Road Cyclist Gear
The road bike equipment page brings together helmets, clip shoes, jerseys, shorts, jackets, gloves, shoe covers, socks, and cyclist accessories, from Met, Rudy Project, Salice, Shimano, Mavic, Elite Lab, Gonso or Dare 2B. From Sunday rides to cyclosportives, everything you need to ride safely, dry and without chafing, in summer and winter.
Ride further, warm and protected.
Road Helmet: EN 1078 Standard, MIPS and Aero Profile
Every bicycle helmet sold in Europe meets the EN 1078 standard, which checks shock absorption and the strength of the chin strap. The Met Rivale, from the Italian brand Met, combines many vents with a MIPS layer that limits head rotation during an oblique impact. Aero helmets, like the Rudy Project The Wing, extend the shell backwards to slice through the air in time trials and triathlons, at the expense of reduced ventilation. The Rudy Project Nytron and the Salice Ghibli are more aimed at everyday road use. The helmet is adjustable around the head with a dial, the straps forming a V under each ear, and should be replaced after any fall.
Cleated Shoes and Power Transfer
The road shoe features a very rigid sole, made of reinforced nylon or carbon, which transfers all the push to the pedal without deforming. It is attached with a three-screw cleat, compatible with Shimano SPD-SL or Look Keo pedals, and the Shimano RC3 is a good entry-level option for training. The Mavic Cosmic Elite Tri, designed for triathlon, opens wide and closes with a large Velcro strap for quick fitting in transition. The dial tightening, found on many models, adjusts the fit while riding. A well-chosen size allows the toes to move freely without the heel lifting with each pedal stroke.
Bib Shorts, Chamois and Jersey
The bib shorts determine comfort on the saddle. Its chamois, a multi-layer foam padding that replaces the leather chamois of old, cushions pressure points and eliminates seams under the sit bones: it is always worn against the skin, without underwear. The bib version, like the thermal Elite Lab shorts, stays in place without a waistband that compresses the stomach, while the Gonso Sitivo offers an alternative for long summer rides. The road jersey, fitted to avoid flapping in the wind, has three rear pockets for bars, a windbreaker and a phone, and a full zip for ventilation on climbs.
The Selection
Road gear is organised by type:
Other gear, MTB, BMX, urban, electronic, nutrition, protection, accessories, can be found on the equipment page.
Jackets, Gloves and Shoe Covers for Cold Weather
In descent, the relative wind quickly chills a cyclist soaked with sweat: the winter jacket or waterproof one, like the Elite Lab models, folds into a jersey pocket and can be put on at the top of a climb. Thermal versions with lining take over in winter, and the sleeveless reflective jacket makes you visible at dawn or dusk. The gloves, fingerless in summer and long in winter, absorb vibrations from the handlebars and protect the palms in case of a fall. The shoe covers made of neoprene keep feet warm and dry, as road shoes, which are very ventilated, let cold air through their vents and soles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the size of bib shorts?
Bib shorts should fit snugly: they shouldn't bunch or squeeze the thigh. Take your usual size and check, while sitting in biking position, that the chamois sits well under the pressure points and that the straps don't pull on the shoulders.
How much water should I carry for a ride?
Plan for about one bottle of five hundred to seven hundred and fifty milliliters per hour of effort in warm weather, less in winter. For a long ride, two bottles and a planned stop to refill will prevent dehydration.
How do I wash bike bib shorts?
Wash them after every ride, inside out, at thirty degrees and without fabric softener, which clogs the pores of the chamois. Dry flat or hung up, never in a tumble dryer, to preserve the elastane and the foam.
When should I replace my bike helmet?
After any impact fall, even without visible cracks, as the foam that absorbed the impact no longer provides the same protection. Without an accident, manufacturers often recommend replacing it after a few years, when straps and foams age.
How should I dress for cycling in temperatures between five and ten degrees?
Layer a technical base layer, a long-sleeve jersey, and a windproof jacket, with long bib shorts or leg warmers. Long gloves, shoe covers, and a neck warmer complete the outfit, even if you have to open the jacket on the climbs.
