

These contain plugs that help the tubeless sealant within the tyre seal the hole back up, so you can re-inflate the tyre using a mini bike pump and carry on riding. If your bike has tubeless tyres, you will need to take a tubeless tyre repair kit. You can fix a small hole in an inner tube with a puncture repair kit, but many riders opt to carry a spare inner tube to make for a quick repair. In order to fix a flat tyre, you will need tyre levers and a pump. One of the great things about road bikes is they enable you to cover great distances with ease, but this does mean being prepared to fix a flat tyre is wise because you don’t want to end up stranded.
#BUDGET ENDURANCE ROAD BIKE HOW TO#
Knowing how to fix a puncture could save you a lot of hassle. The best cycling gloves and the best overshoes will help keep you warm, too.Īs with virtually any outdoor activity, it’s worth investing in a good waterproof jacket. Wearing form-fitting clothing is also an easy way to make yourself faster on the bike, if that interests you, as it is more aerodynamic than baggy clothing.įor colder weather, cycling tights will offer the same advantages as cycling shorts but provide extra warmth. Many cyclists will opt for a cycling jersey because these will help wick sweat away and have pockets on the back to carry supplies. These are close-fitting Lycra bottoms with pads designed to keep your bottom comfortable on long rides. One of the most valuable pieces of cycling-specific clothing to consider is a pair of the best bib shorts or best women’s bib shorts. Just as there’s no reason to stop you from riding your road bike with normal shoes, there’s no reason you can’t head out in your normal clothes either.īut there is a whole world of cycling kit – from socks to headbands – tailored to the specific demands of cycling. So you’ve decided on your new road bike, but if you’re new to road cycling, what else do you need to go on your first road bike ride? HelmetĪ cycling rain jacket is a wise investment. Just try a few until you find something comfortable – many saddle manufacturers will also offer demo services via their dealers. Many saddles are considered unisex, but some of the best women’s road bike saddles have features specifically tailored to female anatomy. The best road bike saddles will be supportive while allowing sufficient blood flow in your delicate areas, and won’t get in the way of pedalling. Note that saddle preference is highly personal there’s no universal right answer here. Most good shops will work with you to fine-tune other elements of your fit too, such as the distance to the handlebar, the angle of the handlebar and even the feel of the saddle.
#BUDGET ENDURANCE ROAD BIKE PROFESSIONAL#
Again, a professional fit at a good shop is invaluable here.

Once you have selected the right size frame – which any good bike shop can help you with – you then need to get your bike’s saddle height correct and adjust the handlebar height for comfortable riding. Once you learn what fit works for you, you can shop using the charts in the meantime, try bikes as you would shoes.

While most brands have bike fit charts on their websites, it’s vital to just go and sit on the thing if you are new to cycling. A budget road bike that fits you like a glove will feel and handle much better than an ill-fitting superbike. How to choose a road bike by price Best cheap road bikes – best road bikes under £750/$750Ī bike fit from a good shop is an invaluable investment. If you’re unsure how to pump up your tyres or how to change your tyres, check out our comprehensive guides. That said, if you are keen on maximising the comfort of your bike, make sure the frame has clearance for wider tyres.Īgain, race bikes that favour aerodynamics will typically skew towards skinny tyres, while the endurance bikes that deliver comfort will generally have plump rubber. So you don’t need to worry much about what the bike comes with. Tyres are one of the easiest things to change and one of the best bike upgrades. The best road bike tyres will offer a combination of speed (low rolling resistance), grip and puncture resistance. Regardless of the width, all of these tyres will roll fast and the wider tyres give you a little more cushioning (and speed over rougher road surfaces) in exchange for a little more weight. Race bikes are often fitted with 25mm-wide tyres, while endurance bikes come with 28mm or even 32mm tyres. While extremely narrow tyres used to be commonplace, it’s become more common to spec wider tyres on road bikes in recent years. Most road bikes come with slick or very lightly treaded tyres. Numbers on the sidewall refer to the size of the tyre on the wheel and width of the tyre when inflated.
