Jersey

Most people would ride a bike wearing only normal t-shirt, made with or without quick dry materials. But jersey designed for cycling, could provide extra comfort and minimise air resistance while riding. It has advantage like pockets at the back to provide easy access to gears and food, and moisture control to keep you dry but they are often not cheap to buy.

Cycling Shorts

Shorts made with padding in the specific areas to help minimise discomfort while riding. You often find them in the form of lycra tight, bib or more conventional baggy short, but do invest on a good one due to hard wearing contact with the saddle. In winter, you may want to have a long pair.

Leg and Arm warmers

If you are planning to ride in cold weather, these elastic tubes made with lycra will provide a convenient and cost effective way to keep you warm. A big advantage is that if you are getting too warm when wearing them, they are easy to put away or just roll them down to your wrist or ankle. They can also be used in other sports like running or mountaineering.

Jacket

Although there are cycling specific jackets, which provide better fit for riding. A good wind and shower resistance jacket is often more than adequate when caught in bad weather. A good way to justify the purchase is that, a good cycling jacket can be use for running and some even stylish enough for casual use.

Cycling Gloves

They don’t have to be expensive, but quite essential since gripping the handlebars can cause quite a discomfort even on well padded handlebars. Most importantly, if you do involve in a crash, your hands are often the first point of contact with the ground.

Cycling Shoes

If your bike is equipped with “platform” paddles or “toeclips”, a pair of comfortable trainers will be enough (running shoes are not suitable because of its wide toe box design). But if you do decide to use clipless pedals for performance and efficiency, remember to get a pair of cycling shoes that fit your particular type of pedals and riding style! You will find designs from hiking shoe to carbon fibre sole for road racing. Think about what you are going to use them for before buying.

Eye Protection

Eye protection such as sunglasses or clear-lensed glasses, can help to keep your eyes free from debris as well as protect them from the wind which can cause your eyes to tear and blur your vision. A pair of normal sunglasses are adequate on sunny days, but nowadays you can get a good cheap pair with extra changeable lenses (for sunny, low-light and dark condition) if you don’t require prescription lens.

Helmet

Although wearing a helmet don’t make you invincible, in fact some only tested to withstand impact at average speed from 1 metre fall. But you really don’t want your head to touch the ground in any situation, no matter the speed. Modern day helmets are comfortable and stylish, so get one that gives you snug fit around your head.

Hydration System

Carrying a water bottle in a frame cage or a hydration system such as a camelback will keep you Hydrated on the go. Drink even if you don’t feel thirsty!

Clipless Pedals

There are 4 main pedal systems in widespread use in road cycling. Look, Time, Speedplay and SPD/SPD-R. All are what is known as clipless pedal systems, are designed to make the most of your energy when pedalling. If you do cycle longer hours and becoming confidence with your bike handling skill, get a pair of these is only nature progression.

Clip-on Aero Bars and Bar-Ends

If speed and pushing hard is want you after, a simple clip-on aero bar will help you mimic the aerodynamic riding position on a time trial bike. It will also provide you an edge on events such as triathlon or time trailing, without spending a fortune on a new TT bike.

If you have flat handlebar, consider adding bar-ends to provide extra resting position for your hands. They are not expensive but require some fiddling on the brakes and grips, so ask your local bike shop to install it.

Tyres

Being the interface between the bike and the road, tyres are an important for safety and efficiency. There are two main types of tyres, check yours for crack and wear and replace them when needed.

• Clinchers - the most common tyre system, named as such because the tyre stays on the rim by clinching it under pressure from the inner tube. To repair puncture, you must remove the inner tube.
• Tubulars - a one piece tyre/inner tube system, glued onto a specific tubular rim. Nowadays these are seen as the option for racing only given the inconvenience and costs associated with replacements and repairs.

Inner Tube

If you use clinchers type tpres, having spare inner tubes is always a good idea even if your bike comes with puncture resistance tyres. Once an inner tube has been punctured and repaired on the road, try to change it once you get home. Remember to get an inner tube that fit the size of your wheels, and has the same valve type as your pump! Check the side wall of your wheels to find out its size and width (usually written like 700x23, 26x3.00…etc.).

Puncture Kit

It should consist of 3 tyre levers, sandpaper and glue and patches (some patches are ready glued, just peel off the paper for easy use). Don’t leave home without it

Pump