Bike Gear Essentials

When you’re biking, it’s important to have the right gear to keep you comfortable and safe. This includes gear that helps you maintain speed and avoid injury as well as equipment to help you carry essential items on your ride.

Wearing cycling-friendly apparel, such as bike shorts and a jersey, will also help you stay comfortable and dry. They often feature stretch fabrics and gripper elastic at the leg openings to prevent slipping as you pedal.

Sunglasses: Wraparound sunglasses, such as those that are designed for mountain biking, will protect your eyes from windblown debris and UV rays while you’re riding. They’ll also enhance visibility as you travel.

Gloves: Full-finger gloves are popular in summer and a great option for cold weather rides because they’ll help you maintain grip on the handlebar while wicking away moisture to keep you warm and dry. The Castelli Perfetto RoS gloves offer a snug, breathable fit and include reflective details for increased safety on the road.

Shifting your gears correctly is critical for keeping you on the road, especially when you’re climbing hills or riding into a wind (a tailwind). It’s best to use an easier gear on climbs and a harder one on flats.

High gears are good for descending, while low gears are better when you’re riding slowly. The larger front chain ring on a bike and the smallest cog on your cassette are considered “high gears.”

You should always try to shift between the smallest front and largest rear cogs first, and work your way up the sprockets to find the right combination for each situation. You’ll know you’ve found the right gear when you can easily and smoothly shift between the smallest and largest cogs while still keeping your cadence at the right pace.