Ready to get out there and start riding? We’ve compiled a list of essentials to make the most of your cycling experience!
These are the items we recommend to optimize your ride. The essentials below are separated into the categories of safety, security, comfort, and convenience. Read on to discover the cycling essentials that will make your bike rides even more exciting and carefree!
Bike Safety Essentials
While it might not be the most fun aspect, safety is definitely the most important part of the cycling experience. While the benefits of cycling are unparalleled, there are risks that go along with it too. Investing in the products below will keep you and your bike safe and ensure that you enjoy your rides for as long as possible.
Helmet
It’s no surprise that properly wearing a bike helmet drastically reduces the chance of serious injury. A 2023 report found that wearing a helmet while cycling reduces serious head injuries by 48%, reduces traumatic brain injuries by 53%, and reduces the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured by 34%.
Technological innovations and added features now make bike helmets safer than ever. The multi-directional impact protection system, or MIPS, enables the helmet to rotate within itself in the event of a crash, thereby lessening the impact on the brain and reducing the likelihood of serious injury. Another innovation, the ANGi crash sensor from Specialized, automatically calls for help when it detects a significant impact. Other features, like taillights and Bluetooth communication abilities, make it easier for others to see you on the road and keep you in touch with your fellow riders.
Last but not least, new design features and styles make bike helmets look better than ever! There are so many helmet designs out there, you’ll be sure to find one that you love and look forward to wearing whenever you’re on two wheels.
Read more in our Bike Helmet Buying Guide and shop our recommended helmets below.
Bike Lights
There are two main reasons why you should always have lights on your bike: they help you see and they help you be seen.
Even during the day, outfitting your bike with a daytime running light—which is often a flashing white light attached to the handlebars—will aid visibility for drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
Of course, lights are important to use at night too. A strong headlight illuminates the way ahead of you, whether you’re riding on city roads, gravel trails, or offroad mountain biking paths. A flashing taillight, meanwhile, alerts others to your presence. For added safety, you might consider additional bike lights to attach to your helmet or other parts of the bike frame.
Read more at our blog post about bike lights and shop recommended lights below!
Tools and Maintenance
Like any other kind of transportation, bikes have moving parts that need occasional maintenance. It’s a good idea to be prepared with some essential tools that make repairs quick and easy either on-the-go or at home.
Getting a flat tire is pretty much inevitable while cycling, but carrying a flat kit with you can make this a manageable issue. Different styles of bikes need different types of flat fixes, so the one that you need depends on your specific kind of bike, tire, and the terrain you usually ride. Items in your flat kit may include spare tubes, tire levers, multi-tools, a patch kit, portable pump, CO2 cartridges, and sealant.
Chain lube is another essential maintenance item we recommend. Lubricating your chain reduces friction and extends the lifespan of both the chain and the drivetrain. It also allows for smoother pedaling and better power transfer, preventing loud noises, stiff shifting, and chain failure.
Of course, there are many other tools out there to make your ride safer and make you more confident. You can shop all tools and maintenance items to get an idea of what’s available online, or visit your local ERIK’S and speak to a technician for personalized assistance.
Keep Your Bike Secure
If you love riding as much as we do, your bike and its accessories are probably some of your most treasured possessions. Keep them secure with the following!
Bike Lock
If you’re away from your bike while out in public for any amount of time, you should have a bike lock. There are many kinds, such as U-locks, chains, cable locks, and folding locks. Some cyclists choose to utilize two or more locks at once for added security and to make sure accessories (like wheels, bags, and saddles) are as protected as the bike itself.
Each kind of lock has its own benefits and drawbacks in terms of security level, weight, portability, flexibility, and other considerations. Read more at our bike lock blog post and check out recommended bike locks below!
Stay Comfortable While Riding
Cycling can be a great and strenuous workout, but it should still be a comfortable experience—especially for the three main touch points between the rider and the bike (the hands, feet, and butt). Being comfortable on your bike will encourage you to ride longer and more often, enhancing your workouts and ensuring that you get the most out of your bike. Here are the comfort essentials we recommend.
Gloves
You’ll be shocked how much a good pair of gloves can enhance your cycling experience! They provide comfort and support to your hands and wrists (which, as mentioned above, are one of the three touch points between your body and your bike).
Cycling gloves prevent your hands from slipping off the handlebars and wick sweat away. They sometimes make it easier to grip the shifters and other accessories too. If you feel numbness or discomfort in your hands and wrists after a little while on the saddle, a good pair of cycling gloves is just what the doctor ordered.
Read more in our Bike Clothing Guide to discover the benefits of cycling gloves!
