Cyclists Gear 101: A Complete Guide to Cycling Essentials

Cycling Helmet

We understand that helmet legislation is divisive, but bike helmets could save your life.

Nowadays, finding one that satisfies your needs in terms of comfort, portability, and price is not difficult. As long as it meets modern safety standards, there’s no need to shell out for the most expensive helmets (or road and bike essentials).

The Giro Fixture MIPS demonstrated to be the most impressive helmet overall, and it quickly assumed the number one spot on our list. It is highly regarded for its comfort and safety features, such as its deep fit, a highly adaptable harness system, and MIPS rotational impact system. Giro offers this high-end safety feature at a reasonable price, as it is usually reserved for more expensive models.

Backpack

Investing in a sturdy backpack that can withstand bad weather and accidental damage is one of the most necessary road biking essentials. It’s also practical because you can carry it on your back without worrying about attaching it to your bike with brackets or other hardware.

The Altura Thunderstorm City 30 is a water-resistant backpack with an IPX6 rating. Its roll-top closure allows you to adjust the bag’s size based on your specific carrying needs, and it’s fully sealed seams ensure that its contents will remain dry even on the wettest commutes.

It also has a padded laptop sleeve and a zippered pocket so that you can keep your keys close at hand. The weight is transferred via a sternum strap and a waist belt on a well-padded harness. It’s also reflective so that you can be seen better in low light.

Water Bottle 

Not only is the water bottle part of our list of biking essentials, but it is also a smart accessory to have on you for any adventure. You should always keep one on you to prevent dehydration and maintain your energy on those long or short bike rides.

People tend to forget how much energy a cyclic ride can drain when planning their trip, especially on a hot summer day. 

The Elite Fly water bottle comes in various colors, and its minimalist design adds to its appeal. It is convenient for on-the-go hydration thanks to its compact size and secure cap. It can also fit into most bottle cages without bouncing around inside.

Sun Protection

Protecting yourself from harmful UV rays is critical, even on rainy days.

Put sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses on before heading out on a bike ride, especially in the summer.

Riemann P20 was created in the late 1970s to aid in the protection of sensitive skin from the sun. It has a high UVA protection rating, is water resistant, and can withstand the sun for up to 10 hours. A ‘triple protection’ strategy underlies the formula.

Small First Aid Kit 

Since it’s preferable to be more safe than sorry, a first aid kit should accompany you on every ride. You never know what the road conditions will be like, and you want to be ready for the unexpected. 

It’s wise to carry a first aid kit in case an accident happens, but it also comes in handy if you come in contact with injured cyclists who need help with their injuries. 

There are 121 different pieces in the Lifeline Small First Aid Kit. In addition to being ideal for cycling, this kit is also great for camping, sporting events, work, and school.

Electrolyte Drinks 

Energy drinks can help replenish the electrolytes you lose through sweat, a must-have for any cyclist. 

The powdered form of Torq’s Energy drink is one component of the company’s four-part ecosystem of energy supplements. The drink’s granulated ingredient contains 30 g of carbohydrate per serving, the same as the gels, chews, and bars. 

Torq is the best option for athletes who prefer to spread their intake across a variety of food and drink since it contains fewer calories than even the best of today’s energy drinks, especially those with fueling performance as their primary focus.

Mini Inflator

It may seem counterintuitive to pack a pump for a short bike ride, but flat tires can happen anywhere and ruin your day. So, it’s easy to see why a pump is on our list of  essential cycling gear. 

You can clip a mini bike pump or inflator onto your bottle cage or carry it around in your pocket. If you’re a cyclist who needs to bring along an efficient pump but doesn’t want to add unnecessary weight, the Lezyne Carbon Drive Lite Mini Pump is the way to go.

This compact pump can be used with either Presta or Schrader valves. You can also store its hose extension in the pump’s barrel to provide extra clearance between the wheel and the pump.

Patch Kit

You never know when you might need a patch kit. Usually, when you need to use a patch, you realize you didn’t include it in your road bike equipment bag.

A patch kit will always come in handy, as it has everything you need to fix a flat tire on the way home, including adhesive and a few patches. These are useful if your bicycle’s tubes are punctured and must be repaired quickly.

