There are essential cycling accessories for beginners to acquire before embarking on your cycling routine.

Cycling accessories help make your ride more enjoyable. They also help make it safer for you and others around you. Most of all, cycling accessories for beginners make cycling less intimidating.

In this guide, I’ll be showing you 5 cycling accessories you should get as a beginner cyclist.

1: Helmet – Your Essential Safety Gear

The bike helmet is probably one of the most important of cycling accessories for beginners.

It’s important to protect your head as a cyclist. Most fatalities and major injuries happen to riders who don’t wear a helmet. Anything can happen these days, and a simple bump on the head can be what it takes to ruin or take your life.

When choosing a cycling helmet, ensure you select one specifically designed for cycling. It should have good ventilation and a sturdy harness system. It should also have additional certifications and protection, such as those provided by MIPS.

BEST FIT TIP: When wearing your helmet, it should create a V under your chin and below your ears. The helmet should not be rocking back and forth. You should have about a finger or two of space between the strap under your chin.

2: Bike Lights – Be Seen and Stay Safe

Bike lights are essential cycling accessories for beginners, whether riding during the day or at night.

You should have a bright, clear light on the front of your bike. You should have a bright red light on the rear of your bike. You should use your lights day and night, especially when riding on the road with motor vehicles.

You can get rechargeable bike lights, high-lumen bike lights, and other features. Just make sure they’re bright enough to see in the dark and bright enough for others to see you during the day, as well. I commonly use Nite Rider lights on my bikes.

BEST LIGHT TIP: When riding during the daylight hours in areas where motor vehicles may also be present, use your flash mode on both lights. This will make it easier for drivers to spot you and slow down. This makes it a lot safer to ride with traffic.

3: Water Bottle & Cage – Stay Hydrated on the Go

Hydration gear is a vital cycling accessory for both beginners and experienced cyclists.

It is essential to stay hydrated while cycling. Failing to hydrate can cause you to get dehydration and other illnesses that can make you become injured or even wreck on your bike. You should be drinking at least two bottles of water for every 10-20 miles you bike, especially on hot and humid days.

There are really great lightweight bottle cages available. Most people spend around $10 to $20 on simple aluminum cages that will do the trick. However, if you have a larger budget, you can purchase carbon fiber cages that are even more aerodynamic, which can help save weight and make for a smoother ride.

BEST HYDRATION TIP: Practice drinking from your water bottle on safer roads and trails. This will help you develop the safe habit of removing your water bottle from the cage and replacing it without getting into an accident.

4: Basic Repair Kit & Pump – Be Prepared for Flats

Add a basic repair kit and pump to your cycling accessories for beginners gear list.

There are some must-have items to have in your repair kit. First, get a mini-pump, CO2 pump, or hand pump that you can take with you on your bike. You’ll also want to bring a spare tube, tire levers, and a multi-tool made for cycling.

It’s essential to know basic roadside repairs and have the necessary tools to perform them. Your tire will eventually go flat, and you might even break your chain. This can happen to anyone, and you may become stranded if you don’t have the necessary supplies to repair your bike.

BEST REPAIR TIP: The most common bike repair you’ll do is changing a flat tire. Practice changing innertubes and patching tires at home, even on a good tire, so that you can get the hang of it when you need to do it in real life. Practice makes perfect!

5: Basic Cycling Kit – Ride in Comfort

A good cycling kit will make you feel a lot more comfortable on your ride.

Cycling gloves are a type of cycling accessory often overlooked by beginners. Cycling gloves are also extremely important. They’ll prevent hand fatigue and blisters from forming as you ride.

Get a pair of padded cycling shorts or bib shorts. The tight-fitting kind is the best, as they help with recovery, and the pad in the shorts prevents chaffing and pain. Don’t worry about how they look because we all wear them.

BEST KIT TIP: Don’t wear underwear with padded cycling shorts. It will defeat the purpose of the pad. You’ll likely be uncomfortable and chafe in the process, as well.

Bonus Cycling Accessories for Beginners

As a bonus, here are a few more great cycling accessories for beginners worth adding to your kit.

Get a cycling computer to track your rides. You could also get a phone mount and use your phone to track your rides, instead. Many cyclists use Strava to record their ride information and track their progress.

Get a good lock made for bicycles. You might have to leave your bike outside at some point. If you have a good bike lock, that will prevent it from being stolen.

Bring eye protection with you. There are bugs, and bike tires can also kick up debris into your eyes. Wear sunglasses and bring a pair of clear safety glasses if you plan to ride at night.

Final Thoughts

The basic cycling accessories for beginners include a good helmet, bike lights, hydration gear, repair tools, and a comfortable kit.

The accessories above aren’t just basic. These accessories are designed for safety and comfort, helping you feel confident while riding your bike. At the very least, get these accessories when starting out, and the rest can wait until later.

If you enjoyed this article and you’d like to support me for writing it, please consider leaving me a small one-time donation. I’d also love to invite you to my free discussion forum, Cycling Topics, where cyclists can meet and discuss all things related to biking.