What Serious Cyclists Actually Buy

What Serious Cyclists Actually Spend Money On

Cycling spending priorities have gotten complicated with all the marketing and product options flying around. As someone who bought all the wrong stuff when I started — cheap chamois cream that didn’t work, expensive gadgets I never used, flashy accessories that looked cool but served no purpose — I learned everything there is to know about what actually matters. Today, I’ll share where money is well spent.

Where Money Is Well Spent

Good Bibs or Shorts

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. The chamois is the interface between you and the saddle for hours. Cheap shorts mean uncomfortable rides. Good bibs from quality brands like Assos, Rapha, or Castelli make long rides genuinely more pleasant. Buy fewer pairs, buy better quality.

Quality Tires

Tires are the biggest bang-for-buck upgrade. Fast-rolling tires with good puncture protection — like Continental GP5000s — transform how a bike feels. The price difference between budget and premium tires is modest; the performance difference is significant.

A Proper Bike Fit

That’s what makes a professional fit endearing to us who’ve suffered through pain — it actually solves problems. Spending $200-300 sounds like a lot until you’ve solved the knee pain, back ache, or numbness that’s been plaguing your rides. A good fit makes you more comfortable and more efficient. It’s the upgrade that makes all other upgrades worth doing.

Indoor Trainer

If you ride year-round or want to train consistently, a smart trainer pays off. Zwift or TrainerRoad subscriptions plus a decent direct-drive trainer make winter training tolerable. Not cheap, but meaningful for serious training.

Power Meter

If you’re training with purpose, power is the most useful metric. Prices have dropped — pedal-based power meters are now reasonable. Not necessary for casual riding, but transformative for structured training.

Where Money Is Wasted

Expensive bike computers when your phone works fine. Premium chain lube that costs 10x basic lube. Exotic bar tape. Titanium anything on non-racing bikes. Carbon accessories that save grams but cost hundreds.

The gear industry wants you to believe every upgrade matters. Most don’t. Focus spending on contact points (saddle, bars, pedals), tires, and fit. Everything else is marginal.