When cycling, the right equipment is enormously important so that the fun does not fall by the wayside. J-Athlete & extreme athlete Wolfgang Fasching reveals what you have to pay attention to when it comes to cycling equipment. He took part in the Race Across America (RAAM) 8 times and won it three times. Wolfgang knows, like no other, what is important. We wish you a lot of fun while biking.
The right bike
A bike must first and foremost fit you. The most important thing is the geometry, i.e. the frame shape and size, the height of the seat and the handlebars, the width of the handlebars and much more.
"The fun starts when I feel comfortable on my bike!"
You won't get all this customized on the Internet. That's why my most important tip is to buy your bike in a specialist store and never online. Everything you might save online will cost you fun and well-being on the bike in the end. In the bike store everything is measured exactly and you get competent answers to your questions.
Before you head to a bike store, however, it's important to think about the terrain you want to cover and the goal you have for cycling. You should also consider the following basic rules when choosing your bike:
- Brakes: Whether mountain bike or road bike with disc brakes you are always right. Disc brakes have a better braking performance due to their higher surface pressure in wet conditions and the brake pads are very durable.
- Frame material: A frame made of carbon is the king class. It is the best possible combination of weight and robustness. If that's too expensive for you, I recommend a bike with an aluminum frame.
- Gear shift: The gear shift must be matched to the purpose. The type of operation should be chosen according to your own preferences. Just try out the different types of operation and see which one you feel most comfortable with.
- Tire width: Rather choose a slightly wider tire, but with a little less air. For a road bike, for example, a tire with a width between 23 and 25 mm is recommended.
- Saddle: Choosing the right saddle can become a science. Beginners should in no case take a racing saddle. A saddle should be neither too hard nor too soft, here you must definitely try out what is best for you.
What should a good bike cost? The price range and the product selection are very large and you can get lost very quickly. I recommend that beginners do not immediately go for a high-end bike, but rather choose a solid bike that has everything you need. A decent entry-level road bike, for example, should not cost more than 2500 €.
The bike clothing
The importance of cycling clothing is unfortunately very often underestimated. Especially on longer bike tours it is important to wear comfortable and functional clothing.
"I'm naked under my bike shorts!"
Starting with the pants, it pays not to choose the cheapest product and make sure that a soft plastic insert is sewn in. Your butt will thank you! Surprisingly many people think that you wear underpants under a pair of cycling shorts. BUT this can cause friction and you sweat a lot more. Therefore, you should not wear underpants under your cycling shorts.
By the way: The buttocks are a muscle and they need to be trained. If you often have pain in your buttocks when cycling, this is an indication that you need to prepare your buttocks better for the load. Therefore, especially for beginners, it is important to start with shorter, comfortable tours and increase slowly.
Bicycle gloves are also of great importance. Again, the longer the ride, the more important your gloves. They relieve the heels of the hands and should it come to a fall, the gloves protect the palms while supporting. The fingers should always be free. Only downhill mountain bikers or in winter you should take gloves that enclose the fingers.
For the undershirt, you should use a tight-fitting and air-permeable product. This ensures good sweat absorption and quick drying. Always dress a little warmer than you think, so that you do not freeze while driving. You often underestimate the wind and external conditions. Clothing with zippable sleeves and leg warmers, are highly recommended here to be able to react immediately to changing conditions. Your cycling jersey should accordingly have pockets, because so you can stow clothes that you are not currently wearing. In addition, an energy bar, muesli bar or a banana as an energy reserve belong in your pockets.
The wheel shoes
Pedals with clips and appropriate shoes I recommend in any case. The power transmission is thereby optimal and you will have much more fun biking.
"It knocks everyone out once in a while! It's quite normal."
Caution: If you ride slowly, want to dismount, ride a very tight curve or turn around, it is generally better if you remove your shoes from the clips. That way you can safely get off the bike. If you forget to do this, you will inevitably tip over! But don't worry: it knocks everyone down once. That is quite normal. But you remember it afterwards in any case!
The helmet
The helmet is absolutely the most important thing for your safety. It must, of course, comply with the standard and fit properly. Many are sloppy and let the chin strap too loose. Here, everything must fit tightly, otherwise it ends fatally in a fall. If you often ride in the morning or at dusk, I recommend a net in the inner helmet to keep insects away.
The Mini Toolkit
As a cyclist, you must always have a mini toolkit with you. In it should necessarily be an air cartridge, assembly levers and a spare tube.
"Anyone who rides a bike should be able to do minor repairs themselves!"
Because you should definitely be able to fix a flat tire yourself. It's like a first aid course! I recommend trying out a tire change at home in peace, so that you are prepared in case of an emergency. Of course, a short visual inspection of the wheel, especially the tires, must be carried out before and after each ride.
The heart rate monitor
A heart rate monitor makes sense. You can use it to check and adjust your load range. However, this requires an athletic performance test, which I would definitely recommend regardless. Attention: Pulse values cannot be compared, because every body is different!
The sunglasses
Last but not least, a good pair of sunglasses is a constant companion on bike tours. A good pair of cycling glasses must fit well on the nose as well as on the ears and must not pinch, even if you wear a helmet! Additionally, I recommend goggles with anti-reflective lenses on the back to absorb annoying sun rays from behind and good ventilation or anti-fog coating to minimize tarnishing in changing weather conditions. I packed all of these features into my own signature pair of J. Athletics glasses, the Victory.
