Helmet, bottle cages, water bottle.

Small saddle bag with tire levers and a patch kit plus a pump on the bike or CO2 in the bag aren't the worst things to have on hand either.

Multitool can also come in handy but I'll be honest, I haven't needed it for my daily rides (yet).

Assuming that you have a helmet, padded cycling shorts would be my top recommendation. Cycling gloves are good for any longer riding and your palms will thank you. Also, a wicking jersey/shirt.

After that, there are things that are really nice to have, but could certainly wait. You can figure out if you want to invest in a clipless pedal/shoe setup. If you want a cycling computer vs. just using your cellphone. Higher end clothes for longer rides, etc.

I keep rechargeable button lights on all of my bikes just in case I find myself out when it's dark. I'll pack a Cygolite if I know I'm going to be out after dark or if there's precipitation.

I also use a Garmin Varia, but I wouldn't say that's essential gear.

Full PNS kit, aero socks, dura ace and Enve wheels. Everything else is just pretending.

Saddle bag-Innertubes, tire levers, multitools, patchkits. If you have extra cash you might want to add speedometer. Cycling gloves for added comfort depends on your preference but I use it though.

helmet, front and rear lights, water bottle

helmet

We need a sticky for this question.

I would say the only things you really need are water bottle cages and bottles, and a saddle bag with:

At least 1 spare tube(I have a bigger bag to carry two just in case) A multifoil Tire levers And then either a co2 cartridge and nozzle for inflating the spare or a frame mounted mini pump.

Clothing can be expensive so sizes differ from brand to brand. You buy clothing based on your climate. In the UK I have a summer, an autumn jersey and winter kit. Shoes for summer and boots for winter.
Basically you just want to be comfortable and a lot of the time it's trial and error.

Don't buy cheap but don't buy expensive. At least until you have a better understanding of what works and what doesn't.

Does wiggle ship to your country? I like their dhb stuff. It's fairly cheap and comfortable.

Other than the helmet everything is optional, although that's all good stuff to have. For really cold weather you're better off with bib tights rather than bib shorts. A skull cap under your helmet will help keep you warm, especially your ears. I would recommend some cycling specific winter socks, which should be thinner and more moisture wicking than 'normal' ones, then get some overshoes to keep your feet warm; super thick (or multiple) socks can be counterproductive as cycling shoes need to fit fairly tight, so you'll end up reducing circulation and making it impossible to keep your feet warm.

You can get by pretty well without a cycling specific jacket. Cycling generally requires less upper body warmth than walking, as you're producing a lot of heat, so you should have something suitable.

Helmet is a must for safety. I assume you meant upgrading the one you already use.

Beyond that if you are really uncomfortable then bib shorts is probably #2. If not skip it and come back to it.

I will say the spd clip in pedals have completely transformed my riding. Having your feet physically attached to the pedals is a huge huge upgrade in ways that are difficult to explain. You just generate power so much more efficiently.

Only wearable thing I might recommend is the clipless pedals and cleats. I'm not convinced they've made a huge difference, but they feel good and very satisfying to hear them click in lol. Unless you're a very serious road rider, I'd recommend the SPD pedals. The cleats are way more comfortable.

Forget about the clothes, mostly a luxury item.

Helmet is a good start. You'll want some lights too. I'd also get a little seat bag or something and carry some tools/tubes/tire levers. Find a way to bring a portable pump. All these items are actually necessary on a ride. Looking like a cycling pro with a full kit? Yeah not so much.

gloves, elbow and knee pads. Every time I have fallen I have slid out and the knee and elbows are the first to hit the ground. Good quality gloves are essential as well. I also have medium impact tinted safety glasses to deflect a branch strike, you can buy those for $10.

I lean on the side of being over-protected rather than under-protected. I have two sets of knee pads (one lighter, one heavier duty), one set of elbow pads, two sets of gloves (the extra protection pair being Mechanix M-Pact Covert), regular helmet, full faced helmet, bmx helmet (for skate park trips on the BMX bike), and stage ghost d30 base layers from Troy Lee - the shorts and the short sleeve, to add hip protection, tailbone protection, back protection, chest protection and shoulder protection.

I mix and match based on what I'm riding. A lot of it I'm really only wearing for bike park or pump track days. And yes, it tends to get expensive. To me it's simply about balancing of how hot the gear is vs the protection, heat is the only meaningful downside to me. Crashes can happen on anything and really mess you up, I put a lot of value on minimizing injuries.

Fellow noob here. 🥂 My only crash injured my shoulder, which no one anywhere seems to wear protection for...not even those professional downhill daredevils.

I still only ride with a helmet, mostly because it's too hot here to wear the extras. I just ride more like a sissy instead ;)

my rule in the beginning was always being overly protected is never a bad thing. wear it all til u know whats necessary. usually it all is.

Knee pads are king. You learn to aim for them in a fall, and save your arms and hands.

I wear TLD Ace 2.0 gloves because they are thin. They offer just enough protection while not having bulky seams.

Helmet, peddles,  water bottle go ride 

I just bought a new bike after years of being off one, and this is what I bought:

1. Helmet;

2. Water bottle cage and water bottle;

3. Rechargable head light and tail light;

4. Top Tube Bag for phone, wallet, and keys.

Except for the helmet, these items cost under $50.00.

