Cyclist equipment, what should it be? A guide for beginner cyclists. Equipment and safety Bicycle repair kit

Cycling is an exciting but technically challenging sport. It requires utmost attention when choosing equipment and ammunition. After all, the cyclist is critically autonomous throughout the entire distance. The team comes to the rescue when trouble has already occurred. Therefore, individual equipment must take on the responsibility for solving potential problems.

Well-chosen equipment:

• maintains the overall positive tone of the body as long as practically necessary;
• creates favorable conditions for the work of key elements of the joint-muscular complex;
• protects key areas from injury from falls

After reading and thinking about these functions, a person far from cycling will imagine that we are talking about at least a spacesuit weighing a hundred kilograms. Not at all.

Top manufacturers of protective clothing, in alliance with famous champions, have developed and implemented their own cycling safety code. It is available to everyone.

Let's look at a few required elements:

• cycling compression clothing
• knee braces
• protective equipment against impact injuries

Compression clothing for cycling

Compression garments are a rider's portable personal ecosystem. An amazing result was achieved with minimal means. A T-shirt and shorts work real wonders.

What does targeted dosed compression provide?

• combating static muscle tension that accumulates due to an unchanged position for a long time
• discharge of excess moisture into the atmosphere and reliable ventilation
• blockade of the destructive effect of lactic acid
• avoidance of intratemperature shock
• intensification of intramuscular reactions due to the delivery of increased portions of oxygen

In compression clothing, the rider’s performance reaches a new qualitative level.

Cycling knee braces

The cyclist's knee is forced to work chronically incorrectly. The specific kinetics of unwinding the pedals turns the knee joints inside out. Therefore, constant external stabilization of the joint is required.

An elastic fabric bandage successfully performs this job. A cyclist’s knee brace is an essential element of proper equipment.

In addition to stabilization itself, high-quality knee supports have a beneficial effect on the intra-articular climate, keeping it in the optimal range. The material of the product during prolonged contact with the skin is guaranteed not to cause any allergic reactions.

Fall protection - elbow and knee pads, clothing with protective inserts

It is unnecessary to remind you of the need for special protection. We all have before our eyes the horrors of experienced athletes falling. For example, Joseba Beloki at the 2003 Tour de France. Some ended the race after them, others ended their careers altogether.

The duty of any athlete, the duty, first of all, to himself, is to do everything possible to minimize the consequences of incidents. This needs to be taken care of before the start.

Elbow pads with shockproof pads, special design inserts in compression clothing for cycling on the hips, shoulders, etc. give us the minimum required level of security. To stand up for him, that is, to go to the race without protective equipment, means exposing yourself to extreme risk.

For beginners, we note one point: do not get carried away with voluminous inserts and pillows. They will not protect you so much as they will make you heavier and disrupt aerodynamics.

Our managers are waiting for your calls. They will tell you about the latest in cycling equipment and remind you of well-proven models.

It is no coincidence that cycling is becoming increasingly popular. A two-wheeled iron friend allows you to enjoy speed and conquer places that cannot be reached by other vehicles. But given the quality of our roads, and the obstacles that a cyclist has to cope with, it would be useful to protect yourself from injury in the event of a fall with the help of special devices. Cycling equipment also allows you to minimize friction on the handlebar grips and saddle.

We care about your safety

Safety cannot be compromised, since human health and life depend on its quality. We take a responsible approach to this issue and offer to buy high-quality cyclist equipment. All products presented in our catalog are produced by well-known brands that enjoy an excellent reputation among consumers. The cycling gear they produce goes through rigorous testing for durability. We offer you the following types of protection:

• helmets of different sizes and different designs;
• comfortable back protection with convenient and easy adjustment;
• shorts that protect the tailbone and hips from impacts;
• shin and knee protection;
• wrist protection;
• balaclavas made of anti-allergenic materials.

We also have a large selection of safety equipment for roller skates.

Placing an order

In order to buy cycling equipment in an online store, you just need to go to the website http://www.site/, view the products presented in the “Equipment” section and select the items that suit you. You can immediately fill out a simple order form, or leave your phone number, at which our consultants will contact you to clarify the data. You can also get all the information you are interested in by contacting us at the phone number listed on the website.
It is important for us that the buyer receives his goods as soon as possible, so the order is provided the day after it is placed. If you live in Moscow or within the region, then you are given the opportunity to pick up goods or have them delivered, which depends on the cost of the equipment purchased from us.

