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It can be bewildering to know what you might need as a new cyclist. Yes, you definitely need a helmet and at Cycling UK we recommend you head to your local bike shop, rather than going online, as shop staff will make sure that you get the right fit and type of helmet for your needs. So what else is essential? Here, I reveal the must-have gadgets for every cyclist, plus some added extras that will make those bike rides a little more comfortable. Ortlieb Back Roller City 40-litre panniers £64.99 for a pair Ortlieb sets the gold standard for panniers and these come with a five-year guarantee. Whether you’re picnicking or shopping, they’ll keep everything dry – even in a monsoon! Happy Bottom Bum butter £17.99, charliethebike monger.com Used by Olympians and professionals, this Dorset-made vegan-friendly balm is a must for anyone looking to put in the miles and stay free of abrasions. Topeak Mini 9 Bike Tool £8.49, Halfords Nothing will ruin your ride more than a puncture if you don’t have tools to fix it. This multi-tool includes a screwdriver and different Allen keys
for emergencies. Endura Xtract Mitts II £12.80, wiggle.co.uk Cycling mitts aren’t just for pros – they’re useful to help prevent that numb hand feeling when gripping the handlebars and also save your palms from a scraping if you come off. Gtech Sport Electric Hybrid Bike £995, cyclerepublic.com Forget confusing gears – with this electronic bike you simply pedal to go faster and brake to slow down. And hills will never feel the same again: a built-in computer monitors your pedalling to give you a boost of power when you need it. Maximum range 30 miles before it needs recharging. It sits under the £1,000 threshold, so you can buy it on the Government-run Cycle To Work scheme. Topeak Road Pocket Bike Pump £13.99, Halfords With this pump, you don’t worry about which valve your tyre’s inner tube has, as the fitting can be changed to either presta or schraeder types. Water bottle and cage £2 and £4 respectively, Halfords Most modern bikes have special mounts for a water bottle cage built into the frame, allowing you to reach your bottle and drink while on the go. Finn Universal Phone Holder from £8.66, amazon.co.uk Enables all but the largest of phones to be easily mounted on the handlebars securely. Lezyne KTV2 Drive 180/10 Light Set £26.69, tredz.co.uk In the hours of darkness, it’s a legal requirement to have working lights on your bike. This set can be recharged by plugging it into any USB socket. B’TWIN Hoprider 100 Urban Hybrid from £299, decathlon.co.uk This highly practical bike, designed for weekly rides in town as well as the countryside, has 21 gears to help you handle any incline or journey. Also has a pannier rack and lifetime warranty and comes in male and female versions.