Helmet, water bottle cage, multi tool, tire pump, chain lube.

You should get a phone holder to not get lost. A bottle holder is also a must, you always want to be hydrated. And definitely get padded cycling pants. Sitting comfy with a pad pad between the seat, your ass and your junk is a gamechanger even for shorter distances.

Helmet, water bottle and cages, and padded bibs or shorts.

Then ride the rest of the summer and see what you really need and want to add to your arsenal. It's easy to go accessory overload with bikes.

Water. Spare tube, tire levers.

Sounds like you have a lot already. Invest in clothes like padded shorts and some more techy shirts.

Bonus: winter tires, fender, lights

As for the hill the more you ride it the easier it gets

Maybe look for cycling glasses. They’re cheap and prevent dry eyes and deflect bugs/dirt.

Bibs

jeans are ok. polyester t-shirts as a base layer are a must, they dry in minutes when you sweat (as opposed to cotton ones which tend to retain moisture forever) and you can get no-brand ones quite cheap. as proper gloves as you can get. cheap fleece and windbreaker jacket. some water and snacks. spare tube and tire levers.

other than that, visit r/xbiking for ideas on what and how you can upgrade on your bike without breaking the bank.

Gloves

Lights

Phone mount/cycle computer?

things i got, roughly in order of aquisition, over the last 3 years:

1. urban road bike: 350€ (multitool included)
2. cheapest helmet and LED lights: ~50€
3. locks (1 secure, heavy for overnight and 1 light and cheap): ~50€?
4. reflectors (normal and tapes): ~5€
5. professional fine tuning in a local bike repair shop: ~30€
6. small 15L bike tour back pack (with yet unused bladder): 20€
7. spare tubes: ???
8. bibs and jersey (very expensive): maybe 150€?
9. SPD pedals and shoes: ~80€
10. continental 4-season tyres (instead of the original cheap, hard slicks): 70€
11. 2 bags for the frame: ???
12. 2 phone mounts: 2x20€ (got a new, bigger phone)
13. second pair of pedals with toe cages (don't remember what they are called): 10€, used
14. second proper gravel bike: 1000€
15. second pair of LEDs: 20€
16. bottle holder and bottle: 10€
17. bike computer (wahoo elemnt bolt plus sensors): 320€
18. bike stand for the old bike and a repair stand: 10+80€
19. strava membership
20. more bibs and jerseys (china-cheap from amazon), 3 sets: ~100€ all together
21. chain cleaning kit, gloves, second helmet: 15€, 20€, 50€

Do you have a good D-lock?

1. i live in a cave in the woods to save money for bike gear
2. the kids work in a coal mine to earn money for bike gear

Even if you don't leave the neighborhood you should still be wearing a helmet. One bad fall and you'll never be you again.

i knew a guy who died helmetless in a crash when he got caught in tram tracks. he had a precondition (forgot what it was). doctors said it wouldn't have been fatal if he hadn't had the condition or if he'd worn a helmet. left a wife and two young kids. that was around the same time i got my first bike - now i even wear a helmet when i ride to the supermarket over a dedicated bike path half a mile away.

it's the risk/reward calculation. you (hopefully) might never need a helmet, but the one time you need one, it might save your life. there's (almost) no sound reason not to wear a helmet.

that said, nowadays, i see someone without a helmet, i get the impression they're vain beginners who haven't had much experience yet and aren't really into cycling (i.e. no helmet for fashion reasons). serious cyclists around here always wear a helmet, i don't know anyone riding without one, it's just part of the proper gear.

For longer distance rides, padded bib shorts are a must have.

I suggest buying cheap clothing for your top half (jersey/jacket) but mid-priced stuff for your contact points (gloves, shoes, and – most especially – bib shorts).

Decent bib shorts are worth the investment, but you should try several brands as the fit is highly personal. Giordana, Endura and Sportful offer high-quality products at mid-tier pricing. Although I haven't tried them, I have heard good things about Van Rysel.

Now isn’t a bad time to look for clearance prices for last year’s spring/summer gear as brands prepare to launch new spring/summer stuff for 2025.

It's part of the fun and journey to try different things and different tiers to see what works best for YOU; however, buy once, cry once.

I ended up on GTO Assos bibs, really expensive but I don't think about my saddle nor my bib anymore.

There's 2 - 3 jerseys I initially skimped money on or bought mostly because they were discounted and don't wear much/regret now--could have used that to buy something I actually love.

I ended up on MAAP (large) and Assos (medium)

I bought my first bibs from decathlon and they're still in my rotation.

Interested in what people have to say about this too. There are so many options, it is a bit overwhelming.

Honestly, go cheap with your first set of bibs. Start entry level and learn what works and fits best for you. Then spend more the next time. If you expect to lose weight cycling then maybe you'll need to size down for the next kit. You would also need a good set of bibs if you plan to do long rides, but few do that out of the gate.

For shoes, look at Specialized Torch or Shimano RC5. Both are decently comfortable, good quality and reasonably priced.

Of course watch for sales. There are seasonal sales all the time and closeouts.