What kit do you need as a beginner cyclist? Hank talks you through the essentials to help kick-start your cycling journey. From cycling clothes to puncture repair kits, this checklist will get you on the roads in no time!
00:00 Intro
00:18 What bike should you buy?
00:53 What cycling clothing should you wear?
02:40 What cycling helmet should you buy?
03:36 What footwear should I use when cycling?
04:28 Should I wear cycling gloves?
04:45 Do I need cycling glasses?
05:17 Mini pump for cycling
05:44 Inner tube and puncture repair kit
06:10 Cycling lights are essential
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Cycling doesn’t necessarily need to take a huge investment to get going but there are a few essentials that you need to ensure your safety and I guess more importantly to make sure you have an enjoyable time while out on the bike cuz that is what it’s all
About the key here is to know exactly what kind of cycling you’re going to be doing so that you can make the right choice for example if you’re looking for riding on smooth fast roads then a road bike is what you’re going to want to choose if you’re looking to some
Off-road kind of stuff some gentle off-road tracks some gravel then it’s a gravel bike you might be looking for and even a hybrid bike if you’re doing a mix of a little bit of everything the key here is to know exactly what you want to do there’s a huge variety of bikes out
There and there’s also a huge variety of prices too so that it can fit in to the budget you’ve Got you can wear whatever you like and what you feel comfortable riding in actually no please don’t wear Speedos n absolutely not but what I’m trying to say is you can really wear whatever you want on the bike as long as you feel comfortable riding them but if you’re
Still wondering well we have got a video on What Not to Wear on the channel and that one’s worth checking out but as cool and as easy as casual kit is there is a reason why cycling specific kit was designed it’s mainly for your comfort
And it’s so we don’t have to see this now it’s fair to say you can cycle and ride a bike in pretty much anything but the better clothing and cycling specific clothing you have the better experience and the more comfortable you’ll be now there are a few things you need to look
Out for good fitting clothing moisture wicking fabrics and most importantly padded shorts now these are an absolute must now personally there are a few things I just can’t live without when it comes to cycling first off a Gile in my opinion it’s an absolute must it gives you a bit
Of added protection when it comes to the wind if feeling a little bit chilly and it tucks up and folds up really nicely in your back pocket so it’s easy to take with you cycling specific Jersey now in my mind they’re not only comfortable to ride in but they’re also good for
Aerodynamics which is a must for me and last but not least leg warmers in my mind they’re an imperative and essential item because you can take them off on and off really easily and you don’t need to carry bib tights with you you can just Chuck on a pair of leg warmers and
Chuck them in your back pocket and jobs are good in right let’s get back on the bikes a helmet is a must in my mind it’s one of the most important pieces of gear yes it could really save your life but the key things to look for the ones that
Are comfortable you like wearing and ultimately you feel good in because that way you’ll actually going to wear it now there are a few things you want to look for like a certified helmet now I like to choose a helmet with myips in now this is a protection system built into
The helmet which gives you that bit more protection if you did have an incident this could be labeled with a European c1078 Standard sticker or if you live in the US your helmet should conform to the US snail b90 b95 standard and oh yeah you Australians out there and as s nzs
2063 2008 Certification now training is absolutely fine if you’re starting out but as you get more into your cycling you’re going to want a cycling specific shoe you’re going to want a pair of cleats now they do take a little bit longer to get used to but it’s worth it because trust me
You’ll feel so much better on the bike and you’ll be more efficient in your pedaling and trust me you’re going to want to do that so you can FL up the clbs like this woo now if I were you I would look for a cycling specific shoe
Like this one now a few key aspects to the shoe you want to look for there a closed toe and a firm sole now this is only going to help with your riding now the better you get a cycling and the more you do it in my opinion you’re also
Going to want some clipless pedals so a cleat on the bottom of your shoe may look like that gloves yes a lot of cyclists can’t live without them they do give you some added benefits they’ve got some padding which stops the vibration coming up through the road but most importantly
They’ve got an added bit of protection so if you do hit the deck you’re Saved next up sunnies now in my opinion they’re an absolute must first off they make you look cool I mean there’s no arguing with that but there are some pract I alties they keep the wind and the FES and bugs out your eyes and if you’re anything like man on it will stop