Padded Shorts
Cycling-specific apparel makes a huge difference in comfort while riding, especially with cycling bottoms like shorts and bibs. They feature a chamois (pronounced “sham-ee”) to provide additional support and comfort at the most sensitive areas of your body. What’s more, padded cycling shorts are made of synthetic fabrics that stretch along with the body and wick sweat away, keeping you cool, dry, and comfortable.
While many cycling shorts fit close to the body to aid in performance and comfort, there are looser options (called baggies) that are a great alternative if you don’t like the skintight look. Note that, for some baggy shorts, a padded liner should still be purchased and worn to maximize comfort (though some baggies do come with their own liner and chamois).
Eyewear
Wearing sunglasses while riding isn’t only about cutting down glare from the sun. A good pair of riding sunglasses also protects your eyes from UV rays and any airborne debris that might be flying around (especially helpful for mountain biking). After a couple hours of squinting into the sun when you’re on your bike, you’ll probably realize the importance of cycling eyewear!
Water Bottle & Bottle Cage
No matter the temperature, bike, or style of riding, it’s easy to work up a sweat and get exhausted while cycling. That’s why it’s important to carry hydration products—at the very least, some fresh water and snacks just in case your energy starts to wane.
Water bottles are designed to be gripped and opened easily and quickly when you’re on the saddle. There are a variety of bottle cages to suit your preferred method for carrying and retrieving the water bottle (e.g., front load, right-side load, and left-side load).
If a water bottle in a cage isn’t your preferred setup, there are other options. Hydration packs allow you to get a sip of H2O whenever you need, without even having to reach down for a water bottle (these are especially popular with mountain bikers). There are also feed bags that attach to the handlebars and are designed to carry water bottles and whatever smaller snacks you need for sustenance throughout your ride. See below for more info about bike bags.
For more advice on staying nourished during your ride, check out our Hydration Guide, and see below for our recommended hydration products!
Must-Have Items for Cycling Convenience
Let’s face it: if something seems like a hassle, you’re probably not going to want to do it very often. Which would be a tragedy if it prevented you from riding your bike! Luckily, there are lots of great products designed to make your riding experience more convenient. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
Car Rack
This is the ideal way to carry a bike or multiple bikes on your vehicle, allowing you to venture further from home for cycling exploration. No trail is too distant or remote if you have a car rack properly installed!
There are different kinds of racks, including hitch, roof, trunk, and spare tire racks, along with tailgate pads. The specific kind of rack you use depends on your vehicle as well as your bike; for example, a sturdy and reliable hitchrack is best for electric bikes (which are usually a bit heavier).
If you have any questions about rack compatibility with your vehicle and your bike, check out our Car Rack Buying Guide and Car Rack Finder, stop into your local ERIK’S and ask a team member, or reach out to our Brain Trust customer service team. We’ll help you find the perfect fit for your bike/vehicle setup!
If you’re just looking for some general guidance to get started, check out our recommended car racks below.
Floor Pump
Keeping a floor pump inside your home helps ensure your tires are properly inflated for every ride. All it takes is a quick pump-up (with an easy-to-read gauge to maintain optimal tire pressure) to keep your tires safe and reliable, and your rides efficient and comfortable. Most pumps work with either Presta or Schrader valves, so you shouldn’t have to worry about compatibility (unless you have a rarer type of tire valve).
Find a convenient place for you to keep your floor pump, whether that’s in your home or in a garage or shed (if it’s the latter, make sure your pump is safely and securely locked away!). We offer some popular floor pump models below.
Bike Bags
Everyone has personal items they carry with them while riding: keys, phone, wallet, flat kit, apparel layers, etc. It can be bulky and uncomfortable to carry these things on your person, or in a backpack that you wear throughout the ride. There’s a better solution!
On-bike storage options allow you to carry these items conveniently, without adding weight to your body. There are a variety of carrying options, including frame bags, trunk bags, panniers, and baskets.
As mentioned above, there are also feed bags that attach to the handlebars and are perfect for carrying snacks or water bottles (if you’d prefer to forego a bottle cage).
Discover more about the wonderful world of bike bags at our blog post on carrying cargo, and browse our recommended bike bags below!
More Cycling Essentials for Different Types of Riding
Depending on whether you typically ride an electric, road, mountain, or recreational bike, there are other items we strongly recommend to make your ride as safe, secure, comfortable, and convenient as possible.
Recommended Items for Electric Bikes
Riding an electric bike is an unparalleled joy, allowing you to ride further, faster, and more often while enhancing your comfort and safety!
