Biking 101: Gear Checklist & 10 Tips for Beginner Cyclists

It’s easy to fall in love with riding bikes—it’s fun, improves our health and fitness, and allows us to explore the world in new and exciting ways. If you’re just beginning your cycling journey, though, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with all the gear and knowledge you might need before venturing out onto the road or trail for the first time. 

To make things easier, we made this short and simple checklist of essential gear that beginners might want when getting started, plus we have our top 10 tips that will help new riders enjoy riding, mile after mile. 

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The Bike Gear Checklist for Beginner Cyclists 

Besides your bike, you don’t need a crazy amount of gear to start riding, but picking up some of these essentials will make riding a lot easier and help you enjoy riding more. Below is a list a gear that we recommend beginners consider purchasing alongside their first bike:

Buy Now:

• Bike Helmet

• Bike Pedals (most bikes don’t come with any!)

• Bike Pump (should be Presta valve compatible!)

Buy Soon:

• Water Bottle(s)

• Water Bottle Cage(s)

• Chain Lube

Buy Later:

• Bike Multi-tool

• Flat Repair Kit (Spare tube or tire plugs + inflation device) 

• Cycling Shorts

There are three must-haves in the very beginning: a helmet to protect your head, a bike pump to keep your tires inflated, and pedals, since most high-quality bikes don’t come with any. 

The fact that high-end bikes don’t include pedals can surprise a lot of newer riders! This is because riders have different pedal preferences, and they often keep their pedals when they buy a new bike or upgrade. A basic set of “flat pedals” or “platform pedals” will get you going in the beginning and allow you to use any shoe you’d like. In the future, if you get more serious, it might be worth considering “clipless pedals” that require a stiff, cycling-specific shoe that clips into the pedal and keeps you attached to the bike for greater pedaling efficiency. 

When you start riding more often and going farther, adding a water bottle and bottle cage to your bike will let you carry fluids to stay hydrated. Any cycling-specific water bottle should fit into a standard bottle cage, but if you don’t own any tools, you’ll also need a bike multi-tool or a set of hex wrenches to mount the bottle cage to your frame. 

To take care of your bike, the most important thing you need is chain lube (we suggest bike-specific chain lube available online or at any bike shop) and perhaps a small bike multi-tool to tighten any loose bolts or make adjustments. A flat repair kit consisting of a spare tube or tire plug kit and a portable inflation device can save you if/when you puncture a tire during a ride. We’ll explain more in the tips below. 

As you gain more experience, you’ll start to have a better idea of what other essentials you might want to add to improve your riding experience. For now, check out our top 10 tips for beginner riders below, so you can get a head start on your cycling journey! 

Tip 1: How to Choose a Good Bike Helmet

A helmet is the most important piece of cycling safety gear you’ll need. It can save your life! 

More expensive helmets are often lighter, better ventilated, and more comfortable, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a safe helmet. Any helmet that meets safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the European Union's EN 1078 will provide good protection. 

Check out the Virginia Tech Bike Helmet Ratings for an easy way to compare the safety, price, and looks of different popular bike helmets. Virginia Tech is the world’s biggest independent bike helmet safety tester, and I prefer buying and wearing a helmet that has at least a 4-star safety rating. 

Beyond protection, fit is the most important factor. Different helmets fit some head shapes, so if you’re buying a bike helmet for the first time, it might be worth visiting a shop to try some on. A comfy helmet is one you’ll keep wearing!

Extra helmet tips: 

• Replace your helmet every 5 years - The impact-absorbing foam degrades over time. If you have a super old helmet, consider getting a new one!

• Replace your helmet if you crash on it - If your helmet hits the ground during a crash, it should be replaced. The foam compresses to absorb impacts and is no longer safe after a crash.

• Take good care of your helmet - Try not to drop it on the ground or hit it against things when carrying it around. This can compress the foam and reduce the helmet’s ability to absorb impacts. 

• Consider helmets with MIPS - You may notice some helmets are “MIPS” helmets. A MIPS liner is an extra safety feature that absorbs rotational energy during crashes to help reduce concussions. 

Tip 2: How to Pump Up Road & Gravel Bike Tires

If you haven’t ridden a bike since you were a kid, there’s a good chance you've never seen a Presta valve. Many kids' bikes and cheap department store bikes use Schrader valves, just like you’d see on a car tire. High-quality bicycles, however, use Presta valves, which are skinnier and work differently.