You from crying too yeah for some reason she every Sur cries all the time with joh B me no idea why then there are a few things that you’re going to need to keep you riding to keep you on the road first off it’s a mini pump they’re small they’re portable
And if if you ever have issues with tires and pumping them up well they come in really handy the great thing about them is they fit nicely in your back pocket that’s if you remember to bring it with you yeah I’ve made that mistake a few Times following on from a mini pump yep it’s an inner tube just in case you have an unfortunate flat while on the open road and last but not least a multi-tool and some Tire leavs just in case you have any issues with your your bike
While out on the road a top tip for you is carrying a saddle bag that way you can put in all those bits and Bobs into your saddle bag leave it on your bike and that way you’ll never forget It now if you’re someone who rides in bad weather or low lights then a pair of Lights is going to be absolutely key not only does it allow you to see it also allows you to be seen so it keeps you nice and safe yes it has to be said you
Can spend the world when it comes to cycling you can get more specific with your kits so you can get better clothing better shoes better helmet better bite better wheels and the list goes on but it does take me to the front of the video which is you can ride
Pretty much anything this might not be as comfortable but I hope you enjoyed this video if you did let me know in the comment section below the last thing you need to do for me now is hit that Thumb Thumbs Up Button I’ll get there see you in the next one
39 Comments
Do you have any beginner cycling questions? 🚲
I personally like a good padded gel seat instead of the padded shorts. Also if you don’t want to get bike specific pants, don’t wear any loose ankled pants. I found that the hem of my pants kept getting snagged in my chain and gears.
I would say the one with the mudguards the titanium bike going to work or use it for training because you are out in all weathers but if it comes to the weekend or a doing a evening 10 all doing a time trial on a Saturday or a Sunday I would use something like the Ferrari if you are into time travelling all racing
You forgot mud guards. At least when you live in Central Europe.
Ok, there's the arrogance that everyone who cycles must be a roadie.
First thing you need to be a cyclist is a bike. Any fecking bike. Just get on it in whatever clothes you're wearing and just go where you need to go. School, work, shopping, socialising, whatever. Just hold onto the handlebars and push one pedal in front of the other and keep repeating until you get where you wanted to go.
Yes, a helmet is ideal but not obligatory. Basic puncture repair tools and tube and chain tools and a pump if you're going to be too far from home. Watch various videos on how to use them if you are not sure.
Lights are essential for your visibility and safety. Hi-vis reflectors on your leg bottoms are excellent for getting drivers attention because of the movement.
A good lock/s so your bike will still be where you left it when you get back.
A rack, permanent or removable, to carry bags, panniers, baskets or anything else.
A backpack to carry your tools and lights and anything else you don't want to leave unattended on the bike because y'know, scumbags will steal it.
You can get all of this stuff cheap as chips from Amazon or AliExpress if you look plus a whole lot more.
Oh, and bungee cords. No matter where you are or what you're doing, bungee cords solve about half of all of life's problems. You can never go wrong having two with you! 😊
If you enjoy it this far, then you can think about getting the 5k+ road bike. I know a lot of people who did it the other way around and the road bike is languishing in the shed or garage years later gathering dust.
7 – 5:17
Gone with electrical portable pumps now. They can be loud, but they can hit pressures you can only hope to hit using a mini pump.
Drawback is that they're good for only 4-6 full tyre pumps for the ultracompact ones (size dependent, maybe 1.5-2 fat bike tyres to unecessarily high pressures for example), so it's best to not puncture more than 4 times
A bike, saved you 7mins of your time
"Cycling doesn't necessarily need to take a huge investment to get going."
Says the company that sells $450 cycling kit and pushes $12,000 bikes..
I agree that cycling gloves provide good protection — losing the skin off your palms is very painful, I understand. But it's funny that you almost NEVER see GCN presenters wearing gloves (unless it's cold).
Question; What do you need to start cycling? Answer; A BIKE!
What needs starting out
Better better better
Good checklist. Using my newbie experience I’d recommend padded shorts, sunglasses and helmet as the top 3 essentials. Once I got going the move to a proper jersey was a revelation. And maybe I was lucky but I thought changing to clipless pedals was pretty intuitive. Mind you I chose Shimano M520 SPD Clipless MTB Pedals and they might be easier to get in and out of. 6:58
Good bib shorts are a must and leg warmers will save you money by not having to invest in bib tights
If gloves are so important, why aren't you wearing any?
