{"id":37183,"date":"2025-07-31T15:47:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T15:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/37183\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T15:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T15:47:10","slug":"starting-cycling-in-2025-this-is-what-id-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/37183\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting cycling in 2025? This is what I\u2019d do"},"content":{"rendered":"

If I was starting road cycling in 2025 from absolutely zero, this is what I\u2019d do to have an incredible setup on\u00a0what, for cycling at least, is quite a tight budget. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of marketing in the cycling industry, most of which is nonsense, so I\u2019ve tried to pick products which avoid that and give you good value. But cycling is still a pretty expensive sport to buy into, especially if you do it in one lump, so I\u2019ve set myself a budget of three\u00a0grand, which I know is still an absolute heap of money.<\/p>\n

There are ways you can spend significantly less, and I\u2019ll cover those as we go through.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Bike<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the obvious: you\u2019ll need a bike. This will be your biggest expense, and you\u2019ve got three main routes\u2014buying new, using Cycle to Work, or going second-hand.<\/p>\n

Buy New<\/p>\n

Buying outright is the most expensive option, but you\u2019ll get a reliable machine from day one. While true bargains are becoming rarer, today\u2019s entry-level carbon bikes are significantly better than what was available when I started.<\/p>\n

\"GiantGiant TCR Advanced 2 (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

One standout option is the Giant TCR Advanced 2<\/a> at \u00a32,149. With a full carbon frame and fork, room for 33mm tyres, Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes and mechanical shifting, it’s light, fast and versatile. The wheels are Giant\u2019s own with 22mm internal rims – ideal for fitting 28\u201330mm tyres, although annoyingly it comes specced with 25mm tyres as standard (though Giant says these are effectively 28mm).<\/p>\n

Disc brakes are now the standard and worth going for if you want a future-proof setup. Rim brakes, while still found on budget bikes like the Giant Contend 2 (\u00a3850), are increasingly rare.<\/p>\n

Cycle to Work<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re employed in the UK, Cycle to Work<\/a> schemes are well worth investigating. They let you spread the cost over 12 months and can cut the price substantially depending on your tax band and your employer\u2019s provider.<\/p>\n

Buy Used<\/p>\n

\"GiantGiant TCR Advanced 2 Facebook Marketplace (credit: Meta)<\/p>\n

The most cost-effective approach is buying used. Facebook Marketplace and eBay are overflowing with options. That same TCR? You might find a 2022 version for around \u00a31,000.<\/p>\n

But proceed with caution: make sure the bike isn\u2019t stolen and be realistic – if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Also factor in some post-purchase TLC: gear indexing, a brake bleed or new bar tape\u00a0are often necessary.<\/p>\n

Learning to work on bikes can save you money and massively improve your mechanical confidence. If you\u2019ve got some basic tools, YouTube, and patience, this route can be both rewarding and economical.<\/p>\n

Will It Fit?<\/p>\n

\"20252025 Bike fit shoulder width measuring (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

Before you buy, ensure the bike fits. For beginners, a pre-purchase bike fit is a smart investment. This fit at The Bike The Body<\/a>\u00a0(\u00a3150) will give you essential measurements such as saddle height, bar width, saddle setback.<\/p>\n

All of these can help you set up your bike correctly or avoid a poor purchase altogether. Worth every penny.<\/p>\n

Pedals & Shoes<\/p>\n

\"ShimanoShimano PD-RS500 pedal (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

Most bikes, even premium ones,\u00a0don\u2019t come with pedals. I\u2019d recommend Shimano RS500 or Look Keo Classic, both affordable and proven. I\u2019ve always gone with Shimano; they\u2019re solid and a bit cheaper.<\/p>\n

Shoes are trickier because fit is highly personal. One good-value starting point is Boardman\u2019s carbon road shoes (\u00a390) – two dials, good adjustment, and decent styling. Try them on in-store if possible.<\/p>\n

Helmet & Sunglasses<\/p>\n

\"VanVan Rysel RCR-F Helmet white (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

Van Rysel\u2019s RCR-F helmet<\/a> is arguably the best value aero lid on the market right now. AG2R use it in the Tour de France. It\u2019s cool, lightweight, and under \u00a3100.<\/p>\n

Match it with Van Rysel\u2019s RoadR 900 sunglasses <\/a>(\u00a360). I\u2019ve been using them recently, and they rival offerings from Oakley in terms of clarity, fit and style. Plus, two adjustable nose pieces allow a dialled fit.<\/p>\n

Tech: Cycling Computer<\/p>\n

\"GarminGarmin Edge 130 Plus (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

This one\u2019s optional, as the Strava app and your smartphone are perfectly good for ride tracking.<\/p>\n

If you want live stats and navigation, however, a dedicated head unit is worthwhile. The Garmin Edge 130 or Wahoo Bolt are solid, budget-friendly options. I\u2019d suggest buying used here too – you\u2019ll save a lot.<\/p>\n

Kit: Jersey, Bib Shorts & Socks<\/p>\n

\"RaphaRapha Core Lightweight Jersey (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to spend a fortune on kit.<\/p>\n

Jersey: Go with Rapha\u2019s Core<\/a> – great fit, quality construction, and a wide range of colours at a fair price.<\/p>\n

Bib Shorts: I rate the Van Rysel Racer 4<\/a> highly, especially the grey version. Excellent value. There\u2019s no women’s version of this specific model, but the Racer 3 bibs are a solid alternative.<\/p>\n

Socks: White socks are a classic look, but \u00a320 for a single pair is madness. Go for Galibier’s \u00a39 socks<\/a> if you want technical performance, or grab a 6-pack of New Balance socks from TK Maxx<\/a> for \u00a313.<\/p>\n

Nutrition<\/p>\n

Pre-mixed sports drinks are convenient, but often overpriced and unnecessary unless you\u2019re racing.<\/p>\n

For training rides, I use MyProtein\u2019s maltodextrin powder<\/a>\u00a0– pure carbs at a fraction of the price. Mix it with squash and add a pinch of salt for an effective DIY hydration mix. A couple of bottles will only set you back a few pounds.<\/p>\n

As for food: bananas, flapjacks and Haribo are simple, effective, and much cheaper than branded bars and gels.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And then don\u2019t forget that all-important cafe stop. It\u2019s good for the soul.<\/p>\n

Spares & Tools<\/p>\n

\"20252025 Zefal Z Road Pack Saddle Bag.jpg (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n

It might not be exciting, but carrying basic spares is essential. Here\u2019s what you need:<\/p>\n

Mini pump
\nTwo spare tubes
\nTyre levers
\nSmall multi-tool
\nSaddle bag (optional but handy)<\/p>\n

You can carry them in jersey pockets, but a saddle bag ensures you never forget the essentials.<\/p>\n

Final Costs<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s price this up based on buying new, excluding any Cycle to Work or second-hand savings:<\/p>\n

Bike – \u00a32,149
Bike fit – \u00a3150
Pedals – \u00a335
Computer – \u00a3150
Shoes – \u00a390
Helmet – \u00a3100
Sunglasses – \u00a360
Kit (jersey, bibs, socks) – \u00a3170
Nutrition + bottles – \u00a320
Spares + tools – \u00a356
Total – \u00a32,980<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If I was starting road cycling in 2025 from absolutely zero, this is what I\u2019d do to have…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":37184,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[445],"tags":[49,48,635,82],"class_list":["post-37183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-cycling","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37183"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37183\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}