Let’s set one thing straight right now: It’s a myth that you need a lot of gear for cycling.

I blame this fallacy on the M.A.M.I.L.s (that’s middle-aged men in Lycra), and their endless obsession with carbon-fiber whirligigs and aerodynamic thingamabobs.

You don’t need any of that stuff. Really. (Especially the Lycra.) And thanks to bike-share programs, in many cities you don’t even need to own a bike. But having your own bike is a lot of fun, and it allows you to dial everything in exactly how you like it. (My favorite is the apartment-friendly Brompton, which folds up in 30 seconds but rides as well as any other bike on the market.)

What you do need though, are wet wipes. Smelling like a swamp cabbage in a 9 a.m. meeting isn’t a power play (ask me how I know). Personally, I keep a pack of Combat Wipes in my pack. I like that they’re biodegradable, and they have just enough scent to mask any ripeness brewing in my armpits.

In collaboration with Wirecutter, a New York Times company that reviews and recommends products, here are five cheap(ish) things to make your ride more comfortable and enjoyable.