6 gear essentials for every beginning cyclist

You may not know it, but cycling is one of the fastest-growing outdoor sports around. In fact, some cycling companies saw sales increase 144% from 2019 to 2020. There are many reasons to cycle. For example, it’s a great way to stay in shape and save money on gas. It also helps the environment by not contributing to pollution emissions through car engines. It’s never too late to start cycling. But, what should you bring? What do you need? What is the essential cycling gear for a beginner?

First, you need the basics: a bike and a helmet. The best bike for you depends on the kind of cycling you want to do. For example, did you know that bikes come in different widths? A wider bike will provide more stability at lower speeds while narrower bikes can be faster but less stable at higher speeds. It’s also important to consider how long your ride is going to be and what kind of terrain it will cover before deciding on a type of tire.

Now that you have an idea of the basics, here are six gear essentials for every beginning cyclist.

ESSENTIAL CYCLING GEAR – BIKE SHORTS OR PADDED CYCLING PANTS

If you’re new to the world of cycling, it’s important to know that bike shorts are a good option. The padding they provide will prevent chafing and soreness. These are not only comfortable, but they protect your legs from road rash if you fall off the bicycle. Bike shorts also come with plenty of tight pockets so people who need to access their items quickly during long rides won’t have to worry about things falling out as easily.

Some even come with a Coolmax foam layer to help keep you dry by wicking moisture, like these Balnna Padded Cycling Shorts for men and women.

ESSENTIAL CYCLING GEAR – CYCLING GLOVES

In order to ensure that your hands don’t get sore, you should consider wearing cycling gloves. They are designed specifically for the task of cycling and can help protect your hands from blisters and calluses or to protect your hands from the cold, wet weather, and road rash in case of a fall. We love the Triban RoadR 100 Cycling Gloves because they are a highly affordable option with foam on the palm to make for a comfortable grip.

ESSENTIAL CYCLING GEAR – CYCLING SHOES

We recommend that beginning cyclists look into cycling shoes. There are many advantages to wearing cycling shoes: they provide increased pedaling efficiency, which gives you more power and easier rides.

Cycling shoes are a cyclist’s best friend. Not only do they provide you with an efficient pedal stroke and better power, but your feet will thank you. REI offers a variety of cycling shoes for men and women in a variety of colors and styles.

ESSENTIAL CYCLING GEAR – WATER BOTTLE HOLDER

The best gear for any beginning cyclist is a water bottle because it helps keep you hydrated throughout your ride, but you need somewhere to put the water bottle. A bicycle water bottle holder is a must have for cyclists in order to prevent dehydration. It’s one of the most important purchases that will make your rides much more enjoyable and comfortable.

Schwinn makes a bike water bottle with cage that is ergonomically designed to make for easy drinking during your ride. This includes the water bottle, the mounting bracket, and the water bottle cage so you are ready to go.

ESSENTIAL CYCLING GEAR – TIRE PATCHING KIT

Bike tire patching kits are a great way to repair a bike. If you’re going on your first ride, it’s good to have one of these in case anything happens with the tires. We recommend that every biker needs a bike tire patching kit. From the novice to experienced riders, these tools are necessary for any ride and can often save your day when it comes to repairing issues with tires on bikes during that first or final leg of your trip. The Park Tool VP-1C is a tire patch kit that is lightweight and comes with patches and adhesive.

ESSENTIAL CYCLING GEAR – ALLEN WRENCH

An allen wrench is useful for beginning cyclists. It’s a versatile tool that lets you make adjustments to your bike quickly and easily. You can use this classic piece of equipment to adjust your handlebars and seat, which means you won’t have to deal with any back problems if you ride often. While you likely need a hex key, there are many kinds of Allen wrenches to pick from, and you’ll need to know your bike in order to pick the right one, but don’t underestimate the power of this simple tool.