Just ordered my first road bike, need to lose weight and get fit.

[barndoor]

Hi there,
My names carl from North Wales. I've just ordered my first road bike using the cycle2work scheme. I was limited to my bike choice as my company will only let me buy from halfords with a limit of £1000 but have chosen a carbon boardman which which I'm pleased with.
As I'm waiting for my bike to come in going to get all the accessories that I'll need, I'm a bit of a gadget fan so it would be only too easy to go buy. everything that looks good and goes "Ping". I think I may need some help!
Before I spend all my money could anyone please let me know what I actually need to start with?
Any help would please my bank manager.
Thanks,
Carl.

 

[MikeG]

Welcome to the forum, Carl.

You actually only need a bike. The other stuff comes along as it become necessary, and after you have spent hours and miles on the bike, you'll have a better idea of what you want. I'd start with a pump, bike computer and a saddle bag, and leave it at that until you are fit. Concentrate on the pedaling, not the shopping!!

Mike

 

[Cameronmu917772]

Hey Carl.
Download strava and have fun watching your progress and getting a little geeky with your stats.
Have fun on cc and see you about

 

[oliglynn]

You just need kit to get you fixed up on the side of the road really to start with! No need to get a saddle bag at first if you can fit this lot in your pockets.

Essential:
Spare tubes
Tyre levers
Self adhesive puncture repair patches (for if you run out of spare tubes!)
Cycling Multi-tool (with screwdrivers, alan keys and spoke key)
Mini-pump

Nice to have too:
Chain splitter
Spare powerlink or 2
CO2 tyre inflator

This covers everything I carry on my day to day riding.

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi. Weocome from powys. Hope you enjoy the forum

 

[algo]

Hello and welcome,

as well as the excellent suggestions above regarding maintenance, can I suggest you think about getting some waterproof gloves and possibly cycle shoes? I find if I can remain relatively dry then the weather doesn't deter me - in fact it does quite the opposite :-)

 

[screenman]

Padded shorts, that is a must for a lot of people.

 

[ColinJ]

Hey Carl.
Download strava and have fun watching your progress and getting a little geeky with your stats.
Have fun on cc and see you about

He would need to add a GPS to his list of gadgets that go 'ping' first!

 

[ColinJ]

[QUOTE 2983685, member: 259"]Depends if you fit the bracket properly. [/QUOTE]
Which reminds me ... my GPS bracket is secure, but the device rattles so much it is doing my head in! I must sort that out ASAP.

 

[barndoor]

Thanx guys, some great help, any help on gps? Just been looking at the garmin edge 500.

 

[medavidcook]

Thanx guys, some great help, any help on gps? Just been looking at the garmin edge 500.

It all depends on what you want the gpd for, do you want to follow routes that you add to the edge or do u just want to monitor performance.

oh by the way welcome

 

[Bryony]

to cycle chat enjoy your bike and happy cycling!

 

[barndoor]

Hi everyone,
What a friendly bunch you are.
I'm not that bothered about maps on a gps, just looking to monitor my performance (or lack of performance) :-(

 

[i hate hills]

Hi Carl

 

[medavidcook]

Hi everyone,
What a friendly bunch you are.
I'm not that bothered about maps on a gps, just looking to monitor my performance (or lack of performance) :-(

if you aint after the maps side of things then the edge 500 is good for you. Have a read http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/garmin, it gives a great review of the products that always get asked about.