To pump up a tire with a Presta Valve:

1. Remove the valve dust cap (if it has one)

2. Unscrew the valve nut at the top of the valve

3. Install and lock your pump head

4. Inflate your tire

5. Remove the pump head

6. Screw the valve nut closed 

7. Reinstall the dust cap (if you want, it’s not essential)

The perfect tire pressure will depend on your weight and riding style. Check out our Road and Gravel Bike Tire Pressure Guide to get an idea of how much you should pump up your tires! 

Keep your tires inflated. I pump my tires up to my desired pressure before every ride. At a minimum, pump them up once a week. 

Tip 3: How to Set Your Saddle Height 

The heel-on-pedal method is the quickest and easiest: 

1. Sit on the bike while leaning against a wall, in a doorway, or have a friend hold you up. 

2. Rotate the cranks until one of the pedals is at the 6 o'clock position (the lowest point). 

3. Place your heel on the pedal.

4. Adjust your saddle height so that when your heel is on the pedal, your leg is straight.

By doing this, when your foot is on the pedal normally, you should have a slight bend at the knee at the bottom of your pedal stroke, and your knees shouldn’t be flaring out. You can fine-tune from there. 

What if my feet can’t reach the ground? 

Many beginners end up setting their saddle height too low because they want to be able to reach the ground with their feet. Unfortunately, this leads to an inefficient pedal stroke and potential knee or joint pain. 

Here’s the key: Do not try to sit on the saddle while the bike is stopped.

It’s difficult for most riders of average height or below to reach the ground while sitting in the saddle. When starting or stopping, you should stand over the top tube of the bike with one or both feet on the ground. Sometimes helps to lean the bike to the side while straddling it. 

Tip 4: Your Butt Only Hurts Temporarily 

A LOT of new riders complain about butt pain. Unless you bike regularly, your backside won't be conditioned to spending time in the saddle. It’s the same reason you're sore after you start running or weightlifting. 

For most new cyclists, saddle soreness goes away after 1-2 weeks of CONSISTENT riding. Like any new exercise, the key is to start small and stay consistent until you get over the hump. Once you do, you can build up more volume and distance. If you are conditioned and still experiencing saddle discomfort, then you may want to try a different saddle shape or consider getting a professional bike fit. 

Many newer riders think a bigger, more cushioned bike saddle will alleviate the pain. DON’T do it! Saddle shape matters much more than cushioning, and getting the right shape (narrow vs. wide, curved vs. flat, etc.) is the key to comfort. In many cases, adding cushioning to a saddle causes more issues than it solves. If you want more cushioning, cycling-specific shorts are a MUCH better option (see below).   

Tip 5: Ride in Cycling Shorts (Without Underwear)

Cycling shorts have a cushioned pad (called a “chamois”) sewn into the bottom of the shorts to improve comfort in the saddle. Cycling shorts are a piece of gear that many cyclists consider essential. They are the secret to putting in big miles, day after day. Not only does the chamois pad improve comfort in the saddle and reduce pressure, chafing, and sweatiness, but the skin-tight fit also makes pedaling easier and more pleasant. However, if you’re feeling shy, it’s okay to wear a pair of baggy shorts over your cycling shorts. 

One important thing to know is that cycling shorts are designed to be worn WITHOUT underwear. The chamois pad is designed to sit against your skin. Wearing underwear between your skin and the chamois can cause serious discomfort, chafing, and swamp a**. 

Just like a saddle, some cycling shorts might fit your body better than others, so it might be worth visiting a bike shop to try some on to see how they fit (when trying on cycling shorts in the store, DO wear underwear to be polite and hygienic). 

Tip 6: Stay Fueled & Hydrated

Cycling is an exercise, and one of the biggest mistakes many beginners make is not fueling and hydrating enough during their rides. This can lead to the dreaded “bonk,” where your muscles are depleted of glycogen (your body’s stored sugar/energy). Don’t end up crawling home like a zombie! 

As a general rule, most riders should aim to drink around a bottle an hour while riding. Adding a drink mix powder (e.g., Gatorade, Scratch Labs, Tailwind, etc.) to your bottles is a great idea, especially when it’s warm or hot. 

As for food, things that are easy to digest and easy to carry are best. Many cyclists use sport-specific gels and chews. But if that doesn’t appeal to you, some of my favorite ride foods are Rice Krispies Treats, Oreos, and gummy bears. Many riders like using bars. Whatever you choose, the key is to experiment and eat foods that won’t upset your stomach while you’re exercising. 

Tip 7: Understand How to Use Your Bike Gears

Gears are amazing. They let us ride farther, faster, and conquer hills and mountains. But modern bikes come with so many, it can be hard for new riders to understand how and when to shift gears. 

