What do you need for cycling? [The complete guide]
Whether you are just starting with cycling or have already covered many kilometers, the right cycling clothing and accessories take your cycling experience to the next level. Cycling may seem simple: you get on your bike and go, right? Not quite – the right equipment makes a world of difference. The right clothing and accessories not only improve your comfort and performance but also increase your safety, allowing you to fully enjoy every kilometer.
To help you get started, we wrote this complete guide on what you minimally need to start cycling. After reading this guide, you will know exactly which clothing and gear you need to get the most out of every ride and ride with confidence.
In this blog about what you need for cycling:
- Why the right cycling equipment is important
- What you need for cycling
- These are the cycling items you minimally need
3.1. A good bike
3.2. Cycling clothing
3.2.1. Cycling shorts
3.2.1.1. Long
3.2.1.2. Short
3.2.2. Cycling jersey
3.2.3. Cycling jacket
3.2.4. Cycling helmet
3.2.5. Cycling socks
3.2.6. Cycling shoes
3.2.7. Cycling glasses
Extra cycling gear for winter / colder days - Cycling gloves
- Arm warmers
- Leg warmers
- Bandana, cycling cap or hat
- Overshoes
- Conclusion
Why the right cycling equipment is so important
Cycling is a sport that revolves around speed, endurance, and pushing your limits. But whether you are just starting with cycling or already have many kilometers in your legs, the right equipment plays a key role for an optimal cycling experience. Good cycling equipment not only ensures optimal comfort and proper support, but is also important for your performance, safety, and enjoyment.
With the right equipment, you will enhance every aspect of your cycling experience. For example, a good bike helps you pedal more efficiently and ride longer distances comfortably. Specially designed cycling clothing, such as a high-quality cycling bib with padding and a breathable cycling jersey, keeps you cool in the summer, while the right cycling jacket and cap keep you comfortable during colder days.
Additionally, the right cycling gear ensures that you can ride in various weather conditions. Whether it’s sunny, cold, or rainy, the proper cycling clothing keeps you protected and comfortable. This way, you will be able to tackle every challenging route.
To help you get in the saddle and stay on the right track, this blog will guide you through the cycling items you minimally need, so that after reading it you can hit the road well-equipped. As a bonus, we will also discuss various accessories and tools for the ultimate cycling experience.
These are the cycling items you minimally need
To fully enjoy cycling while staying comfortable and safe, there are a few basic items that are indispensable for every cyclist. These clothing items and accessories ensure you are well-prepared and can fully focus on the road and riding.
Clothing and accessories you minimally need for cycling:
3.1. A good bike
3.2. Cycling clothing
3.2.1. Cycling shorts
3.2.1.1. Long
3.2.1.2. Short
3.2.2. Cycling jersey
3.2.3. Cycling jacket
3.2.4. Cycling helmet
3.2.5. Cycling socks
3.2.6. Cycling shoes
3.2.7. Cycling glasses
The bike
Without a bike, you won’t get far as a cyclist, which is why it is the most important component. A good road bike not only provides speed and top performance, but also comfort and control on every ride.
Are you just starting out with cycling and don’t have a bike yet? Then it’s important, when choosing your new bike, to consider your riding style and the goals you want to achieve. A road bike is perfect if you want to cover longer distances on asphalt. Prefer more off-road cycling? Then a gravel bike is a better choice. Want to do triathlons? Then you can also go for a special time trial bike. The size of your bike is also important: the correct frame size ensures you can maintain a good posture without suffering from strain on your back, knees, or shoulders.
Cycling clothing
The right cycling clothing makes a world of difference while cycling. Road cycling requires proper clothing that is adapted to the intense movements you make and the different weather conditions. The right cycling clothing not only provides the necessary comfort and optimal freedom of movement, but it also helps to prevent injuries and discomforts such as chafing and overheating.
In addition, cycling clothing plays an important role in regulating your body temperature. It is essential to stay comfortably cool in warmer weather and comfortably warm in colder weather. Wearing the right materials ensures that sweat is quickly wicked away, keeping you dry and comfortable, while the tight fit helps reduce wind resistance so you can ride faster.
Let’s take a closer look at the specific pieces:
The cycling shorts
The cycling shorts are the most important part of a cycling outfit. They ensure that you experience optimal comfort and provide the necessary support, which is especially important during longer rides. Depending on whether you prefer to cycle in summer or winter, you can choose between short cycling shorts or long cycling shorts. In addition, there are two other important features to consider when it comes to cycling shorts: the options for padding and bib straps.
Long cycling shorts
When the temperature drops, rides become more challenging, but with a good pair of long cycling shorts, you’ll conquer these demanding rides with ease. Long cycling shorts are specially designed to keep your legs comfortably warm without sacrificing your freedom of movement. Moreover, the advanced fabrics offer protection against wind, cold, and, depending on the shorts, even (light) rain, while quickly wicking away moisture and excess heat.