Scooter, motorcycle - driving all these vehicles carries a certain danger and is generally very unsafe. Therefore, cyclists and motorcyclists pay the most serious attention to protective equipment - equipment that reduces the risk of injury.

Nowadays, full body protection means have been developed, but the full set is used only by professional motorcycle and bicycle racers, athletes who are most at risk of serious injury. The “maximum set” of protection contains several components:

Head protection - helmet;
- Body protection - shell, “motor turtle”, back protection, overalls;
- Hand protection - gloves and elbow pads;
- Leg protection - knee pads, shorts and pants, shin guards, shoes.

However, for city trips on a bicycle or scooter, a helmet (this is the most important thing!), knee and elbow pads, and comfortable gloves are quite enough. Moreover, when traveling on a scooter, it is recommended to choose motorcycle equipment, although for low-power scooters that develop low speeds, bicycle protection is quite sufficient. Body protection and enhanced limb protection are typically used by athletes.

Bicycle and motorcycle - what's the difference?

Cyclists and motorcyclists use fundamentally the same, but structurally and technically different protection. That is, when driving both vehicles, helmets, gloves, body and limb protection are used, but bicycle protection is lighter, and motorcycle protection is stronger and provides better protection.

The reason is simple: motorcycles develop higher speeds, and they are several times heavier than bicycles, and therefore have greater kinetic energy and, if they fall or collide with an obstacle, can cause much more harm to the driver. Therefore, a motorcyclist’s equipment covers almost the entire surface of the body.

Cyclist equipment

The main protection of a cyclist is a bicycle helmet, and it is this that needs to be given special attention. There are currently five types of helmets:

Cross Country;
- Highway;
- Bowler;
- Full face;
- Aerodynamic.

Regardless of the type and purpose, all helmets (including motorcycle ones) have the same design. The outer part - the so-called shell - is made of plastic, and it is this that takes the main impact load (and often cracks or completely collapses). Under this shell there is a relatively thick layer of expanded polystyrene (foam), which takes on the load, partially absorbs it, and partially distributes it over the surface of the head, which significantly reduces the risk of serious injuries.

Cross Country Helmet and Road Helmet- the most versatile and widespread, they are used with equal success for leisurely driving around the city, and for extreme riding over rough terrain (this discipline is called cross-country, which gives the name to the helmet), and for road cycling races. Very light (within 300 grams) and durable, they have holes for ventilation and a strap for fixing on the head, and are also equipped with a removable visor.

Bowler helmet used by athletes in “urban” disciplines - BMX, dirt, trial and others. It got its name because of its characteristic semicircular shape.

Full face helmet- the most “serious” and durable, it, as the name implies, covers the maximum surface of the head and face, which is achieved due to the “jaw” protruding from below. Interestingly, this helmet is based on a motorcycle racing helmet and, in general, differs little from it. A full-face helmet is used in complex extreme disciplines and is practically unsuitable for long trips.

Aerodynamic helmet- This is a special sports helmet for track cycling, it is practically not used by amateurs and is not found on the open market.

Nowadays, rear-view mirrors for helmets are becoming more common. These are very light structures (weighing up to 20-30 grams), which are attached directly to the helmet and allow you to see everything that is happening behind your back. Usually this is a spherical, round or drop-shaped (to increase visibility) mirror mounted on a telescopic rod, which, in turn, is attached to the helmet with double-sided tape or using a simple fixing device. There are also options with flexible rods and other designs, but in general they are not very different from each other.

Special means are used to protect the body and limbs:

• Gloves;
• Knee pads;
• Elbow pads;
• Shin protection;
• Back protection;
• Carapace (chest and back protection);
• Protective shorts or pants;
• Jumpsuits (full body protection).

Structurally, all these means are made exactly the same: protective elements - durable plastic plates of a certain shape (which follows the shape of the protected part of the body) are securely fastened to an elastic base. The base has straps for fixation, and on the inside there is an elastic lining that softens the impact. Interestingly, gloves have approximately the same device, which contains inserts over the joints and pads made of flexible material to protect the hand from stress.

