Whether you’re just getting into cycling or have been riding for years, having the right accessories can make all the difference in your biking experience.
Not to mention, some accessories are essential for your safety, too.
However, the question is: “Which accessories should you buy?”
Since most bike accessories are expensive, you can’t go and buy all of them, right? Things can be even more challenging if you’re a beginner. Considering thousands of bike accessory brands, buying quality ones won’t be less than finding a needle in the haystack.
But don’t start sweating already! Below, we will check out some must-have bike accessories and the best product recommendations. So, let’s dive in.
6 Accessories to Buy For a Road Bike
Here are some accessories we believe every cyclist should have:
- Cycling shoes
- Cycling cleats
- Floor pump
- Hand pump
- LED front and rear lights
- Bike tool kit
Apart from these, some nice-to-have accessories are a saddle bag, a rack bag, riding gloves, a phone holder, bike cleaning supplies, and a spare tube. We look at the must-haves in detail below.
- Cycling Shoes
Cycling shoes are more than accessories for riders; they are an essential part of their gear. This specialized footwear keeps your feet comfortable during cycling and allows you to transfer more power from your legs to the pedals.
As a result, you ride faster and longer with less fatigue. Many cycling shoes also come with a stiff sole, which prevents your feet from getting sore on longer rides.
Here are a few cycling shoes to check out:
| Features | Fizik Powerstrap R5 Unisex Cycling Shoe | S-Works Recon Gravel Shoe |
| Weight | 16 ounces | 10.2 ounces |
| Material | Blend | Rubber |
| Sport Type | Training, Cycling, Triathlon, Camping & Hiking, Outdoor Lifestyle | Cycling and Hiking |
Fizik Powerstrap R5 Unisex Cycling Shoe
The Fizik Tempo R5 Power Strap cycling shoes are an excellent option, with a knitted upper, UD carbon outsole, and Dynamic Arch support to ensure comfort. They weigh only 16 ounces and have the following features:
- 14 color and design options
- Infinito volume control of the forefoot
- Knitted upper engineered construction
- Customized plantar arch fit
- Price starts from $100 on Amazon
S-Works Recon Gravel Shoe
The S-Works Recon Gravel Shoes are ideal for people with wide feet who cycle on unpaved roads. Laced with BOA dials for a snug fit, they come with the following features:
- Hard wearing exterior
- PadLock™ heel construction
- SlipNot™ rubber heel for superior traction
- Two-bolt cleat pattern
- Prices start from $399 check out Speciliaized site
- Cycling Cleats
Cycling cleats help you clip your cycling shoes to the pedals, allowing for a more efficient transfer of power.
Here are two popular options:
| Features | LOOK Keo Grip Road Cleats | Shimano SH-56 Cleats |
| Weight | 1.41 ounces | 1.8 ounces |
| Material | TPU | Steel |
| Compatibility | All pedals | All SPD pedals except PD-M858 |
LOOK Keo Grip Road Cleats
The LOOK Keo Grip Road Cleats are designed for amateur and mature riders. Its memory positioner lets you change the cleats without losing the foot position. Other features include:
- TPU anti-slip surface
- Carbon soles
- 3 colors
- Prices start from $17 on Amazon
Shimano SH-56 Cleats
The Shimano SH-56 cleats are specialized for indoor cycling, mountain biking, and road cycling. Its features include:
- 2-hole cleat design
- 4 degrees pedal float
- Multi-directional release
- Prices start from $17 on Amazon
- Bike Floor Pump
As a cyclist, you need a floor pump to keep your tires properly inflated. Many pros recommend inflating your cycle tires every two weeks. If your cycle has thinner tires, they can lose 10 psi of air pressure daily. So, for regular rides, a floor pump is a must-have.
