deluxe Backpack.

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So many things these days are a pain in the back. Riding your bike doesn’t have to be one of them. Swapping out handlebar grips, seats, and even seat posts are some of the easiest modifications you can make that’ll significantly improve your ride.

• Better grips. Poor wrist posture can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or cyclist’s palsy, where you're putting pressure on your median and ulnar nerves, respectively. The ergonomic Ergon GA3 ($35) are my favorite grips because they have small wings that correct your wrist posture to prevent these conditions. If you don’t want ergonomic grips or if you go mountain biking, get yourself a pair of ODI Rogue Grips ($35). A classic among mountain bikers, Rogues are soft and squishy, very grippy, and lock on both ends.
• Bike seat. Upgrading your saddle can make a huge difference in your riding comfort. The Brooks B17 ($128) is an old-school legend for good reason. Even though it’s made of stiff leather, I’ve found it ultra-comfortable after a break-in period. These saddles are also rugged; they usually last for a decade or more. If you don’t do leather, Brooks makes a vegan nylon option ($130). I haven’t found cheap or heavily padded gel aftermarket saddles to be a big, if any, improvement over the seats that come with newer bikes.
• Suspension seat post. For some extra glide, you can add rear suspension to a fixed, hardtail bike by swapping in a suspension seat post. The Cirrus Kinekt ($270) can be customized for riders of various weights by changing the coil springs. On unpaved, rough, or just potholed roads, having some cushion underneath my, uh, cushion, really smoothed out New York’s less-than-perfect roads. The PNW Coast Suspension Dropper Seat Post ($190) automatically lowers when the bike comes to a stop so that your feet are more firmly planted on the ground. Senior associate reviews editor Adrienne So appreciated the 40 mm of suspension travel for absorbing bumps, too.
• Padded undies. Even in the most comfortable saddle, you’re bound to notice the effects of riding for many hours and on many consecutive days. These REI Co-op Link Padded Liner Shorts ($35) are an easy way to add an extra soft layer between rider and machine on longer rides. That link is for the women’s style, but the men’s version is available for the same price.

Few bikes come with the attachments needed to carry cargo on errands and grocery runs. Sure, you can use a backpack, and I often do when I'm in a hurry or testing out a bike without cargo-hauling equipment, but a pack can make your back sweaty and limit how much stuff you can take with you. I'd recommend using a pannier instead. This style of bag attaches to a luggage rack that you install over one of your wheels (your bike might already have this luggage rack). The pannier clips to the rack and hangs down out of the way and low to the ground, which helps keep your bike stable under load.

• Pannier racks. If your bike doesn't already have a rack, you'll need to install one if you want to use pannier bags. The Topeak Explorer MTX Rack ($50) is affordable, fits most bikes, and carries up to 55 pounds. For an upgrade, the aluminum-and-bamboo Portland Design Works Loading Dock ($115) is the most beautiful pannier rack on the market and carries up to 35 pounds.
• Laptop pannier bag. To keep your laptop safe from the rigors of the road, you need a bag with a padded laptop sleeve. I've found slim, vertical bags work best for general use, as they keep the center of gravity lower and don't stick out too much. The Arkel Commuter Urban Pannier ($210) is made in Canada and features one of the most secure and stable mounting systems on the market. Off the bike, you can carry it with a shoulder strap.
• Grocery pannier bags. For hauling bulky cargo, you'll need a pannier bag with more rectangular dimensions. Like the Arkel Commuter above, the Arkel Shopper ($135) has a great mounting system and made-in-Canada build quality. The Banjo Brothers Grocery Bag ($60) is a more affordable option.
• Laptop backpack. If you'd prefer a backpack over a pannier, the Timbuk2 Division Deluxe Pack ($139) has a padded compartment that can hold a 16-inch MacBook Pro, plus a separate sleeve for a tablet. Stash pockets keep everything organized, and the quality is bomber-tough. After near-daily use for four years, mine still looks new. For a dual-use laptop bag, check out the North St. Morrison Backpack Pannier ($235), which converts from a backpack to a pannier bag. Senior associate reviews editor Adrienne So says it's comfortable to wear, and the 1000-denier Cordura, lined with waterproof material, is plenty durable. No wonder it was named the best bike bag in our Laptop Backpacks Guide.
• Basket. Maybe you just want a simple front basket. The sturdy Wald basket ($46) is a popular, basic option that's easy to mount in front of your handlebars. The REI Co-op Beyonder Soft Folding Basket ($40) requires a front rack, but it has carrying straps so you can take it into stores with you, and it folds flat when you're not using it.