A pair of long cycling shorts is an essential item for dedicated cyclists who don’t let the seasons hold them back. Thanks to innovative materials, your muscles stay at the right temperature, which is important for smooth movement and injury prevention. Whether you enjoy riding through the early morning mist or braving the cool evenings, with the right long cycling shorts you’ll be ready to conquer any route.
Short cycling shorts
A good pair of short cycling shorts (bib shorts) is an essential part of every cycling outfit. Especially in the warmer months, short cycling shorts provide extra comfort as well as the necessary support and ventilation to make your rides much more enjoyable. The breathable fabrics ensure that sweat is quickly wicked away, keeping your skin dry and cool. This is particularly important during more intense rides, as it helps regulate your body temperature and reduces the risk of overheating.
Cycling shorts with chamois
A pair of cycling shorts with chamois is an absolute must for any cyclist looking for maximum comfort, especially during longer rides. Almost all cycling shorts, both short and long, feature an integrated chamois. This padded insert in the seat area of the shorts provides optimal support and absorbs shocks, minimizing saddle soreness and irritation.
The chamois is specially designed to reduce friction and pressure on your sit bones. The pads are made from high-quality gel or foam and finished with a super-soft breathable fabric, which wicks moisture quickly and keeps you riding fresh, comfortable, and dry.
Cycling shorts with chamois are available in various designs, specifically tailored to the male and female anatomy, ensuring a perfect fit for your body. These benefits make cycling shorts with chamois the preferred choice for almost every cyclist.
Cycling shorts with bib straps
A pair of cycling shorts with bib straps is the perfect choice for cyclists seeking optimal comfort and a good fit, both for short and long rides. Thanks to the bib straps, your shorts always stay perfectly in place without slipping or shifting. This is especially important on longer rides, as it prevents the chamois from moving, reducing friction and irritation. In addition, the bib straps help distribute pressure evenly across your shoulders instead of your waist, which is not only more comfortable but also improves your freedom of movement.
The majority of cyclists, both recreational and professional, choose cycling shorts with bib straps because they fit snugly against your body without causing pressure points around the waist.
Cycling jerseys
Besides a good pair of cycling shorts, the second most important item for dedicated cyclists is a good and comfortable cycling jersey. The right jersey helps you push your limits and enjoy every ride in optimal comfort. The premium cycling jerseys in our collection are specially designed for true cycling enthusiasts, whether you ride road bikes, mountain bikes, or simply enjoy a relaxed ride.
The cycling jerseys are made from breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics, keeping you cool and dry on every ride, even during intense sessions. Additionally, the snug aerodynamic fit minimizes air resistance, allowing you to reach maximum speed and set new personal records.
Depending on when you prefer to ride, you can choose from three types of jerseys: sleeveless jerseys, short-sleeve cycling jerseys, and long-sleeve cycling jerseys.
Sleeveless jerseys: For the hottest days, sleeveless cycling jerseys provide ultimate ventilation, cooling, and freedom of movement. They are ideal for summer rides.
Short sleeves: Short-sleeve cycling jerseys are perfect for warmer spring days and summer rides. They offer a bit more protection for your arms from the sun while providing extra coverage. The breathable fabrics quickly wick away excess heat and moisture, keeping you comfortably cool. Approximately 85% of cyclists ride with a short-sleeve jersey, making it the most popular choice.
Long sleeves: Lastly, there are long-sleeve cycling jerseys. These are specially designed for cooler autumn and winter days. The longer sleeves provide extra protection for your arms against wind, cold, and sometimes light rain, allowing you to continue riding comfortably on cooler days.
Cycling jackets
As a dedicated cyclist, you don’t want to be limited by wind, rain, or cold. That’s why a good cycling jacket is an essential part of your cycling gear. A quality jacket protects you from the elements without compromising your freedom of movement and comfort. The cycling jackets in our collection combine style with functional protection and are available in different designs, so you always have the right model for your rides.
In our collection, you can find different types of cycling jackets, each specifically designed for particular weather conditions and seasons. Let’s first take a look at the sleeve options:
Just like cycling jerseys, cycling jackets come in three variants: sleeveless, short sleeves, and long sleeves.
Sleeveless cycling jackets: These are ideal for cool spring or autumn rides, changing weather conditions, and when you want a little extra protection. This variant can also be seen as a vest. They provide extra protection for your torso while leaving your arms completely free for maximum ventilation. They are often worn in combination with a long-sleeve base layer or a long-sleeve cycling jersey, or with arm warmers and a base layer.
