(1) Bicycle
Choose a brand-name bicycle around 2000 RMB, such as Giant’s ATX770 or Merida’s Duke 650. These bikes are reliable, offer good value for money, are widely used by cyclists, and have many repair points and easily available parts along the way.
Mine is an ATX690, costing 1725 RMB. It lacks a fork lockout feature, which causes power loss when climbing long, steep slopes, wasting some energy. (But I don’t mind—it’s all about getting exercise anyway. Also, I’m usually among the first or second when climbing those slopes.)
On the Yunnan-Tibet Highway, I met a young man from Wenzhou who rode a regular 380-RMB bicycle all the way to Tibet. So, the price or performance of the bike isn’t the most important thing. Fellow cyclists often say, “How fast you go mainly depends on your engine,” meaning it’s all about physical strength and willpower.
In short: “There’s no bike you can’t ride to your destination—only people who can’t make it.”
If you plan to hitchhike often during the trip, you can choose a folding bike. But riding a folder up steep hills is very tiring, going downhill is dangerous, and speed on flat ground is too slow.
(2) Essential Equipment
A cycling helmet, cycling gloves, a flashlight, and a taillight are essential. Once you’re on the bike, you must wear the helmet and gloves—never take chances.
(3) Other Equipment
Choose a steel rack for your bike; aluminum racks are prone to breaking over long distances due to bumps. (Currently, disc-brake bikes don’t have steel racks, so overall, V-brakes might be the better choice.)
For a saddlebag, choose one that’s well-made, sturdy, waterproof, and preferably without zippers. A good saddlebag can save you a lot of trouble, especially on rainy days. Don’t pick one that’s too wide—it creates too much wind resistance and is quite miserable. (Many people, including me, choose DW bags for cycling or motorcycling to Tibet—you can search for “Tibet saddlebag” on Taobao.) Next time, I’ll go with a motorcycle gas tank bag for an ultra-light setup and minimal wind resistance.
Cycling glasses are highly recommended—they’re especially useful in strong winds, blinding sunlight, and evenings with lots of bugs. Otherwise, you can skip them.
Get two magic scarves. They’re great for keeping your knees warm and blocking wind when it’s cold and breezy.
A point-and-shoot camera is sufficient. DSLRs are a hassle to take in and out, while a compact camera allows you to quickly capture fleeting scenery along the way without compromising safety or taking extra time.
As for bike repair tools, bring a pump, chain lube, a tire patch kit, and a small set of wrenches.
Spare parts: just bring one spare inner tube and a pair of brake pads. No need for a chain breaker or brake/derailleur cables—they rarely break. I rode 6,600 km and never had any issues with those.
Camping gear is not recommended—it’s rarely used, adds wind resistance, and makes charging, washing, and safety harder to manage. Most importantly, you won’t get good rest.
Most roadside guesthouses cost only 20–30 RMB, so staying in a guesthouse is generally the better option.
No need to bring a dedicated GPS—its usefulness is very limited. National roads have clear mile markers, making it hard to get lost. Just ask locals for directions in cities.
Also, most smartphones now have GPS. But even if you have GPS, it’s still wise to ask locals—getting lost can really dampen your travel mood.
If you want to record your own GPS route as a souvenir, there are small dedicated GPS track loggers for sale online.
If you have many devices to charge, bring a power strip—most guestroom rooms have only one outlet.
A lightweight hairdryer is very useful, especially in Tibet where it rains often and weather changes rapidly. Shoes, socks, gloves, and clothes can easily get soaked.
You can use it at night in your guesthouse to quickly dry your clothes, reducing the need to carry too many spares.
Choose a metal water bottle cage—plastic ones lack enough tension, and bottles can easily fall off during bumpy downhills.
For water bottles, go with a wide-mouth vacuum flask. You can refill hot water directly at guesthouses or restaurants along the way, saving money on bottled water.
Choose one with a small push-button opening so you can drink with one hand without needing to stop the bike.
You can bring two reusable water bottles—one small to clip onto the bike and one larger to put in the pannier bag.
It's recommended to install bar ends to reduce hand fatigue—I couldn't handle the strain on my hands throughout the trip.
I bought a speedometer online for 17 yuan, and it works pretty well, but on rainy days you should cover it with a plastic bag to keep it dry.
You can find small MP3 speakers online; a decent one costs around 150 yuan.
(A fellow cyclist suggested using a condom in the rain—I’ll just say, cyclists are really creative!)
A bike bell isn’t essential—mine was from the WOERMA supermarket and has a small compass built in, which is quite practical, but the compass becomes inaccurate if you place a speaker nearby.
In short, pack as lightly as possible. Traveling light makes the journey more enjoyable and carefree.