What Essentials For Road Riding?
Discussion
Ok, picked up my new bike a week ago, been out once or twice (weather has been crap) but I'm in need of some bits and pieces, some urgently...some not so urgently
Here is the list I have
Cycling Shorts
Jersey
Helmet
Gloves (Fingerless)
Pump
Puncture Kit
Cage + Bottle
Shoes
Pedals (Clipless)
Socks
Base Layer? (is this worth getting?)
Is there anything I have missed out on?, Have been looking on Wiggle and the DHB brand seems like great value for money and good enough for a beginner, but i'm abit clueless with the rest of the stuff so If anyone can suggest some good products I would appreciate it...nothing hugely expensive, but no cheap crap either
Here is the list I have
Helmet
Pump
Puncture Kit
Shoes
Pedals (Clipless)
Base Layer? (is this worth getting?)
Is there anything I have missed out on?, Have been looking on Wiggle and the DHB brand seems like great value for money and good enough for a beginner, but i'm abit clueless with the rest of the stuff so If anyone can suggest some good products I would appreciate it...nothing hugely expensive, but no cheap crap either
Edited by Matthew_Eames on Wednesday 17th September 16:24
Planning on riding through winter?
A gilet is nice to have for most times of year when it's a bit nippy. Generally they're windproof on the front, mesh at the back so keep you warm on the fast downhills while not getting clammy on the hot and sweaty uphills.
A windproof/waterproof is good when it gets colder. 3/4 shorts will keep your knees warm when the weather gets down to single degrees. Full tights are good if you feel the cold and ride when it's even chillier. An earwarmer headband or full skullcap is good to stick under your helmet too, even if just to take the chill off for the first few miles. Some windproof and slightly thicker full-finger gloves are good for winter too. Maybe overshoes if your normal shoes are well ventilated.
A decent winter cycling wardrobe is a fair bit of cost up front but does keep you riding all year round - and there are some beautiful crisp winter days when I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
A gilet is nice to have for most times of year when it's a bit nippy. Generally they're windproof on the front, mesh at the back so keep you warm on the fast downhills while not getting clammy on the hot and sweaty uphills.
A windproof/waterproof is good when it gets colder. 3/4 shorts will keep your knees warm when the weather gets down to single degrees. Full tights are good if you feel the cold and ride when it's even chillier. An earwarmer headband or full skullcap is good to stick under your helmet too, even if just to take the chill off for the first few miles. Some windproof and slightly thicker full-finger gloves are good for winter too. Maybe overshoes if your normal shoes are well ventilated.
A decent winter cycling wardrobe is a fair bit of cost up front but does keep you riding all year round - and there are some beautiful crisp winter days when I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Get yourself to Aldi bright and early tomorrow:
http://aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/offers_week38thur...
But I do mean early, they always sell out quickly. It's not bad stuff, either, and for the price, it will do for a season until you decide what stuff you want.
http://aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/offers_week38thur...
But I do mean early, they always sell out quickly. It's not bad stuff, either, and for the price, it will do for a season until you decide what stuff you want.
Unless you are going to ride at night, lose the ghey reflectors off the wheels as well!already come close to falling over with the bike with those clipped pedals...not fun, they are crap quality and definately need changing, have my eyes on some Shimano 105 SPD pedals
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_105_5610...
and was looking at the DHB shoes (seem to get good reviews, and a good price)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_R1_Road_Shoe...
which seem to look OK, but yeah, great call on the ALDI stuff, working at 9am tomorrow and they are just across the road so Im going to pop in and see whats decent quality... it's not significantly cheaper than stuff on Wiggle though, so if it's crap then not really worth it.
Some great info so far, thanks guys, I really am a novice and know very little
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_105_5610...
and was looking at the DHB shoes (seem to get good reviews, and a good price)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_R1_Road_Shoe...
which seem to look OK, but yeah, great call on the ALDI stuff, working at 9am tomorrow and they are just across the road so Im going to pop in and see whats decent quality... it's not significantly cheaper than stuff on Wiggle though, so if it's crap then not really worth it.
