Bike "Starter Kit'

[Tony Angelino]

Evening all, I am going to try and get back on my push bike after not really using one since I used to cycle to school 20 years ago. Got myself a hybrid bike off a mate but I have no more kit at all. Could you please offer any advise on the basics I will need for me and my son (10yrs):

Helmet
Bottles
Lights
Repair kit?
Any other stuff (safety?)

I am planning on starting very steadily on steady paths and quiet roads, only a few miles at a time so don't need any clothing unless hi viz is needed. Don't want to be spending the earth on things as I'm not convinced how it will pan out for us. Would be greatful to receive any suggestions or is it just a case of a trip to the local Halfords to get sorted?

I'm also going to look at a bike carrier/atatchement for my roof bars so any input on that would be great too. C Class mercedes, hoping to upgrade to a 3 series BMW soon.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by Tony Angelino on Wednesday 31st August 22:32

[egor110]

get some cycling shorts or baggy mtn bike shorts with the built in pad, they'll make it much more enjoyable.

bike pump and spare ineer tubes.

[Tony Angelino]

egor110 said:

get some cycling shorts or baggy mtn bike shorts with the built in pad, they'll make it much more enjoyable.

bike pump and spare ineer tubes.

Ah yes, the old Gooch was tender after only a short spin today! thanks

[egor110]

Tony Angelino said:

egor110 said:

get some cycling shorts or baggy mtn bike shorts with the built in pad, they'll make it much more enjoyable.

bike pump and spare ineer tubes.

Ah yes, the old Gooch was tender after only a short spin today! thanks

the dhb stuff from decathlon is fine even the muddy fox stuff from sportsdirect is ok for rides under 20 miles.

[Some Gump]

Helmets
Gloves
Shorts with decent pad (e.g if Decathlon, get the middle / best ones, not the cheap ones). Feel free to wear normal shorts over cycling shorts if you feel daft.
bottle each.
Pump that matches your bike
Innertube for each bike (might be both 26",or might have different depending on bikes).
tyre levers
Repair kit
(wiggle and others do a repair kit with levers for about 3.50)
Riding at night? lights. Planetx do he "phaart", "blink" and "bleep" ranges for a few quid and they're great. They also have a sale on, so shorts and gloves are bargains. I have used thier "classic mitt" (£3) for about 3000 miles with no complaints.
Riding at dusk? Scariest time. Need best lights, and reflective clothing if on road. "normal" high viz yellow / green least effective then, pink is great but no-one will wear it - orange or purple may be more acceptable and more effective under these specific light conditions.

Good for starters. If you get sore arse, don't be ashamed to chuck a bit of sudocrem on before a long ride. You don't have to tell anyone.

Next, food. Get some breakfast bars from tecso. Not the crunchy ones, but the chewy ones. If you're going far, have one 1/2 way round. Nothing like having a "bonk" early on in cycling career to put you off.

After each ride, are you sore anywhere? Is your son? If so, google "bike fit" and sort it. Achey neck / shoulders / sore or numb hands / sore knees aren't you being old, it's you not sitting right.

Oh, an if you have smartphones, get strava. If you pick the sport (or passtime depending on your view) up to any extent, Strava adds loads to fun and motivation. Check out their "heat map" feature, it'll show you popular paths and route. If you're explorers, also google "strava multiple ride mapper" and have fun finding new places to colour in.

Above all, enjoy it!

[yellowjack]

Cheers 'Some Gump'! I'd never heard of that multiple ride mapper before - it's a bit slow loading 524 activities, but it's great to see where my riding is concentrated. I'll use it to identify roads I ride less, or not at all, and try them out. Thanks.

[dtmpower]

egor110 said:

the dhb stuff from decathlon is fine even the muddy fox stuff from sportsdirect is ok for rides under 20 miles.

dhb is wiggle

B'Twin is decathalon

[JEA1K]

Tony Angelino said:

Don't want to be spending the earth on things as I'm not convinced how it will pan out for us.

Edited by Tony Angelino on Wednesday 31st August 22:32

I can guarantee you one thing, it WILL get expensive.;)

[snotrag]

Good padded lycra shorts. Gloves.

I used to sell bikes and these two things make such a difference to new cyclists!

You can wear normal baggy shorts over the top to look discreet. But remember - no pants!

Do NOT buy a massive, padded gel seat.

And make sure the bike fits properly, a cyclist friend could help if your not sure.

[The jiffle king]

a decent helmet.... I once heard someone ask their partner in a shop if they had a 20quid head or a 60quid head?
Padded shorts for sure
Basic bike repair kit from Aldi/Lidl when they come out
Spare tubes
Decent lights if you are going to be riding in the early morning or at dusk

[egor110]

When you say a good helmet , what difference is there in the actual materials between a cheap and expensive helmet?

[Fluffsri]

egor110 said:

When you say a good helmet , what difference is there in the actual materials between a cheap and expensive helmet?

The differences are weight, looks, venting, how they fit the head etc. Ive had cheap to expensive and smashed most of them, as long as they are CE rated you cant go wrong. Buy the best you can afford!

