AIBU to ask about your cycling essentials?

[Alicewasinwonderland]

One of our new year resolutions is to start cycling this year, which sounds a bit more focused than just "getting fit". (Road cycling, no mountain biking just yet).

I thought that we just needed a bike, and an helmet, but I am sure I am missing something. My husband's birthday is in a couple of weeks, so his gift will be cycle-related, as apparently we are doing the London to Brighton even this year.

Any recommendation from the experts here please?

[redstrawberry10]

Ah, just saw that you are doing London to Brighton. That's a long ride, in which case I would recommend a puncture kit and some cycling shorts. if the weather is bad, you'll need gloves.

[ShutUpLegs]

Start slow and manageable - you don't even need water bottles / holders if you aren't going out for more than an easy half hour ride.

Basic needs: Bike & helmet. Lights and hi-vis if you are going out in the dark.

When I started, I found that I wanted padded shorts (I wore them under joggers for ages), gloves (for comfort) and a decent saddle. Otherwise, I didn't get anything else.

Other bits I picked up as I got more into riding and my distances/time on the bike increased. Even then, most of it is picked up in sales or the Middle of Lidl as and when I see it.

My essentials list now also contains - buff, glasses with interchangeable lenses, water bottles, saddle bag with tyre levers, spare inner tube and multi-tool, pump. Over-shoes, arm warmers and a variety of differing levels of waterproofs/layers for cycling in all weathers. And I am now in cleats. Don't use a Garmin but do use Strava on my phone. BUt I now ride with a club and have a turbo-trainer at home and we are a full-on cycling family.

But I had none of this for the first year or so. Enjoy it - cycling is fab.

[amarmai]

i have tried many kinds of waterproofs in my 70+ years of cycling and the best is the fake leather pants etc that came into fashion in the last few years. They are stretchy, really waterproof , don't make you sweat , don't split and are waterproof and look good. I wear them on top of leggings and take them off when the rain is over. Also find paniers very useful and a good bell or horn. Water is a necessity for along bike ride. Flashing lights are more noticeable to drivers and can be fastened onto helmets, bike wheels and frames. Have fun -love Brighton.

[Robertaquimby]

I cycle to get fit and for enjoyment. I have a bike and a helmet, lights and hi-vis stuff. I just wear leggings and with a short skirt over. Don't go buying loads of gear until you see if you actually like cycling.

[Pigeonpost]

Based on the number of packages which arrive for my DH from Wiggle each week I would say the answer is You Need Everything In The World.

But I would start with bike, helmet, warm gloves (any old gloves will do) and something reflective to wear.

[ZedWoman]

Go to a show-home and nick a pair of those turquoise over-shoe things. Leave them in the pocket of your cycling jacket and use them as waterproof seat covers if you have to park your bike somewhere in the rain.

Prevents a wet bum!

[Mistigri]

For daily town cycling in all weathers, assuming you're planning to start before warmer weather arrives:

• gloves
  
• high viz waterproof jacket
  
• helmet
  
• the brightest set of lights you can afford
  
• small repair kit
  
• a really comfy saddle (cheaper bikes often come with hideously uncomfortable saddles) - a gel saddle cover is a possible, and cheaper, alternative
  

If you're planning to cycle longer distances, padded shorts are useful for improved comfort, and also a water bottle to mount on your frame - but these are not essential for shorter distances.

[FishEye]

You need lights and high vis even if riding in bright sunlight. If the sun is in a driver's eyes and you're in a shadow you're potentially invisible.

Annoys me when i see people cycling wearing black, even in the day time.

[FishEye]

amicissimma - what tyres are they? I've got some that claim to be puncture resistant (kevlar lined) but still get some punctures, although not many.

Mine are schwalbe space.

[lavendersun]

You really don't need a lot to get going at all. Until the start of 2015, for 13 years I cycled 15 miles, 3 or 4 x a week for horse riding fitness.

Like doing anything outside in the UK you just need to be warm enough and dry enough, it doesn't need to be cycle specific at all - base layer, fleece, waterproof jacket and gloves - any old stuff you have that works will do.

Essential bike specific stuff - Hat, Hi Viz and a puncture repair kit/pump (was still using my 13 year old one until this year (smile)) and padded shorts - my 13 year old shorts are still going strong. Maybe a small multi tool.

I never used my lights because I didn't cycle in the dark, any cycling specific gear I had was a DH cast off because I wasn't into it enough to spend a lot of cash on bike gear.

I stepped up my cycling at the beginning of 2015 and now have lots of additional stuff but cycling has replaced horse riding for me now that my horse has retired and until I was downed by an op recently I had been managing 3 x 30 miles a week, 40 on a good day if the sun was shining and DH was with me.

Beware of deeply pad saddles/gel covers, they allow your seat bones to sink into them which means that more of your undercarriage is in contact with the saddle, be it gel covered or not.

I use leather saddles, your seat bones are supported by the saddle - less bodily contact with the saddle. I have never used chamois cream but did feel sore if I did my old 15 mile trip a few days running before I switched to leather.

You can spend as much, or as little as you like I suppose but you don't need all the gear you can buy.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

I have the 'MapMyRide' app on my phone - brilliant for keeping track of where you've gone and your speed, etc and it's a fun incentive to compete against yourself. Sort of thing blokes love.