Motorcyclist equipment

A motorcyclist also cannot do without a helmet, and there are four types:

- “Integral”;
- Opening bowler helmet;
- Full face helmet;
- “Modular” helmet.

Motorcycle helmets (with the exception of full-face ones - safety glasses are used together with them) carry visors - protective glasses that protect the face from the oncoming flow of air, dirt, insects, stones, as well as from bright sunlight (most often the visors are darkened and block ultraviolet radiation).

In general, full-face and bowler-type motorcycle helmets are very similar to the same bicycle helmets, differing from them in higher strength and weight. And the “integral” and “modular” helmets are already special motorcycle protection.

Helmet "integral"- a fully closed, streamlined helmet with an integrated visor (hence the name). This helmet reliably covers the entire head, while providing not only protection, but also sound insulation, which is very important for motorcyclists.

Helmet "modular"- the most complex and heaviest of motorcycle helmets (its weight is over 1300 grams). It is not the visor that lifts up, but the entire front part along with the “jaw” - this is extremely convenient, especially on long trips.

As for protecting the body and limbs, motorcyclists practically do not use separate components, preferring complete protection:

1. Jackets;
2. Overalls;
3. “Motor turtles” (shell with protective plates, got its name for its similarity to the shell of a turtle);
4. Motorcycle boots (special footwear);
5. Gloves.

Fundamentally, motorcycle protection is no different from bicycle protection, but it is more durable and reliable, which means it is also heavier and more expensive.

Selection of protective equipment

The choice of protection must be approached wisely and responsibly; there is no need to buy equipment of unknown origin at suspiciously low prices, but an amateur does not need too expensive protection - here it is necessary to find a “golden mean”.

First you need to decide what protection is needed for. If you are just riding around the city, then a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads will be more than enough. And if you engage in extreme sports, then you yourself know what equipment is needed.

When choosing protection, you need to be guided by the main rule: the equipment should fit well on the body, not restrict movement and not cause discomfort. This is only possible if all protection components are precisely sized, no more and no less. So, when buying protection, you must know exactly your size, or even better, try it on.

Buying equipment is not a one-time event. Over time, especially with active use “for its intended purpose” (falls and impacts), the protection loses its qualities and needs to be changed. First of all, this applies to helmets: they need to be changed immediately after a serious fall - upon impact, the outer “shell” is most often destroyed, and such a helmet cannot be used further.

But even with careful driving, the helmet needs to be changed at least once every two to three years. Why? The fact is that ultraviolet radiation from the sun gradually reduces the strength and reliability of the plastic, which means the helmet loses its protective properties.

Spending a little money on safety equipment will provide you with good protection against falls and impacts. This means preserving the most valuable thing you have - your health.

A cyclist is poorly protected while riding, so choosing the right equipment is very important to stay safe on the road.

Special uniforms will protect you from mechanical damage and ensure comfortable driving.

Necessary items and accessories for cycling trips:

1. A must-have for every cyclist – this is the most important part of a cyclist’s protective equipment.
2. – protect the eyes from small and large fragments, rain, and shining sun.
3. A respirator is an accessory for a city cyclist that protects the respiratory system from carbon dioxide, asphalt fumes and other harmful environmental influences. The respirator will also protect against insects, dust and stone fragments getting into your mouth.
4. Knee pads protect joints and intra-articular fluid from injury and can prevent knee fractures even in the event of a strong fall, provided they fit snugly to the leg.
5. Elbow pads - just like knee pads, work as a protective barrier for joints and bones.
6. Protective suit - the choice depends on the type of riding.

All cycling suits, regardless of their purpose, are made of strong, water-permeable fabric. Suits remove excess fluid, control sweating, and prevent colds. Cycling suits also keep the athlete’s muscles in the required tone and prevent muscle strain or cramps.

Bicycles and scooters

7. – there are different types of cycling shoes, but each of them must fix the correct position of the foot, prevent bruises and not slip when cycling.
8. Reflectors and are necessary when driving in the evening or in cloudy weather.

Bicycle helmet

An important piece of equipment to protect your head. A good bike helmet combines strength, lightness and ventilation.

Modern bicycle helmets are designed with fastening parts that provide a perfect fit to the head.

The helmet shell is mainly made of polystyrene foam with plastic coatings - the plastic shell distributes the impact around the perimeter.

Expensive bicycle helmets have additional fastening with carbon and nylon fiber.