[Tony Angelino]

Thanks to all on here, so far I have bought a front and rear Phaart light from Planet X and a pair of the gloves as reccomended.

Going to try a couple of helmets tomorrow.

[Fluffsri]

Good stuff.

[BoRED S2upid]

So many people suggesting taking puncture repair kit and spare inner tubes on every ride do you all really take this kit out every time strapped to your bikes? Nobody I know does this I've had one puncture in 10 years and then I called a mate who rescued me. No way I'm going to be struggling with a crappy repair kit at the side of the road just take your phone with you.

[idiotgap]

BoRED S2upid said:

So many people suggesting taking puncture repair kit and spare inner tubes on every ride do you all really take this kit out every time strapped to your bikes? Nobody I know does this I've had one puncture in 10 years and then I called a mate who rescued me. No way I'm going to be struggling with a crappy repair kit at the side of the road just take your phone with you.

I always take:
2 tubes (one new , one repaired)
multitool
Chain tool
Self adhesive patches
Pump
Tyre levers
Pencil (Ikea, Argos pen size)
Couple of cable ties
Phone
Cash
Credit card

I didn't get punctures until I started commuting into London. Then I had loads for a few weeks until I bought some gator hardshell tyres.

[yellowjack]

BoRED S2upid said:

So many people suggesting taking puncture repair kit and spare inner tubes on every ride do you all really take this kit out every time strapped to your bikes? Nobody I know does this I've had one puncture in 10 years and then I called a mate who rescued me. No way I'm going to be struggling with a crappy repair kit at the side of the road just take your phone with you.

This really does depend on many things. Your attitude to getting stuck or delayed for one. Your attitude to possessing the ability to fix a puncture for another. And the availability of someone to come get you too.

I don't fancy getting stuck or delayed, nor do I enjoy walking in cleated cycling shoes. I'd be embarrassed to admit a puncture ended a ride too. Plus, being a slacker, I ride when most people are working. No way even my bestest of BFFs would be keen to leave their desk, reverse their commute to haul me out of a hole of my own making, and face the wrath of their employer.

Much depends on what you call a "bike ride" too. It's one thing to do ten miles of byways and bridleways on flat pedals, because even if you shred a tyre you're never more than a five mile walk home. Me, I like big rides, and clipping in. So a 100+ mile round trip to Goodwood, for example, could leave me stranded more than 50 miles from home. So I always carry, as a minimum, one tube, one pack of instant patches, one traditional patch kit, and a spare 'quick link' for my chain. Tyre levers, a multi tool and a chain breaker plus some hand wipes complete the contents of my saddle pack. Once you have all that stuff, packed and attached to the bike, it really isn't any hardship to carry it with you. And I've used all of it at one time or another to get me mobile again.

My wife, and my sons, one the other hand, carry none of those things. But then my wife only cycles to commute, and she can lock the bike up and walk home if the buses aren't running. Same with my boys. Short 'leisure' trips, or commutes for them, mostly within 'push the bike home' distance so they don't really need the tools and the other swag. Plus they all err on the side of puncture protection with their commute bike tyres. I wouldn't worry about it if there are contingencies upon which you can depend if your bike journey is important. I'll not judge anyone for deciding not to carry a basic 'breakdown kit', and I've helped others out with mine at least half a dozen times. At the end of the day though, being self-sufficient (as much as possible) on the bike is important to me.

[Rich_W]

What worries me is that you are just starting out. The last thing you need is a long list of things that some people have mentioned.

Helmet. With the caveat that it's your head, so its not my place to insist you wear one. Personally I do. But there's people out there that don't bother.
Lights if you plan to ride at night. (most casual riders don't as a rule)
Bottle and cage as it's nice to have a drink every now and then (I used to have Ribena )
Some form of saddle bag with an inner tube and pump. Don't bother with patch repair kits. Unless you are really on a budget. As its a ball ache to be stranded anywhere and you don't want to be fannying around trying to find a hole in a tube in the pissing rain.

You can buy these saddle bags with tools. I like Wiggle as a company btw. Alternative would be Chain Reaction Cycles

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-loaded-caddy-saddle...

Clothes are over rated unless you are doing a lot of miles. For a casual rider like you, whatever feels comfy is fine. Your gooch will be fine after 2-3 rides. (Just be aware of numb cock/balls as that's a problem with the seat position/angle, not what you're wearing)

[austinsmirk]

just to add my thoughts: yellow jack is right. if yr doing distances- couple of tubes is a must. odds of successfully fixing tubes at the side of the road are slim. if its only a few miles commute, you'll probably be ok.

I remember a commute to work- on a racing bike, not far about 9 miles- but late Dec, snowy, rainy, filthy weather. getting a puncture going in.

getting another puncture on the way home. not a chance of getting a patch on. couldn't get a knot in the tube and get it back on the rim. had to push it, in cleated shoes about 2.5 miles home. the even worst part is the last part home is a near vertical 400 ' climb (or so it seems)


also if not mentioned, a chain splitter. its rare to snap chains, but such a useful bit of kit. try practising on some old chain first though !

[Fluffsri]

If you dont want to carry tubes, glue, patches etc look up Park patches. They are self adhesive and work really well.