Cycling is one of the most accessible sports and, while it’s all too easy to be tempted by the expensive exotica on offer, you really don’t need to spend much if you’re just starting out.

If you’re new to road cycling and want to keep costs down, you’ll be pleased to know there are many low cost choices for most of the kit you’ll need to get underway and enjoying road cycling.

Shoes

We’ll presume you want to make the leap from cycling in trainers to using clipless pedals, with shoes that clip into the pedals via special cleats. You can go for mtb-type shoes and pedals, which are fine for everything except racing, or opt for full-on road shoes and pedals. While you can spend a small fortune on the latest carbon-soled lightweight shoes, much of the technology at the top-end has filtered down through the price points.

Such as Shimano’s R076 SPD-SL shoes for example, which cost £69.99 and use three Velcro straps with a fibreglass reinforced nylon outer sole for just the right degree of stiffness. A breathable upper keeps your feet cool and reflective detailing boosts visibility.

Helmet

A helmet is not strictly speaking a necessity; plenty of cyclists prefer to ride without. On the other hand, many do consider one an essential and the good news is that, as with shoes, expensive research and development on the top-end offerings has down wonders for helmets costing less, meaning that from about £40 you can equip yourself with a lightweight, well ventilated, stylish and safe helmet. Whichever helmet you go for, make sure you try it on as fitting is crucial to your safety – a loose ill-fitting helmet is an absolute no-no – and not all helmets are shaped the same way.

Giro’s Indicator helmet costs just £39.99 yet it boasts an unbelievable 20 vents – as many as helmets costing three times as much – and is available in six stylish colour options and uses an ‘advanced strap system’ to keep it securely in place.

Shorts

Modern shorts offer unparalleled levels of comfort made to exceptionally high standards, even down the through the range. Shorts are perhaps the most important item of clothing you’ll need so whatever your budget, try to spend a little more on shorts.

From dhb, the Earnley bib shorts are proof that for just £34.99 you can save money and enjoy mile after mile comfort in the saddle. Usually only found on expensive shorts, an eight-panel design with flatlock seams means they’ll fit your body well and there’ll be no irritating seams. A DuPont antibacterial synthetic chamois with coolmax is anatomically shaped and the lyrca is both highly breathable and even supports the muscles.

Jersey

Choose a jersey depending on the current weather and temperature range you’ll think you’ll be cycling in. For summer a short sleeve jersey with a long front zip and a couple of pockets on the back will be ideal, and most modern designs use fabrics that will keep you cool and dry from sweat. The more features or more technical the fabrics the higher the price.

For £34.99 the Gore Bike Wear Contest jersey doesn’t break the bank but you still get a slim fitting design with a dropped back, gripper elastic around the waist, flat lock seams, short sleeves and a generous three-quarter length front zip.

Glasses

As with a helmet, wearing eyewear is a matter of personal choice. It does prevent wind, grit and bugs getting in the eyes and will reduce tiredness on bright days. So, with the approaching summer, a pair of sunglasses to save squinting can be a wise investment. Yes, you can splash out £200 on a fancy pair, but with prices starting from just £30, you really don’t need to.

Dhb’s Triple Lens sunglasses are priced at just £26.99 but for that you can get three pairs of lenses which can be easily changed in the frame. The kit comes with a clear lens, grey lens for bright conditions and blue lense that boosts contrast.

Gloves

If you’re just starting out a pair of gloves can be highly recommended. Not only will you avoid grazed palms should you fall off, but many boast gel padding to help eliminate the soreness that can be experienced after several hours of gripping the handlebars.

Specialized employ their proven Body Geometry approach with the £16.99 BG Comp Mitts. There’s a gel pad to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve and further foam padding on the palm, a Velcro cuff keeps them in place and there’s absorbent micro-fleece material on the thumb.

Summary

Total cost for the items we consider most important when starting road cycling for the first time (presuming you’ve already covered the small matter of a bicycle!) would be just £223.94, and you can shave some of that by opting for the real essentials: shorts and shoes (with suitable pedals, of course).

And after five minutes browsing around some cycle retailers we found some cracking deals on many of these items, so there are substantial savings to be made.