16 Must Have Cycling Gear and Bike Accessories for Beginners
What’s the number one thing that prevents people from getting started in cycling? Not knowing where to start! What cycling gear and bike accessories are necessary to safely and enjoyably navigate your roads or trails? How to assemble a complete inventory of all your needed bike gear and cycling accessories? Navigating through unfamiliar products, billions of recommendations, and foreign terminology? Don’t let this process consume any more of your time, because you could be out cycling instead! Get straight to the point with this guide to all the beginner cycling gear and bike accessories you need as a cycling newbie!
Disclosure: Below are some affiliate links-these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t make any recommendations on this page that I haven’t tested or personally used!
Table of Contents
16 Items of Beginner Cycling Gear and Bike Accessories
Simple. Straightforward. And necessary. These are 16 items of cycling gear and cycling accessories you need to get started on your beginner cycling journey.
Want a handy checklist of all these items to help keep track?
Quick Links:
- Best Road Bike: Cannondale Synapse
- Best Helmet: Giro Aether
- COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE AND PROTECTION: Engineered in Giro’s helmet test lab.
- Best Saddle: Selle Italia
- Super flow cutout
- Best Pedals: Shimano Ultegra
- The PD-R8000 is a Pro-level Road Bike Pedal: Professional-level performance for all riders
- Best Road Biking Shoe: Pearl Izumi
- Upper Material: synthetic, seamless
- Best Cleats: Shimano
- Genuine Shimano replacement part
- Best Insulated Water Bottle: Hydro Flask
- Straw Lid Is Leakproof And Makes Cold Refreshment That Much Easier
- Water Bottles Fit: 23/24/25/26/27/28 OZ water bottles can fit snugly, other bottles like 30 oz, If the bottle is tall, then yes. accurately, it is decided on the bottle diameter, min bottle diameter is 2.75inch(68.9mm), max bottle diameter is 3inch(76.2mm). The cage designed to flex enough to insert and hold standard water bottle securely, you can collapse to snug up bottle.
- Best Hydration Pack: Camelbak Lobo
- Pockets: 3 exterior
- Steel barrel with ergonomically designed comfortable handle
- "SUPER-FIT" Clever Valve - No adaptors needed. Automatically locks onto both Schrader and Presta valves, no leaks, no valve changing needed. IMPORTANT: doesn’t come with separate valve adaptors because it locks onto both Presta and Schrader valves automatically.
- 1. The PREMIUM VALVE ADAPTER KIT-valve adapter kit includes 3 types of adapters, bicycle tire valve adapters, air pump needle valve adapters for various sports balls, inflatable toys and swimming ring valve adapters.
- SUPER BRIGHT LEDS & FOUR MODES - Your new bike light 🚴 set features extremely bright LEDs which illuminate the entire road. Featuring four different modes of lighting which you can switch with the click of a button. Say goodbye to bulky bike lights with excessive wiring.
- Best Biking Shorts: Pearl Izumi Elite Pursuit
- ELITE transfer In-R-Cool fabric powered by cold Black provides superior cooling and reflective sun protection
- Best Jersey: Pearl Izumi Escape Short Sleeve
- Best Cycling Socks: Giro Comp Racer
- Premium polyester construction
- Ultra-compact 2 bike carrier for traveling and commuting.Ultra-compact 2 bike carrier for traveling and commutingFolds up small and fits inside carrying bag or backpack3 padded legs rest against vehicle; 3 adjustable security strapsTie downs and padding keep bike secure and separate from vehicleFits sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and SUVs. Important, please consult manufacturer web page for specific vehicle fit.Allen's warranty does not cover items purchased through third-party sellersImportant, please consult manufacturer web page for specific vehicle fitPadded lower frame protects vehicle from a bicycle.Fully assembled, set up, and installed in seconds.
- Best Cycling Headband: GORE Windstopper
- Windproof unisex headband for all weather conditions
- One pack of three 0.15-ounce ChapStick Moisturizer Original Lip Balm Tubes, SPF 15 and Skin Protectant
Beginner Cycling Gear #1: Bike
An obvious place to start as a beginner cyclist is with your bike. If you are looking for more details on how to select the right bike for your, this post can help. Make sure that you select a bike that matches your intentions for it. If you plan to be a casual neighborhood rider, then you may not necessarily need an as aggressive or high performance bike. If you intend to participate in organized long distance racing events, or take on some challenging terrain or courses, then invest in a bike that will match your goals.
Your bike should be your largest monetary investment when getting started on your list of beginner cycling gear and bike accessories. Again, invest in a bike that will be able to live up to the highest expectations you have of it.
Road or Mountain?
When selecting a bike, consider how and where you plan to ride it, and what you envision using it for. The difference between a road cycling bike and a mountain bike are in large the way it sounds:
A road cycling bike is made for maintained, paved, consistent roads. It will not be able to handle trails or inconsistent natural features like rocky paths.