Popular types of bicycle helmets are produced for road cycling and cross-country: they are not expensive, provide reliable protection and are lightweight - the weight of the helmet varies from 250 to 300 g.

Lighter models are cyclist helmets for downhill, BMX and full face with a protected lower jaw.

Track cycling races use streamlined bicycle helmets without ventilation openings, but with positive aerodynamics.

During a shock wave, the structure protects the cyclist's head from damage and absorbs the impact with polystyrene foam.

The bicycle helmet itself breaks when impacted and must be replaced even if it appears intact: the cracked polystyrene foam mass is no longer able to withstand impacts.

For more information on choosing a bicycle helmet, see.

Cycling glasses

Sports cycling glasses are necessary for cyclists to protect them from ultraviolet radiation, LED lighting from cars, and headwinds.

There is a wide variety of cycling glasses on the market made of different materials, but any model must have certain characteristics:

• Availability of primary or spare polycarbonate lenses is a durable, flexible, lightweight and optically homogeneous material.
• Perforation along the upper perimeter of the lenses to prevent fogging.
• The lenses should be thick, this will protect them from breaking if dropped.
• Dimensions: The more space protected, the better.
• Good sports cycling glasses must fit snugly to your face, otherwise they will not provide good protection from the oncoming wind.
• Ultraviolet protection is very important; glass must have a protection filter of at least 400 UV.
• The shape of the glasses differs, but their main characteristic is reliable fixation on the face and protection against slipping and fogging; for this purpose, the lenses are impregnated with an anti-fog compound.
• Cycling glasses are always selected with minimal tint for comfortable wearing at night. High-quality sports glasses are covered with a film that increases the brightness and clarity of vision.

How to choose cycling glasses is discussed.

Respirator

You can purchase a special respirator for cycling; it is equipped with comfortable fastener straps, comes in trendy designs and protects the cyclist from inhaling harmful fumes.

Bicycle suit

For optimal riding, you need a protective suit with special plastic inserts to prevent damage to the body.

The sports overalls are made from special high-tech materials, prevent sweating and hold the muscles.

Knee and elbow pads

Special designs to protect the shins, knees and elbow joints; they are the ones most often damaged during a fall.

The best protective equipment for a cyclist includes forearm and ankle protection, but if you are on a limited budget, you can use regular knee pads and elbow pads for skaters, the main thing when purchasing is to take into account that the equipment will only perform its function if there is perforated foam.

Types of equipment:

1. Models with an increased degree of safety are produced for downhill, freeride, and motocross.
2. In second place in terms of protection - for country, dirt, and street riding.
3. Overalls with the lowest level of protection are intended for ordinary city riding in parks and BMX riding; such equipment keeps joints in good shape and protects them from damage when falling at medium speed.

Any good sports protective suit should always have ventilation holes, fit snugly to the body, and not interfere with blood circulation.

Cycling shoes

When choosing cycling shoes, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

1. For docking pedals, contact boots are purchased for clutching.
2. If the bike has regular pedals, then you can wear regular sports sneakers, however, purchasing professional shoes will greatly reduce the risk of damaging your feet if you fall.

Experienced riders know firsthand what is special about clothing created specifically for cyclists. Cycling gear protects the rider from mechanical damage, wicks away sweat well and has many other features for the comfort and health of the rider.

Head

Helmet

A helmet is an integral part of cycling equipment. Wearing a helmet is mandatory not only for professional athletes, but also for cyclists who constantly ride on public roads and country routes. To choose a helmet, you need to pay attention to the following:

• convenience,
• reliability,
• quality,
• the riding style for which you are choosing a helmet.

When colliding with something, the helmet takes the blow and breaks, but the cyclist’s head remains intact and unharmed.

There are several types of helmets for different riding styles.

For some mountain biking and road disciplines

Cross-country uses helmets that have excellent ventilation and low weight. This helmet is adjustable to each rider’s head so that it fits perfectly and does not move.

A road helmet usually has large ventilation holes and no visor.

These helmets are also ideal for hikers.

This helmet is more durable, but it is not adjustable, heavy and poorly ventilated. Due to the lack of adjustment, the bowler is selected exactly according to the size of the head.

Since it is very strong, it is used in such extreme disciplines as dirt, BMX, street, and trials. These are stunts in which the likelihood of injury is very high. A bowler hat protects your head much better than a cross-country helmet.

