10 cycling accessories every beginner needs

 What are the first basic accessories every cyclist needs?. That would be a helmet in my estimation ! The very first thing every beginner needs is to protect the head , the most delicate part of the body so that if one falls or has an accident,  the brain is protected. Featured here is the Bontrager solstice helmet, at entry level in terms of price,  it’s a great fitting, easy to use helmet, that provides the necessary protection needed. Available in our store.  Also available in other colours. Please note there are many other types, grades and design of helmets offered by Bontrager, mostly available on order.

The second basic cycling accessory  for a beginner cyclist, professional, enthusiast or liesure rider would be the cycling shorts. These are important because they protect the rider from abrasion from the saddle which may occur from sitting down for long periods of time on the saddle, discomfort from bumpy or rough roads etc. We currently stock the Bontrager solstice variety which is also entry level in terms of price. The Bontrager solstice is single padding . There are cycling shorts for both males and females designed to fit thier unique contours. Please note that cycling shorts are always padded, if no padding they are NOT cycling shorts .They definitely make riding more comfortable. As always there are several grades and varieties of cycling shorts available from Bontrager. Please contact us for more information on how to purchase cycling shorts from us.

Another great accessory that every beginner cyclist needs to equip themselves with to be comfortable and efficient whilst riding is the bottle cage. The bottle cage is attached to your bike and holds your water bottle or drink when on rides to keep you hydrated, especially in a climate like Nigeria that is hot and humid! 🌞. Shown here is the Bontrager elite bottle cage, available in our store at Road 22a, Vgc club, Vgc, Ajah , Lagos. Telephone 08085979520.?

Having discussed the water bottle cage above,  I guess it’s only proper to showcase the water bottle. There are several types and shapes of bottles, the insulated water bottle is great because it keeps your drinks cold or hot depending on which you prefer .You can also have different colours to match your bike and water bottle cage. Guess what you can even have a set of two water bottles and cages on your bike for that long ride . At Vantage Sport shop, We’ve got you covered. 

Next up is the cycling jersey. It may not be one of the first things you pick up as a beginner cyclist, but you’ll find it’s very functional too! The most striking feature is the back pockets, usually 3 of them, useful for storing your phone, home keys, Allen keys etc and any other portable essentials. They come in different colours (you may want to stock up on bright traffic colours so as to be seen whilst riding). Another distinctive feature would be the fabric, they would have to be of breathable and absorbent fabrics and should be high quality. Let’s not forget style! They could be loose fit or tight fit. You also have varying thickness to suit the weather, such as thermal jerseys for colder climates. As always Vantage sport shop is equipped to sort you out. 

Another super accessory is the floor pump! Every cyclist needs a floor pump, because wether you like it or not your tyres will go flat at some point, for instance if you store your bike on the floor, your tyres are more likely to release air faster or wether you ride on a nail or rough road etc. So you absolutely need a floor pump! There are also handheld pumps that are portable and you can take along on a ride. Floor pumps come in various types, a dual pump for those who have several bikes with different size nozzles, a turbo charger floor pump that pumps within seconds at the touch of a botton or a flash pump that has a gauge you can set for your individual tyres, this also has dual nozzles and pumps at the press of a botton etc. We are very proud that at Vantage sport we are able to provide you with all types of pumps from Bontrager.

....And now the  spot light is on lights! Ideally, most bikes come with fitted lights, but if you intend to ride at night or early hours of the morning, you will require extra head or tail lights or both which come in a set. Shown here is a powerful set of head lamp and tail lights from Bontrager. Vantage sport is fully equipped to kit you out. Just send us a DM anytime.🙏🏽

Another essential accessory for every rider - the Allen key set or mini tool set. An absolutely essential accessory and it’s pocket size, fits right into the back pocket of your cycling jersey. Can be used to tighten any loose screws on your bike, makes you feel more safe and secure on your ride and helps you with any add ons you May come accross whilst on your ride. As usual we are your go to merchants for this.

The 9th accessory we are show casing are the cycling gloves.  Cycling gloves protect the cyclists hands from abrasion from the bike handle and absorbs sweat! A great accessory to have to keep those hands soft and moisturized, shown here are fingerless gloves, but there are also full fingered gloves depending on your preference. Just DM us and we”ll hook you up.👍🏼

The cycling shoes are also essential, though not necessarily the first thing you would get, as it’s good to take your  time to choose what best suits you. There are regular cycling shoes for use with regular flat pedals and there are specialized cycling shoes for both mountain bikes and road bikes. Some road cycling shoes come with cleats that are attached to the pedals . Being clipped into your pedals will help you feel more at one with the bike. Your feet are less likely to slip off as you pedal or shift your weight around. Being clipped into your pedals allows you to pedal more fluidly as your pedals and cranks become an extension of your body. 

Hope you’ve been well educated on your cycling essentials, especially if you are a beginner or just about to embark on your first cycling experience and for the experienced rider a reminder to gear up. Either way it’s value added until next time.