Talk to me about: Noob Bikers gear
Discussion
So, I've not even got myself a bike yet (see here if you need convincing how clueless I am), but I'm looking at what gear I should buy.
I bought my kids new bikes recently, which has spurred me on to get one myself and attempt the commute to work. I bought a set of lights today in the Halfords 'bargain bin' at £16, but after reading a few threads on here, I've just bought myself a Lunar r2 and a fibre flare thing - so guess I have the rear lights sorted.
My commute to work will be on hilly, bendy, single track, country lanes (for the most part). When driving, some days I could meet one or 2 cars coming the other way, other days none at all (there are passing bays), but of course it'll take me much longer on a bike - especially on the way home which looks brutally uphill.
I'm looking for some decent front lights - preferably without an additional battery pack (less for me to lose/break). I'm thinking to see where I'm going primarily, but also to be spotted by cars coming the other way.
After that, I'm pretty clueless. I think the most likely bike will be the Ridgeback Flight 02, which I know can take mudguards, but I don't know which I should be looking at. Am I just using trainers (the pedals have clips) to start with or do I need some more suitable footwear? I'm a bit of a fat b
d, so no lycra for a while, but what about water proofs, general riding clothes, saddle pack - I don't need to carry anything other than what is needed for the bike - pumps, spares etc - but then I don't even know what pump, spares etc I need.
I'm horribly spontaneous and fear I'll just buy a load of unsuitable junk (probably from the Halfords bargain bin), so any help for a very clueless noob is appreciated.
I bought my kids new bikes recently, which has spurred me on to get one myself and attempt the commute to work. I bought a set of lights today in the Halfords 'bargain bin' at £16, but after reading a few threads on here, I've just bought myself a Lunar r2 and a fibre flare thing - so guess I have the rear lights sorted.
My commute to work will be on hilly, bendy, single track, country lanes (for the most part). When driving, some days I could meet one or 2 cars coming the other way, other days none at all (there are passing bays), but of course it'll take me much longer on a bike - especially on the way home which looks brutally uphill.
I'm looking for some decent front lights - preferably without an additional battery pack (less for me to lose/break). I'm thinking to see where I'm going primarily, but also to be spotted by cars coming the other way.
After that, I'm pretty clueless. I think the most likely bike will be the Ridgeback Flight 02, which I know can take mudguards, but I don't know which I should be looking at. Am I just using trainers (the pedals have clips) to start with or do I need some more suitable footwear? I'm a bit of a fat b
d, so no lycra for a while, but what about water proofs, general riding clothes, saddle pack - I don't need to carry anything other than what is needed for the bike - pumps, spares etc - but then I don't even know what pump, spares etc I need. I'm horribly spontaneous and fear I'll just buy a load of unsuitable junk (probably from the Halfords bargain bin), so any help for a very clueless noob is appreciated.
Where did you manage to find a fibre flare in stock? :-)
Sounds like you have the rear lights sorted, if you want cheap and effective front lights without a separate battery pack a pair of cree torches will do nicely.
They sell with handlebar mounts, batteries and a charger as well as spare battery cages that will take AAA batteries for less than 30 quid. All over Amazon and eBay.
I can drop you a link to a UK seller with the full package for under 30, or have a shop around. I've just ordered another set for my girlfriend and have some myself.
Having two gives a backup if one goes flat, or one constant and one flashing etc.
There are at least two in depth threads on lights in here with more detail.
Can I add to the essentials list a multitool? You can get a saddlebag or frame bag with all the tools / tyre levers you need. Just drop a couple of tubes in there and you are good to go. Topeak make good ones, there's a survival kit and a survival kit II that differ only in styling and saddle mount.
You will be fine with trainers to start although in torrential rain they get wet fast.... I ditched the clips on mine, couldn't get on with them, although I'm thinking about exploring clipless pedals and shoes soon..
We've a couple of threads on winter and wet weather gear ongoing in the forum that I'm watching with interest :-)
Sounds like you have the rear lights sorted, if you want cheap and effective front lights without a separate battery pack a pair of cree torches will do nicely.
They sell with handlebar mounts, batteries and a charger as well as spare battery cages that will take AAA batteries for less than 30 quid. All over Amazon and eBay.
I can drop you a link to a UK seller with the full package for under 30, or have a shop around. I've just ordered another set for my girlfriend and have some myself.
Having two gives a backup if one goes flat, or one constant and one flashing etc.
There are at least two in depth threads on lights in here with more detail.
Can I add to the essentials list a multitool? You can get a saddlebag or frame bag with all the tools / tyre levers you need. Just drop a couple of tubes in there and you are good to go. Topeak make good ones, there's a survival kit and a survival kit II that differ only in styling and saddle mount.
You will be fine with trainers to start although in torrential rain they get wet fast.... I ditched the clips on mine, couldn't get on with them, although I'm thinking about exploring clipless pedals and shoes soon..