If you ride enough, you're going to get caught in a storm from time to time, but you don't have to ride soaked and miserable. With the proper rainwear and protective equipment, you can keep yourself (mostly) dry and make riding in the wet a bearable, if not pleasurable, experience. Take a look at our guide to the Best Rain Jackets too.

• Fenders. Portland Design Works' Full Metal Fenders ($129) are pricey, but I've found that with bike fenders, you tend to get what you pay for. The PDWs provide fuller coverage than a lot of competitors that don't extend as low to the ground, and their aluminum construction is tougher than plastic fenders, with hardly any extra weight. If your bike doesn't have eyelets for fenders, these come with extra hardware you can use to mount them. The Portland Design Works Sodapop Fenders ($21) are made from recycled bottles and pop on and off the bike easily. They don't provide the coverage from wet road spray that full fenders do, but they're easy to take off when the skies are sunny.
• Rainwear. Rather than bothering with an umbrella or a big, flowing fashion raincoat, keep a hardshell rain jacket handy. Something slim-fitting, like the REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket ($100), will be less likely to flap around and catch on things as you're riding. The women's version sells for the same price. My colleague Adrienne So also loves the Rover Rain Cape ($99) from Cleverhood. It comes in fun, bright colors. If you don't like capes, try the company's Anorak ($119).
• Seat cover. Cover up your saddle if you know it's going to rain, and you won't have to ride home with wet pants. The cover doesn't need to be fancy or expensive. The Planet Bike Waterproof Saddle Cover ($13) uses an elastic drawstring to cinch down over any seat. Some people use disposable grocery bags, but they tend to need constant replacing, and they can blow away and become litter.

Few American cities are designed with bicycle infrastructure at the top of city planners' minds. And even when you do find yourself in a blessedly welcome bike lane, you have to contend with other cyclists, scooter pilots, and pedestrians. Make sure you're visible with a light and keep that noggin protected with a helmet.

• Headlamps and tail lamps. Even if you ride at night on well-lit streets, you should have a headlamp and a tail lamp to make sure motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians see you. The Kryptonite Incite X3 and XR Set ($80) includes a 30-lux headlamp and 0.06-lux tail lamp. They're USB-rechargeable and last for up to 24 and 36 hours on a charge, respectively. My colleague Michael Calore likes the Light & Motion Vya Pro Combo ($45), which is also USB-rechargeable.
• Helmets. Swaddle your melon with all the protection you can get. Seriously, a trip in the back of an ambulance is much less comfortable than today's well-vented and nicely padded helmets. Snag a stylish Nutcase Street MIPS Helmet ($80), which is our favorite city helmet. The Nutcase Vio ($150) is a compelling alternative; it has built-in lights to improve your visibility on the road so that you don't need to put separate headlights and tail lights on your bike. If you're planning on hopping onto an ebike, the Bern Hudson ($140) is rated for up to 27 mph, which is just about as fast as a class-3 ebike can legally go at full speed.
• Bells. If you want a polite way to tell people to get out of your way or just give nearby bikers and pedestrians a heads-up, get a bell. (Many states require them.) Check out the Portland Design Works King of Ding II Bike Bell ($25). It's available in classic brass or low-key black. Calore also loves the bright “ding, ding” of the Incredibell Brass Duet ($11).
• Tools. You could just pick out the necessary hex keys that fit your bike bolts and carry them in your pocket or pannier bag, or you could get a pocketable, bike-specific set like the Park Tool Rescue Tool ($34). For the dedicated cyclist, a hideaway tool is a lot more comprehensive. The Wolf Tooth EnCase Handlebar Bike Tool System ($120) fits inside the hollow bar ends of your handlebars and includes common hex keys, Torx and screwdriver bits, and tire patching equipment.

