Shopping for cycling gear for the first time can be somewhat overwhelming, especially if you have no real idea of what you’re looking for, and what you’ll need when out on your bike both in your current season, and the upcoming seasons after that.
To help remove the veil from this overwhelming necessity we’ve put together a ladies’ guide to shopping for cycling gear, with four of our best tips for what you should purchase when sorting out all of your cycling gear, as well as ways in which you must use this gear in order to make it work for you, and keep you safe when you’re out on the road. Without further ado, our four tips that form the ladies’ guide to shopping for cycling gear are as follows (in no particular order):
1) Purchase Several Sports Bra’s
Though some don’t see a sports bra as a necessity when simply riding your bike (preferring to only wear them when running or engaging in other, more strenuous activities), the simple truth is those people most likely haven’t spent enough time cycling around with a sports bra to feel the difference – it’s incredible.
So don’t get us wrong – you most certainly can cycle around fairly comfortably while wearing your standard bra (or no bra at all), but the extra level of comfort you’ll receive means wearing a sports bra is absolutely worth it in our eyes, especially if you have to cycle fairly large distances each day. As with any bra you’re going to want to get yourself measured up beforehand, ensuring you look into the nuances of choosing a sports bra before you make a purchase so you choose the right bra for you.
2) Make Sure Your Helmet Fits
Though most cycling helmets come with an adjustable strap so you can bring it in closer to your head and tighten it securely, when buying your helmet for the first time you’re also going to want to make sure that it comfortably fits around your head, regardless of the strap.
The problem with certain unisex cycling helmets is because they have to allow for the larger head size of men (in most instances) the helmet itself is slightly larger, which can make it both uncomfortable for you to wear, and poor-fitting around your head. Make sure you look into the correct ways in which to fit your helmet before buying one, and always look out for women’s helmets if you can, rather than a unisex option.
3) Purchase Warm Clothing Too
Don’t assume that because you’re putting your back into it to cycle up a steep hill you’ll always be warm regardless of the season.
Just because the effort needed to push your peddles causes you to sweat doesn’t mean the heat you’re creating within your body will be able to make up for the freezing temperatures that are all around you. Though during the summer you’ll want to look into embracing eco fashion trends with fun designs, during the winter all you should concentrate on is making sure you’re kept warm when you’re out on your bike, which is why you should put some serious thought into what you wear on both your top and bottom halves, as it’s simply not worth catching a cold (or worse) unavoidably.
4) Don’t Worry About Your Appearance
When you’re out cycling on your bike it really isn’t the time to worry about what you’re wearing, and your appearance in general. It’s fair to say that most cycling gear, such as helmets, protective arm and knee pads, gloves, sports bras, and numerous other items of clothing aren’t the most attractive pieces you’ll ever put on, but it’s important to remember that that’s not the point. Though if you purchase cycling clothing from Fat Birds you’ll find many attractive items for sale, as a genral rule you’re going to find yourself choosing safety over style. Not that that’s by any means a bad thing.
In conclusion, shopping for cycling gear for the first time can be somewhat overwhelming, especially if you have no real idea of what you’re looking for, and what you’ll need when out on your bike both in your current season, and the upcoming seasons after that.