How many bib tights & jerseys do you think one should have to get started? Thinking 3 of each should be fine,
Bare minimum? Bike, helmet, pump. Then hex wrenches, lights, tire spoons. Some amazingly good helmets are available for as little as 50 USD and even under 30 USD on sale!
i feel like i just watched an ad……..
What gear you start cycling in largely depends on how steep the bit it you're trying to get started on … I'd suggest trying 3rd gear
I’m surprised considering how popular cycling has become that cycle helmets aren’t compulsory
Bike. Helmet. The end.
Good information always!
I've only been cycling for 6 months as a commuter and want to do weekend rides so this kind of content is really useful to me. Thanks!
A bike, a helmet(option but recommend)
A lock to keep that investment. Waterbottle holder, this is a theme that bikes comes with the screws but no holder itself.
cycling shorts is a must to get cycling as a regular sport … and a small kit to fix mechanics and punctures issues
As a beginner you definitely need Rapha-Clothing, because it s the „one and only“. As a GCN-fanboy you can buy the GCN-kit (it s not so expensive 😅)
As a beginner, it s always the best you buy the most expensive. Then everyone can see that you are one of them and are serious.
I got into cycling last year and I must say that it is not a cheap sport. Yes, you can get some very affordable bikes and kit, but going too cheap will usually compromise on quality, which you do not want to do when it comes to your safety, and cheap also often means less comfort and longevity/wear. Then there is all the bike maintenance aspects, and of course the 'nice to have' gear that you may not actually need but probably will want all the same. If you want to ride more or less all year, at least in the UK, then the list of kit needed gets even longer so while cycling is a great sport I would say be prepared to end up spending more than you thought you would.
With the 'tache and mullet, Hank is starting to look like Mitch Docker!
You forgot the GoPro camera and video drone so you can post your cycling adventure on social media.
Na you want SPD shoes with a full sole so you can walk normally off the bike and slime / well filled tubeless tyres so you don't have to forget or carry extra crap every ride
3:21 The US helmet standard is set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The Snell standards are almost 30 years old, are not required and are no longer widely used.
Agree with most of these. I find a windbreaker jacket more wide range than a filet. My Sugoi runner's jacket has a arms/ shoulders detachable that just leaves a vest. Disagree about cleats. No real (other than marginal racer perceived) gains. More bother than worth! Just buy mountain bike shoes for walkable but excellent firm sole and don't put spd cleats on. Great video and content and tips!
The biggest surprise to me was the difference flat pedal shoes made over trainers – I'd kind of assumed they were just regular shoes with a mark up for having the word "cycling" in the description but found some on a chunky discount and gave them a go. Clipless aren't really suitable for me because of a disability but my flat shoes immediately made climbing easier.
I just started cycling (on a road bike). I think cycling shorts and a cycling jersey are very nice to wear on the bike. It gives me more comfort and I can put the things I need in the pockets of the jersey. It’s not a must have, but even on a budget (and I am) you can find good things quite cheap if you look for sales. You don’t need the best (and very expencive) things.
The only things you really need are a bike and a helmet.
Please make more content for beginners cyclist. I like the other stuff too, and that’s mainly because of the presenters, so just keep being your crazy selfs 😂
Remember Humpty Dumpty?
The rest of your body heals just fine, but try putting your head back together.
Get a helmet!
Make sure that when riding on public roads your bike is actually road legal where you are. To give you an example: Germany requires reflectors on the pedals and there are not many "clipless" (which actually means clip-in) pedals that have those.
Do people over here care much about that? No. I see bikes, especially road bikes, that aren't road legal all the time. It's quite the oxymoron. But when, not if, there is an accident involving a bike that doesn't meet the requirements, at least an amount of the blame will be put on its rider, worsening public perception of cycling.
Floor pump, flat kit, padded shorts.
I disagree with cycling glasses but as no matter how I wear them the wind goes over or under them straight to my eyes and makes my eyes water way more than without
I like watching tight back n buldge