What are the hidden costs of cycling?
Beyond the bike, what hidden essentials should a beginner cyclist budget for?
TL;DR:
A bike is just the start. Essentials like a helmet, sunglasses, bibs, and clipless shoes ensure safety and comfort, while a repair kit and lights handle roadside issues and visibility. Accessories such as bottle cages and bottles keep riders fueled, and devices including bike computers, cadence and speed sensors, heart rate monitors, and power meters track metrics aimed at improving performance. The total cost of these essentials can match or exceed the bike itself, making prioritization key for beginners.
Happy New Bike Day! After investing a serious chunk of change into a brand-new bike, it’s tempting to think one is instantly ready to start chasing KOMs/QOMs on Strava. But like with any new purchase, there’s a hidden ecosystem of gear and accessories that unlocks the bike’s full potential and makes the experience safer, smoother, and more enjoyable for the rider
Most new bikes do not come with pedals, so before the first ride, pedals are often the very first additional purchase required. Once that is addressed, three main categories of essentials elevate the riding experience: Apparel (what is worn), Repair Kit (items carried for unexpected mechanical issues), and Bike Accessories (what attaches to the bike).
Apparel:
A helmet is the most important safety purchase after the bike. A good pair of sunglasses comes next, providing protection from debris, wind, and glare—making them as much a piece of protective gear as a helmet, particularly in bright sunlight or dusty conditions. Any sunglasses can work initially, but investing in a dedicated cycling pair is worthwhile. These are designed to be less fragile, shaped for better coverage, and provide more consistent protection during rides.
For comfort, cycling bibs with a fitted chamois pad are the single best investment a beginner can make. They reduce saddle discomfort and open the door to longer, more enjoyable rides. Jerseys, on the other hand, are a much lower priority. A simple t-shirt works fine at first, though jerseys do add convenience with pockets, better breathability, and a bit of that “cyclist look.” Just don’t get pulled into the “aero” hype early on — comfort and safety matter far more when you’re starting out.
Once the basics are in place, clipless shoes and pedals can greatly enhance the enjoyment of longer rides. Despite the intimidating name, clipless shoes actually “clip in” and attach to the pedals, creating a more secure and efficient connection between the legs and the bike. There is a learning curve, but once the technique is mastered, pedaling efficiency improves, control is enhanced, and fatigue is reduced. Over time, using the clipless system builds confidence and helps develop stronger cycling skills, making each ride more rewarding.
Repair Kit
Alongside apparel and clipless pedals, carrying a small repair kit is a key step in ensuring a safe and stress-free ride. Punctures are the most common roadside issue, so a portable bike pump, a spare tube, and tire levers form the core of any beginner’s kit. For riders using a tubeless setup, a tubeless plug kit is essential for repairing any punctures the sealant cannot handle
While not strictly necessary, a dedicated bicycle multitool can provide convenience on the go, covering adjustments that may come up during a ride. However, it is also possible to get by with just a set of appropriately sized hex wrenches for the most common adjustments.
Bike Accessories
Once apparel and a repair kit are in place, a few key accessories make rides safer and more enjoyable. Bottle cages and bottles come first. Hydration and nutrition are essential for any ride, no matter the distance.
Lights are next, with the rear light prioritized to ensure visibility to drivers and other cyclists. A bright, reliable front light is also useful, but being seen from behind is most important for safety.
For riders focused on improving performance, a bike computer can be a valuable addition, especially when paired with a cadence sensor, speedometer, heart rate monitor, and power meter. For beginners, a phone can serve as a temporary substitute for tracking rides and performance until investing in a dedicated device.