This helmet is designed specifically for particularly extreme disciplines: downhill, freeride, 4-cross. The difference between a full-face helmet and other helmets is obvious: it protects not only the head, but also the jaw. Its significant disadvantage is that a side blow from below can damage the neck. Therefore, neck protection is often worn with a full.

This helmet gets very hot, so you should only wear it when needed. If you ride trails, it is of no use to you; it will only add weight and reduce comfort.

Cyclist equipment often includes goggles or a mask. They are needed to protect the eyes from dust, moisture, dirt, insects, stones, and direct sunlight. Goggles are usually used with country helmets, and masks with bowlers and full faces.

The peculiarities of sports glasses and masks are that they have reflective details, protection against fogging of lenses and ventilation, and they also fit firmly on the head. For cycling glasses, you can choose different types of lenses: solar protection, anti-glare, night. They are usually covered with pollination, which increases the brightness, clarity and contrast of the visible image.

Bandana

A bandana is a fabric that fits around the head and is tied at the back of the head. Bandanas are needed to avoid sunstroke, to wick away sweat and to protect against insects. They are often worn under a helmet.

Depending on the ambient temperature, you should wear a thin or warm bandana. The latter performs not only the functions listed above, but also retains heat.

Balaclava

It will save you in the terrible cold in winter. The balaclava retains heat well and warms the air before it enters the nose. It also protects against chapping. Riding a bike in the cold without a balaclava is dangerous to your health!

Cap

A road headdress with a small visor in the shape of a semicircle. Protects the cyclist from the sun. Can be worn under a helmet, or without it. With a helmet, the baseball cap acts as a visor, and without it, the cap also prevents sunstroke.

Torso

Jersey

This is perhaps the most important element of cycling equipment. Jersey protects the rider from wind, cold and heat. It is a T-shirt made of a special material that wicks away sweat well, but also keeps you warm in cold weather. Jersey often has reflective elements. It also has a zipper on the front that you can unzip if you're feeling hot.

For cross country and road

CC and road racing jerseys need to fit exactly around the body as aerodynamics are very important in these types of racing. They also have pockets on the back for isotonic drinks, water, energy bars and more.

For aggressive disciplines, looser jerseys are used. They do not have a front zipper or back pockets.

Thermal underwear

Athletes wear a mesh thermal shirt under their jersey so that the latter does not become saturated with sweat so quickly and remains fresh and clean. Winter thermal underwear accumulates and retains heat and effectively removes sweat. It is made of synthetic fibers that conduct moisture well and maintain the desired temperature inside.

Jacket

Rider jackets are designed to protect the cyclist from rain, wind or cold. These functions are often not combined in one model, so different jackets must be selected for each type of weather. Universal models, of course, exist, but they cost a lot of money.

Cycling Jacket Features:

• The back part is elongated, it protects the lower back and buttocks.
• At the bottom there is a silicone tape.
• Velcro cuffs on the sleeves fit snugly to the wrists.
• The collar is also held tightly against the neck to prevent moisture, wind and cold from getting inside.
• Some models have holes for ventilation.
• Reflective stripes.

Windbreaker

A windbreaker is usually worn in early autumn and late spring. It does not in any way protect the rider from the cold, but it prevents the penetration of wind and moisture to the human body. It can also be worn over a jacket in the winter.

Hands

Gloves

Cycling gear includes gloves that serve several purposes. Firstly, the gel pads improve grip and prevent slipping. Secondly, they protect the palm in case of a fall. Gloves with long fingers also improve comfort when braking, especially if they have rubber or silicone coating on the fingers. They also protect your fingers from damage.

The material of the gloves is elastic and moisture-wicking fabric. The soft, absorbent pad on the outside of your thumb helps you wipe away sweat from your forehead.

The best gloves have Kevlar protection and plastic guards around the knuckles.

Velo sleeves

Sleeves are warm elements of clothing for the winter season. In the cold season, additional insulation of the joints is necessary, otherwise you can damage them. And it is very difficult to treat joints; it is better to prevent the problem.

Legs

Shorts

Comfort in the pelvic area is the most important thing for a cyclist. After all, this is where muscles and joints work most. Cycling shorts are made of elastic material that precisely follows the curves of the pelvis and hips. They are intended for the warm season. There are models of shorts with sewn-on plastic protection.