A mountain bike is made to use on trails. It can handle the rocks, roots, etc. of natural trails.
A mountain bike can be used on trails and paved roads, but a road cycling bike can only be used on roads, not trails! Regardless of what type of beginner bike you select and what intended purpose you have for it, the following 15 additional items of newbie cycling gear and cycling accessories will apply to either type of bike selection!
Beginner Cycling Gear #2: Helmet
A vitally important piece of beginner cycling gear for personal protection. Another item of bike gear you do not want to compromise or skimp on, since it can literally save your life. And just in case you’re wondering if you’ll ever actually need a helmet, I can answer that question easily.
As a beginner cyclist, you will fall (here’s what you can do when it happens!). Most likely, it will be minor falls, but fall you will, as a newbie. Be adequately prepared for both minor falls and (hopefully never) major falls with a helmet that excels in safety. It is always better to be safe than sorry in this area.
My recommendation for best beginner cycling helmet: Giro Aether MIPS Cycling Helmet listed here on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #3: Saddle
The bike you purchase will almost always come with a standard saddle installed. So this is not a item of beginner cycling gear that you necessarily have to purchase immediately.
However, my recommendation for newbies who plan to consistently ride for the long term, is to upgrade that standard saddle to something more specifically designed and enhanced to be more comfortable. Comfort is key to consistency. Once you get going and you’ve spent some hours in a standard saddle, you’ll know what I mean. Consider an eventual upgrade a necessity at some point.
My recommendation for best road bike saddle: Selle Italia Endurance Saddle listed here on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #4: Pedals
Pedals can get a little technical, and also dependent on what type of bike, road or mountain, you purchase. My intro to road cycling for beginners post gives a little more detailed explanation on what to expect with bike pedals. You will need them, and you will need to most importantly decide whether to use clip in pedals or not.
Again, this is a great post that goes into what exactly the difference is, as well as the process involved.
Clip In or Not?
A quick summary of clip in or not goes like this: a clip in pedal is a pedal that you “clip” into, so your foot is basically “attached” to the pedal of your bike. You have to unclip your biking shoe from the pedal before you can put your feet down.
Sounds intimidating, I know, so what are the advantages of a clip in pedal? POWER. Being one with your pedal means more power on uphills, more power and stability when standing up to pedal, and it eliminates your foot slipping off the pedal in stride, which could potentially cause you to lose your balance on your bike.
If you intend to take on hills, intend to participate in organized biking races or events, and intend on being a rider that wants power, than clip in pedals may be right for you. If you intend on being a neighborhood rider on mostly level terrain, than you may not have a strong need for clip in pedals.
If you opt to go with clip in pedals, do not be intimidated. This post goes into more detail on how to get used to clip in pedals, but whatever your initial fears are, don’t worry, you will get used to them. Getting used to working a clip in pedal is much like muscle memory. It takes practice, and the acceptance that you will fall while practicing getting used to them. Just stick with it, and the payoff will be worth it in the long run. Get some good clip in practice tips here, before you try them out in person.
My recommendation for best clip in road bike pedal: Shimano Road Pedals listed here on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #5: Shoes
The type of biking shoe you get will depend on what type of bike, and what type of bike pedals, you decide on. And a big determining factor in what type of bike shoe depends on whether you go clip in or not.
My recommendation for best beginner road cycling bike shoe: Pearl Izumi Road Cycling Shoe listed here on Amazon
Cleats or Not?
If you decide to use a clip in bike pedal, then you will need a coinciding cleated bike shoe. Basically, a cleat is the attachment on the bottom of your biking shoe that actually clips into your bike pedal. Brands go with brands, for example, a Shimano clip in bike pedal will attach to a Shimano cleat attachment for your biking shoe.
My recommendation for best beginner road cycling shoe: Pearl Izumi Road Cycling Shoe listed here on Amazon
My recommendation for best beginner road cycling cleat: Shimano Cleat listed here on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #6: Hydration System
You will need to ensure that your beginner cycling gear and bike accessories covers your need to stay hydrated on your rides. There’s several different ways to go about this:
If you are going in a pre-planned loop route, such as through a neighborhood, and don’t mind stopping and getting off your bike, you could leave a water bottle placed along the route. For example, if I know that I’m going to do a few loops in my own neighborhood, I could leave a water bottle on my mailbox and plan to stop there for a bit stop and to rehydrate as needed.
My recommendation for best insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Insulated Bottle listed here on Amazon
You can install a simple water bottle cage on your bike. This is super easy to do, and very convenient because you can carry your water with you anywhere. As you become more experienced, this method will even allow you to hydrate while on the move, so you don’t necessarily have to come to a stop to hydrate.
My recommendation for best water bottle cage: this colorful, lightweight water bottle cage holder listed on Amazon
You can carry water on your person, in a hydration pack. This is especially beneficial on longer and/or hotter rides. The ultimate in on the go, mobile hydration.
