Cycling

Cycling Accessories for Safer, Warmer and Easier Rides

Cycling accessories are the gear that makes riding a bike safer, more comfortable and more practical: helmets, lights, gloves, locks, bags, bottles, repair kits and the clothing that keeps you warm and visible. Easy Life Markets sells cycling accessories as part of our sports department. Our current range is one product, the touch screen winter gloves: full-finger polar fleece riding gloves with a wrist zip, a silicone-dot grip and touch-sensitive fingertips, in sizes S to XL. We will add more over time.

What should you buy first? Every rider needs a well-fitting helmet, front and rear lights for low light, and a basic repair kit. After that, comfort items make the biggest difference: gloves for grip and warmth, a bag that keeps weight off your back, and clothing suited to the weather. This guide walks through each type of accessory, what to check before you buy, how to get the right fit, and how to look after your kit. The current price and availability are shown on each product page.

The Main Types of Cycling Accessories

Accessories fall into a few clear groups. Think of them in order: what keeps you safe, what keeps you comfortable, and what keeps the bike running.

Helmets

A helmet is the single most important accessory. It has a hard outer shell over a foam liner that crushes on impact to absorb energy. Fit matters more than looks: the helmet should sit level, about two finger-widths above the eyebrows, with the straps forming a V under each ear and the chin strap snug enough that only a finger fits underneath. Replace a helmet after any crash, even if it looks fine, because the foam may be compressed inside. The bicycle helmet article on Wikipedia explains how helmets are built and tested.

Lights and Visibility

Lights help you see and, just as importantly, help others see you. Use a white light at the front and a red light at the back. Rechargeable USB lights are now the norm. Reflectors on the pedals, wheels and clothing add visibility from the side. Bright clothing helps in daylight, but in the dark only lights and reflective material really work.

When choosing lights, think about where you ride. On lit streets, the main job is to be seen, so a steady or flashing light that is clearly visible from the front and back is enough. On dark lanes and paths, you also need a front light bright enough to show the surface ahead, mounted so the beam points down at the road rather than into other people's eyes. Check how the light mounts to your bar or seat post, how long it runs on one charge, and whether it has a low-battery warning. Many riders run a small flashing light alongside a steady one, so one still works if the other runs flat.

Gloves

Gloves protect your hands in a fall, improve grip on the bars and keep fingers warm enough to work the brakes and gears. Fingerless summer gloves have padded palms for vibration. Full-finger gloves add warmth and protection. Winter gloves add insulation and often a closure at the wrist to keep wind out. Our touch screen winter gloves are a thin fleece type, which keeps finger movement for braking. The listing notes they are not heated, have no reflective panels shown and should be treated as showerproof at most.

Locks

A good lock is cheaper than a new bike. U-locks and heavy chains resist cutting better than thin cables. Cables are useful as a second lock for wheels and saddles. Lock the frame and at least one wheel to something solid and fixed, and keep the lock off the ground where it is harder to attack.

Bags and Carrying

For short rides, a backpack or sling bag works. For longer rides and commuting, moving the weight onto the bike is more comfortable. Saddle bags hold a spare tube and tools. Frame and top-tube bags hold a phone and snacks. Handlebar bags carry a little more. Panniers clip to a rear rack and hold work clothes, a laptop or shopping. If you prefer to carry, a compact sling such as our men's crossbody sling bag keeps essentials close, and our bags and accessories section has backpacks too.

Hydration

Bottle cages bolt onto the frame and hold a standard bottle within easy reach. On longer rides, carry more water than you think you need. Insulated bottles keep drinks cool in summer and stop them freezing in winter.

Repair and Maintenance Kit

A puncture is the most common roadside problem. Carry a spare inner tube of the right size, tyre levers, a mini pump or gas inflator, a patch kit and a multi-tool with the hex keys your bike uses. Learn to fix a puncture at home before you need to do it at the roadside.

Ride Tracking and Cameras

Fitness watches and bands count time, distance estimates and heart rate, and some show phone alerts on the wrist. Our wearables section includes models like the M4 fitness band and the 119 Plus fitness tracker. Some riders also fit a small camera to record their ride; see the H88 mini action camera and our cameras range, and check the mounting options on each product page.

Cycling Accessories Compared

Cycling Accessories by Type of Riding

The kit you need depends on how and where you ride. Here is a simple starting list for the most common kinds of riding.

Commuting

Commuters ride in all weather and often in the dark, so lights, reflective details and mudguards come first. A rear rack and panniers, or a sling or backpack for shorter trips, keep work clothes and a laptop dry. Add a solid lock if the bike stays outside during the day, and gloves for cold mornings.

Road and Fitness Riding

Longer, faster rides put the focus on comfort and self-sufficiency. Padded shorts, fingerless summer gloves, two bottle cages, a saddle bag with a spare tube and a mini pump are the usual set. A fitness tracker helps you follow your progress over time.

Trail and Off-Road Riding

Off-road riders take more knocks, so full-finger gloves, sturdy eyewear and a helmet with good rear coverage make sense. Carry a multi-tool with a chain tool and enough water, since help may be further away.

Leisure and Family Rides

For relaxed rides in the park or along quiet paths, keep it simple: helmets for everyone, a bell, a bottle each and a small bag for snacks and a phone. Bright colours make children easier to spot.

Comfort and Convenience Extras

Once the essentials are covered, a few small cycling accessories make daily riding noticeably nicer.

• Bell: a polite way to warn walkers and other riders on shared paths.
• Mudguards: keep spray off your back and your bag, which matters a lot on a commute.
• Mirror: a bar-end or helmet mirror lets you check behind without turning far.
• Comfortable grips and saddle: softer grips reduce hand numbness; the right saddle shape matters more than thick padding.
• Kickstand: handy on a loaded town bike where there is nothing to lean it on.
• Eyewear: clear or tinted lenses keep out wind, dust and insects.

