Beginners Road Bike - what accessories?

[PaulR81]

People of PH, many many thanks. Some great stuff there. Should be picking it up tomorrow and will write myself a shopping list for accessories from this thread.

[Kell]

Depends how strict the shop is to be honest.

You're only supposed to use any additional money for 'safety' accesories.

So, reflective jackets, helmets, lights, gloves (at a push). I managed to get my Deuter backpack on the strength that it had reflective panels.

Lycra, bottles and cages, and other assorted accessories won't *always* be covered on your voucher.

Or certainly not in the 2x experience I've had, plus knowing several other people at work that have done it.

[47p2]

Most important item you need is N+1

[BerksJack]

yellowjack said:

Shoes and pedals? You can ride the bike in trainers on flat pedals, or with toe clips and straps just fine. But most people will recommend so called 'clipless' pedals with proper cycling shoes and cleats. I'd recommend them, too, but as a beginner they're not absolutely necessary. I managed with toe clips/straps for twenty years just fine (although I wouldn't go back to them now).

This^^^^^^

I bought a roadie last October and borrowed a pair of peddles with toe straps on them while I got used to riding it. Depending on what you've ridden previously I found it quite a big change with the narrower bars and riding position coming from a mountain bike.

I've got quite a few miles in so far this summer and have just started to look at shoes and pedals, although I'm not sure whether I'm brave enough to get them as it's inevitable that I'm going to stack it a set of traffic lights on my commute to work.....

[Fugazi]

Don't always assume you'll be falling all over the place as soon as you go clipless. I haven't fallen off yet although I've come close a few times. You'll find that you will be clipping in and out without thinking in no time. I had more mishaps with the cheap plastic toe clips that came with my bike that I took them off after one, very short ride.

[Gizmoish]

BerksJack said:

yellowjack said:

Shoes and pedals? You can ride the bike in trainers on flat pedals, or with toe clips and straps just fine. But most people will recommend so called 'clipless' pedals with proper cycling shoes and cleats. I'd recommend them, too, but as a beginner they're not absolutely necessary. I managed with toe clips/straps for twenty years just fine (although I wouldn't go back to them now).

This^^^^^^

I bought a roadie last October and borrowed a pair of peddles with toe straps on them while I got used to riding it. Depending on what you've ridden previously I found it quite a big change with the narrower bars and riding position coming from a mountain bike.

I've got quite a few miles in so far this summer and have just started to look at shoes and pedals, although I'm not sure whether I'm brave enough to get them as it's inevitable that I'm going to stack it a set of traffic lights on my commute to work.....

We all do it occasionally. Nearly did it earlier myself. Buy the pedals

[Gruffy]

Fugazi said:

You'll find that you will be clipping in and out without thinking in no time. I had more mishaps with the cheap plastic toe clips that came with my bike that I took them off after one, very short ride.

Same experience here. The cheap toe clips were lethal and I felt lucky to survive the two weeks it took me to buy clip-ins without serious injury.

[WinstonWolf]

Fugazi said:

Don't always assume you'll be falling all over the place as soon as you go clipless. I haven't fallen off yet although I've come close a few times. You'll find that you will be clipping in and out without thinking in no time. I had more mishaps with the cheap plastic toe clips that came with my bike that I took them off after one, very short ride.

You do realise you've just angered the SPD gods

[Dammit]

[Fugazi]

WinstonWolf said:

You do realise you've just angered the SPD gods

I had no idea... Will I have to sacrifice some SPD sandals to appease them?

[Dammit]

Spandels

[BerksJack]

Fair comment chaps I'll get some ordered.

Wiggle have got their DHB shoes for £32:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe/

Decent reviews, anyone bought them?

Sorry to gate crash your thread OP but you may find the link handy.

[Gruffy]

I bought a pair of their MTB shoes at the same price for touring. They seem decent enough for the money.

[nagsheadwarrior]

BerksJack said:

Fair comment chaps I'll get some ordered.

Wiggle have got their DHB shoes for £32:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe/

Decent reviews, anyone bought them?

Sorry to gate crash your thread OP but you may find the link handy.

I got a pair of those exact shoes in never gonna stay clean white and theyve been excellent teamed to a £20 set pf SPD-SL pedals, the best thing you can add to a road bike I think.

[Fluid]

Got them in black, nice comfy shoe.

[BerksJack]

Cheers lads, ordered the white ones earlier, I know they'll be a bugger to keep clean but they've got to match my bike right

[louiebaby]

Dammit said:

Right, I'm annoyed now, what's the thing with the number lock?

Also, has anyone mentioned Gatorskins for ommutng on?

[yellowjack]

I think the doobrie-dang with the combination lock on it might be some sort of audible tamper alarm?

[Dammit]

It's a cafe lock - small and light enough to stop someone walking off with your bike when you pop into a shop on a weekend ride, and during the week it stops someone walking off with your front wheel when you are in the supermarket getting dinner.

It won't survive the attentions of a pair of pliers - but it dissuades the casual "I stole it because it was there" types.

Gatorskins - as compliant as a wooden ruler, and with the same level of wet weather grip.

[Gizmoish]

BerksJack said:

Cheers lads, ordered the white ones earlier, I know they'll be a bugger to keep clean but they've got to match my bike right

You've got the idea already

White is faster than black. Fact. Cos it's lighter.