10 Things You Need to Start Road Cycling

Cycling can seem as simple as getting dressed and getting on your bike, but there are a few things you’ll need before you’re prepared set off out on the road. Spare tubes, mini pumps, and multi-tools are all vital if you’re setting out on a solo ride, and you need to keep yourself fuelled too.

Watch Manon, Hank and Ollie take us through a few things you’ll want to remember to take with you out on the road to make sure you and your bike make it to the end of your ride!

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What other things do you think are a must-have for cyclists? Let us know in the comments!

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[gcn]

What other things do you think are a must-have for cyclists? Let us know in the comments!

[brianrainey]

Always have a fashionable team car following you with at least one extra bike and wheelset. This makes you look very important and quite fast. Plus, you can quit at the first drop of rain.

[drvxd]

I can honestly say that this is the first time I've ever been impressed by the size of another man's torque wrench!

[Pabig]

Okay, I got all these things in the video now. Maybe I should get a bike now, right?

[lfc-europe]

"Different lubes for different occasions"

Agreed. I remember the 80s very well.

[lucafwn]

Once I was riding in a wood along a river on an overcast day, and I had to take off my sunglasses because it was too dark to see. When I got home, I literally cried bugs. Since then, I always bring with me some totally clear glasses for such situations.

[Yes_this_is_my_cat]

My top 5:
-a bike (for obvious reasons)
-a helmet (helmets save lives, be smart)
-lycra, especially a shammy (so much more comfortable)
-chain lube (without a working chain you ain't gonna go anywhere)
-a pump and something to repair flats (inluding an innertube if you're running tubeless)

[adamweb]

Unrelated but I think Manon, Hank and Ollie would be perfect in a GCN sitcom!

[ollieb]

The mini pumps which have a hose hidden in the end with the valve on are good, at least I find them easier than direct connect.

[stephanwilliot]

In Luxembourg sometimes you are lucky to come across some inner-tube vending machines. but would count on it only seen three so far.

[mathewrose]

Tubes aren’t very useful without tire levers when you are stuck on the side of the road. A chain breaker is great, but don’t forget the quick link.

[guest_informant]

Glasses. I'd say go for a pair like Manon's - with a frame where the lenses clip in at the top rather than the frame "surrounding" the lenses. The reason being visibility: when you look behind you in particular, having a frame which surrounds the lens, and that frame being so close to your eyes means there's a significant blind spot. I thought these open frames were just fashion nonsense but they are surprisingly practical.

[alinapopescu]

I find these videos very instructive. I've learnt a lot from you, guys, really. Thank you for thinking of those who have questions and no one to ask.

[chrisfanning]

I carry a tiny multi-tool without a chain-breaker and a chain quick-link instead of a bulky chain-breaker tool. On the two occasions I've snapped a chain I've had no problem pulling away the outer plates of the snapped link so that I can replace with the snap-together quick-link. The other thing that I always keep in my saddle bag along with the multitool, quick-link, mini-pump, spare tube, and glueless patches are tyre levers. Yes, you can change a tube without them but they sure make a change more bearable with cold hands in the rain!

[stdanclaire]

I tried road cycling to get fit but found it really boring especially living in a dull city. But then I discovered the canal paths which is a lovely place to cycle with climbs down hill sections long straights and endless bridges and little toe paths to discover plus all sorts of woods and nature my road bike which is cheap as chip's handles it fine I just had to get some better tyres because of flats happening quite often. But now I love it and find myself in need of harder gears as I don't really need the easy gear's anymore. I guess my point is don't be put off if you find cycling boring on the road or dangerous.

[ciaranmurray]

I got over glasses from my local chemist which fit over prescription glasses made by Opticaid UK.
Available as sun glasses or nightsight for low light levels.Great for eye protection also

[robertrjm]

Another ideal "must" have is not only the phone but an actual network connection you can use. You guys must be lucky (or unlucky) to live in a densely populated are where you have solid covering of a mobile network. Come to Scotland and here you find miles and miles of "no network black spots". Even to most glitzy phone would help you here. So, tools, inner tubes etc are essential and always time your ride correctly so you can get back to civilisation within daylight hours, which -by the way- are rather limited once we get into late autumn. You might even have to walk, and that is another reason why I don't ride with cleats but flat pedals and toe hook. I once needed to walk 10 miles to get to the next mobile signal and the taxi cost me £50 back home.

[seascape]

A red GCN Essentials Case - purchased one a few years ago, and it is the best case / wallet I’ve owned. Please stock them again in your store. Many of the waterproof alternatives don’t slide in/out of my jersey pocket as well.

[CorneliusJames]

All those tools and they couldn't tighten up the legs on Ollie’s desk🤦‍♂️😂

[hiddenrob]

Love from the east coast, love the cylcling videos just what I need to get it going the blood I love it. I always watch these before I go out and get my body moving. I always watch one of these, and then put up my heavy playlist like Delta Parole, Three Days Grace, System and then I just go Tactic hasnt let me down yet.