Consider what tools, accessories, and equipment you will need to purchase in addition to the bike if you decide to get one. You should be aware that the bike you purchase will come with its basic setup. Each cyclist then brings his bike "to mind" after making the purchase, finishing it up with different parts at his own discretion.
Purchasing the essentials first will help you be ready for any eventuality that may arise while driving. Naturally, this is a personal decision based on your budget and level of riding commitment. We'll attempt to choose three choices for equipment and accessories for: in this article.
- beginners;
- amateurs;
- advanced cyclists.
1. Budget option for beginners.
We advise all beginning riders to purchase the bare minimum of safety clothing and equipment to go with their bike:
- bicycle helmet;
- pump;
- spare tube;
- tube patches;
- mini tool kit (multi-tool);
- saddle bag;
- bottle and bottle cage;
- fenders;
- tail light and headlight.
You will purchase equipment from the second and third selections as needed over time. However, it is preferable to purchase the form and accessories from the second choice right away.
Bike helmet.
The most crucial accessory is this one, so acquire it first! Since it has the potential to save lives, the necessity of this piece of protective gear is never even mentioned! Any kind of helmet will do, but it must be sturdy enough to shield the rider's head in the event of a fall. AUTHOR, a Czech firm, makes sturdy helmets. Pay attention to the 2.5–5 thousand ruble sum.
Bike pump.
A spare tire should always be carried with you since anyone can get a flat. You will not be able to drive if, after patching or replacing the tube, there is nothing to pump it with.
You should travel with a compact, lightweight, and handy pump. A handle with a T shape is preferred.
Spare camera and camera patches.
The most frequent malfunction is a flat tire, and there are some flats that are pointless to fix. Furthermore, you should always have a spare tube with you because it's not always possible to fix a flat while driving. Select a tube model based on the size of your wheels.
Patches are inexpensive and take up little room. We advise taking these along with you since they may come in handy while traveling. Particularly at home, there are situations when fixing a tube is preferable to replacing it.
Set of mini tools.
When anything unscrews on the road and you have no tool to tighten it or a tire that needs to be replaced immediately and you don't have a spatula to remove it, you'll have to wait for another biker to pass by and ask him for one. You must therefore possess your own tool.
For novices, a small assortment of tools in a single case is appropriate. A multi-tool should have flat and Phillips screwdrivers, open-end wrenches, a plastic tire lever, and various sized Allen keys. It's good if there is a chain squeezer. Carbide steel, such as chrome vanadium, should be used to make the instruments.
Saddle bag.
Without this accessory, you won't be able to carry essential bike items, such as a small tool kit, a spare tube, and tire levers.
Flask and flask holder.
Without water, a bicycle rider cannot leave their home. A biker who wants to prevent disease to his knees while riding must consume alcohol continuously. Using a bottle is the most practical method of transporting water when riding a bicycle. The bottle cannot be attached without a bottle holder. In order to have a 1.5 liter water supply, you must purchase a bottle and a bottle holder, or even better, two sets.
Lubricant and cleaner.
Purchasing a set of brushes, lube, and cleaner will come in helpful since the chain and other rubbing parts require routine cleaning and lubrication. Even specialized chain-cleaning machines are available for purchase.
Wings.
We advise purchasing and installing mudguards if your bike isn't already outfitted with them and you're not a cross-country rider or an extreme sports fanatic. A rider without mudguards will have very unpleasant splashes all over his bike when it rains.
Rear side light and headlight.
We advise having a headlight and a rear light for people who ride their bikes early in the morning or late at night or for those who commute to work. When night falls or dusk falls, never ride a motorcycle on the road without lighting. This is extremely dangerous because if the driver discovers the cyclist riding in front of him too late, he may not have enough time to respond. As a result, the bicycle is not very useful if it cannot be seen from a distance and its light cannot be bright. Its blinking feature is a desirable feature.
2. Option for amateurs.
Amateur cyclists who wish to start riding correctly right away need purchase equipment and other necessary accessories in addition to the bare minimum set. After purchasing such a set, the cyclist will have more time to focus on riding and less time to consider shopping. We advise purchasing:
- veloform.;
- bike computer;
- quality tires;
- contact pedals and shoes;
- hydration pack;
- horns.
Veloform.
Purchase some basic clothing first: a summer cycling shirt with short sleeves and shorts or breeches with a diaper. Cycling shorts with a diaper are an essential piece of apparel for long-distance riding. The diaper prevents chafing even during vigorous and extended cycling by effectively absorbing sweat and facilitating more comfortable and clear saddle sitting.
Bike computer.
The trip information is automatically gathered and stored by the bike computer, which maintains statistics on all relevant variables, including the distance traveled, travel time, ambient temperature, and the bike's current, average, and maximum speed.
You can maintain the integrity of your knee joints by controlling the pedal speed with a bike computer that has a cadence sensor; to achieve this, you must pedal at a frequency of at least 80 revolutions per minute.
You can select the appropriate load with the aid of the heart rate monitor; this is particularly crucial for novices who are unsure of how their bodies respond to exercise.
The altimeter function is especially crucial for riders who cycle in the mountains.
Quality tires.
It has become commonplace to fit mountain bikes, in particular, with wide tires that have a strong, noticeable tread pattern. The stock tires are not the greatest quality if the bike is not a high-end model. Most bicycle aficionados recommend switching to high-quality semi-slick tires for daily riding. The majority of enthusiasts ride on asphalt and compacted soil, which is the ideal surface for these tires.
You will notice an instant improvement in rolling, be able to ride faster, and experience less fatigue after replacing the tires. If the stock tires have a deep tread and are of relatively normal quality, they can be used for forest rides. It takes about fifteen minutes to replace tires.
Contact pedals and shoes.
It is best to start learning how to use clipless pedals correctly from the start; this will increase efficiency and protect your knees. You can purchase a cheap set of Shimano shoes and pedals.
Hydrator.
It is best to invest in a high-quality hydration pack if you ride lengthy distances. The capacity of one or two flasks may not always be sufficient; a decent hydration pack can store two to three liters. A hydration pack also improves safety because it allows the biker to drink without taking their eyes off the road, even though frequent hydration is necessary.
Horns.
Long-distance bike riders might add ergonomic grips or horns to their handlebars. You will be able to adjust the hands you hold during the ride to bring the seat closer to either a vertical or horizontal position.
3. An option for advanced cyclists.
It is possible to purchase more essential tools and accessories in addition to the first two sets.
- Stationary floor pump. Often inflating tires with a small hand pump is a painful task, but a large floor pump is much faster and easier.
- A large set of tools for the home.
- Luggage rack and bike bag. Useful for those who are going on a bike trip. The best bag option is a pants bag, in which the upper section is attached to the luggage rack, and the "legs" are on the sides of the luggage rack.
- GPS navigator or bike computer with GPS. Needed by those who often ride in unfamiliar places.
In addition to the above kits, some cyclists will need to buy:
Child seat;
Bike holder for the car.
Anti-theft lock;
A smartphone mount;
An extreme camera.
