The cycling accessories you need to have to stay safe and comfortable

Have you ever felt lost and overwhelmed in the vast sea of cycling accessories, unsure of which ones truly make a difference? 

It’s a challenge we’ve all faced—the overwhelming task of sifting through options for the perfect cycling gear.

But hang tight because today we’re digging into the world of cycling accessories.

From essential safety gear to bike maintenance tools, this post is your guide to keeping you safe and your bike in top shape.

Let’s get started.

Affiliate Disclosure: I’m here to help you grow as a rider and runner. So to keep things running smoothly and the content free, I participate in the Amazon Services program and select affiliate networks. So, when you click on those affiliate links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

ESSENTIAL ROAD CYCLING ACCESSORIES | SAFETY CYCLING ACCESSORIES

Helmet

A helmet protects your head in the event of a crash or accident and is the most vital road cycling gear to wear on your bike ride. 

A bike helmet will not only protect you from skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries, but wearing a bike helmet may be a legal requirement, depending on where you live. 

If you have an old bike helmet, replace it if:

• You’ve been in a bike accident. Though your helmet may look fine after a crash, there’s damage you can’t see. 
• Your helmet has damage and hairline cracks.
• The color of the bike helmet has faded from sunlight because it is more likely to break and split apart.
• The straps on the helmet are frayed because they’re less likely to hold your helmet in place. 

Your helmet is over 5 to 10 years old. Helmets have a limited lifespan, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends replacing your helmet every 5 to 10 years.

---

---

Front and rear lights

Front and rear bike lights enhance your visibility and safety on the road and may be required depending on your country and local state laws. 

Front bike light. Front bike lights brighten the road ahead in low-light and nighttime conditions, allowing you to see potential obstacles, road conditions, and hazards. 

Rear bike light. Rear bike lights make you visible to drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists to your presence. Choose a flashing rear bike light to make you stand out up to 2.4 times more than a rider with no flights and up to 1.4 times more than someone using only a steady light. ¹

Bike lights can range in price from under a hundred dollars to several hundred, depending on the features included.

Some bike lights auto-adjust to the lighting conditions and gets brighter or dimmer, while other bike lights include a camera to record anything and everything that happens on your bike ride.

If you don’t want to get too fancy with your cycling gear, then this rechargeable front and rear cycling light set is a great affordable option that removes the need for frequent battery replacements.

---

Reflective gear

Reflective bands (like these) reflect light from vehicles, making you noticeable on the road. 
For maximum visibility and safety, wear the bands on the parts of your body that move the most (your ankles and knees) because movement attracts attention. (They’re also handy for cycling in the rain.)

---

---

ROAD CYCLING ACCESSORIES  | BIKE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Tire repair kit

A flat tire is an inevitable part of cycling but a tire repair kit can help you get back on the road quickly when you’re faced with an unexpected flat tire. 

To be fully prepared for any type of puncture, whether it’s small or large, make sure to include the following items in your tire repair kit:

• A patch kit for small punctures: This kit usually comes with sandpaper, adhesive, and tube patches. 
• A spare tube for large punctures. But remember to replace your inner tubes with a tube of the same size.

You’ll find the tire size on the side wall of the tire and it’ll look like a number such as 700 (diameter) x 25c (tire width). 

Then, you’ll also need to determine what valve type you’ll need: Presta or Schrader. Presta valves are longer and slimmer than Schrader valves. Not sure which one you have? Look at the valve on your bike tube; does it look like a valve on a car tire? If it does, it’s probably a Schrader valve. 

And finally, be sure to include a set of tire levers to make unseating your bike tire easier and less frustrating.

---

---

Mini bike pump or C02 inflator

You’ll need to inflate your bike tube after you’ve repaired your flat tire, and you can use either a bike pump or a C02 inflator to do this.

Mini bike pump. Remember when we talked about the valve type on your spare tube? That’s important when it comes to finding a mini bike pump because you’ll need to match the pump with the valve of your inner tube. 

A mini bike pump should also be small enough to carry with you and able to pump enough air into your flat tire so you can get home safely.

One major advantage of a mini pump is the ability to semi-inflate your tube, making it easier to install. But compared to larger pumps, the inflation process will take more time.

C02 Inflator. This lightweight, small canister contains C02 to inflate your tube quickly, without manual pumping. 

So which should you choose? A mini bike pump or C02 inflator? 

Choose a mini bike pump if you’d like to control the air that goes into your tube, despite a longer inflation time. But if you would like speed and convenience and don’t mind continually buying cartridges, a CO2 inflator is your best bet.

---

---

Multi-tool for on-the-go repairs

Whether you need to make quick adjustments or fix minor issues on your bike ride, a multitool is an essential cycling accessory. 

A multitool’s compact size combines several tools into one to let you tighten bolts, adjust saddle height, brakes, and more.

---

Fix It Sticks Cycling Multitool

---

Bike lubricant

Have you ever had a noisy chain? That’s when you’ll use bike lubricant to silence the noise and allow the chain to move smoothly. 

