All of our trips are fully supported by a support vehicle. The vehicle will be with the group at all times so that you can focus on the riding rather than having to carry any of your own gear. This has the added benefit of simplifying packing: no more reducing items to avoid that extra weight. If you think it might be useful, you can bring it. If it stays in the van for the whole of your trip, it’s not a problem.
The Bike: Bring Yours or Rent
Most of our riders bring their own bikes. There’s no substitute for riding something you know, especially on a 3,275-metre climb where your gearing, saddle, and contact points matter. Fly it as checked luggage in a bike box or soft case. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport handles bike boxes routinely, and we’ll help you rebuild on arrival.
If you’d rather travel light, Taiwan is the global home of bicycle manufacturing. Giant and Merida are both Taiwanese companies, and quality rental bikes are available. Get in touch and we’ll arrange something that fits.
Gearing matters. If your tour includes the Taiwan KOM or any mountain passes, fit a compact crankset (50/34) with a wide-range cassette, at least 11-32, ideally 11-34. The KOM is 87.5 kilometres of continuous climbing from sea level to 3,275 metres. You will want every low gear you have. It’s easier to swap a cassette at home than at the roadside in Hualien.
Tyres: 25mm or 28mm are ideal. Taiwan’s roads are generally excellent, smooth asphalt even on remote mountain passes, but 23mm offers no advantage and less comfort over long days. Bring a fresh set if yours are worn. Replacements are available locally, but your preferred brand may not be.
Cycling Kit: Layers Are the Strategy
Taiwan’s cycling seasons are spring (February to May) and autumn (September to November). Both are warm at sea level and cold in the mountains. The temperature gap between the coast and the top of the KOM can be 25°C on the same day, so layer up.
Three to four sets of kit. You should be able to get kit washed as you go, but it isn’t possible every night, so it’s worth having a few spares. A lightweight waterproof jacket is an absolute necessity. Generally, in the spring and the autumn, the weather in Taiwan is great for riding, but it’s a tropical island and showers can and do happen.
Also worth packing:
- Arm warmers and a gilet. For mountain descents and early morning starts. Taiwan’s mountains get genuinely cold above 2,000 metres.
- A lightweight long-sleeve thermal layer. For the summit of the KOM or Hehuanshan, where temperatures can approach freezing in the mornings, even in October.
- Cycling gloves. Full-finger for mountain descents, short-finger for everything else.
- Overshoes or toe covers. Optional, but welcome on cold mountain mornings.
Helmet: Bring your own. This is not the thing to compromise on or hope to find locally.
Shoes and pedals: Bring your own shoes. If you ride clipless, bring your pedals too; we’ll fit them to a rental bike if needed. SPD-SL and Look Kéo cleats are widely available in Taiwan; SPD and Speedplay are less common. Bring a spare set of cleats regardless.
On the Bike: What to Carry Each Day
Our support vehicle carries a full mechanical workshop. Gary, our head mechanic, can fix virtually anything at the roadside. But the van can’t be everywhere at once, and flats happen between stops. Carry the basics so a puncture is a five-minute fix, not a thirty-minute wait.
In your jersey pockets or saddle bag:
- 1 spare inner tube (correct valve length for your wheels)
- Tyre levers
- CO2 inflator with 2 cartridges, or a mini pump
- A multi-tool
- Your phone
- Cash. Taiwan is still a cash country. You generally won’t need too much cash on you at any given time, and it should be possible to take cash out of ATMs if you have a credit or debit card that doesn’t charge you forex transaction fees.
- Sun cream. Sun cream is an essential. Taiwan is a tropical island, and on a clear day it’s easy to get burned.
Leave in the van: spare tubes, extra CO2, a full toolkit, rain jacket if the morning is clear, extra food and water. The van meets you every 25-30km or so, so you can top up whenever.