[catfordbetty]

amicissimma

V. good post.


any old stuff you have that works will do

YY.

[Headmelt]

Gel bibbed cycling shorts
Chamois anti chafing gel
A Good well fitting helmet
Good hi vis vest (It's as important to be seen as it is to look good)
Good lights and reflectors
A puncture repair kit
A recording camera for your helmet(lots of cyclists are clipped by drivers or experience road rage drivers, footage is handy to give to police if involved in an incident)
A charged phone with call credit (and hopefully phone reception should the need arise!)
Pace yourself and stretch. Don't over do it, it takes time to build up to fitness. Always tell someone the route you plan to travel in case they need to pick you up. Enjoy your cycle

[TheTigerIsOut]

I cycle to work and go out for a long ride in some weekends (15+ miles) if the weather is fair and there us a nice pub or cafe in it (that's the only way I can keep cycling in my routines)

I wouldn't spend too much in equipment until you are sure you enjoy it, so far, I have survived for a few years with the following items;

• light frame bike, I got a second hand aluminium frame one by accident but it makes a huge difference with heavier bikes. Don't go for the looks, just tge weight and style tgat suits you (ie. There us no point in getting a mountain bike if you are going to be riding on roads, just get a city bake ehose wheels does not dlow you down.
  
• lights, lights, lights. So people can see YOU in the dark.
  
• high visibility vest or jacket + helmet (yeah, I know that some people think they do not make a difference but I would rather have a hrlmet on my head than an ideology if I get hit by a car.
  
• a lock that is light enough to be portable but strong eniugh not to be cut.
  
• gloves
  
• and once tgat you start cyclingi in all weathers, get a pair of goretex trusers/ raincoat.
  

Personally, I wished dearly for some padded shorts or seat, but after a few days it seems my body got used to the hard seat and I don't think I need padded anything anymore.

[TheTigerIsOut]

Oh yes, and the puncture repair kit plus a small portable pump

[catfordbetty]

A recording camera for your helmet(lots of cyclists are clipped by drivers or experience road rage drivers, footage is handy to give to police if involved in an incident)

A cycling essential? Really?

[Headmelt]

cat yes, it's an essential, especially, if a driver hits you and doesn't stop.
My friend was out on a cycle (on his own) one afternoon. A car hit him when overtaking him and knocked him off his bike into a ditch. As he climbed out of the ditch, he saw the car that had hit him, stop up the road and the driver got out to check if she had damaged her car. She then sat back into her car and drove off. She didn't even check if my friend was hurt . It was a hit and run. Most people wouldn't treat an animal like that. My friend is part of a cycling club, most members now have recording equipment for safety reasons. Some drivers don't check their mirrors before veering in or leave clearing room when overtaking. Some (not all) drivers treat pedestrians and cyclists with a lot of aggression. I drive a car but a lot of my friends cycle regularly and I am often amazed at the amount of drivers who don't use their mirrors or check their blindspot. I am equally annoyed when I see cyclists behave dangerously on the road.

[lavendersun]

A camera is not an essential Head, not at all. My husband does 250-300 miles most weeks, has cycled distance for 40 years. He is very unlikely to ever buy a camera for the reasons you mentioned. Maybe one would be nice to capture views on our our north to south France trip but I can't see that happening either.

We are talking about basic cycling essentials, you need to be seen, dry, warm and comfy - these days with a hat.

Cycling can be beautifully simple gear wise if you want it to be, even things like spd shoes, I only switched in 2015 after many many years of keeping it simple.

This thread is about encouraging a beginner not listing all the can haves that can be bought.

[Brekekekex]

FishEye - on my commuting bike (hybrid) and touring bike I have Schwalbe marathon plus tyres and have never had a puncture. They're a bit grippy for 'proper' road biking but IMO can't be beaten for commuting or touring.

[Brekekekex]

And to echo many others on the thread, my basics would be a small tool kit with tyre levers, multi-tool and puncture repair stuff, chain lube, gloves, helmet, hi-Vis waterproof (I love my Altura night vision) and, if you're not a glasses-wearer already, glasses with clear lenses.

On the subject of more specialist stuff, I'm happy to do anything up to about 30 miles in ordinary clothes but the padded shorts come out for longer rides, so it depends how slowly you are planning to start.

[lavendersun]

I have Marathon plus too Brek, never had a puncture either, hence the 13 year old unused puncture kit.

I have got Marathon Supremes on my new tourer - they are recommended for touring, lighter and durable but not quite as puncture proof apparently. We will see.

[Toadinthehole]

I commute to work by bike, and do the occasional recreational cycling. Agree with comments upthread that you don't need a lot of kit.

My basic kit (ie, what goes with me) is

• helmet (mandatory in NZ )
  
• decent lock
  
• tyre levers
  
• spare inner tube
  
• pump
  
• lights
  
• Allen key, adjustable spanner, pliers (rarely used)
  
• gloves (in winter)
  

I have various tools at home for fixing the bike, which I've picked up over the years as I've required them.

I've never found I've needed the lycra stuff, and I don't use fluros apart from on my rucksack.

DW is always trying to foist expensive kit on me (clothes, gadgets, saddlebags) but I've never needed it. Unless it's high summer I normally cycle in a pair of jeans.

[Toadinthehole]

Oh yeah, and puncture repair kit. I ride a racing bike so I get them quite a lot.