Maybe you’ve been poking around on this site because you’ve been thinking about buying a bike and getting in shape. Good for you! You’ll find that cycling is great exercise, can be very social, and can build confidence. The bike is a great equalizer and I believe strongly there should be many in every garage. But for now maybe you’re just thinking about one.
It’s a big decision and definitely an investment. And it’s good to look at it like that – that it’s an investment in your health and quality of life, but one that can last you for a very long time. But before you even start shopping for the big ticket item, it’s good to make sure that you budget for all of the little things that you’ll need to be comfortable and enjoy the time on your new bike.
It’s a big decision and definitely an investment. And it’s good to look at it like that – that it’s an investment in your health and quality of life, but one that can last you for a very long time. But before you even start shopping for the big ticket item, it’s good to make sure that you budget for all of the little things that you’ll need to be comfortable and enjoy the time on your new bike.
Helmet:
Absolutely not optional. Even if you think you’ll never ride on a city street. Crazy accidents can and do happen even when you’re not around cars. In an accident helmets not only protect the brain, the face is usually spared some injury as well. Think of the helmet as life insurance.
Helmets can be expensive, but don’t necessarily need to be. When choosing a helmet, always look for a helmet that meets current safety standards. For racing, the USAC only recognizes DOT, CPSC, or CEN helmet standards. A reputable bike shop will only carry safety-certified helmets. After that it comes down to fit and comfort. Choose a helmet that fits squarely on the head and is comfortable so that you’ll always wear it. Spending a little more money on your helmet will usually buy you some weight savings and more ventilation. A little less weight is useful on longer rides as you’ll spare your neck some fatigue.
Pedals:
Almost all bikes now come without pedals. Because clipless pedals are such an individual choice, manufactures don’t spec bikes with pedals. There are many types of pedals and we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various types in an upcoming post.
Shoes:
Regardless of the type of pedal you choose, you’ll find the most comfortable shoes will have a very stiff sole. Tennis or running shoes are not good substitutes for proper cycling shoes. The soft sole will eventually lead to arch pain on longer rides. Look for a shoe that fits snugly without restricting circulation. Try on shoes with the type of sock you plan to wear.
Cycling Shorts:
Yes, they’re a little funny looking and kind of revealing but trust me that your experience on a ride will be made or broken by the type of shorts you wear. For short around town trips, a pair of every-day shorts or track pants is fine, but if you intend to take cycling seriously, good shorts are a necessity.
Cycling shorts come with a padded crotch that is covered with a wicking material and referred to as the chamois. A little funny feeling when you first pull them on, but you’ll quickly understand the point of the chamois.
Again, shorts can range in prices. Generally the lower end shorts have less padding or a less technical chamois and fewer panels in the short. Panels refer to the number of segments that make up the shorts. Generally shorts with more panels are less restrictive and are more comfortable.
Shorts or bibs?
Shorts have a waistband and generally look like a pair of compression shorts that you might wear at the gym. Bibs, on the other hand, have straps that go over the shoulders which hold the shorts up rather than a waistband. I find bibs vastly more comfortable than shorts, but it’s a matter of personal preference. The disadvantage of bibs is that you’ll need to take off more clothes when it’s time for a bathroom break.
I recommend at a minimum, having two pair of shorts and different brands. Shorts should never be ridden in for a second day before being washed no matter how short your ride was. Clean shorts will help prevent saddle sores.
And the biggest tip for new riders? You just spent a lot of money on cycling specific shorts to avoid saddle sores and maximize comfort.
Wear them as they were designed to be worn – with nothing underneath. You'll get the full benefit of the chamois that way.
Cycling Jersey:
The shirt of the cyclist. Kind of funny looking and some have more advertisement than a NASCAR driver’s suit, but it’s another piece of clothing that will keep you comfortable while riding. The best jerseys are made of a wicking material – a synthetic of some sort or wool – with two or three pockets on the back. The pockets are for carrying food, tools, emergency contact information, and for storing extra clothes that you might shed over the course of a ride.
Do yourself a favor and try on a jersey before you take it home. Bend over as though you were in a riding position on the bike and make sure that you can reach into the pockets. Eventually, you’ll need to be able to do this while actually riding.
Jerseys – particularly women’s jerseys – can be found in sleeveless versions which are great for hot summer days. But if you think you might ever want to try racing, remember that you’re required to wear a jersey with sleeves that cover the shoulders.
Jerseys come with full or partial zippers. Full-zip jerseys are usually a bit more expensive, but allow you more control with thermal regulation and are easier to get on and off if you’ve decided to try bibbed shorts. The longer the zipper the better, for the same
reason.
Gloves:
Padded gloves will help with hand and arm fatigue and protect the palms and knuckles in the case of a crash or even just a tip over. They come with fingers for cold-weather riding or fingerless for warm weather. Make sure the pair you choose fit snugly so that the padding doesn’t wad up in your palms. Most people consider gloves a necessary accessory. If you’re not comfortable taking your hands off the bars to shake out your fingers and give your hands a rest, you’ll be the most comfortable with a good pair of padded gloves.
Eyewear:
You should always wear some sort of eye protection when riding regardless of light conditions. Eyeglasses will protect you from rocks and road debris thrown up from the tires of other riders or cars, and keep flying dust, debris, and bugs out of your eyes. Regular street sunglasses will work for the short term, but you’ll find that cycling specific eyewear is usually lighter, often provides fuller coverage (particularly peripherally), and is designed to be used with helmets.There are lots of brands and price points to choose from; a pair with interchangeable lenses will give you the biggest bang for the buck as you’ll have lenses for both sun and low light conditions.
Arm, leg, and knee warmers:
While not an absolute necessity, these items are the best way to accomplish climate control on the bike. All of these things can be put on or taken off without having to strip down. With some practice, you can learn to take these things off without having to stop the bike. They’re a fundamental part of layering in cycling.
Those are the basic necessities.
Probably seems like a long list. But on the up side, you’ve decided to take up cycling – which means that for the rest of time you’ll never be without a wish list so that you can finally get useful items for your birthday and other holidays.