We've a couple of threads on winter and wet weather gear ongoing in the forum that I'm watching with interest :-)
Edited by TheLemming on Tuesday 10th September 13:27
Thanks guys, I'll start a shopping list. I'll get lights ordered asap, then build a bit of kit up as I learn. Ordered the bike today, so should have it for the weekend
TheLemming said:
Where did you manage to find a fibre flare in stock? :-)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fibre-flare-ultimate-safet...Steamer said:
Have you got your water bottles / camelbak sorted?
One thing I hate is not having enough drinks be it hot or cold weather riding.
I've got nothing sorted as yet! One thing I hate is not having enough drinks be it hot or cold weather riding.
Do you guys use bike computers or phones in a bracket (or even phones in a pocket) for recording ride details etc?
Lidl and Aldi do perfectly servicable and cheap kit. Otherwise the DHB brand from Wiggle will be fine. I've been using Lidl socks and gloves for ages - they are so cheap as to be effectively disposable after a year or so's use.
I wouldn't bother with water proofs as you'll just boil unless you're buying the most expensive kit. You won't get wet that often but if you do it won't kill you.
If you're riding through the winter get a decent merino wool base layer and decent gloves.
A couple of decent locks will pay dividends if you're leaving the bike anywhere.
Get proper wide mudguards (check they fit first!) as these will keep the worst of the spray off you.
Generally speaking cycling specific kit (such as overshorts etc) is massively overpriced in my view - decent "outdoor" shorts or trousers should be durable enough for less than half the cost.
I would suggest going "clipless" once you are confident on the bike - much more contact/control and more efficient use of energy.
I wouldn't bother with water proofs as you'll just boil unless you're buying the most expensive kit. You won't get wet that often but if you do it won't kill you.
If you're riding through the winter get a decent merino wool base layer and decent gloves.
A couple of decent locks will pay dividends if you're leaving the bike anywhere.
Get proper wide mudguards (check they fit first!) as these will keep the worst of the spray off you.
Generally speaking cycling specific kit (such as overshorts etc) is massively overpriced in my view - decent "outdoor" shorts or trousers should be durable enough for less than half the cost.
I would suggest going "clipless" once you are confident on the bike - much more contact/control and more efficient use of energy.
TRB - I use my iPhone in my pocket (or sometimes in a plastic bag in my pocket to waterproof it!) and use Stava through that to record my ride details.
Find that it kills off my 3GS battery (I know - it's old, but it works) in about 1 1/2 hours though, so maybe a top-up charge when you get to work will be needed for the trip home. You don't want to have a mechanical and then find your phone battery is dead because you've been recording the elevation gain and suffer-score!
I do have a £15 Cat-Eye 'computer' though which records the basics - time, ave, max and current speed, trip distance and total distance.
Find that it kills off my 3GS battery (I know - it's old, but it works) in about 1 1/2 hours though, so maybe a top-up charge when you get to work will be needed for the trip home. You don't want to have a mechanical and then find your phone battery is dead because you've been recording the elevation gain and suffer-score!
I do have a £15 Cat-Eye 'computer' though which records the basics - time, ave, max and current speed, trip distance and total distance.
TRB said:
I've got nothing sorted as yet!
Do you guys use bike computers or phones in a bracket (or even phones in a pocket) for recording ride details etc?
Mytracks on Android is my tracker. Most people around here prefer strava but I've yet to try it.Do you guys use bike computers or phones in a bracket (or even phones in a pocket) for recording ride details etc?
Runs nicely on my phone forever.... then again my battery life is a hell of a lot longer than most (7"er in my backpack)
Thanks guys. I've got my lights sorted now thanks to TheLemming & threads on here. A long way to go with other stuff, especially locks, pump/tools and clothing/waterproofs etc. When I was chatting to one of the shops about a bike, the lad said about getting some 'gunge' (or maybe gunk/goo or something) and some puncture-proof inner-tubes, should I look into such things?
I already downloaded Strava this afternoon in the office, will see how I get on with that.
I already downloaded Strava this afternoon in the office, will see how I get on with that.
Puncture proof inner tubes are a waste of time and just add to rotating weight. If you have decent tyres and keep your pressures up you won't get (many) punctures. I did 1500 miles last year on London's terrible roads and only had one in that time.
Makes sure you get some gloves. Good gloves. Fingerless for normal and windproof + waterproof for sub 10 deg C and wet days.
Makes sure you get some gloves. Good gloves. Fingerless for normal and windproof + waterproof for sub 10 deg C and wet days.
Just post the word sale on a website and I'm all yours. Clearly with the wiggle sale finishing in 1 day, 16 hours and some minutes, this is the chance of a lifetime!
