Kit You Can't Do WIthout

Words by Terry Hawes
Photography by Truman Sparks

What we ride and recommend.

Fizik Arione 00 saddle
Comfort is invariably the first expendable factor in the quest for weight reduction. Having only ridden this saddle for a short while, you'll realise it's just as butt friendly as it's weightier Arione cousins. Its unique looks may divide the cycling community, but for us it delivers everything we look for in a saddle. Beauty always comes at a price - this is no exception. Italian flair commands its own value. £255

Topeak Combo Torq Wrench Set
Try to ignore the Heath Robinson appearance of this tool. It may look like a Meccano toy, but beyond it's unconventional appearance lies a very functional piece of kit, especially in an age when manufacturers are demanding higher degrees of accuracy in the measurement of tension. The rise of the Newton metre (Nm), especially when carbon fibre is involved, has largely relegated forearm torque to a thing of the past. This is an inexpensive piece of kit that works well. £13

Sportful neoprene gloves
Glove choice is personal; everyone's flesh-to-bone ratio is unique. The division and subdivision of handwear now means one glove doesn't necessarily have to do it all. This glove is a case in point. It's excellent for those wet weather rides where grip and warmth are essential, but in other conditions they have a tendency to cause hands to sweat. £23

Veloskin chamois cream
As a point of contact the intersection of buttock, bib chamois and saddle surface remains critical to any cyclist, from amateur to pro. Friction causes discomfort and pain that can ruin any ride. Time spent constantly repositioning to avoid derrière hotspots loses you valuable seconds out on the road. The chamois cream produced by British company Veloskin works for us. It's not overly greasy or perfumed - it just does the job. £14