Gear

For any sport there is a bare minimum of what you need. Of course you can go above and beyond but just starting out you don’t need all the extra’s. Just the basics will do just fine. With road cycling, these basics can be a bit more pricey than a soccer ball but they don’t have to be expensive, and they’ll last you quite a bit longer than you think.

Must Have Bike Gear

Bike

Seems pretty obvious, but you are not going to get too far cycling without a bike!

Helmet

After you have a bike the first thing you need is a helmet. This trumps all other gear as this is what is going to save your life if you have an accident. Choose a helmet based on what is right for you. All helmets are going to meet the required safety standard but will come with different price points and features. A road bike helmet specifically is going to be relatively light with ventilation and without a visor.

Shorts

After safety comes comfort. Cycling shorts are form fitting, meaning that they are snug to your skin, and have padding for a more comfortable contact point with the seat. Being form fitting, road cycling shorts are more aerodynamic than other clothing and won’t flap in the wind nor hinder your knees as they bend with the pedal stroke.

Jersey

A jersey, like shorts will also add comfort to your ride as well as functionality. Jerseys are made from thin sweat-wicking material to keep you cool along with a front zipper to allow for more air to pass over your chest. Also, jerseys come with pockets in the back. These are clutch as you can easily carry anything from your phone, to wallet, to food, to extra clothing easily and are very accessible, even while riding.

Shoes/Pedals

Cycling shoes and pedals are going to be much more comfortable as well as more efficient. They have a stiff, lightweight sole that doesn’t flex as you pedal putting more of your effort into the pedals themselves instead of being lost in the shoe. Clipless pedals will allow your shoe to clip in and be attached to the pedal keeping your foot from moving on the pedal as well as giving you the ability to pull up through the pedal stroke. This, along with the added comfort, will allow you to pedal longer and faster than wearing any old shoe.

Water Bottles

Bikes are great to ride because they come with a place to carry your water bottles. Not many, if any, other sport has the functionality of always having a bottle at arm’s reach. A cycling specific water bottle is made to fit snuggly in the water bottle cage and not fall out going over bumps and any other rough terrain. Also they have a nozzle that can be opened and closed with your mouth so you only need one hand to take a drink.

Essential Bike Tools

Flat Pack

As a bike rider it’s not a matter of if but when you are going to have a flat tire. Tires are lightweight and thin and although durable, flats will happen. You will need the following items as well as the knowhow to change a tire.

-Saddle Bag: A saddle bag attaches behind your saddle to carry everything you need to change a flat.

-Hand Pump: A small hand pump will inflate your tire after you get a new tube in it.

-Tire Levers: Some tires will be tight to the rim and hard to get off with just your hands. Tire levers can be used to safely remove and install the tire without damaging the rim or tube inside.

-Tube: A spare tube to replace the one with a hole in it. A patch-kit is also a good idea as if you get another flat in your only spare tube you’re in trouble. Carry two tubes during every ride.

–Multi-Tool: Although not needed to change a flat, a multi-tool is a great addition to any saddle bag as you never know when you might need an allen key to tighten a loose bolt.

Sunglasses

Although not always needed and largely based on personal preference, sunglasses are a very good thing to have. First, they will protect your eyes on a sunny day from UV rays. Second, they can keep wind and road debris out of your eyes particularly if you’re riding on a dusty or dirty road. Finally, if it rains, they can be worn so you can still actually see something through the rain that otherwise would be pelting your eyes.

With these road cycling gear must have’s, you’ll be ready to ride with comfort, style and speed. Any of these can be purchased on the cheaper side but upgrading them as your riding progresses is pretty much a guarantee. You have to start somewhere and with these you’ll be starting out on the right foot.

The cycling industry has some crazy inventions, and some that are so useful that it’s a shame they aren’t more commonly used. Some of these inventions for bikes would be amazing for improving riders’ safety on the road, and some are just beyond unique. Here are ten of the greatest inventions for bikes.

Bike Lane Lights: How great would it be if the white lines that mark the bike lane lit up in bright red at night? Turns out, that’s an actual invention! Bright red LED lights outline the bike lane, creating a high degree of visibility to oncoming traffic. These LED lights can be seen from almost a mile away! Cyclists would have a much safer environment for biking on the road if these were more widely used.
Bicycle Side Car: A small sidecar that attaches to the bicycle, and can be used for transporting groceries or even your child. These are extremely useful, especially because they can be detached and reattached as needed. This is a great tool if you have a supermarket in biking distance, and decreases gas usage by eliminating the need to drive to the store.
Helios Handlebars: These handlebars utilize colorful LED lights, which is great for nighttime riding. There is a powerful headlight on the front, as well as backwards facing lights. They also have a speedometer and GPS chip built-in, thus are one of the most multifunctional inventions for bikes. The cost is $199, but at least you could track the location of your bike if it got stolen!
LifeBEAM’s Smart Helmet: This stylish looking helmet includes a heart rate monitor, eliminating the need to wear a monitor strap on your chest or arm. The helmet monitors your pulse and transmits the information to the device of your choice, such as your smartphone, allowing you to keep track of your progress and see the data in real time as you cycle.
Wireless Bike Lock: The Lock8 bike lock operates wirelessly through transmission from your smart phone, using an app to direct the device to lock or unlock. This is a great way to prevent theft, and also includes a GPS chip for tracking. The device is built to emit a very loud alarm signal if the wire is cut, as well as notify the owner via the smart phone app.
Stick and Find Stickers: These are small, coin sized stickers that allow you to locate lost or stolen items. They can be used for anything, but are a great way to find your bike if it ever gets stolen. They emit a signal that you can track right from your smart phone.
Auto Inflating Tires: Adaptrac offers special tires that are attached to a bike pump. The pump automatically inflates the tires as needed, or based on the type of terrain you’re riding on.
Turn Signal Jacket: Now, you can wear a black jacket that has LED lights on the back. You turn these LED lights on and off using switches by your wrists. This can be used to alert people around you of your intent to turn without taking your hands off the bike.
The Copenhagen Wheel: This is device that sits inside the rim of your tires and is useful for energy conservation. It stores the energy that you put into the bike, such as when going downhill, and that energy is readily available to use the next time you need it, such as up the next hill!
Foldable Bikes: Out traveling and want to go for a ride? Grab your foldable bike and go for a rip!