Here are a few basics:

• The right shifter controls the rear derailleur:

• Shifting the chain IN toward the bigger cogs makes pedaling easier

• Shifting the chain OUT toward the smaller cogs makes pedaling harder

• The left shifter controls the front derailleur (if your bike has one):

• Shifting the chain IN toward the smaller chainring makes pedaling easier

• Shifting the chain OUT toward the bigger chainring makes pedaling harder

When pedaling, riders have an optimal “cadence” (how fast they’re pedaling). For most riders, the most efficient cadence is around 90 RPM (anywhere from 70-110 RPM is also fairly normal), so the goal is to shift into harder or easier gears to keep you as close to your optimal cadence as possible. Generally, you shift down into easier gears to handle climbs, and shift up into harder gears to keep pressure on the pedals during descents. 

Tip 8: Learn How to Fix a Flat Tire

It’s not a matter of if you'll get a flat tire, but when. A basic flat kit and knowing how to repair a punctured tire out on the road are essential to ensure you don’t end up stranded during a ride. 

Changing the inner tube is the most common fix for a flat tire, and it will work on any bike (even tubeless tires) as long as you have the correct-sized tube for your tires. See the video below for the method to remove/add an inner tube: 

There are a few things you’ll need:

• A spare inner tube OR tubeless tire plug kit

• An inflation device—either a small hand pump or a CO2 inflator and cartridge

• Maybe a tire lever

Many cyclists carry their flat kit on their bike using a saddle bag, so it’s always on their bike, just in case. 

If you have tubeless tires, see the video below to learn how to plug a tire with a bike-specific tire plug kit (don’t buy car tire plugs, they’re too big!): 

OBED bikes are sold and shipped with tubeless tires. These tires don’t have an inner tube, and they use liquid sealant to help prevent punctures. Because tubeless tires don’t have an inner tube, it means riders can use a tire plug kit to repair punctures, which is a lot faster and easier than swapping in an inner tube.

Tip 9: Keep Your Chain Clean and Lubricated

Bike maintenance can seem complicated, but the only thing beginners need to know is how to clean and lubricate their bike chain. Your bike’s drivetrain is the most expensive wear component, so keeping it clean and lubed helps it last longer, saving you money and reducing headaches in the long run. A clean and lubed chain also has less friction and is more efficient, meaning it will help you ride faster, too! 

Some of our favorite high-performance and easy-to-use chain lubes are Silca Synegetic, Rock “n” Roll Gold, and Wolf Tooth WT-1. However, nearly any bike-specific chain lube is fine, as long as you use it regularly. 

A basic chain clean and lube is pretty easy for anyone to accomplish: 

1. Clean your drivetrain with dish soap or degreaser - OR - Wipe the chain clean with a rag, maybe with a bit of degreaser. 

2. Drip chain lube onto a DRY chain, ensuring each roller (where the links connect) gets a drip of lube.

3. Wipe away all excess lube from the surface of the chain. Lube only needs to be inside the chain rollers.

Clean and lube your chain regularly. If your chain is squeaky, it needs lube. Don’t ride a squeaky chain! Other than cost, there’s no real downside to cleaning and lubricating your chain too much.

Watch this video if you need some visual guidance for how to clean and lube your chain: 

Note: DO NOT USE WD-40 as chain lube. WD-40 doesn’t work like a true lubricant, and it will cause more wear in the long run. The spray you find in hardware stores is ok as a degreaser for cleaning chains, just be sure to wipe it away and let it evaporate before applying a true drip-on chain lube. WD-40 makes a bike-specific drip-on chain lube if you’re interested in their products. 

Tip 10: Have Fun, Keep Learning, and Ask for Help! 

Being a beginner in any new hobby can be a confusing and intimidating experience. Embrace it! Try to learn as much as you can, but more than anything, just get out and ride. The simple act of riding a bike is one of the purest joys we experience in our time here on earth. Get some sun (but wear sunscreen!), feel the wind in your face, and go exploring. The world looks a lot different when you view it by bike. 

The cycling community is also full of great people! Search for local group rides. Riding with others is one of the best things you can do to learn and improve. Many novice group rides have people willing to show you the ropes, but the internet also has plenty of advice that you can take advantage of. Find cycling content creators you like on YouTube and social media, and get inspired. 

If you have questions or need advice about your OBED bike, be sure to reach out to our Customer Service team via chat, email, or over the phone. They’re always happy to help you get the most out of your cycling experience. 

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