An item of clothing that is shorter than shorts and has a diaper. Pampers are a lining to remove excess moisture and prevent abrasions. The quality of cycling shorts is determined by the number of stitched pieces of fabric: the more pieces of fabric used in production, the tighter the shorts fit the body and the more comfortable they fit.

Trousers

You can't ride in shorts in winter! For the cold season, you need to buy pants that block the wind, warm the air and wick away moisture well. Pants can also be with or without diapers.

Cycling boots

These are the same shorts or pants (depending on the length of the legs), but they have straps. More expensive models are sold with a diaper, while budget cycling tights without a diaper can be worn over cycling shorts.

Shoes

Shoes for cycling should be comfortable and comfortable. If your foot dangles or your toes hurt after wearing shoes for a long time, we advise you to buy new shoes, and it’s best not just sports shoes, but cycling ones. Running shoes have a thin and soft sole to absorb the shock of running. We cyclists don't need this at all. All cycling shoes have a hard sole, which is most comfortable for this sport, and it also protects the foot from mechanical damage.

Mountain bike contact shoes and pedals

Road cycling shoes and pedals

If your bike has clipless pedals, then your cycling equipment must consist of, at a minimum, special shoes. There are road cycling shoes and mountain ones. The first contacts hold very tightly, so if you only drive on roads, these will be the best choice. Road contacts are not suitable for MTB, as they are more difficult to unfasten, which can be fatal in mountainous areas. Cycling shoes for MTB are easier to unfasten and even loosen a little (as people who have ridden both road and mountain contacts claim).

It is impossible to walk in road shoes; they have a protruding spike that interferes with walking. It’s possible in MTB shoes, but it’s terribly uncomfortable, because the sole of such shoes is very hard.

Socks

Cycling socks look like regular socks, but are different in that they allow your feet to breathe. This is possible thanks to special material. Socks can be thin or terry.

Highway socks are worn with highway contacts. They go well with shoes, prevent feet from chafing and wick away moisture. Cycling socks do not compress blood vessels, so they are designed for long rides without harm to health.

Mountain biking socks have great abrasion-resistant properties. In mountain disciplines, riders often fall when their clothes catch on elements of the route. Socks should not tear at the first fall, so they are made very durable.

In winter, thermal socks are worn; they are long, unlike summer socks, and warm. They are put on in such a way that there is no gap between the edge of the cycling shoes and the cycling leggings. Shorter ones easily let in the cold, so you need to buy thermal socks based on the elements of foot equipment you have.

It is not recommended to ride a bicycle in running socks, because they are sewn in such a way as to minimize damage to the foot from impact loads. They fit too tightly to the leg and compress the cyclist's blood vessels.

Shoe covers

They are worn over shoes and protect feet and cycling shoes from external influences: dirt, water, dust. They are made mainly from Lycra or neoprene. On the bottom of the shoe covers there are holes for the cleats of contact cycling shoes.

Cycling stockings

Bicycle stockings perform the same function as sleeves - they protect joints from hypothermia in winter.

Protection

Cycling protection for knees, shins, elbows, necks and other parts of the body is necessary in almost all disciplines. Joints need to be taken care of from a young age, so it’s better to purchase protective shields once and maintain your health than to then run around hospitals at the age of thirty with damaged knees and elbows.

The neck protection works as follows: it prevents the head from tilting too much in either direction, which prevents neck problems. Without it, in extreme disciplines it is very easy to break your neck.

The so-called turtle is popular among downhill athletes and freeriders. This is a protective suit that completely covers the rider's body with shields. These “turtles” or “shells,” as they are also called, have ventilation holes.

Backpack

Essential for the bike owner and a backpack. You should approach his choice responsibly: decide what you want from him. Do you need a large backpack or a small one? And also is it necessary:

• hole for hydration;
• upper jumper for fixing the backpack on the body;
• bottom jumper;
• helmet net;
• water pocket;
• several compartments inside;
• a hard plastic part between the back and the backpack so that the back sweats less.

Naturally, the more functions a backpack has, the higher its cost.

Experienced cyclists use almost all elements of cycling equipment. You need to learn from their experience and dress the same way, because a special uniform means convenience, practicality and safety!