What do I really need?

[Sapphire Stone]

Hi guys

I hope someone here can tell me what items I actually NEED!!

Basically I've just started cycling again (first time since I was a kid about 10 years ago) with a view to cycling to work in a few months when we move offices.

I can't see my trip to work taking more than about 20mins or so even in the really unfit state I'm in now.

Just wondering what things are absolutley essential? I have the bike but thats it!!

I know i'll need lights for when the evenings get a bit darker - any reccomendations?

What locks would people reccomend and how should I lock the bike up?

Thinking of getting a saddle bag to carry keys, phone etc - any reccomendations?

Do I really need to carry spare inner tubes and tyre levers (don't even know what they are?!) because to be honest I wouldn't know how to use them anyway!!

Any help greatfully received.

 

[Barrow Challenge]

Helmet, I consider essential. (Topical by all means but having had a friend spend the first 3 months of this year in a coma after a bike crash and the helmet saving him from much more serious or fatal head injuries I refuse to ride without one.)

Lights, I love CatEye lights, small, powerful, simplicity itself and very effective.

I use a Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 - D-Lock to lock my bike and wheels up, good Silver rating and certainly looks and feels the part, comes with a cable to secure your wheels.

Topeak saddle bags are brilliant in my experience. I use one of these and they come with the essential tools you need for roadside repairs.

Carrying spare tubes beats trying to patch a tube at the side of the road in the rain, I always opt for life being easy than hard so 2 tubes and glueless patches are always in my saddle bag in case I have a nightmare ride.

A good mini pump and I also advocate a good track pump are essential. Mini pump for out on the bike and track pump for at home to ensure I get the pressure up and correct before a ride.

A good set of gloves and some cycling shorts will certainly make your rides more comfortable and ease aches and pains from riding for prolonged periods of times.

Good bottles and bottle cages make life easier, and keep yourself hydrated.

If you are going to be riding a lot and decent distances I'd look at getting clip less pedals and proper cycling shoes, though this is a big step in a cyclist lifetime it's one of the things that can transform your rides and riding.

Hope that helps. (:

 

[Andy_R]

Helmet I consider personal choice: there is no proof either way whether or not they save lives, all the evidence is purely anecdotal, but if it makes you feel better, wear one, if it makes you uncomfortable, then don't.

You might want to get along to your local Evans Store and get booked onto one of their free maintenance courses, they're great for beginners covering gear indexing, puncture repair, adjusting brakes etc, etc.

Carrying a puncture repair kit or innertubes is pointless until you learn how to repair punctures, but you might come across a kindly soul who would do it for you if you have the bits, so tyre levers and spare inner tubes are worth carrying on the bike in a small under-seat wedge pack, along with a pump.

Finally, don't respond to the wind up merchants on the roads, just smile and wave.......or blow them kisses....

 

[carolonabike]

I have one of these It's an ideal size for me, Although it's quite small (6 litres) it's a bit of a Mary Poppins bag. If I pack carefully I can fit in a spare inner tube, inflator, tyre levers, shirt to change into, lunch, keys, phone and a lightweight jacket in the mesh side pocket.

It's much easier to put a new tube in than mend a puncture by the side of the road. Have a bit practise at home, I struggled the first time but I'm a dab hand now, it's really not that difficult once you've had a few goes. You can patch the tubes later at your leisure.

A decent jacket for later in the year if you're intending to cycle through the winter will make all the difference. Altura do some good ones.

 

[slowmotion]

Lights, spare tube, tyre levers, puncture repair kit ( for that two puncture nightmare), multi-tool, mini pump, lock. I reckon that these are the minimum. You can easily learn how to repair a puncture by looking on youtube.

Welcome, by the way!

 

[Sapphire Stone]

Thanks for the help guys. Will take a look at your suggestions for locks and lights etc later. I'm not planning on riding to work in the rain but dont mind a bit of cold.

 

[MontyVeda]

for me it's a bike with a decent lock. Glueless patches are taped under my seat with electrical tape and a mini pump on the frame. I also have a small saddle bag with a few tools and an anorak and lights when needed of course.

I refuse to wear a helmet because they look silly IMO, as do cycling shorts. Put the padding on the seat rather than in yer shorts, the other way around is plain stupid, again, IMO.

Cycling should be fun so don't feel you must have special clothes and clips on yer shoes on order to do it... all you really need is a bike.

 

[cyberknight]

Lights, spare tube, tyre levers, puncture repair kit ( for that two puncture nightmare), multi-tool, mini pump, lock. I reckon that these are the minimum. You can easily learn how to repair a puncture by looking on youtube.

Welcome, by the way!

Make that 2 inner tubes, if you get a double flat you can repair them at your leisure at home.

A lot of good advice here already ..

With locks try to go for a d-lock as the cable locks can be cut in seconds by a theif with bolt cutters,any lock will only stop them for so long but do not be fooled into spending a few pounds and getting a cheap lock, they are not worth it.

This looks good..
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/BLMLSFDLC/master-lock-street-fortum-gold-secure-d-lock--cable


Lights

it depends on your route , if your only riding on streets with lighting these are very good ..

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q...nar-25-lux-front-with-1-2-watt-rear-light-set

 

[cyberknight]

Cycling should be fun so don't feel you must have special clothes and clips on yer shoes on order to do it... all you really need is a bike.

But i like wearing lycra , i just ride the bike as an excuse ...

 

[Wednesday]

I've never had a puncture and commuted (not a regular work thing, but just getting where I wanted to be) for years. With my town bike the wheels are such a pain to get off that I'd rather just push it home (or get someone with a car to collect me, when I was still taking it on proper rides) and sort it out there, so I never bothered carrying repair stuff. Think about what you'd do if you got a puncture and couldn't repair it. If at this stage you wouldn't mind pushing your bike/getting help/locking it up and dealing with it later, then you can put off getting a roadside repair kit. If you're not doing roadside repairs you're also not likely to need a mini pump.

Shorts are a comfort thing. If you give the commute a try and your bum gets really sore, get some shorts. In winter it would be a good idea to have a waterproof jacket and maybe trousers in case you get caught in the rain. You can get pretty wet on a bike.

If you're going to be wearing normal trousers and your chain isn't completely enclosed, you need clips or bands to go around your ankles. (Remember to knot your shoelaces too.)

High vis clothing is useful, especially when the weather's not great. I like this one for all-purpose use because it can go over anything, is mesh so it doesn't trap heat, and I can rip it open if I want to unzip something underneath.

If your bike doesn't have mudguards you'll want a rear one at least, otherwise you'll have a wet arse as soon as there's water on the ground.

I really like having a pannier rack because it makes carrying things so much easier. If you keep a couple of bungees around you can probably get a bag of shopping on top without too much trouble, though I haven't tried because I have a basic double bag on my rack and just put really bulky stuff on top. Anyway that's useful, not essential. Depends how likely you are to want to pick up groceries on way home.

 

[MontyVeda]

But i like wearing lycra , i just ride the bike as an excuse ...

 

[bev]

Hi Sapphire Stone...Im very much a newbie too, but apart from the obvious things that people have already said, Ive got a cheap mini cycling computer (£8.75 from Halfords) which tells you miles covered etc. Ive found this to be a great motivator to do just that little bit more.

 

[davefb]

worth saying , checkout lidl and aldi for some stuff, they tend to have 'bargains' even amongst things like cycle shorts and jackets . (though of course, only when they've got them on special)

i got some cheap cycle specs from argos , when its not sunny, the clear or yellow can be handy... stops flies or stones going in the eye...




and personally, i'd add hi-vis for when its darker.