The Park Tool Super Patch Kit is neatly packaged in a small plastic case, making it convenient for storage. There are six patches and a square of sandpaper to rough up your tire before you apply the patches.

Headlight

Riding on the road is risky, especially at night or on poorly lit streets. You should always use a headlight to draw attention to yourself while cycling.

In addition, a headlight can assist you in seeing the road at night to avoid any hazards or rugged terrain. The beam pattern of the Metro Plus 800 is extremely spot-like, but there is enough light spilled to the sides that you can use it safely on the road. 

In addition, these lights can be attached to your helmet and come in various intensities, so pick the one that works best for you.

Saddle Bag

Flats can occur anytime. Preparing by carrying all the necessary tools in your saddle bag will make changing a tire less stressful and allow you to get back on the road much more quickly. 

We have found Deuter bags to be well-constructed, with features such as loop zip-pulls and sturdy construction that makes us confident that they will last for many years. It also has reflective accents and can be attached to your seat post and saddle with velcro straps, adding to its convenience.

Spare Tubes

It’s best to have a few spare tubes in your saddlebag. You should also swap spare tubes between bikes if you have more than one at home. 

You can protect the tube from the friction caused by other items in your bag by wrapping it in a Ziplock bag or rubbing it with baby powder. The Vittoria Latex Road Tube is a top choice because latex tubes are more long-lasting and lighter than standard options. With its enticing pink color, the Vittoria is the ultimate choice.

This tube is ideal for those who ride on deep dish wheels, as you can remove the valve cores conveniently. We don’t think you can find a better tube than this one as it’s one of the easiest to use.

Multi-Tool

You should never leave the house for a ride without packing your convenient multi-tool. It’s like a Swiss army knife for bike repairs; it comes with just about everything you could need. 

It is available in various shapes and sizes; some models have more than other gear sets. Standard features of multi-tools include a Phillips-head screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, and an Allen key.

Topeak’s sleek multi-tool system fits in even the tiny interiors and stays clean with the help of the included neoprene sleeve. This makes it ideal for fitting into even the smallest saddles. 

This tool may be more expensive than others on the market, but given Topeak’s track record of reliability, you can rest assured that it will last for years.

Chain Breaker

You rarely have to break a chain when riding a bike. However, if you find yourself in such a situation, you will regret not bringing along a chain breaker. If the pins in your bicycle chain ever break, you can fix them by using one of these.

Having the proper chain tools are guaranteed to make your journey more pleasant. The Birzman Damselfly Universal Chain Tool is a cut above the competition. The long handle provides tremendous leverage, making it comfortable and simple.

A spare driving pin is included and works with any standard speed chain.

Master Link Pliers

A pair of master link pliers will complement your chain tool perfectly. If you remove the broken pin from the bicycle chain, you can use the master link pliers to reconnect the two ends. 

Some multi-tools may include a feature designed explicitly for disabling the master link. When you are out and about, carry these pliers, constructed out of heavy-duty steel, with grippy rubber grips on the handles for when your hands are dirty or greasy. 

Pair Of Tire Levers

If your bike’s tires need to be changed, you should always bring a set of tire levers among your bike ride gear. It may be challenging to remove tires with wired beads from your bike, depending on the type of tires you have. Without a pair of these, it’s impossible to remove them.

Pedro’s Tire Levers are fantastic, and cyclists have used them for years. The lever head is thin enough and shaped to hook under the tire’s rim and pull it up.

The levers are plastic but are incredibly sturdy. Because there is no give, you can push the tire over the rim with less effort, and rest assured that the wheels won’t crack.

Cycling Sunglasses

Protecting your eyes from bugs, stones, sun, and rain doesn’t have to cost a fortune or make you look ridiculous. The Tifosi Crit Polarized Sunglasses are an excellent option if you’re searching for lightweight sunglasses with photochromic lenses.

You can adjust the nosepiece and the side arms in various ways. The lenses can be switched out quickly enough to keep you riding, rain or shine, and the ventilation is sufficient for those sweaty rides up your favorite mountains.

These are perfect if you want the best sunglasses but don’t want to spend over three hundred dollars on cycling-related eyewear.