I came to road cycling from mountain biking and was very intimidated when it came to finding the right gear to get started. I was on a tight budget and was overwhelmed with the price tag on a pair of Pearl Izumi shorts, much less the price tag on a new road bike.

In the past few years I've had friends approach me with an interest in cycling. Most of them liked the idea of a low-impact sport that allows a person to get out and explore the city or countryside, but were put off by the high price of entry into the sport.

I'm not going to lie to you, if you become an avid road rider you're probably going to end up dropping some coin on gear. However, the needs of a beginner are different than those of an experienced rider. Below is my suggested starter kit for the beginner who's not sure if he or she will become a life-long rider.

The choice for the budget rider comes down to aluminum or steel. In the lower end range aluminum with be lighter that steel, but with a little bit harsher ride. The newer all alloy frames are significantly more forgiving than they used to be, but steel offers a bit smoother rider. That said, there are far more choices available in aluminum than there are in steel.

Most budget bikes these days come stock with a carbon fork. They help cut road buzz and reduce weight. Go for it if you can, but once again it's not a necessity. I have a cro-mo fork on my commuter/touring bike. It's not going to win any races but it has a wonderfully smooth feel.

Shimano, Campagnolo and Sram are the major players here. Most low to mid-end US bikes feature Shimano components. Tiagra is good, 105 is better, but Sora will fit the bill if the budget will not allow for one of the pricier groups. The Sora shifters are noticibly less smooth than the other two groups, but functions well enough for an entry level rider looking to expand his or her skills.

I mention the saddle because I believe it can be the one piece of equipment that makes riding miserable for a beginner. There will be an adjustment period for anyone new to riding. You will probably experience some soreness as your time in the saddle increases. However, it shouldn't be something that ruins the experience. A saddle that's too narrow, too soft or improperly positioned can turn a new rider off to cycling much quicker than a rough shifting front derailleur. This is one area where I would spend a little extra money. Find a firm saddle that's the proper width and then have an experienced cyclist help you position it. Specialized makes some nice saddles in various widths. The Specialized Avatar may be a good place to start. Also check out Terry saddles.

Clipless pedals are easy to use and can really enhance your riding. I tend to think it may be best for beginner to start out with a recrational/touring/spinning shoe and SPD pedals. Thes shoes are not as stiff as traditional road shoes, but are comfortable and allow you to walk easily. SPD pedals are simple to use and relatively cheap if you know where to look. Try our Nashbar to find some great deals on SPD style pedals. You may want to have a shop help you install the cleats and give you a quick demo on clipping in and out. You'll probably also want to practice in a flat area with no traffic until you get the hang of it.

This is another area where I think it's appropriate to spend some extra cash. There is a pretty big difference in quality construction and comfort between bargain bin shorts and a quality pair. If a beginner goes out and puts in 30 miles on a hot summer day in a pair of cheap shorts or no cycling specific shorts at all, that rider will most likely feel it. Cycling shorts reduce friction, provide muscle compression and offer padding where it counts. I'm not saying go out and spend $180 on a pair, but $50 - $90 will be money well spent. The Attack short from Pearl Izumi would be a good choice.

I didn't think of these as a necessity until a late evening ride one August when I decided to ride sans sunglasses. As the sun set the bugs came out in force and I took one in the eye coming down a hill about a half mile from my house. It was very painful and I ended up walking my bike the rest of the way home. It's also very important from a safety standpoint to see the road as clearly as possible. Interchangeable lenses insure there won't be a light condition you're not prepared for. Although the optics aren't as good, and the lens swapping isn't as smooth, I tend to break and lose glasses so I go with the cheap house brand variety found at Nashbar or Perfomace Bike.

This is a no-brainer. As a road cyclist this is the only thing that comes between your skull and the pavement. Good quality helmets come in different sizes to insure a proper fit. Spend a little more here and you'll ride easier with a cool, comfortable hat that protects your most valuble organ.

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