The chart below breaks down all categories, their relative priority, and estimated costs, helping new cyclists see which items are truly essential and which are nice-to-haves. Equipping a bike properly ensures safety, comfort, and a more enjoyable ride from the very start.
| Description | Category | Priority (1–5) | Estimated Cost | Product Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedals (Any) | Bike Part | 5 | $55.00 | Link |
| Helmet | Apparel | 5 | $115.00 | Link |
| Bib | Apparel | 4 | $90.00 | Link |
| Sunglasses | Apparel | 4 | $35.00 | Link |
| Shoes (Clipless) | Apparel | 3 | $125.00 | Link |
| Top, Jersey | Apparel | 2 | $90.00 | Link |
| Bottle Cages, (2) | Bike Accessory | 5 | $20.00 | Link |
| Bottles, (2) | Bike Accessory | 5 | $36.00 | Link |
| Light, Rear | Bike Accessory | 4 | $45.00 | Link |
| Light, Front | Bike Accessory | 3 | $55.00 | Link |
| HRM | Bike Accessory | 3 | $49.99 | Link |
| Cadence Sensor | Bike Accessory | 3 | $39.99 | Link |
| Bike Computer | Bike Accessory | 2 | $279.99 | Link |
| Power Meter | Bike Accessory | 1 | $700.00 | Link |
| Speed Sensor | Bike Accessory | 1 | $39.90 | Link |
| Portable Bike Pump | Repair Kit | 5 | $27.95 | Link |
| Spare Tube | Repair Kit | 5 | $32.95 | Link |
| Tire Levers | Repair Kit | 5 | $6.95 | Link |
| Tubeless Plug | Repair Kit | 3 | $25.00 | Link |
| Multi-Tool | Repair Kit | 2 | $33.00 | Link |
Priority is based on a scale of 1–5, with 5 representing the highest priority. All products are linked to REI as a convenient resource for finding outdoor apparel and equipment. These specific products are not necessarily recommendations, but are used only as examples to help estimate the budget for each category.
After accounting for apparel, a repair kit, and bike accessories, the total investment can reach around $1,900—the cost of an entry-level performance bike. Even purchasing just the highest-priority essentials (marked “5” in the chart) adds roughly $300. This highlights that the bike is only part of the overall cost. Many beginners assume that once the bike is purchased, the hard part is over. In reality, the accessories needed for a safe, comfortable ride can cost as much as—or even more than—the bike itself, a fact that often comes as a surprise.
My Setup: The Accessories
While the breakdown above outlines what a beginner cyclist might need, it may help to see how those essentials add up in practice. Below is my current personal setup, listed to give a sense of the additional investment beyond the bike itself.
Pedals
Power Meter and Cadence Sensor – Favero Assioma UNO
Apparel
Shoes – Shimano RC3
Helmet – Smith Persist MIPS
Bib – The Black Bibs Ultimate Adventure Bibs
Sunglasses – Smith Pursuit Photochromic Sunglasses
Jersey – Budget-friendly Amazon options
Repair Kit
Bike Pump – Rockbros Mini Electric Pump
Spare Tube – Ridenow Tubes
Tire Levers – Park Tool TL-1.2C
Tubeless Plug – Dynaplug Racer Pro
Multi-Tool – Daysaver Essential8 & Coworking5
Bike Accessories
Heart Rate Monitor – Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Bottle Cages – Blackburn Wayside Side-Entry
Bottles – CamelBak Podium 21oz (2 bottles)
Bike Light, Front and Rear - Cygolite Metro and Hotshot
Speed Sensor – Cannondale Speed Sensor
Total Accessories MSRP Cost: $2,295
Excludes any discounts, sales tax, or regional price differences.
Bike - Cannondale Synapse 2 (2023) MSRP Cost: $1,800
My setup reflects the order in which items were purchased, which generally mirrors the priority outlined at the start of the article. The only exceptions are the Garmin Instinct watch and the Favero Assioma power meter, which were acquired earlier while training on a stationary bike for another sport and later transferred to this bike. Taken together, the total cost of these accessories actually exceeds the MSRP of the Cannondale Synapse 2 itself, highlighting that the bike is only one part of the overall investment in a complete, ready-to-ride setup.