Quick Checks Before Every Ride

Accessories help, but a sound bike comes first. Run through these checks before you set off; they take less than a minute.

1. Tyres: squeeze them. They should be firm, with no cuts or bulges. Pump them to the pressure printed on the tyre wall.
2. Brakes: squeeze both levers. They should bite firmly before the lever reaches the bar.
3. Chain: it should be clean, lightly oiled and turn smoothly.
4. Wheels: check that quick releases or axle nuts are tight.
5. Lights: switch them on and check the charge if you might ride after dark.

How to Choose Cycling Accessories

1. Think about your riding. A short daily commute, long weekend rides and off-road trails need different kit.
2. Cover safety first. Helmet, lights and a repair kit before anything else.
3. Dress for the weather you ride in most. Cold and wet riders need warmer gloves and layers; hot-weather riders need ventilation and water.
4. Check fit and compatibility. Tube sizes and valve types must match your wheels. Lights and bags must fit your bars, seat post or rack.
5. Choose visible colours. Bright gloves are easier to see when you signal a turn.
6. Buy kit you will use. A light you forget to charge or a bag you leave at home does not help. Simple, easy items get used.

Getting the Right Glove Fit

Glove sizes are based on hand measurements, not on clothing sizes. Measure palm width across the knuckles, without the thumb, and palm length from the wrist crease to the tip of the middle finger. Compare both with the chart on the product page. Our winter gloves list S as 8 to 8.5 cm palm width, M as 8.5 to 9 cm, L as 9 to 10 cm and XL as 10 to 11 cm, and the supplier recommends going one size up. The fingertips should reach the end of the glove without pressing. Loose fingertips make touch screen panels work poorly, and tight gloves cut circulation and make hands colder.

Riding in Cold and Wet Weather

Cold weather is where the right cycling accessories make the biggest difference. Hands and feet get cold first, because they are out in the wind and do little work. Layer your clothing: a base layer that moves sweat away, a warm middle layer and a windproof outer layer. Cover your ears with a thin hat or band under the helmet. For hands, thin fleece gloves suit cool mornings; in deep cold you may want a thicker glove or a liner underneath. Our winter collection includes a fuzzy knit beanie for after the ride and a men's padded winter jacket for colder days off the bike.

In rain, braking distances grow and road markings get slippery. Slow down, brake earlier and avoid painted lines and metal covers. Wipe your glasses or visor often. After a wet ride, dry gloves flat away from direct heat so the fabric keeps its shape.

Using a Phone on the Bike

A phone helps with maps and emergencies, but it should never distract you while you ride. Stop safely before you check a route or reply to a message. Touch screen gloves let you answer a call or read a map at a stop without taking your gloves off, which saves time on cold days. If you listen to audio, keep the volume low so you can hear traffic, or leave one ear free. A bar or stem mount keeps the phone in view for navigation; check that any mount you choose fits your handlebar diameter.

Caring for Your Cycling Accessories

• Helmets: clean with mild soap and water, never solvents. Store away from heat, and replace after any impact.
• Lights: charge after every few rides and before long trips. Check the mounts for cracks.
• Gloves: hand wash fleece gloves in cool water with mild soap, close any zips first, press out water without wringing and dry flat. Keep touch fingertips clean for good response.
• Locks: a drop of light oil in the keyhole and shackle now and then keeps them working smoothly.
• Bags: empty and air them after wet rides so they do not smell or stain.
• Repair kit: check it every few months. Patch glue dries out and spare tubes can perish.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Riding with a loose helmet. A helmet that rocks forward or back will not protect you properly.
• Carrying the wrong spare tube. Check the tyre size and valve type printed on your current tube or tyre.
• Relying on bright clothes at night. Only lights and reflective material work in the dark.
• Buying gloves too tight. They make your hands colder and touch panels less reliable.
• Treating showerproof gear as waterproof. Thin gloves will soak through in steady rain.
• Skipping the policy. Read our return and refund policy before you order.

Who These Cycling Accessories Suit

Our cycling accessories suit commuters who ride in all weather, weekend riders who want a little more comfort, and people who use bikes and scooters for short trips round town. The current winter gloves also work for dog walking, waiting at bus stops and other cold-weather errands. Explore the wider sports department and our outdoor recreation section for more ways to get outside, and browse men's clothing for everyday layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cycling accessories should a beginner buy first?

A helmet that fits, front and rear lights, and a basic repair kit with a spare tube, tyre levers and a pump. Gloves and a lock come next.

Are your winter gloves waterproof?

The supplier gives no waterproof rating, so treat them as showerproof at most. They will soak through in steady rain.

Do the gloves work with my phone?

They have touch fabric on the thumb and index fingertip for capacitive screens, which most smartphones use. Response varies by phone and by fit.

What size gloves should I order?

Measure palm width and length and compare them with the size chart on the product page. The supplier recommends one size up.

How often should I replace my helmet?

After any crash, and when the shell, foam or straps show wear. Follow the maker's guidance on age.

Will you add more cycling accessories?

Yes. We plan to add more over time. If you are looking for something specific, contact us.

Can I wear winter gloves for other activities?

Yes. Thin fleece gloves with a grip palm also suit scooter riding, walking, running in the cold and everyday errands.

How does shipping work?

See our shipping policy for details, and our FAQ page for other questions.

Shop Cycling Accessories at Easy Life Markets

Start with safety, add comfort, and keep a small repair kit with you. Good cycling accessories make every ride easier, from the school run to a long weekend loop. Browse our current range above, starting with the touch screen winter gloves, and check back as we add more.