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5 Bicycle Accessories You Can't Do Without
Author: Cycling Deal Date Posted:1 September 2016
If you are an experienced rider, you are probably already well aware of the huge range of accessories out there to enhance your riding experience, safety and stylishness on the road.
But if you are newer to cycling it’s always helpful to know the essential accessories you should get before hitting the road, so here you go:
- Bike Lights
Bike lights might be the most important safety accessory you can get for your bike other than a helmet. Even if you don’t plan on riding at night much, you should still have bike lights attached at the back and front of your bike, as well as reflectors. You should have these lights on any time visibility is low, including early morning, at dusk, in rainy weather, and of course at night.
- Bicycle Clothing
It’s important to have the right kind of clothes for cycling. You don’t want to get too cold or too hot, nor do you want too much friction. While it’s possible to spend hundreds of dollars constructing a cycling wardrobe, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg.
Just make sure you have the essentials, like a short-sleeved jersey and bib shorts, paired with arm and leg warmers, a gilet, and lightweight packable rain jacket.
- A Helmet, Obviously
Not only are helmets essential for safety, they are actually required by law in Australia. But don’t see this as just something you have to get and grab the first helmet you see. A bike helmet can be aesthetically pleasing and by spending a little more and doing some research, you can get one that will greatly increase your safety above the minimum legal standard.
Look for absorbent pads, a tactile adjustment dial at the rear or on top of the helmet, and easily adjustable straps.
- Water Bottle and Cage
Do you know how important water is to your body? Cycling without water is no fun at all, leading swiftly to dehydration and its side effects, notably cramp. So make sure you have a good water bottle – preferably a metallic one that won’t split if it falls from your bike – and a good bottle holder to attach to your bike’s frame.
- Cycling Shoes and Clipless Pedals
Cycling shoes with cleats and so-called clipless pedals will drastically increase your pedalling efficiency, allowing you to pull on the upstroke as well as push on the downstroke. If this sounds complicated, relax – it isn’t. It’s as natural as breathing and once you’ve mastered clipping in and out, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
If you really want to achieve high speeds, or often have to do very long rides, use shoes with an un-recessed cleat and their accompanying pedals. These typically offer greater power transfer from their stiff, unbendable soles.
To find all these accessories and more at a great price, shop online with Cycling Deal. We offer competitive pricing, Australia-wide shipping and the best qualities, bikes, frames, gear and accessories.