Here is a brief comparison of two best floor pumps:
| Features | Topeak Joe Blow Sport III Floor Pump | BV Bike Pump |
| Weight | 3.7 pounds | 2 pounds |
| Material | Steel | Alloy steel |
| Pressure Limit | 160 psi | 160 psi |
Topeak Joe Blow Sport III Floor Pump
The Topeak Joe Blow Floor Pump has a hammer-style handle for improved grip. Its 3″ gauge makes it easy to read tire pressures. Here are its other features:
- TwinHead DX to fit all valve types
- Ball and bladder heads to fit up floaties, beach balls, and sports balls
- 360-degree pivot hose for easy reach
- Prices start from $48 on Amazon
BV Bike Pump
The BV Bike Pump has a lockable twin valve design that can switch between Presta and Schrader valves. Its stable base and oversized handle let you inflate your bike’s tires easily. Some other notable features are:
- 360-degree pivot hose
- Long steel barrel to push more air with each pump
- Easy-to-read gauge
- Prices start from $17 on Amazon
- Hand Pump
A hand pump differs from a floor pump in terms of size and mode of use. It’s smaller and can be carried on your bike for emergencies.
Here are two good options:
| Features | CNC Tubeless Drive | Park Tool Portable Bicycle Tire Pump |
| Weight | 9.9 ounces | 5.6 ounces |
| Maximum Psi | 30 psi | 100 psi |
| Material | Aluminum | Metal |
Park Tool Portable Bicycle Tire Pump
The Park Tool PMP-3.2 Micro Pump is a portable hand pump compatible with Schrader and Pesto valves. Its features are:
- Mounting hardware to attach to the bike
- Easy to fit in a jersey pocket or bag
- Available in 2 colors
- Prices start from $22 on Amazon
CNC Tubeless Drive
The CNC Tubeless Drive is a 3-in-1 hand pump with a compact system. Its three components are a tubeless tire repair kit, a hand pump, and a CO2 inflator. Some other features include:
- Lightweight
- Quick trailside repair
- Overlapping handle for grip
- Prices start from $79.99
- LED Front and Rear Lights
If you’re the kind of person who likes to cycle at night, you should have front and rear lights on your bike.
Check out these two options:
| Features | BV Bike Lights | Kryptonite Bike Lights |
| Weight | 3.2 ounces | 2.05 ounces |
| Water Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Runtime | Over 80 hours | 55 to 61 hours |
BV Bike Lights
BV Bike Lights are 5 LED headlights with a luminance range of 30 to 40 feet. These lights have three modes for you to choose from. Plus, they’re waterproof and weather-resistant. Other features include:
- Over 80 hours of power
- Quick-release mount
- Waterproof lights
- Prices start from $9 on Amazon
Kryptonite Bike Lights
The Kryptonite Bike Lights come with 61 hours of run time when used on Medium Flash and 57 hours on High Steady mode. They have two light mode options and are extremely easy to install. Some other features are:
- Strap-n-clip installation
- Water-resistant lights
- Durable aluminum construction
- Prices start from $71 on Amazon
- Bike Tool Kits
A bike tool kit is a handy addition to your cycling gear. It includes all the essential tools you would need for basic repairs and maintenance on your bike.
Here are two options to choose from:
| Features | Kilimanjaro Cycle Series Repair Kit | Fix Manufacturing MTB Bike Tool Kit Set |
| Weight | 4.88 pounds | 2.15 pounds |
| Expert Level | Beginner to Expert | Beginner to Expert |
| Number of Tools | 21 | 16 |
Kilimanjaro Cycle Series Repair Kit
The Kilimanjaro Cycle Series Repair Kit is a 21-piece set with hex keys, a pedal spanner, a spoke, a wrench, and similar tools. Its features include:
- Carrying case for easy organization
- User-friendly design
- Durable tools made of hardened steel
- Prices start from $77 on Amazon
Fix Manufacturing MTB Bike Tool Kit Set
The Fix Manufacturing MTB Bike Tool Kit Set contains 16 tools for bike repair. They include torx wrenches, a tape measure, a chain breaker, a refillable lube, and more. Some notable features of this tool kit are:
- Ideal for mountain and road cyclists
- Easy to carry
- Can fix most common bike issues
- Prices start from $74 on Amazon
Takeaway
There you have it! You can now use this guide to go accessory shopping for your bike. Just a quick piece of advice: compare a few options for each accessory before making purchases. The key is to use all three factors as your buying guide: budget, accessory quality, and usability.
Click back to our home page for the best bike parts of 2024 or to read more great articles click here.
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