Most 'ride-enhancing' accessories......

[cyberknight]

1. Shoes and pedals (bike comes with standard flat pedals)
2. Lights
3. Mudguards (to keep some of the salt and water off the bike)
4. Cycling shorts
5. panniers
6. Cycle computer

 

[summerdays]

You might get mugged by @potsy

More likely to get mugged by @potsy if you were carrying vickster's suggestion of CAKE!

 

[Arjimlad]

Must haves : -

BBB RoadCatcher II clip on rear mudguard has been a revelation - excellent for keeping my bum dry & bike cleaner, on a wet ride without going to the bother of reinstalling the mudguards (which will go on again for winter). I clip it on whenever rain is forecast.

Gloves - I always wear them as would not like road rash on my hands if I came off.

Glasses for eye protection. Wraparound stop my eyes watering so much.

Saddle pack with tool, spare inner tube, patches & tyre levers etc.

Lights (obviously) if dark or overcast

 

[dexter101]

Just in case the OP wants to know, I ride 12.57 miles to work and back every day with a rucksack and I quite like it there. It usually contains my lunch, pump, few tools, punture repair etc and a change of clothes as well as my phone, keys etc.

The only down side I find is I get a sweaty back... to go with my sweaty head, arms, legs and the rest of me. I change at work anyway so doesnt affect me anyway.

If I was touring or had to carry large weights to work each day then fair enough to fit a rack but for a short commute to and from work i would spend your money on something else. My rucksack isnt even a particularly sporty number, just a Oneill rucksack

 

[Torvi]

i actually think a small cycle backpack is much better than side panniers that blocks so much air making you so much slower, also id rather not put a laptop in a bike attached bike cause most of hits are staying on bike and your bum so carrying a laptop on your back is much safer than letting it jump on every bump in panniers.

track pump
tools set especially alan keys
medium saddle bag
COMFORTABLE SADDLE if your bum hurts alot after two weeks of riding on stock one it's a signal to swap it.
hivis stickers
hivis vest
tube repair kit or few spare one if you are too lazy to fix
tyre levers are must! trying to take off tyre without them is a road thru hell, been there done that...
lights get some proper led ones, you dont need to spend loads but 30~ for front and rear should be enough
gloves
sunglasses
padded clothes eg shorts, leg warmers etc
imo jerseys are secondary thing if you carry backpack with you you can get around with slim fit sportive shirts instead

 

[John the Monkey]

Just in case the OP wants to know, I ride 12.57 miles to work and back every day with a rucksack and I quite like it there. It usually contains my lunch, pump, few tools, punture repair etc and a change of clothes as well as my phone, keys etc.

13.8ish for me, and ditching the rucksack was one of the better decisions I've made.

Currently, I'm using a Brooks/Carradice combo, but however you do it, getting the weight off your back, and onto the bike is well worth investigating.

 

[rb58]

I also use a rucksack. Mine is a Karrimor from Sports Direct with the 'airflow' mesh system to keep it off your back. Works well, has lasted forever and has been plenty tough enough for London commutes in all weathers.. I switched to a rucksack several years ago after getting fed up faffing around with rack and panniers. I wouldn't go back, not for my commute of around 15 miles each way (or about an hour).

 

[Hop3y]

1. SPD Pedals and Shoes
2. Rucksack
3. Comfy Saddle
4. Suspension Seat Post (This was a revelation on my hardtail)

 

[Supersuperleeds]

13.8ish for me, and ditching the rucksack was one of the better decisions I've made.

Currently, I'm using a Brooks/Carradice combo, but however you do it, getting the weight off your back, and onto the bike is well worth investigating.

I'm the complete opposite to you, I much prefer the weight in a rucksack as opposed to on the bike, but then again I am an odd bugger

 

[John the Monkey]

I'm the complete opposite to you, I much prefer the weight in a rucksack as opposed to on the bike, but then again I am an odd bugger

Hey, if you tried both, but prefer the wrong way, who am I to say you should stop ?

 

[Nocode]

I use a rucksack for my 15 mile (each way) commute to work and have no issues. I even have a laptop in there most days. I've recently upgraded it to an Ortlieb backpack so I don't have to faff with waterproof bag covers etc with the unpredictable weather we've had recently!

Haven't used panniers so can't make a direct comparison, but surely the backpack is slightly more aero?