The bike bags listed above are especially convenient on e-bikes. The ease of riding an electric bike makes them a perfect option for carrying cargo.
Here are a few more recommended items to make the experience even better.
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Fenders prevent dirt, mud, rainwater, and other debris from flying back up at you while riding and getting all over your clothes. They’re especially helpful if you use your e-bike for urban commuting. Some cyclists opt for fenders just because of the sleek and fashionable look!
Recommended Items for Road Bikes
Road bikes optimize speed and performance on paved surfaces and trails. Since you’ll likely be riding farther and longer on a road bike than some other kinds of bikes, we especially recommend hydration products and feed bags for carrying snacks on road bikes (see above for product recommendations in those categories).
Here are some other items we recommend:
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Cycling apparel designed for road biking can improve your comfort, speed, safety, and performance. The fabrics are meant to be aerodynamic and wick sweat away, with jerseys, jackets, socks, and other items offering vital support for your body. Find out more at our Bike Clothing Guide!
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Footwear and pedals maximize your performance, ensuring that the maximum amount of pedaling energy is transferred to the bike. Your feet are one of the three main touch points while cycling, so it’s important to make sure they’re comfortable, which will reduce fatigue and allow you to go even farther.
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Cycling shoes offer specific support that aligns your feet, knees, and hips for pedaling efficiency. Find out more at our Cycling Shoes Buying Guide.
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Pedals can be separated into clipless or flat categories; clipless pedals attach to cleats on the bottom of your shoes, enhancing speed and efficiency, while flat pedals optimize ease and maneuverability.
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Cycling computers have a variety of benefits:
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They help you navigate and explore with up-to-date maps and GPS tracking, which can be especially helpful for road bikers who like to go that extra mile.
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They track your performance data, including speed, cadence, power, heart rate, elevation, and other helpful metrics.
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They retain data about your past rides and track your performance over time, which is especially valuable for those looking to improve their performance.
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They enable you to share your location, meet up with friends, and keep others notified about your location in case anything happens.
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Recommended Items for Mountain Bikes
If you prefer to ride off the beaten path and conquer rugged terrain, we have some great recommended items for that too!
It should be noted that there are many cycling accessories specially designed to enhance your mountain biking experience. Apparel for mountain biking tends to fit more loosely, while helmets feature visors and offer a larger area of protection. Flat kits, gloves, shoes, and other items also have mountain bike-specific variations. If mountain biking is your thing, make sure you look for essentials that cater to that style of riding!
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Some mountain bikers prefer to ride on tubeless tires, since they sometimes provide better traction, a smoother ride on uneven terrain, and reduced risk of flats (particularly pinch flats). Find out more at our tubeless tire blog post.
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Shock pumps adjust the air pressure in a bike’s suspension forks and shocks. They accurately deliver high pressure, allowing the rear wheel to absorb impacts, thus improving rider control and reducing fatigue.
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Protective gear keeps you safe from the flying debris and rugged elements that help make mountain biking so exhilarating.
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Goggles offer fuller protection for your eyes, ensuring they’re not scratched by any wayward branches.
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Wrist guards, elbow guards, and kneepads keep you safe in the event of a spill, making them especially useful when you’re first learning mountain biking or attempting particularly tough trails.
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Recommended Items for Recreational Bikes
Recreational bikes make it easy to enjoy your ride if you just want to get out and enjoy the movement and fresh air. You may want to check out fenders, bells, mirrors, and baskets or bags that can be easily carried on racks—see above for more info.
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A kickstand is great for recreational bikes! If you’re getting off your bike for a quick chat with friends or a breather on a park bench, a kickstand allows you to keep the bike upright without having to lock and relock it every time. (But remember, we do recommend using a bike lock if you’re leaving your bike unattended.)
Don’t Forget About ERIK’S Care Service Plans
We’re saving the most important part for last! An ERIK’S Care service plan is the most essential item listed here—an absolute must for maintenance.
No matter what type of riding you do, an ERIK’S Care service plan will keep your bike in optimal shape for years to come and make your rides as safe, secure, comfortable, and convenient as possible.
Our expert technicians will perform any necessary services quickly and reliably. Click here for a rundown of what each of our service plans (Standard and Performance) entails. The added peace of mind you’ll get with an ERIK’S Care service plan—just by knowing that our experts will keep your bike in excellent shape and address any issues that might arise—helps make your cycling excursions more fun and carefree.
Go Ride Your Bike!
Now that you know which essential items make your riding experience safe, secure, comfortable, and convenient, get out there and enjoy your bike!
Contact us or visit ERIK’S for more info on these products or to find the perfect fit for your riding preferences.
