Essential Cycling Gear
Every time you roll of into the great blue yonder, whether it's a commute, a race, a hill climb or a trip to the coffee shop, there are a few things that are handy to have on board that new bike. In fact, some are down right essential. Here are our suggestions that will help make your cycling experience safer, more comfortable and more rewarding.
Helmet
This should be an item that is never left behind. The case for bicycle helmets is a strong case, and is enforced by law in many states and localities. See this site for more information on helmets (and other cycling safety questions).
Gloves
If you have ever blistered from a long ride, you will not have to think twice about gloves. If you have ever turfed it on the trail, you will not hesitate to wear your gloves. Gloves offer protection from the wear and tear that we inflict on our hands, from the sun and cold, and help us to keep a grip on our bikes. However, they only aid us in our pursuit of cycling bliss... if we wear them. Try out the style that fits you best: fingerless summer gloves, insulated winter gloves, or rugged and well padded mountain gloves.
Eye Protection
Eye protection sounds more “overprotective” than it really is. Think about it - you are out in the elements, on a moving vehicle, probably amid other moving vehicles, and are totally without the protection of a windshield. The sun, wind, rain and flying debris are all quite thoughtless of the sensitive nature of the human eye. Cycling glasses are fashioned in such a way that they offer the best in protection from flying objects and channel wind away from the eyes, keeping your eyes from drying.
Cycling Jersey
When first introduced to the idea of wearing special clothing for a bike ride, I was quite amused. “Yeah, right. I don’t have to pay for the fancy colored jersey to ride my bike.” However, this (not so) perfectly fit cyclist can work up a decent sweat in a short amount of time. An all cotton tee-shirt begins to weigh on you rather quickly. A jersey that breathes and helps control moisture makes for a more comfortable ride. And, you don’t have to look like you belong “on the tour”, if that’s not your digs, with performance jerseys in standard tee-shirt and polo designs. If the tour is your style, you’ll be going for the tighter fitting, aerodynamic outfits.
Cycling Shorts
Same thought applies here as does to the jersey discussion (above). The comfort of the shorts are in the breath-ability of the material and specialized padding in the crotch. For mountain trekkers, find those with a more rugged outer shell. Road warriors might go for the shorts with extra muscle support and aerodynamics. And don’t forget the extra padding built into the seat.
Cycling Outerwear
Lightweight, compact-able wind and rain jackets and pants can save the day if you are caught on the trail or the road in bad weather. Having seen the weather in southern Utah, mid-April, go from the mid seventies, to rain, to snow and back to clear and sunny seventies multiple times in one day, it’s obvious to me that you have to prepare for the elements.
Cycling Shoes
Cycling shoes offer a hard sole that doesn’t flex as much with pedaling. This will save the aching arches that come with longer distances and normal athletic shoes. Road cyclists will prefer lightweight shoes, while mountain bikers will go for a taller, ankle supporting shoe with more tread, as you guys might be walking sections of the trail.
Water Bottle
Any active sport requires hydration for safe, efficient performance. How you carry the water is up to you, but you have a number of options. The easiest is probably the “braze-ons” that can accept water-bottle cages. A newer, perhaps more stylish method, is the hydration pack, the small backpacks with a bladder to carry the water, and a sip tube that sits on the shoulder strap.
Bike Bag(s)
Where do you keep your powerbars, tools, rain gear, spare tube, patch kitterm and keys to the Audi? A bike bag, of course. Some of those cycling shorts might have a few pockets, but you best plan on a bag or two if you’re out very far. There are big bags, small bags, in between bags, you name it. A good place to start would be an under-the-seat bag, for tools, patch kit and spare tube. For short tours, check out a handlebar bag, for your Powerbar, map, and car keys. Those are two basics, and there are more options than you shake a frame pump at. Decide on the gear that fits your rides and needs and then choose from the wide array of bags to carry it with you.
Tool Kit
Ever breakdown in the boonies? Bugger isn’t it? Not every malfunction can be fixed in the field, but I, for one, hate to be pushing the bike back to the trail head because I didn’t bring a patch kit or a pump. A few things that might be good to have along:
- Cycling all-in-one tool
- Allen wrenches for various parts and adjustments
- spare tire/tube(s)
- patch kit
- tire levers
- pump
- When all else fails: duct tape
Bike Mirror
This will keep you looking forward, at where you are going. This is a safety thing. If you spend too much time looking over your shoulder for the traffic you are afraid is going to run you over, you may very well be putting yourself in danger in other areas. There are a couple designs to choose from, the handle bar mount, and the helmet mount. What you need to look for is one that is durable, and comfortable for you to use. Some will prefer the helmet mount, some the handle bar mount.
Lights
Head and tail lights add to you visibility, even during daylight hours. If you are a commuter cyclist, these should be considered essential gear. Any night riding should be done with lights.
Bike Lock
The joy of cycling comes to a screeching halt if you walk out of the coffee shop to see someone else pedaling off on your bike. This is an area of risk management, not risk elimination. Most lock devices can be cut, busted, broke or picked. There are no solutions that will totally eliminate the possibility of theft. However, investigate the better u-locks to see which of these offer better protection. Cable locks may not offer enough protection if used alone. The goal of the bike lock is to make your bike less appealing to the thief. If it will slow the scoundrel down too much, he will look for easier prey.
Bike Computer
A bicycle computer can determine time, distance and speed. It can also log cumulative distance. Some may have a heart rate monitor, altimeter and even GPS. These options may be more appealing to a fitness rider, or a recreational rider. Computers can be $20 to hundreds of dollars, so be sure to find the options that you need or want, and then go shopping. There are some devices that will be better for mountain bike riders (wireless) than for road bikes, as well. So, be sure to look over the offerings before making your choice.
Your Brain
This might seem like a given, but is probably the most important thing to “turn on” once you get into the saddle. Cycling is a great sport, with many different sub groups of cyclists. Each cyclist faces their own set of riding conditions, dangers and hazards. It is up to you to be safe and sensible while behind the handle bars. This includes being safe by using the safety equipment that protects a cyclist from physical harm: helmet, gloves, eye protection and proper clothing and other safety related items. However, safety is more than just the equipment, it is a state of mind. As a cyclist, you must be aware of your surroundings and make judgment calls on the fly. This means being aware of traffic laws and how drivers see you. You must be mentally prepared for the unexpected and take action to prevent the unimaginable. Use good judgment in your riding skills. In other words, do not bite off more than you can chew. A new cyclist should not sign up for the first “century” that comes along, but train up to longer events. Safety also includes thinking about the elements. Heat, sun, rain and cold are things that can be prepared for, if you think ahead. So, before heading out, make sure you take the most valuable cycling accessory you own, and make sure it’s ready for the ride. Be sure to take your cycling brain.