Inspired by Olympic cycling? Everything you need to get into road cycling, time trialling, triathlon or track cycling

The Olympic Games represent a career milestone for athletes who compete, but for the rest of the world, they're about being inspired; inspired to take up something new, inspired to get fit, or to push on with the goal of one day competing with the very best. 

If the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have inspired you to get involved with life on two wheels, then firstly, welcome! 

From the outside, cycling may seem intimidating, expensive, or even dangerous - but it doesn't have to be any of the above.

Here's a look at the kit you will likely need if you've decided to start cycling. We've included recommendations for specific items, click on the hyperlinked titles for full reviews of each - and for more information, check out our dedicated buying guies. 

Get into road cycling

If it was the women's and men's Olympic road races that had you transfixed, then you'll be pleased to hear that there's a vast number of ways you can emulate the heroic efforts you witnessed.

Road racing is a team sport, but you can compete solo. Most riders get into the sport via testing the water with closed circuit races. Both road raced and closed circuit races are competitive events characterised by bunch riding at high speeds.

If you're more interested in covering long distances and taking in the scenery, as opposed to staring at the rear hub of the rider ahead, then sportives might be more up your street. These are organised rides, and you will be given a 'time', but you're usually only racing yourself, and only if you want to.

Regardless if you're up for racing or sportiving, you will need: a bike, pedals, a helmet, cycling shoes, men's or women's cycling shorts, and a men's/women's jersey. 

Triban, a brand exclusive to Decathlon, offers incredible value for money when it comes to the specification list. This aluminium frame wears a Shimano 105 groupset, offering 11 cogs at the rear alongside a two chainring set up. The brakes won't be as powerful as full hydraulic brakes, but the hydraulic pistons make for faster stopping than standard cable-actuated brakes. The RC520 comes in a women's or men's build, with contact points to suit.

Spend over a certain threshold, and most bikes come without pedals. Why? Because the majority of riders will want to fit clipless pedals.

Clipless pedals hold on to a cleat, attached to your shoe. The whole thing sounds scary, but it's not once you've had a little practice. Look Keo pedals and cleats are widely stocked, and the Classic 3 received a 5/5 rating from us. 

You don't legally have to wear a helmet to cycle in the UK, but organisers of cycle races and sportives will almost always enforce that you do. When we reviewed the Abus Macator we found it a little bit more bulky than some of the more expensive options, but it was breathable and offered a good fit.

When we reviewed cycling shoes at the £100 mark, the win actually went to the dhb Dorica shoes. However, that was mostly due to their carbon sole, and some beginners may find carbon just a little bit too stiff. The Torch 1.0 shoe offers a compromise, with a nylon sole which will still provide a good platform to pedal from but with a little more flex and therefore comfort. 

Opt for a good men's or women's saddle, and riding a bike does not have to be a pain in the bum. However, most riders will wear padded cycling shorts to provide a buffer. 

Cycling shorts can come in waist form, or with a bib upper. The latter version provides greater comfort as the shorts stay in place more effectively. The dhb Classic men's bib shorts and dhb MODA Classic women's shorts both feature an Elastic Interface chamois (or pad), which will offer plenty of squish between you and your perch. 

A cycling jersey is not a 'must have', you can cycle in any top that effectively wicks sweat and keeps you comfortable. However, dedicated cycling gear will come with pockets, for stowing a pump and spare inner tube, reflective detailing, and a full length zip which can be handy on hot days. Exclusive brand at Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles, dhb, offers value options in men's and women's fit. 

Most beginner cyclists don't want to think about punctures. However, they happen. The good news is that with a bit of practice, they're easy to fix. Make sure you have a pump, an inner tube, and two tyre levers for every ride. 

Get into time trialling (or triathlon)

The time trial is a race for riders who want to compete against the clock. Competitors are set off at intervals, of usually one minute, racing the same course. Drafing - gaining an aerodynamic benefit from sitting behind another rider - is not allowed, so, time triallists will do anything possible to (safely) reduce the drag attached to their body and their bike.

If you're interested in triathlon races, then these kit picks still apply, unless you get serious and start looking at drafting races or checking out triathlon shoes to speed up your transitions. 

Top time trial riders will opt for a dedicated time trial bike. However, if you already have one, we recommend you start out with a set of clip on bars (our testing showed them to be highly effective).

Whilst we've not tested these Prime bars at Cycling Weekly HQ, they're a relitively inexpensive choice, utilising aluminium which should make them durable (good if you're adjusting the position a lot). 

If you're unsure why time trial saddles exist, then we suggest you do one event on the extension bars riding your standard saddle. If you have no issues, continue as you are. If you're in the majority of riders who find the position creates soft tissue discomfort, then the ISM split nose design will probably sort you out.

In a bike and rider unit, the rider makes up around 80 per cent of drag, and a lot of that comes from the head and shoulders. Time trial helmets, therefore, can make a big difference. 

Choosing a time trial helmet is really quite personal, as it depends upon your head shape, and the position you hold on the bike - but the MET Codatronca reviewed well. This stubby tail helmet is ideal for riders who find it hard to hold a long tail in place.

Next up after the helmet is a skinsuit but these are quite personal, and you may be restricted by your club colours, so we've not recommended a speicific option - check out our buying guide for some testing numbers. 

Velotoze are a real go-to amongst time trialists seeking watt savings, as well as road racers who want to keep their feet dry.

Getting them on is a bit of an art, but wind tunnel tests suggest that covering your feet can provided the greatest pound per watt saving.

Get into track cycling

So, you want to try track cycling? Excellent choice! Hopefully, you live near one of the many UK velodromes.

Most velodromes will require you to complete a track accreditation of some sort before you begin joining group sessions. This is much like a driving test, and just ensures that you're confident starting, stopping, and riding in a bunch. It's nothing scary, and there's usually a course of beginner sessions to help prepare you.

If you're starting out, there will likely be hire bikes available, so we've not suggested any bikes here. If you decide to race, you'll usually need your own bike, but you can very often find a good deal through second hand sales. 

Saddles are highly personal, what suits one rider might be a torture device for another, however, we're recommending the Power because it does tend to be agreeable to most. 

Track bikes usually put the rider in an agressive, low position, and most of the riding time is spent in the drops and static in the saddle. As a result, if you're going to encounter saddle pain, it will likely be in this discipline (or, time trialling). If you're riding hire bikes, we recommend taking your own saddle, and the Power - which is designed to limit soft tissue discmfort - is a good choice. 

Most velodromes won't let you ride without mitts, so, regardless of preferences, you'll need a pair.

Welcome to your new obsession - gear inches! Check out our track bike buying guide here for a complete table of chainring/cog sizes. 

Once you've bought, or loaned, your own bike, you'll be able to change the chainring and cog sizes to suit your leg speed. A larger gear inch will be harder to turn, but will propell you further. Finding the right gear to ride in depends upon your physioloigy, and the event in question. Most riders opt for smaller gears outside of competition, brining in the big guns for racing and race specific training.