In short, bike lubricant will extend the life of your components (such as your derailleur, brakes, and chain) by reducing friction and allowing the moving parts to move smoothly.

You’ll find two bike lubricants to suit your bike riding style: wet lube and dry lube. 

Wet bike lube will protect against moisture but may attract more dirt. Dry lube is for dry, dusty conditions because it creates a less sticky barrier.

---

---

ROAD BIKE ACCESSORIES | CYCLING APPAREL

Cycling shorts with padding

Do you find it uncomfortable to sit on your bike saddle? If you’re looking for an instant way to boost your comfort in the saddle, bike shorts are your answer. (For more cycling shorts recommendations, pop on over to this post on cycling shorts for long-distance cycling.)

The seat padding in bike shorts (called the “chamois” and pronounced as “sha-mee”) makes it more comfortable to ride your bike.

Cycling shorts are pulled on much like tight shorts and are convenient for emergency pit stops. 

But the major drawback: if you spend much of your bike ride hunched over your handlebars, the waistband might dig into your waist.

You can avoid an uncomfortable waistband with a cycling bib, which is held up by two shoulder straps to keep your shorts firmly in place. 

But there are a couple of disadvantages to the cycling bib. 

You may find that the shoulder straps dig annoyingly into your shoulders. 

And, if you ever need to stop for a restroom break, be prepared to peel off your jersey (and hope nothing falls out of your back pockets) before getting to your bib.

Cycling shorts and cycling bibs have their advantages and disadvantages and it ultimately comes down to what you’ll feel most comfortable riding in for short and long lengths of time.

---

---

Cycling gloves for grip and cushioning

Wearing cycling gloves is a personal preference—some cyclists like wearing them while others don’t. 

But there are a few reasons why cycling gloves may be for you.

Cycling gloves will:

• Protect your hands in the event of an accident.
• Alleviate discomfort and prevent numbness on longer rides. Your hands will absorb the vibrations from road cycling, and padded gloves can dampen these vibrations and reduce stress and fatigue on your hands.
• Keep your hands warm in the winter.
• Wick sweat away from your hands in the summer to keep you dry and comfortable.

---

---

Cycling shoes and clipless pedals for efficient power transfer

Cycling shoes and clipless pedals secure your foot to the pedal, so you don’t waste energy trying to keep your foot in place. 

A range of cycling shoes is available on the market, with the pricier options usually made of high-tech materials that make them lighter and more durable. And if you take a closer look at the bottom of the shoe, you’ll see bolt holes that you can use to attach a metal or plastic cleat. This cleat will clip into the pedal, keeping your foot firmly in place as you pedal away.

To detach your foot from the pedal, twist and kick your heel outward to free yourself.
If you’re ready to see how much of a difference cycling shoes and clipless pedals can make to your ride, check out these options: women’s cycling shoes + pedals + cleat set or men’s cycling shoes + pedals + cleat set.

Cycling sunglasses for UV protection and clarity

Cycling sunglasses give you eye protection (from dirt, bugs, wind, sun, and rain) and can make or break your bike ride. 

Look for cycling sunglasses that wrap around for the most eye protection and consider using different color lenses for various weather conditions.

Sunny day? Opt for a dark lens to reduce brightness.

Low-light or rainy day? Try a lighter lens to enhance visibility and depth perception.

---

---

Nutrition and hydration cycling gear

It’s important to stay hydrated and well-fueled on your bike rides and you can carry your nutrition with you in two ways: a water bottle + water bottle cage or a hydration pack.

If you’re new to cycling and don’t want to stop constantly for a sip of water, you’ll want to practice taking your hand off the handlebar and reaching for your water bottle.

And don’t forget! If you’re going on a longer ride, it’s essential that you fuel your body on long bike rides to maintain your energy levels. Energy gels, bars, or easily digestible carbs will help you keep your energy high on long bike rides and you’ll find more information here on what to eat on long bike rides.

---

---

CYCLING GEAR | ROAD BIKE TECH

Cycling computer for tracking speed, distance, and other metrics

Do you need a bike computer? That depends on your bike riding style, budget, and personal preferences. 

So let’s talk a bit about the pros and cons of using a phone as a bike computer versus a dedicated bike computer. 

If you want to use your phone as a bike computer,

Pros

• A cycling app can track your time, distance, speed, navigate routes, and more.
• You won’t have to invest money into a dedicated bike computer.

Cons

• Your phone’s battery life will drain quickly.
• The vibrations from mounting your phone onto your bike can damage the camera.
• Your phone will be more expensive to replace in the event of an accident. 

If you’re thinking about buying a dedicated bike computer,

Pros

• A bike computer will have a longer battery life.
• You’ll get cycling-specific metrics, such as cadence, heart rate, and power meter integration

Cons

• Bike computers can be expensive

---

---

I hope this list of cycling accessories has given you a head start on building your cycling kit. But the cycling tips don’t end here because I’ve created a free pre-ride checklist to ensure you don’t miss a thing before your ride.

Enter your email below and grab the pre-ride checklist now!