Short-sleeve cycling jackets: Short-sleeve cycling jackets are perfect for spring and summer months. They offer the ideal balance between protection and ventilation. The short sleeves cover your shoulders and upper arms for added comfort and protection. This type of jacket is often worn in combination with arm warmers.
Long-sleeve cycling jackets: A long-sleeve cycling jacket is essential for the colder autumn and winter months. These jackets provide full coverage against wind, rain, and, depending on the jacket, even light rain. They often feature insulating materials that retain your body heat while wicking away excess warmth. Approximately 85% of cyclists choose a long-sleeve cycling jacket for colder days. Our advice is to make this item the first addition to your wardrobe.
Besides the different sleeve variants, you can also choose jackets for various weather conditions. These include:
Wind jackets: These are specially designed to block the wind, are lightweight, and easy to pack. They are perfect for variable weather and often contain windproof materials like Gore-Tex or similar fabrics. They keep you comfortable without adding unnecessary weight.
Rain jackets: As the name suggests, these jackets protect you against (light) rain. They provide extra protection during wet conditions. The breathable fabrics ensure that moisture is quickly wicked away from the inside, keeping you dry both inside and out.
The cycling helmet
Besides the previously mentioned clothing items, there is one very important item: the cycling helmet. Whether you ride on quiet bike paths, seek speed, or tackle off-road challenges, a good cycling helmet protects your head and can make the difference between a minor scare and a serious injury—or worse—during a fall or accident.
But safety is not the only advantage of a cycling helmet. Modern helmets also offer excellent ventilation and are made from lightweight materials, keeping you cool even on the hottest days. Additionally, the aerodynamic designs enhance your performance by reducing air resistance.
In short, a good cycling helmet is a small investment with a big impact. It provides the necessary protection and comfort, allowing you to tackle any route with confidence.
Cycling socks
Cycling socks might not be the first thing you think of when putting together your cycling outfit, but they play an important role in your comfort and performance. Cycling socks are made from breathable, moisture-wicking materials, helping to keep your feet dry and cool even during intense rides. This is crucial to prevent chafing and blisters.
Additionally, some cycling socks feature compression zones around your arches and ankles, which improve circulation and help reduce foot fatigue. This ensures optimal comfort during longer rides. Depending on the season you prefer to ride in, you can choose summer socks, winter socks, or socks suitable for autumn or spring. Summer socks are thinner and breathable, keeping your feet fresh, while winter socks are thicker and provide extra insulation (often made from merino wool).
Road cycling shoes
For serious cyclists, there are also special road cycling shoes. If you want to get the most out of your rides, a good pair is essential. While they may seem optional for beginners, they provide a significant improvement in power, control, and efficiency. Almost all road bikes use SPD-SL clip pedals. A dedicated road cycling shoe is compatible with this—you just need to attach an SPD-SL cleat under your shoe. Some bikes have an SPD connection (typically for mountain bikes); in that case, it’s important to buy an MTB cycling shoe and attach an SPD cleat.
In addition, a good pair of cycling shoes provides optimal support and stability for your feet, which is important during longer rides. For cyclists who train regularly or tackle long distances, quality cycling shoes are a must.
Cycling glasses
A good pair of cycling glasses is a valuable accessory to wear during your rides. They enhance both your comfort and safety. Cycling glasses are specially designed to protect your eyes from various elements such as bright sunlight, wind, dust, and rain, as well as small stones and insects, allowing you to fully focus on the road.
In short: the basic cycling equipment
Now you know what the basic cycling equipment consists of. A good pair of cycling shorts—long for colder days and short for warmer summer days—provides the necessary comfort and prevents saddle soreness during longer rides. A breathable cycling jersey keeps you dry and cool. For longer rides or rainy conditions, a cycling jacket is essential for protection against wind, cold, and precipitation. Additionally, a good cycling helmet is indispensable for your safety in case of a fall. Finally, a good set of cycling socks ensures optimal support and protection for your feet.
Optional but useful cycling gear
Besides the essential cycling equipment, there are various other useful items that can enhance your cycling experience. Whether it’s maintaining clear vision or getting even more out of your rides with the ideal cycling shoes, let’s take a closer look at these.
Cycling gear for colder days / winter
Are you a dedicated cyclist who wants to keep riding during colder days and winter? Then there are additional accessories available to keep your arms, legs, and hands comfortably warm. Let’s take a closer look at these.
1. Cycling gloves
2. Arm warmers
3. Leg warmers
4. Bandana, cycling cap, or beanie
5. Overshoes
Cycling gloves
Cycling gloves are a great accessory to have, whether you’re a road cyclist or a mountain biker. They offer more than just comfort—they also provide better grip, hand protection, and, depending on whether you choose summer or winter gloves, cooling or warmth. The cycling gloves in our collection are specially designed to give your hands optimal support and ensure the best experience on every ride.
