I’ve been cycling for two years now, having ridden to Lhasa, Huangshan, Nanjing, Suzhou, Xitang, covering nearly 4,000 kilometers of journeys that brought endless scenery along the way and inner peace. Before I knew it, it had become an indispensable part of my life.
    I believe many of you have felt the same.
    Over the past two years of cycling, I’ve learned a lot, but I also took quite a few wrong turns when it came to gear. Because I had no prior experience or knowledge about outdoor activities and cycling at the beginning, I either bought things that were too expensive, didn’t work well, or just impulse-bought items that ended up being useless (impractical or rarely used), making a lot of redundant purchases and wasting money. In the end, I concluded that it’s more cost-effective and practical to buy gear online. As a university student still in school, the gear just needs to suit me and be sufficient—here are some commonly used pieces of equipment I recommend for your reference, all available on Taobao. It’s best to buy several items from one store at once to save on shipping costs:
1. Complete bike (essential): Whether to assemble one yourself or buy a complete bike depends on your experience and preference. If you lack knowledge about gear and cycling, it’s better to buy a complete bike for peace of mind (make sure it has quick-release wheels so you can easily change the inner tube if you get a flat, and it’s also convenient when taking a bus and need to remove the wheel). As for whether to get a road bike or a mountain bike, it depends on your main purpose. If you want to go on long rides or explore remote or uniquely scenic areas, go for a mountain bike—it’s easier to handle all types of terrain and more flexible—you can tackle hills or cross ditches as you please. I won’t recommend specific models here, as I don’t have much exposure to bikes and wouldn’t want to mislead anyone. You can check forums for more info. I bought a Giant ATX660. Generally, the most popular brands in sports bikes are Giant and Merida. I’d suggest going with Merida for better value, as Giant is more famous because it also makes almost all other types of bikes besides sports bikes, while Merida focuses mainly on sports bikes.

2. Cycling computer (essential): This is the symbol of being professional (hehe). With a cycling computer, you can clearly monitor your physical condition and plan your route reasonably. It also serves as a record of your ride, helping you better understand your own status and making it easier to reflect on your performance.
3. Bottle cage (essential): Absolutely essential, super convenient, doesn’t take up space, and can hold one or more bottles depending on your needs. I use a quick-release bottle cage that can be easily removed.
5. Water bottle (optional): If you don’t want to stop to drink water during long rides, definitely bring one. Go for one with a nipple-like spout—you can bite and pull to squeeze water out, operated with just one hand. Of course, if you only drink when you stop, it’s not necessary, since you can use both hands and any bottle will do. Most people just use the original drink bottles as water bottles for convenience. But for long rides, I do recommend bringing one—it saves time and helps you avoid getting dehydrated, falling behind, or disrupting your schedule by stopping too often. I won’t recommend a specific brand—there’s not much difference. Just don’t buy no-name brands; cheaper ones might use toxic plastic. Be careful~

6. Spare tube (optional): Essential for long rides, not necessary for short ones, but you should at least bring a patch kit. You can buy tubes from bike shops—brands like Kenda or Maxxis are good. Make sure to get the right size for your tires. Maxxis inner tubes are nice~

8. Rear light (essential): Just as important as a helmet, especially at night, on rainy days, or in low-visibility places like tunnels. A rear light greatly increases your visibility to other vehicles—you’re just a small target on the road, so safety first, not for show.
9. Wheel light (optional): Mainly for visibility and alerting drivers to your presence. It looks cool and eye-catching at night, but don’t get one that’s too long, as it may swing more while riding and is prone to breaking or snapping. Better to be cautious~

10. Helmet (essential): Cycling is fun, but safety always comes first. When you’re out, nothing is more important than safety. So a helmet is a must-buy. Given its importance and the technical requirements, make sure to get a reliable one. There are cheap ones online, but you never know their actual performance—I doubt anyone wants to test it out on the road. For important gear, reliability is key, so I suggest going for a mid-range product. After all, pricier gear is generally more trustworthy in some ways.

11. Cycling glasses (optional): Not necessary for casual rides, but recommended for medium-to-long trips and summer rides. They block strong sunlight in summer, and on long rides, without them, your eyes may get teary after a while. Road conditions vary, and you might encounter dusty paths, so it’s better to have a pair.
12. Cycling jersey (optional): Recommended for long rides—especially cycling shorts, which reduce friction discomfort and are breathable, quick-drying, and stylish. Remember not to wear underwear under cycling shorts, or it’ll cause the same friction issues. Many people ask about aerodynamics when it comes to cycling wear, but I think that’s unnecessary—most of us aren’t professional enough. Even if you minimize drag, can you guarantee perfect riding posture? These technical terms are pretty irrelevant for us, so save some money and go for regular gear. I haven’t bought cycling wear yet—just hearsay~ Anyone with experience, feel free to add~

13. Cycling gloves (essential): Wear them when going out—they reduce arm vibration and provide grip. Essential for long rides and off-road, optional for casual or short rides. Some find carrying extra stuff annoying, so take my advice as just a reference—gear should suit your personal situation.
14. Headband (optional): Must-bring for long rides—can be used as a dust mask on dusty stretches, and it looks cool. To be blunt, I think it’s mostly for showing off~

15. Arm sleeves (optional): In summer, wearing a pair ensures your skin won’t get tanned, protecting you from UV rays—healthy cycling. So if you’re still riding in summer, definitely get them. Don’t worry about them being hot or non-breathable—actually, they can even feel a bit cool. Any pre-purchase concerns are unnecessary. For long rides, they might even be essential—I once went on a long trip without them and had peeling arms just a couple of days after returning, making my girlfriend worry for days (but having someone care is kinda nice).
16. Leg straps (essential): When you first get your bike, you’ll probably hate how your pant legs keep rubbing against the chain. A pair of leg straps solves that. Practical and affordable. Listed as essential because I commute by bike daily. Of course, if you always wear shorts, you don’t need them, but if you wear long pants, having a pair is definitely convenient.
17. Backpack (essential): If your trip lasts more than two days, a small waist pack won’t cut it. You’ll need to carry some essentials (like a camera, map, water, snacks, medicine, tools, clothes, toiletries, tent, rain gear, etc.) based on the duration of your trip.

18. Flashlight (essential): Again, not for show—if you ever have to cycle at night, a bright flashlight is a must. And hey, it does look cool too. Also pay attention to water resistance. LED lights are generally more energy-efficient, but brightness may be limited.
19. Saddlebag (optional): Essential for the Sichuan-Tibet route~ Last year when I rode to Lhasa, I used a 67L Luxe model, which was fantastic—huge capacity for lots of gear, as long as you have the stamina~~ For short trips, depending on your needs, usually not necessary or a top-tube bag will do.
20. Repair tools (essential): I recommend getting a combo repair kit that includes a pump, tire patches, tubes, various screwdrivers, etc.—very comprehensive. Essential for both long and short trips. You can’t imagine how painful it is to get a flat or puncture when you’re out alone...ouch. It hurts. On our last short trip (Shanghai–Xitang), we thought it wasn’t worth bringing too much for such a short distance. We made the mistake of not bringing repair tools, and just after leaving Qingpu onto National Highway 318, we got a flat. Oh my god, it was deserted—we had to push the bike to find someone to fix it, searching for half an hour...
I hope the above content can offer some guidance when you’re thinking about buying gear—just for reference. If there’s anything missing, I hope experienced riders can chime in~ Finally, wish all fellow cyclists safe and smooth rides~~ May you find your own inner sanctuary~~