Some great info so far, thanks guys, I really am a novice and know very little
Edited by Matthew_Eames on Wednesday 17th September 16:33
as a very minumum, I have the following on me when I go out on a road ride:
Small bum bag containing:
1. puncture repair kit or spare inner tube (or two)
2. mini pump
3. set of allen keys and mini tool for making on the road adjustments and repairs
4. £10 note for cake and tea & emergencies
5. Mobile phone for emergencies
6. energy bars/gels if a long ride (2hrs +)
On the bike I have:
1. Bottle of water/diluted squash/energy drink
2. speedo & trip counter (£5 for a cheapo one, and £120 for my more complicated Garmin - but the cheap one is fine for starters)
3. Clip pedals and shoes are great and essential for serious riders - although a £75 minimum upgrade so wouldn't be my first choice until I know I am enjoying the bike
4. Lights & reflectors & Yellow/hi vis tops for dark winter days & night riding
I usually wear:
1. padded shorts (or even two pairs for a long day ride)
2. Lots of lube (vaseline does for me) for above
3. short finger gloves for summer/winter, I get too hot in winter for full fingers
4. Helmet - I feel odd without one now
5. Short sleeved jersey (DHB stuff I find is fine and good value, same for Altura and Endura stuff)
6. Winter wear - depending on weather: long sleeved base layer, knee warmers, long tights, gilet and rain coat, but not a fleece as I sweat too much
Small bum bag containing:
1. puncture repair kit or spare inner tube (or two)
2. mini pump
3. set of allen keys and mini tool for making on the road adjustments and repairs
4. £10 note for cake and tea & emergencies
5. Mobile phone for emergencies
6. energy bars/gels if a long ride (2hrs +)
On the bike I have:
1. Bottle of water/diluted squash/energy drink
2. speedo & trip counter (£5 for a cheapo one, and £120 for my more complicated Garmin - but the cheap one is fine for starters)
3. Clip pedals and shoes are great and essential for serious riders - although a £75 minimum upgrade so wouldn't be my first choice until I know I am enjoying the bike
4. Lights & reflectors & Yellow/hi vis tops for dark winter days & night riding
I usually wear:
1. padded shorts (or even two pairs for a long day ride)
2. Lots of lube (vaseline does for me) for above
3. short finger gloves for summer/winter, I get too hot in winter for full fingers
4. Helmet - I feel odd without one now
5. Short sleeved jersey (DHB stuff I find is fine and good value, same for Altura and Endura stuff)
6. Winter wear - depending on weather: long sleeved base layer, knee warmers, long tights, gilet and rain coat, but not a fleece as I sweat too much
Cycling glasses are a good idea, you'll be surprised how quick you can go on a roadie and how much a bug/stone in the eye can hurt.
If you have not used wiggle.co.uk yet and spend £50 off the back of a referral, you'll get them FOC.
PM me with your proper email address if you want me to refer you so you get them. I've got some, DHBs, with 3 sets of interchangeable lenses and they are great.
If you have not used wiggle.co.uk yet and spend £50 off the back of a referral, you'll get them FOC.
PM me with your proper email address if you want me to refer you so you get them. I've got some, DHBs, with 3 sets of interchangeable lenses and they are great.
Hard-Drive said:
Cycling glasses are a good idea, you'll be surprised how quick you can go on a roadie and how much a bug/stone in the eye can hurt.
Forgot that. Don't bother with cycle-marketed ones though - safety specs are available in all sorts of designs (many very similar to cycle-specific ones, they're not all like school lab ones) and tints except they're cheap as chips and VAT-free as they're H&S equipment. More likely to protect your eyes from stones kicked up at 30+mph too.sjg said:
Hard-Drive said:
Cycling glasses are a good idea, you'll be surprised how quick you can go on a roadie and how much a bug/stone in the eye can hurt.
Forgot that. Don't bother with cycle-marketed ones though - safety specs are available in all sorts of designs (many very similar to cycle-specific ones, they're not all like school lab ones) and tints except they're cheap as chips and VAT-free as they're H&S equipment. More likely to protect your eyes from stones kicked up at 30+mph too.Glasses with swapable lenses, clear, yellow and blue.
Latex gloves - for use when dealing with p*******s.
Mobile phone, with a list of mates to get you home.
Glucose tabs.
Money.
Bidons.
Set of allen keys.
Tyre levers.
At least two new inner tubes.
Get a base layer. Nike Dri-fit are very good. They come in varying thicknesses.
Under saddle mini-bag. Dont use a bum bag, they're naff.
Proper Lycra (racing) shorts. Baggy jobs are double naff.
Proper cycling top with rear pockets. Plain or club. Trade team vests are triple naff.
A "buff". A tubular multi use piece of neck and head wear.
Some thing to wear under the helmet, a pirate style bandana or purpose built hat.
Sodo Cream, for rubbing into yourself and your shorts.
God forbid you ever need one - an identity disc with name, address etc.
A good quality rain jacket. Roll it up tight and wrap in cling film which can be binned when you deploy jacket.
Another useful item is a length of nylon string. If you have a p******e, you may be able to hang your machine from tree or fence when it has a wheel out - saves it lying in a load of road dirt.
Latex gloves - for use when dealing with p*******s.
Mobile phone, with a list of mates to get you home.
Glucose tabs.
Money.
Bidons.
Set of allen keys.
Tyre levers.
At least two new inner tubes.
Get a base layer. Nike Dri-fit are very good. They come in varying thicknesses.
Under saddle mini-bag. Dont use a bum bag, they're naff.
Proper Lycra (racing) shorts. Baggy jobs are double naff.
Proper cycling top with rear pockets. Plain or club. Trade team vests are triple naff.
A "buff". A tubular multi use piece of neck and head wear.
Some thing to wear under the helmet, a pirate style bandana or purpose built hat.
Sodo Cream, for rubbing into yourself and your shorts.
God forbid you ever need one - an identity disc with name, address etc.
A good quality rain jacket. Roll it up tight and wrap in cling film which can be binned when you deploy jacket.
Another useful item is a length of nylon string. If you have a p******e, you may be able to hang your machine from tree or fence when it has a wheel out - saves it lying in a load of road dirt.
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