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If you want to take up cycling or simply get around town more easily, you need to choose the right equipment. Whether it’s for safety or comfort, nothing should be left to chance. Depending on your needs and budget, you’ll need to prioritise your choice of urban cycling equipment. The outfit, the velotaf backpack to carry your stuff, the helmet, the clothes and of course the bike will all need to be selected with care.
You want to find a city bike for your velotaf. That’s a good start, but there are several models to choose from. The right one will be the one that suits both your use and your physical abilities.
If you want a bike that can withstand almost anything and you need to make fairly short journeys, you can opt for a utility model or a ‘simple’ bicycle. This type of bike is generally a little heavier than the others, but has the advantage of having a fairly low wheelbase.
A road or sports model will be more versatile. Equipped with several gears, it will be able to adapt to all the road conditions encountered in town. Less comfortable, it nevertheless offers more speed and longer distances.
If you’re a more sporty type of rider and you’re looking for a more design-oriented bike, the “fixie” is for you. Fixed-gear bikes come in all styles. Light and simple, they’re ideal for fairly short journeys, as the fixed-gear design means you’ll have to pedal all the time to keep moving.
If you have to use public transport for part of your journey, you might be interested in a folding bike. Although not as efficient as other models, it has the considerable advantage of taking up much less space when folded. So you can easily take it with you on the train and cycle to and from the station, or to and from work.
Finally, if you’re riding long distances or are unsure of your physical ability, opt for an electric assist. Any of the above models can be fitted with one. This won’t prevent you from having to pedal, but electric assistance means you can cycle even if you’re not a keen cyclist. You should bear in mind, however, that bikes fitted with this feature are more expensive.
Although helmets are not compulsory (for adults, but for children up to the age of 12), they are highly recommended, not to say essential, for cycling. It’s the only thing that will protect your head in the event of an impact. Helmets are available at all prices, starting at around twenty euros, so don’t be afraid to splash the cash. The differences will be in the materials used and the way the helmet is made.
The best helmets will have an outer shell made of polycarbonate or ABS instead of PVC, and may be fitted with carbon reinforcements. This makes them more resistant to impact, but also to the sun and bad weather. The inner shell can be made of different materials such as Kevlar or carbon, embedded in polystyrene. The manufacturing process will also affect the quality and price of the helmet. For a conventional helmet, the inner and outer shells are assembled in several stages using a press. Another technique, called “in-mold”, enables the two parts to be assembled in a single step. The outer shell is heated and cast directly as the polyester is injected. This manufacturing method produces a helmet that is much more rigid and solid.
As well as the strength of the helmet, comfort is also an essential factor. You can have the best helmet, but if you can’t stand it and it’s not comfortable, you’ll soon stop wearing it. When choosing your helmet, make sure it is properly ventilated. This allows the skull to breathe and limits perspiration. The internal comfort foams and an adjustment knob, generally located at the back of the helmet, will allow you to tighten or loosen the internal structure to adapt it to your head.
Some helmets offer additional equipment. A visor can be fitted to some models, giving you better protection against wind and insects. Some helmets are also equipped with integrated safety lights at the front or rear. These LED lights make the cyclist much more visible to other road users. Finally, there are rain covers for bicycle helmets. These simply slip over the helmet and prevent the rain from penetrating the helmet and wetting your hair.
You can’t expect to go to work wearing the same clothes you use every day. You’re going to have to adapt to this activity, and you’re certainly not going to wear the same thing in summer or winter.
In winter, you need to apply the three-layer rule. For an insulating first layer, choose a long-sleeved undergarment in polyester or wool. Add a layer that will retain heat. A fleece garment, for example, will keep in the heat while leaving you free to move. Finally, opt for a breathable, waterproof jacket. Don’t forget to protect your extremities. Take gloves, a hat or balaclava, good socks and waterproof footwear suitable for cycling.
In summer, you can wear lighter clothes. But don’t forget that even in summer, you’re not protected from a rain shower. Make sure you have waterproof overtrousers and overshoes that you can put on quickly. Whatever the season, never neglect safety. The clothes you wear over others should have reflective strips or at least be visible from a distance. There are also garments with reinforcements, particularly in the joints and back, to protect you in the event of a fall or impact.
The last piece of equipment you’ll need for your bike tour is a carry bag, as you’ll need to carry not only your work gear but also a change of clothes. You can’t expect to be able to work in wet or damp clothes, whether you’ve been riding through town in the rain or sweating in the heat. There are several solutions for carrying your gear, the most common of which are baskets, panniers and rucksacks. While baskets and panniers generally require a system for attaching them to the bike, rucksacks are undoubtedly the simplest and least expensive solution.
Choosing the right backpack is very important. It must have sufficient capacity to allow you to carry everything you need safely and comfortably. There’s no point in having a big bag if you want to overload it. It could unbalance you during your journey and cause you back pain later on.
The ideal backpack has multiple compartments and pockets. A padded compartment for a laptop and files and another for a change of clothes is the minimum. A dedicated compartment for a pair of shoes is a definite plus. Numerous interior and exterior pockets complete the package. So you can organise the things you’re carrying and keep what you need at hand, such as your phone or keys. Padded shoulder straps and a reinforced back provide extra comfort for use during your cycle trips. Karkoa backpacks offer all this, and in particular the Smartbag (25 or 40) and Nomad models, which are particularly well-suited to commuting. A rain cover also protects your bag and its contents from the elements.
We are a French sports bag brand. To improve your daily life, we design our bags with various types of compartments: shoes, computer, dirty belongings, and insulated. Karkoa bags are suitable for athletes, workers and travelers because they are practical, resistant and comfortable.
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