Suggested newbie kit !

[EINSIGN]

I have just started commuting to work on a new bike, now takes me 20 mins less than when I drove! Any suggestions on brands of kit that I need:

Helmet + reflective clothing?

Best lights (its now starting to get dark)

Work travel clothes, jacket, bottoms. To change in/out of when I get to work.

Portable tube repair kit & CO2 canisters?

What else do I need…
Thanks.

[craig_s]

Helmet: Look for Met, Giro, Specialized. Those would be my first stops (in no particular order). Although the OH just bought a Met helmet which comes with a crash replacement policy which is really handy.

Best lights: Cateye have a huge range.

Work travel clothes, jacket, bottoms. To change in/out of when I get to work: Altura, Endura, Assos (if you are feeling rich).

Portable tube repair kit & CO2 canisters?: You should definitely carry a spare tube, much easier when it's dark, wet, cold and there's nobody for miles, and that's when punctures happen. Most puncture repair kits are pretty similar so any will do for emergency use. I've never used CO2 canisters myself, I'm sure someone will come along to help you there, but for pumps Topeak, Blackburn, Crank Brothers.

A decent bag will be extremely useful too, Camelbacks come in all shapes and sizes and have a handy water bladder too.

Obviously there's hundreds of options for all kit but these are just the names that come into my head first.

Check out the likes of Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles and Merlin online for the best deals.

Hope that's of some help to you.

[EINSIGN]

Thank you!

[john_p]

As said above, carrying a replacement tube is far easier. Make a kit with tube, GOOD tyre levers (cheap ones break when you really don't need it!), pump, and keep it in your backpack. Or mount the pump on the bottle mount and get a saddle bag, but then you have to worry about them getting nicked. I don't see the point of CO2, a decent push-pull pump doesn't take that long to pump a tyre up even to good PSI.

Gloves, winter and summer versions.

One of those combi-tools for on the road adjustments and running repairs.

Edited by john_p on Wednesday 23 September 21:53

[craig_s]

Another thing that can be quite handy on those cold winter mornings is a Buff
It's great under the helmet to keep your ears warm and doesn't block any sound out either so you can still hear traffic etc.

Sorry, the list of things you need seems to go on forever, but something I have found really useful is a track pump with a pressure gauge to keep in the garage. Properly inflated tyres make life so much easier and help keep punctures at bay too.

[cheadle hulme]

Overshoes are always useful.

Scotchlite 3M retroreflective tape (look on eBay). Attache to rear facing areas (free lighting).

Lights - do you need to see or be seen?

If the former, then think about using an LED torch as an alternative to a custom bike light. See Cyclechat or Bikeradar forums. Candlepower forums also good.

Mudguards - full sized if poss. Crud catcher style on an MTB aren't much use.

[anonymous-user]

lights wise i run a flashing rear, a static rear and a flashing front. my aim is to be seen, i ride on well it roads if i commute by bike so being seen is the priority...

[Parrot of Doom]

Rear light:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Smart-Superflash-Nichia-Bi...

It is blinding to look at. Seriously. This is the one.

Front light:

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/214/hope1led/...

You may think its expensive - but £70 is cheap for a life.

[hugh_]

Parrot of Doom said:

Front light:

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/214/hope1led/...

You may think its expensive - but £70 is cheap for a life.

I'd be more inclined to go with the Light and Motion Vega 200, its' £10 more but rechargable so will save chewing through loads of AA batteries.