Make sure your bike stays your bike with the right locks, GPS trackers, and security bolts. Check out my guide to the Best Bike Locks for more picks and additional tips on how to secure your bike.

• U-lock. For most people, a U-lock will be best. It's lighter and easier to transport than a chain but is often just as secure. The Kryptonite KryptoLock Standard ($52) is my affordable pick, but if you have the money, you should upgrade to the Abus Granit X-Plus 540 ($91) for a significantly higher level of security.
• Bike chain. If you lock up at awkward spots, such as fences and railings, you might need something longer than a U-lock. The Abus Steel-O-Chain 9809 ($71) is flexible and long enough to tie up anywhere, and even around thick-frame ebikes like the Super 73 that won't work with U-locks. The Hiplok Gold ($130) is an easier-to-carry alternative that you wear like a belt while riding.
• GPS trackers. Rather than try to shove a Tile tracker inside the frame, you can purchase a stand-alone bike tracker that relies on GPS rather than Bluetooth for much wider coverage. The Invoxia GPS Tracker ($129) syncs up with a smartphone app to show your bike's location and alert you if it moves. The tracker lasts from 15 to 49 days on a single charge, and the price includes one year of wireless data coverage (additional years are $30 each).
• Security bolts. Bikes use common bolts to make maintenance and assembly easy. It's an unfortunate side effect that using standard bolts makes it easier for thieves to steal the valuable parts off your bike when it's parked. Replace the bolts on the most vulnerable parts (seat post, saddle, handlebars, and wheels) with Pitlock or Hexlox security bolts. The bolts are individually keyed and can be unfastened by a personalized tool that only you own. Thieves hate these things. Secure your front wheel first, then move on from there.

Keeping your bike on the road is usually just a matter of keeping the tires properly inflated and the chain well lubricated. But even those simple things are critical. Slack on maintenance, and you could eventually be looking at a big-bucks repair bill. Fortunately, maintaining a bike is very easy.

• A bike pump. Plastic pumps don't last, so metal pumps are worth the expense. The Lezyne Steel Drive Floor Pump ($70) is my pick for a durable, yet affordable pump to keep your tires inflated. It works with the three common valve types (Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop), and inflates up to 220 psi, which is well more than enough for most road tires.
• Chain cleaner. Unless your bike uses a carbon belt drive (and few do), you're going to need to periodically clean the bike chain to keep it from gunking up and malfunctioning. The Park Tool Bicycle Chain Cleaning Kit ($40) includes a brush and a bottle of cleaning solution, in addition to the cleaning tool itself.
• Chain lubricant. The chain needs to stay lubricated to work properly. Every so often (and after cleanings), spray it with the little dry lubricant, which is slightly less messy than the old-fashioned lube. Finish Line Dry Lube ($10) is a popular choice. Wash your hands after using this stuff; it has Teflon in it.
• Disc brake cleaner. If your bike has disc brakes instead of pull-brakes or calipers, you're going to need to clean the brake hardware periodically to keep your stopping performance from degrading. Finish Line Brake Cleaner ($9) removes stubborn brake dust, which is difficult to remove without purpose-made solvents.
• Brake bleed kit. For years, hydraulic braking systems (operated by fluid) were found only on high-end bikes. In recent years, though, they've begun to trickle down to mid-priced bikes, especially on bikes with electric motors. They provide smoother stopping but require the owner to replace the fluid regularly. You need a special bleeder tool, such as in the Sram Disc Brake Bleed Kit ($55), to replace fluid. It comes with a bottle of brake fluid, but if you need more, a 4 fluid-ounce bottle of Sram 5.1 Dot Fluid ($14) should do the trick.
• Bike rack. Whether you stash your bike in a cramped apartment at night or in a garage, you could always stand to free up a little more room. It was easy for me to mount the Feedback Sports Velo Hinge Bike Rack ($32) using three anchor bolts in a wall. It holds up to 50 pounds, and once mounted the bike could be swung nearly flat against the wall and out of the way. If you don't like the idea of routinely lifting a bike high enough to hang vertically, check out the regular Feedback Sports Velo Bike Rack ($45), which holds a bike horizontally on two rubber, non-slip arms. Many ebikes weigh more than 50 pounds, and properly mounted, this rack will hold up to 70 pounds.