Is there anything (glove wise) discounted that's worth a look?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sale/cycle/gloves/
Is there anything (glove wise) discounted that's worth a look?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sale/cycle/gloves/
I used these all through last winter. http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=2...
Locks - sold secure rated silver or higher.
That means a d lock and an extension cable for it to stop your wheels going walkies if you're leaving it anywhere for long periods.
I lost a £500 MTB earlier in the year because I thought the chain I bought looked nice and sturdy. Lasted seconds against bolt cutters (on cctv in the middle of a very busy carpark on a bike rack).
Amazon sell a kryptonite sold secure silver lock, with the extension cable, a bike mount and two keys, for £20.
I will dig a link out later and edit it into this post. Its not invincible but roof against chancers with bolt cutters down their tracksuits......
That means a d lock and an extension cable for it to stop your wheels going walkies if you're leaving it anywhere for long periods.
I lost a £500 MTB earlier in the year because I thought the chain I bought looked nice and sturdy. Lasted seconds against bolt cutters (on cctv in the middle of a very busy carpark on a bike rack).
Amazon sell a kryptonite sold secure silver lock, with the extension cable, a bike mount and two keys, for £20.
I will dig a link out later and edit it into this post. Its not invincible but roof against
chancers with bolt cutters down their tracksuits......TRB said:
I probably should go and spend some time looking around the shops, but how do you get a pump inside a saddle bag, or do I need something a bit bigger? Trying to keep the bike weight down until I lose some of my own!
Pump can usually be fixed to the bike frame at one of the bottle holding places. Or use a CO2 inflator.Saddle bag just needs a tube, tyre levers, multitool and worth having some rags/tissue, latex gloves, patches and spare light batteries if you can.
will_ said:
Pump can usually be fixed to the bike frame at one of the bottle holding places. Or use a CO2 inflator.
Saddle bag just needs a tube, tyre levers, multitool and worth having some rags/tissue, latex gloves, patches and spare light batteries if you can.
Topeak do a decent saddle bag with tools and plenty of space for a tube etc. Its the "survival kit".Saddle bag just needs a tube, tyre levers, multitool and worth having some rags/tissue, latex gloves, patches and spare light batteries if you can.
I've got the 1 and 2 versions (one for the MTB and one for the road bike to save the hassle of swapping and repacking tubes etc) and they are decent value for £20.
A pack of baby wipes (the little pocket sized ones) is very handy to put in there to clean up oil etc after fixing a chain or a tyre. They come in very handy.
Most mini-pumps come with a frame mount that screws on one of the bottle cage mounts. Every bike shop I've seen has a selection, the preference seems to be lezyne or topeak (I've got a topeak road drive, it's great, handles both presta and schraeder valves, but ever so slightly too big to go in a jersey pocket or a saddlebag. So it lives in a backpack or on the frame mount).
I haven't tried c02 inflators yet, so can't speak for ease of use or efficiency but I'm sure they beat trying to get 100+ psi out of a mini pump :-)
Only thing I'd add about a mini-pump is to get one with a seperate hose (rather than one that fits directly onto the valve) - less chance of breaking the valve. I only use them to get enough pressure in the tube to get me to a bike shop which usually has a proper track pump that can be borrowed.
Good call on the baby-wipes - latex gloves should keep the worst of the muck off.
Also worth practicing changing a tube before you need to do it in a rush in the cold/rain/dark. I can now do a tube in less than 5 minutes having been taught how to put a tyre back on without levers!
Good call on the baby-wipes - latex gloves should keep the worst of the muck off.
Also worth practicing changing a tube before you need to do it in a rush in the cold/rain/dark. I can now do a tube in less than 5 minutes having been taught how to put a tyre back on without levers!
Ordered myself the Topeak Survival Kit, lights sorted (although not all arrived), bought some clothes/gloves etc from Wiggle (late night online shopping spree last night!), will grab a spare tube and a pump, then I'll ease myself onto my new steed with a couple of laps around Rockingham this weekend. If anyone is there for the BTCC, come and say hi - I'm on the Honda trade stand (the Racing Bug), I'll be the fat guy with a bike! Appreciate the help so far....
TRB said:
Ordered myself the Topeak Survival Kit, lights sorted (although not all arrived), bought some clothes/gloves etc from Wiggle (late night online shopping spree last night!), will grab a spare tube and a pump, then I'll ease myself onto my new steed with a couple of laps around Rockingham this weekend. If anyone is there for the BTCC, come and say hi - I'm on the Honda trade stand (the Racing Bug), I'll be the fat guy with a bike! Appreciate the help so far....
Did you order the survival kit 1 or 2? The 1 may not fit your saddle, the two has a better mount that clips on to the saddle bars properly. I know I couldn't get the 1 to fit on either of mine (but my friendly Halfords swapped the mount off another kit2 for me - Leighton branch is brilliant)PS get a lock :-)
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