So you’ve gotten a new bike…. Now you need some accessories to go with it!

We like to break down accessories into two categories: Essentials and Recommended.

Let’s start with the essentials:

Helmet: You’ve got alot going on inside of your skull.  You’ve spent years accumulating things inside of it, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.  Buy a helmet.  They are inexpensive, comfortable, and a lifesaver.

Flat Kit: You are going to get a flat tire.  This is an inescapable fact of cycling.  Think about your last ride. Fun yes?  Now imagine having to walk the bike back with a flat tire……Not as much fun.  A flat kit is a small bag (we let you pick the color and style) with everything you’ll need to fix a flat tire.  Fixing a flat tire is a simple, easy process that we would be glad to teach you.  Stop by the shop on the first Thursday of the month at 6PM for our free monthly repair clinic!

Floor Pump: The flat kit is essential for emergencies on the bike, but for everyday use you’ll want a floor pump. It’ll make short work of airing your tires and save wear and tear on the frame pump.

Lights: If you plan on riding your bicycle anywhere near traffic, including sidewalk riding, please pick up a set of lights.  They are inexpensive, easy to use, and will make you much more visible on your bike.

Lock: Security for your bike is important if you are ever going to leave it unattended. Get a good lock and always use it correctly to prevent the heartbreak of bike theft.

Well that covers most of the essential items!  That wasn’t so bad, was it?  Now onto recommended items.  These are things that while not essential for riding are generally a good idea!

Computer: One of the joys of cycling is being able to cover lots of ground and a computer can tell you how far, how fast and how long you’ve ridden. Some even have extra functions such as heart rate, cadence (how fast you’re pedaling), altitude, and temperature. There are even GPS models! Now you’ll be able to tell your friends just how far and how fast you really did ride this weekend (you’re still allowed to fib, we won’t tell)

Hydration System: We live in the South.  it gets hot here, REALLY hot! Water bottles and cages are great for carrying drinks. Hydration packs are a another great option for quenching your thirst.  The capacity on larger systems is almost twice as much as you can carry in two large water bottles, and the packs fit comfortably on your back.  Also, the hydration pack provides a place to stash food, ID, small tools and more.

Bike Rack:  The trails or roads you bike aren’t always riding distance away, so you may want a rack designed to safely transport your bike on your vehicle. Which one you get depends on how many bikes you’ll carry and on the type of vehicle you drive.

Bike Shorts: Bike shorts offer better padding, ventilation, and comfort than riding in regular street clothing.  We carry a variety of styles, colors, and sizes of shorts.  Don’t skimp on shorts, as they will make a big difference in the comfort level of your rides.

Eyewear: Don’t forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses designed for cycling. It’s not just glare you should be concerned about; airborne debris from passing vehicles is hazardous, too. Quality shades provide increased safety, including slightly higher brow coverage for when you’re bent over. And the UV protection means less fatigue at the end of long days in the saddle.

Socks: Even something as simple as socks can enhance your riding if they’re specifically made for cycling. Ours are, and they’re designed to provide low-friction comfort for logging the miles on your new steed. They also look very cool.

Cargo Racks & Bags: Bikes are fun.  Errands are not.  I think we can all agree on that. So why not try and combine the two?  The vasy majority of errands we run are less than two miles away. For an absurdly small amount of money you can easily outfit most bicycles with a small cargo rack.  These racks allow you to mount any number of bags, baskets, and do-dads to the back or front of your bicycle.  Now you can stop by the video store, pick up groceries, do some shopping, or ride to and from the gym with everything you need neatly packed in bags on your bike!  I know it sounds odd, but errands seem less unpleasant when you’re doing them on your bike!  We stock a great selection of racks, baskets, and bags at the shop.

We just scratched the surface of what we carry at the shop.  Come by and take a look for yourself! We would be glad to help you find more ways to enjoy your bike, and the time you get to spend riding it. Our staff can suggest other great accessories and help guide you towards what is right for you.