Six Must Have Road Bike Accessories
Whether you are just starting your road bike journey, or are a seasoned cyclist who loves to hit the open road, you’re going to need some accessories to help you along the way.
Road bike accessories are a minefield though, you literally have thousands of options when it comes to your search, and its hard to know what is essential and what is a must have. Thankfully we’re here to help with our definitive list of seven must have road bike accessories.
A Safe, Sturdy Helmet
First and foremost, a road bike helmet is the most important accessory you need. It does the very important job of protecting your head, brain and skull in the event of an accident. Whilst you may think that you are the safest rider in the world, there is not accounting for the number of accidents that can happen that aren’t your fault.
While you may find that many town based cyclists choose not to wear a helmet, if you are going on longer rides on smaller roads, it’s a safe option to wear a well fitted helmet.
The best helmets will provide ventilation and safety through their fit. You can also find helmets that improve aerodynamics if speed is important to you, and you will want to find a helmet that doesn’t weigh a lot.
One of our favourite helmets is the Bontrager Circuit WaveCel Road Bike Helmet which offers a fantastic fit, magnetic mount system for lights and GoPro cameras, washable pads and reflective elements to improve visibility.
Daytime Running Lights
Bike lights are an essential part of owning a bike if there is any possibility of you being out after dark or in low-light conditions. However, daytime running lights are starting to become a standard accessory for road bike users too, especially as its now a legal requirement for new cars in the UK to have daytime lights too.
This type of bike light offers extra visibility when you are riding on roads, especially when you are in a cars blind spot. In the UK we rarely have completely clear, sunny days either, so if you are riding in the winter, or during a misty morning, at dusk or during the wet weather, these lights can help.
When searching through our selection of daytime running lights, we picked out the Bontrager Ion 2000 RT/Flare RT Light Set as they offer integrated light sensors to auto-adjust the brightness based on the environment you are in, they connect with Garmin and Bontrager ANT+ devices so you can check battery status and control the lights wirelessly, they also have quick connect mounts and USB charging.
Mud Guards
You may think that mud guards may not be as high priority when buying a road bike compared to say a mountain bike… but as previously mentioned, we aren’t blessed with many bright and sunny days in the UK and you will be grateful for mud guards when the rain has been hitting the tarmac hard.
The Bontrager NCS Mudguard set is ideal for keeping splashes at bay. These lightweight polycarbonate guards have no-cut struts to allow for proper tyre clearance, and come in four sizes to accommodate most configurations. They also have an integrated Blendr light mount on the rear, perfect for Bontrager lights.
Road Bike Shoes
Cycling shoes offer support and efficiency when riding, with you relying on your feet to support your body during your ride, road bike shoes can prevent falls and help provide more energy during cycling.
Your feet, hands and bum are the only parts of your body that will be in contact with your road bike during your ride. Cycling shoes can be a crucial player in the comfort you experience whilst riding. You need to look for a lightweight show with good ventilation and a solid sole. Cycling shoes are also a must if you are going for clipless pedals.
Our favourites are the Bontrager Circuit Road Cycling Shoes, a versatile pair that combines performance and comfort. You will find a hook and loop toe strap which allows for adjustments and a more comfortable fit, alongside a synthetic mesh and TPU perforated upper to provide quality breathability. They are compatible with three-bolt and two-bolt cleats and webbing guides and relief cuts prevent pinch points.
Clipless Pedals
A better foot-to-pedal connection is ideal to help improve efficiency when riding and clipless pedals can help achieve that connection. They are also safer, providing the ability to have an instant foot release should you need it. They are ideal for riders who are looking to go longer distances or who want to go faster without the risk of feet slipping off the standard rubber pedals you find on some bikes.
We are big fans of the Shimano PD-R7000 105 SPD-SL Carbon Road Pedals, these high performance road bikes match the 105 11-speed group, and are made of carbon to make them super lightweight. The pedals are wide to provide a large shoe contact are for maximising power transfer and support.
GPS Computers
Ok, so technically this is a nice-to-have not a must have… but for us, we love to know how far we’ve travelled, and how fast we did it. Bike GPS computers can offer you so much insight into your ride, with some models you can plan the routes you want to take ahead of time with on and off road mapping.
There are so many different GPS computers on the market, but we love the Garmin Edge 830 GPS enabled computer. The colour touchscreen allows you to plan routes, see how different altitudes and temperatures can affect your performance, sync your info to your training plans and receive notifications from your phone.
At Cookson Cycles, we have a huge range of accessories to making your biking journey run smoother. From cycle bags and bar ends, to camera mounts and kick stands, we have anything you may need for your bike. Browse our range online or pop into our bike shop in Manchester.
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