
You don't really need any special gear or accessories to enjoy recreational riding, but there are some things which will make your riding more enjoyable, safe and efficient.
Lock
You know how it works. If you buy a lock you'll never need it - if you don't, your bike will get
stolen the first day. You really need to protect yourself from the everyday grab and go thief. A good cable lock should do. A ten foot thin cable to wind through bags, helmets, wheels and other stuff someone might slip off with is also a good idea. Urban cyclists usually prefer a Kryptonite U lock, which is stronger and more secure, but heavy and won't fit around a tree.
Lights
If you ride at night
or could possibly get caught riding at dusk, you need headlights and taillights to keep you visible to traffic. Lights come in all varieties; consider superbright LEDs for both front and back, and a much more powerful headlight if you tour or commute.
Horn
You need to let both autos and pedestrians know where you are, and a horn is a good option. A loud signal like an air horn will work for cars, but you may want something less powerful for pedestrians. Where and how you ride, as always, will help you determine what you need. It's also required by Ohio state law.
Water Bottle Cage
If you're going to be riding very far, water is essential. And the most efficient way to carry it is with water bottles mounted in cages. Cages can be mounted nearly anywhere on your frame and come in an unbelievable variety. They all work the same way - you'll pay much more for a cooler looking cage.
Riding Tool Kit
There are a few tools you should take with you when you ride. These will allow you to make simple repairs like fixing flat tires. One tool kit among a group of riders should be sufficient (make sure you have a spare tube for each size tire in your group).
Luggage
You'll definitely be wanting to carry other things, as well, like food, extra clothing and your riding tool kit. There are a wealth of options for luggage: under seat bags, handlebar bags, trunk bags and frame bags,
not to mention panniers, which are large storage bags hung over the wheels and used mostly for touring. Trunk bags and panniers require a luggage rack of some kind. You can also carry a standard backpack for your stuff, but this tends to strain neck and shoulder muscles and get very hot when you actually ride with it on your back for any distance. Tieing it to your rear rack with bungee cords is a better solution.
Mirrors
An absolutely essential item is a mirror. Certainly a left side mirror and possibly a right side mirror as well. Handle bar mirrors are the most popular option,
but you can also get small mirrors to attach to your helmet or glasses.
Computer
Nobody absolutely
needs a bicycle cyclocomputer, but it's one of the most fun gadgets you can add. It gives you current speed, a trip odometer, time and total mileage so you can keep track of your mileage over the year. It also gives you lots of non-essentials, like average speed and top speed. It's great when you're in unfamiliar territory and you know you need to turn left in 2.5 miles. Advanced models can include cadence measurement and GPS functions.
First Aid Kit
No two bikers can seem to agree on what should be in a first aid kit. Red Cross recommends this, although it's pretty bulky for a bike. How about: 2 butterfly bandages; 12 bandaids of various size; four 4"x 4" gauze compression pads; 1 roll of gauze bandage; 1 roll of medical tape; benedryl (or other antihistimine) for bee stings; aspirin (or your choice of substitute); moleskin (for blisters); 1 tube of polysporin ointment; 4 antiseptic wipes. You'll probably already carry a swiss army knife or multitool with cutter.
Get Started Now!
These suggestions are not meant to be the last word in making your riding easier, safer or more fun - they are meant to encourage your own exploration by showing you the kinds of products and ideas available to you in the world of biking. We hope you"ll become far more familiar with the cycling landscape as you pursue your quest for the perfect ride!
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