So you have a road bike and are wondering which accessories to invest in first. Well, these are certainly not going to be the same for everybody as we all have distinct needs (e.g. night time riders need lights). Here is a list as I might recommend them though!
 |
| This person was clearly not so concerned about matching |
2. A water bottle and bottle cage. These are not expensive and are generally a must have for any ride where you're exerting a decent amount of effort. I do like to have two matching cages with two matching bottles, but it I find I really only use one bottle of water for every 20 miles or so. This can be a fun place to personalize your bike, so if that is important to you, look around a bit for one that speaks to you! Hint: The metal cages are flexible to accommodate most bottles.
3. A floor pump with a gauge. This is far from a glorious accessory, but in reality is a must have. I absolutely hate inflating my tires (apparently, that is where I draw a line in the sand), but I inflate them every ride. I know this is a huge hassle, but it'll extend the life of your tires and make you ride more efficiently. If you are riding on low pressure you'll probably feel like you're riding through mud. I was really skeptical about the whole inflating my tires each and every ride, but I have been swayed. They seem to drop 20 psi with every ride, and new tires are expensive and a hassle (much like flat). Do yourself a favor and drop twenty dollars on a floor pump with a gauge (apparently squeezing the tire is far from an effective method of testing pressure). Hint: Get a pump that inflates multiple types of valves...or at the very least the type your bike uses!
 |
| So....this is what Wikipedia offered me.....frightening.....(P.S. He would wear a jersey, too so that he looks like he is just wearing shorts and not about to wrestle.) |
4. A pair of decent shorts. I know they are intimidating and not the first thing you want to wear out into public, but a decent pair of shorts with a nice pad (chamois) will go a very long way towards your comfort. I think many people new to road biking are afraid of their seat and really which they had a beefier one, but in reality the saddle is probably a good one for a road bike that will offer you support in just the right places. If you want to augment that comfort go for new shorts, not a new saddle. Shorts will not only add sit comfort, but will add comfort in terms of wicking sweat away from your body (keeping you dry and cool!). If you get lycra shorts they can also decrease your wind resistance (making riding a bit easier) as well as offer you compression which should benefit your riding muscles. That being said, they make baggy shorts for those of us who are a bit more shy. Hint: Spend the extra couple of dollars on bib shorts, they are far more comfortable because there is no elastic to dig into you (though also a bit nerdier as you will look like Andre the Giant).
In my estimation, those are the most pressing accessories. You can bike forever with just those things and be as happy as a clam. Of course some of us have a sickness and can't help but turn a simple hobby into a habit that requires a second job to support it.
If you are wondering what comes after these, my next suggestions would be: jersey, gloves, sunglasses, bike shoes and clipless pedals, and a flat kit.