A lot of people nowadays find it hard to find ways to keep themselves fit yet have fun or relax whilst doing so. One of the most recommended ways and probably one of the most popular ones nowadays is cycling. Riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to lose weight even for beginner cyclists without leaving a carbon footprint. In fact, cycling is good for both you and the environment.
While you will need to put on some layers when cycling in the cold or when it's raining, it is still a healthier option than driving. Cycling strengthens your legs, boosts, your brain power and mental health while lowering your cholesterol levels and improving your posture coordination and balance. There is nothing bad about riding a bicycle, well maybe the fact that you have to look after it as much as it does for you. This requires the use of some bicycle parts and accessories too.
Bicycle Spare Parts
Post & Saddle
While you might think having a spare saddle and post may be beneficial only for you, it actually is beneficial for both you and your bicycle. How? In the same way you would take care of your car's seat you should also take care of the seat on your bicycle. These crucial bicycle components go together and if one starts going out before the other it's best that you replace it before it affects the integrity of its neighbouring part. If the seat post starts to squeak and feels wobbly it can make your seat wobbly too and thus affect your riding comfort.
Brake Pads
Although brake pads may not affect your riding comfort they sure play a big role in riding safety. If the brake pads in your bike are worn out you will feel that when pulling on the lever the bike doesn't stop as quickly as you'd want it to. Therefore having a spare pair of brake pads is never a bad idea. When you feel the bike taking its time before it stops completely, just replace the used up brake pads and you're good to go.
Grips
Back to the convenience aspect, you should also keep a spare pair of grips. Also called pedals, they are much like brake pads, as in they get worn out. Although they are not a mandatory bike part, if you happen to cycle a lot on bumpy roads they can help make your palms hurt less. Grips provide not only the necessary grip for you to keep hold of the handlebars but also the much-needed cushion to keep your hands strain-free.
Chain
One of the biggest reasons why you are able to ride your bike is the fact that it has a chain connecting the movement of the pedals to the tires. This is why it's crucial that you keep a spare chain just in case the one on your bicycle brakes or gets to the end of its lifespan. Although lubrication and cleaning can help prolong the lifespan of your bike chain sooner or later you will definitely need to replace it.
Tires
Just like the brake pads and grips, bicycle tires wear out. The more you ride your bike the more they wear out. Tires can also get punctured and therefore replaced. Although you can save a tire by using a puncture repair kit it won't provide as smooth of a ride as when you replace it with a new one. Also, you will definitely need to replace that tire with a new one since the kit only allows you to ride with one for a limited period.
Cables
If not all then most bicycle components are controlled by cables. If a cable is corroded or bent then it must be replaced. Otherwise, the brakes and gears won't work and you won't be able to ride your bicycle. This is why having a spool of cable aside is always a good idea as you never know when a cable will need to be replaced.
Bicycle Accessories
Lock
Although the spare bicycle parts mentioned above are must-haves, the ones we're about to go through are going to help you in your everyday biking. A lock is one extremely important bike part that can be crucial if you leave your bicycle in public areas a lot. If you bring it in your office or mostly leave your bike in the garage then a bike lock isn't really needed.
Multi-Tool
Something that every cyclist will appreciate having is a set of tools that can help remove a bolt, cut through tough material or with anything even remotely related to your bike. A multi-tool is the best solution in this case as it provides multiple tools in one small pocket-friendly unit. Some multi-tools can have up to 19 different tools on them making them more of a necessity that can help you even in the most unexpected of situations.
Pump
To keep your bike sliding down the pavement every time you take it for a ride, you need to keep its tires filled with the correct amount of air. As you know, keeping the pressure of your bicycle's tires is done with a pump which you should have no matter how frequently you ride your bicycle. Tires tend to let the air out even when they are not put to the test. No matter the type of bike pump you go for it's important to have one as deflated tires are never a good thing.
Bottle & Cage
If you happen to go on long trips with your bicycle then staying hydrated is an especially important part of the trip. For this, you should get a bottle and cage made to be installed on the frame of your bicycle. This way you have easy access to what is essentially your fuel. Of course, water isn't the only thing you should be consuming during a long trip.
Gloves
You may have new grips on the handlebars, but that isn't the reason why you shouldn't have gloves on. Bike gloves are not only there to keep your hands protected from blisters, but to keep them safe from the elements too. Long exposure to UV rays can harm your skin and cold weather will slow down the movement of your fingers which can be dangerous when it comes to braking.