My recommendation for best biking hydration pack: Camelbak Lobo 3L Hydration Pack listed here on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #7: Tire Pump
An important proactive item of beginner cycling gear is a tire pump. How often you will actually have to fill your tires varies, but it is inevitable, so go ahead and grab one of these and be ready.
My recommendation for best stand alone tire pump: this Floor Pump with Automatic Valve Converter listed on Amazon
My recommendation for best portable tire pump: this Mini Bike Pump/Repair Kit listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #8: Repair Kit
Same as a tire pump, repairs are also inevitable, and it is better to be proactive than reactive. The best kind of biking repair kit is portable, so you can take it with you on your rides, and be able to take care of necessary minor repairs should they occur mid-bike. At the end of the day, you don’t want to end up stranded. An even better bonus to a portable repair kit, is one that comes with a portable mini tire pump as well as other repair necessities such as tire patches, etc., just like my recommendation below.
My recommendation for best portable repair kit: this portable mini repair kit listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #9: Tire Valve Adaptor
Different types of tires come with different types of valves. There are two types of tire valves: Schrader and Presta. No matter what type of valve your bike and tires ultimately end up having, in order to best to prepared for all circumstances, it is best to invest in a extremely inexpensive little item of cycling gear, a tire valve adaptor kit.
My recommendation for best tire valve adaptor: this adaptor kit listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #10: Safety Lights
Safety lights are a great piece of bike gear that you can use both at night and during the day. A front light can provide safety at night, and a back flashing light can alert others. That flashing light helps to alert drivers and traffic to your presence, and that is always a smart, proactive method of biking safety to utilize. The safety lights recommended below are also USB rechargeable and waterproof, two additionally convenient factors!
My recommendation for best bike safety lights: these waterproof, rechargeable, front and back safety lights listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #11: Bike Shorts
For your own comfort, you will absolutely want to invest in the lifesaving piece of cycling gear that are padded bike shorts! Bike shorts with strategically placed padding will help to sustain you through longer rides in the saddle, and dramatically increase the comfort factor! Even though I am now used to long rides in my own saddle, I wouldn’t make it very long without wearing my bike shorts.
My recommendation for best beginner bike shorts: Pearl Izumi Women’s Padded Bike Shorts listed here on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #12: Jersey
You can bike in a regular t-shirt, but I highly recommend investing in a bike jersey for several reasons. They are specially designed to make your ride as aerodynamic and comfortable as possible. And the type of biking jersey that I recommend come with built in pockets to carry your necessities with you, so there is no need to have to carry an additional method of transportation for things like keys, phones, Chap Stick, etc. This biking jersey below has several pockets built into the back of the jersey, it is form fitting for a comfortable ride, and it has a front zipper to help with ventilation as needed.
My recommendation for best beginner biking jersey: Pearl Izumi Women’s Jersey listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #13: Socks
Help take care of your hard working feet with an equally hard working pair of socks. There’s going to be a lot of movement and potential moisture going on with your feet, so make sure that the pair of socks you cycle in are going to help prevent blisters, wick away moisture, and remain breathable. In my opinion, wool is the best and most effective fabric for combating blisters and accomplishing all 3 of those aforementioned feats. I’m a big believer in Giro (based on my Giro helmet recommendation above) and a big believer in wool, so Giro’s wool cycling sock is an obvious choice for me.
My recommendation for best beginner cycling sock: Giro Wool Cycling Sock listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #14: Bike Rack
If you need help transporting your bike, a bike rack is less complicated option than you may think. Once you have a bike rack installed, no road or trail will be off limits to you based on distance!
My recommendation for best beginner bike rack: this 2 Bike Trunk Mount listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #15: Gore Windstopper Headband
Combating the wind and challenging gusts is notorious among cyclists. I consider it a necessity to have a piece of bike gear that protects my ears from harsh winds and gusts, especially in the colder winter months. This brand is heralded among cyclists, due to its proven reputation and staunch loyalists. It does a unstoppable job at preventing wind gusts from irritating sensitive ears, due to its special wind stopping design and fabric.
My recommendation for best wind-stopping headband: this Gore headband listed on Amazon
Beginner Cycling Gear #16: Chapstick
Get some Chapstick, for the wind you will inevitably face on your rides. Nothing is more miserable than a long bike ride with chapped lips.
Grab a stick of Chapstick here
WAIT! Don’t forget to grab this handy checklist that includes ALL the items listed above!
So there you have it, now you can easily make good on your beginner cycling goals! Looking to push yourself to an even bigger challenge with your newbie cycling inventory? Then start training today for a long distance road cycling race, with these road cycling training guides:
Get Your Half Century Road Cycling Training Calendar Here
Get Your Full Century Road Cycling Training Calendar Here
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Last update on 2023-08-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thanks for the information!!