One of the main benefits of cycling gloves is the improved grip they provide. Thanks to the anti-slip material and breathable fabrics, you always have a firm hold on your handlebars, even with sweaty hands or in wet conditions. This gives you extra control over your bike, which is important for both safety and performance. Additionally, most cycling gloves feature shock-absorbing padding that reduces vibrations from the handlebars. This decreases strain on your hands and wrists, allowing you to ride longer without pain or fatigue.
Gloves also provide important protection in the event of a fall. Often, the natural reaction is to catch yourself with your hands, and gloves offer an extra layer of protection against scrapes and abrasions.
In winter, you can opt for special winter gloves. These are lined and generally much thicker than the summer version. They protect your fingers from the cold, which is important for comfort and solid handlebar control.
Arm warmers
If you want to ride comfortably during cool mornings or chilly evenings with extra protection against the cold, arm warmers provide the perfect solution to keep your arms warm and protected. These handy sleeves are designed as a separate accessory that you can easily put on and take off, ideal for changing weather and for when you don’t have a long-sleeve cycling jersey or jacket. You can, for example, combine arm warmers with a sleeveless or short-sleeve cycling jersey.
Arm warmers are made from high-quality, lightweight, and breathable materials that retain body heat while quickly wicking away moisture. This ensures you stay dry and comfortable during your rides. Additionally, almost all arm warmers feature silicone grippers at the top and bottom to prevent slipping while wearing them.
Leg warmers
If you only have a summer cycling outfit but still want to ride during cooler days, you can complement your short-sleeve cycling jersey and shorts with the previously mentioned arm warmers as well as leg warmers. They serve the same purpose as arm warmers, keeping your legs warm and comfortable.
Bandana, cycling cap, or beanie
A bandana, cycling cap, or beanie is an optional piece of clothing but very useful for both summer and winter. A bandana or thin cycling cap is nice to wear under your helmet in summer. It prevents the helmet from causing pressure points or irritation on your head, wicks away moisture, and keeps small insects from getting in your hair.
Additionally, a cycling cap is also an option to wear, providing extra protection from the sun for your eyes.
For winter conditions, we recommend a cycling beanie. These are usually thicker and lined, covering your ears and the back of your neck for extra protection.
A cycling beanie and/or neck warmer is an optional accessory but very welcome on colder days, specially designed to provide extra protection and warmth for your head and neck. Most body heat is lost through your head, and a good beanie helps retain it. They are thin and breathable, fitting perfectly under your helmet without being tight. They are also made from breathable materials to keep your head comfortable and wick away moisture.
Besides keeping the top of your head warm, depending on the design, the beanie also keeps your ears and forehead comfortable. It’s a simple addition to your cycling outfit that allows you to stay focused on the road without being distracted by the cold.
Cycling overshoes
Nothing is more unpleasant than wet and cold feet. If you ride too long with wet feet, they become numb and uncomfortable. To ensure your feet stay comfortable during wet and cold days so you can keep cycling, cycling overshoes are a great addition to your cycling outfit. These special covers are pulled over your cycling shoes to provide extra protection against cold, rain, and wind, keeping your feet warm, comfortable, and dry.
Besides the extra comfort overshoes provide, there is another benefit: they protect your cycling shoes from mud, dirt, and moisture, extending the lifespan of your shoes.
Equipment for your road bike
Besides clothing and accessories, there are also important accessories for your road bike that you can bring along.
This equipment includes, among others:
- Water bottles and holders
- Saddle bags or frame bags
- A bike computer
- Tools
- Bike pump / CO2 cartridges
- Bike lights
We will take a closer look at these in the next blog, namely: which bike accessories do you need for road cycling?
Conclusion
With the right cycling equipment, you will always be well-prepared and confident on your rides. The basic equipment consists of a good bike, comfortable cycling shorts, a breathable cycling jersey, and a protective cycling jacket. In addition, a good cycling helmet is indispensable for your safety, and quality cycling socks ensure your feet stay dry and comfortable.
If you want to expand your equipment a bit further, you can also opt for a pair of good cycling shoes for better power transfer, cycling glasses to protect your eyes, and cycling gloves for extra grip and shock absorption. Are you a true diehard who doesn’t let cooler days stop you? Then arm warmers, leg warmers, and a good cycling beanie should definitely not be missing.
With this cycling equipment, you’ll be fully prepared to ride kilometer after kilometer comfortably and safely, regardless of the conditions.
Need help choosing your new cycling clothing?
Do you want to buy new cycling clothing but aren’t sure which gear best suits your needs? We’re happy to help with all your questions to make the perfect choice. You can reach our cycling specialists via +31(0)413-256800 or send an email. You can also visit our store in Volkel, Netherlands.