Off the Bike: Evenings and Rest Days
It depends slightly on what time of year you’re going and where you’re going in the island. Generally, lightweight trousers and perhaps a thin jumper will be more than enough to keep you warm at night, as temperatures tend to remain pretty warm all the time in Taiwan. The only exception to this is if you are riding the KOM route, in which case you’ll almost certainly be staying in the high mountains, either at Lishan or at Qingjing Farm, in which case you’ll need some warmer clothes for the evening, as it can get really quite cold at night time up there.
- Comfortable shoes or sandals. For walking around towns in the evening; flip-flops work for most of Taiwan.
- Swimwear. Several of our overnight stops have hot springs, including Ruisui in the East Rift Valley. You’ll want to be ready for those.
Electronics:
- Phone and charger. Taiwan uses Type A and Type B plugs (same as the US and Japan). If you’re coming from the UK or Europe, bring an adapter.
- GPS / bike computer. Not essential on a guided tour, but useful if you like tracking rides. Download Taiwan maps offline before you go.
- Camera. The scenery demands it; a phone is fine, but if you have a compact camera, Taiwan will justify the extra weight.
- Power bank. Long mountain days can drain a phone; a small power bank in a jersey pocket is worth the few extra grams.
What NOT to Pack
- Panniers, frame bags, or bikepacking gear. The support vehicle handles all luggage. Ride light.
- A full toolkit. Gary has you covered. A multi-tool and tube are enough on the bike.
- Heavy rain gear. A lightweight packable jacket handles Taiwan’s showers. Full waterproof trousers and heavy rain jackets are overkill.
- Excessive spare parts. Tubes, tyres, chains, cables, and most components are available in bike shops across Taiwan. Giant stores are everywhere. Don’t pack for a self-supported expedition through the wilderness.
- Formal clothing. Taiwan is casual. Even the nicest restaurants on our tour routes don’t require anything beyond a clean shirt and trousers.
What you can buy in Taiwan: Taiwan makes most of the world’s bikes, so if you forget something or break something, replacements are almost always nearby. Tubes, tyres, chains, cables and bar tape: easy. Giant shops carry a decent range of kit, though sizing tends to run a size smaller than European brands. Sunscreen, toothpaste, phone chargers, energy gels: all in 7-Eleven. The tricky items are niche clipless cleats (Speedplay especially) and any unusual drivetrain parts. If you run anything non-standard, bring a spare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own bike to Taiwan? Yes, most of our riders do. Fly it as checked luggage in a bike box or bag. We’ll help rebuild on arrival and pack up before you fly home. If you’d rather not travel with a bike, get in touch and we’ll arrange a rental.
What rental bikes are available in Taiwan? Taiwan is the global home of bicycle manufacturing. Quality rental bikes are available, and we can arrange them for any of our tours. Get in touch with your size and preferences.
Do I need rain gear for cycling in Taiwan? A lightweight packable rain jacket is essential. Taiwan can have sudden showers even during the dry spring and autumn cycling seasons. The rain rarely lasts long.
What gearing do I need for the Taiwan KOM? A compact crankset (50/34) with at least an 11-32 cassette, ideally 11-34. The Taiwan KOM is 87.5km of continuous climbing to 3,275m. You will want every low gear you can get.
Do I need to carry tools and spares on a Pedal Taiwan tour? Carry the basics: a spare tube, tyre levers, a mini-tool, and a CO2 inflator. Our support vehicle carries a full workshop, but being able to fix a flat yourself means you’re riding again in five minutes.
Can I buy cycling gear in Taiwan? Absolutely. Tubes, tyres, chains, and most components are available across the island. Giant stores are everywhere. Cycling clothing is easy to find, though sizing tends to run smaller than European brands.
Want a packing list tailored to your route? Get in touch and we’ll send one over, covering what we provide and what you can hire locally on the 5-Day East Coast, the KOM, or the full island. For the bigger trip picture, our complete guide to cycling in Taiwan covers seasons, regions, and what each tour offers.