Cycling isn’t what it used to be. It’s popular for one. Like mainstream popular. Like there are shops that have sold out of bikes popular.
Bikes have come a long way since you were six years old and figuring out that wheels are fun. It’s more than just a couple of wheels and pedals. They’re complicated now. At least more so than they were. But with a little bit of help, we can get you up and running and being a massive pain in the ass for any other road user in no time.
It’s more than just buying a bike and heading off into the sunrise, though. You will need a few accessories to get started. No, you don’t need lycra to ride your bike. But a good helmet can go a long way. Let’s have a look at the necessities and maybe a couple of other good things to get that will get you started in the cycling life.
Helmet
A well-fitting, quality helmet is literally worth its weight in gold. Because you can’t put a price on your health, and a helmet protects that. If you crash and knock your head then your mind is on the line. So just don’t cheap out on it.
Size and comfort are more important than style. And buying a well-known brand is worth it too. They put a whole load of research and development into their products, and you want that work protecting your head.
If you want a road-style helmet that’s lightweight and highly breathable, then the Giro Fixture is a good way to go. Bear in mind the stereotypes that go hand in hand with the road cyclist, however.
Mountain biking helmets give a bit more coverage and come with a peak. They are a bit more stylish and built to be used (i.e.crashed), but they come in heavier and sweatier. Bell is a household brand in the world of mountain biking and motorsports, so you know you’re getting some solid protection.
But if you’re the urbanista who is commuting and doesn’t care about feeling the wind in your hair and just wants a practical and safe helmet (that also looks good) then the Abus Hyban should do nicely.
Pump
Bikes have tires and tires need air. It’s a simple fact of life no matter how many people you might see riding with semi-flat tires. And so it goes that you need something to fill those tires with air. Enter the bicycle pump. Chances are you have one in the deep recesses of your garage, attic, basement, closet, or black hole where all your spare socks and loose change go. But good luck finding that.
Here you also have some stupidly expensive, but amazing to use pumps, complete with wooden handles and fancy gauges like this one from SILCA.
Then you also have the flimsy plastic ones that will do the job just fine. Beto makes some cheap and cheerful options. Make sure to get one with a gauge, because too little or too much air will cause havoc.
Bottle Cage and Bottle
Cycling is thirsty work, and having a dedicated bottle on your bike means you can drink while you ride. It may not seem like such a necessity, but stopping for every drink is tedious. Bottle cages mounts are universal, so you’ll be able to fit one to nearly any bike. And cycling bottles, while aren’t absolutely necessary, are built to fit into bottle cages perfectly. You’ll have no bottles popping out mid-traffic to the disgruntlement of drivers all around you.
Check out Elite and Camelbak for bottles that will last for years and not leak.
Elite also makes excellent bottle cages, but so does Lezyne and loads of others. If you’re feeling fancy and flush, check out the super lightweight titanium option from SILCA.
Multitool
Lastly, we have multitools. And here the cries start of “I’m not a mechanic, what the hell and I supposed to do with that?” Well, bikes are simple machines, and they need a bit of simple love once in a while. The bare minimum is something like this Topeak Mini 9. It’s tiny (it’s in the name) and it has nine tools (they’re pretty obvious about its capabilities). It should give you all the tools you need for most bolt tightening you’d need to do, though.
Small things like straightening the handlebars, raising and lowering the seat, these usually require Allen Keys like those on these tools. If you’re a budding home mechanic, then check out the Crankbrothers M20 Multitool. You can pretty much disassemble your whole bike with those 20 tools, and it fits in your pocket.
