Bike ordered...now I need some advice for accessories!

[cyberknight]

Finally ordered a Triban 3 from Coventry who are going to let me use a courier! WOOT! By the way, any advice on this? Paisley Freight is cheap, but are they ok? Anyone recommend a good one?

Questions:

Helmet - does everyone wear one? I'm thinking I should get one, is this a must?
Not a must and not a legal requirement so its your choice, i like the giro skyline for commuting and as budget helmet it is well ventilated and has a removeable peak.
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/33881/Giro-Skyline-MTB-Helmet--Various-Colours-.html?referrer=froogle1
Trainers - I only have work shoes, big clumpy things. I'm thinking of getting some of these, please tell me if you think they are too retro or too bouncy for cycling. Want to get something cheap.
NO ! Proper cycling shoes have stiffer soles to help power transfer , with trainers you are going to struggle to get them in the toe clips and mtb style shoes that run 2 bolt recessed cleats tend to come with a sole plate that covers the holes if you want to use them without cleats
Lights - cheapo ones..any recommendation? Used to like the dynamo ones but I guess that's old school too, right?
the phart range can be had cheap from planet x, good enough for riding in areas with street lights.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/LIPHBPDRL/phaart_bleep_dual_05_watt_led_rear_light
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/LIPHDST3W/phaart_dark_star_3_watt_led_front_light
Bike lock - recommendation? Again, cheap
Anything else? (Not getting lycra! Not yet anyway...)
running leggings over lycra shorts is what i am using atm, if you do not like the skin tight look you could use mtb style baggy shorts or some padded underwear to wearunder normal shorts/leggings.
Atm using ron hill bikesters over decathlon shorts.

 

[voodoochilli]

Thanks! :-)

 

[DTD]

Gloves and glasses (and don't ride with your mouth open)
Sometimes you see Kryptonite locks (the grey ones) for about £30

 

[AndyPeace]

Nooooooo! Don't get a cheap lock! Think how you'll feel if you're lovely shiny new bike is stolen!

I've just bought new locks (I'd made a bad choice previously and always worried when my bike was locked up).
I used bike radar reviews when deciding what locks to get and have just bought an abus granit xplus (£43) and an Abus chain-o-steel (£25) as back up. They're heavy, but have got good reviews.

+1 on the locks, I've got a Abus Granit Chain(£100) and a Kryptonite fahgettaboudit mini U lock(£75) aswell as a kryptonite steel cable for use with these. Weighty, yes, but on the occasions I've needed to lock my bike they give me ample confidence to leave my bike... and for securing them at home they are a proper nasty deterrent. They possibly look a bit pricey but are well worth the investment, mine are now on there 6th year of use.

 

[Haz]

Helmet - does everyone wear one? I'm thinking I should get one, is this a must?

YES. Get a good one. It is your head, after all.

Lights - cheapo ones..any recommendation? Used to like the dynamo ones but I guess that's old school too, right?

Get some LED ones so cars can still see you at traffic lights etc. Knog frogs are cheap and easy to attach but I've not had them long enough to comment on their longevity. Cateye do some decent reasonable priced ones that take standard batteries and are quite bright. If you want to see a dark road you may need something heftier for the front.

Bike lock - recommendation? Again, cheap

Get a D-lock, they're harder to break. Lock your bike to something, not just to itself.

Anything else? (Not getting lycra! Not yet anyway...)

If you're cycling a long way, you might like to get some padded undershorts that you can wear under normal trousers or shorts without anyone noticing.
Some glasses to keep the wind out of your eyes. (EDIT seen your post above about cyclists with perfect vision. These 'specs' don't have any magnifying purpose, just a protective purpose from crud from the road/bugs/the wind - they really do help! science safety specs do the job if you have any lying around)
Some gloves to keep the chill off your knuckles in this weather!

Happy cycling on your new bike!

 

[akb]

The address of a few decent local cafes who serve homemade cake.

+1 to specs, decent lock, lights and everything else. Have fun, enjoy the rides.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Seat bag for the tools,
handlebar bag for the incidentals,
saddlebag for the randonees,
and pannier bags for the groceries.
One bag to rule them all, and in the darkness, bind them...

 

[Havoc6]

Finally ordered a Triban 3 from Coventry who are going to let me use a courier! WOOT! By the way, any advice on this? Paisley Freight is cheap, but are they ok? Anyone recommend a good one?

Questions:

Helmet - does everyone wear one? I'm thinking I should get one, is this a must?
Trainers - I only have work shoes, big clumpy things. I'm thinking of getting some of these, please tell me if you think they are too retro or too bouncy for cycling. Want to get something cheap.
Lights - cheapo ones..any recommendation? Used to like the dynamo ones but I guess that's old school too, right?
Bike lock - recommendation? Again, cheap
Anything else? (Not getting lycra! Not yet anyway...)

Triban 3 come with lights already fitted as part of the price you pay.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Triban 3 come with lights already fitted as part of the price you pay.

The front light is completely useless, it's even worse than a Poundland light. The back light is okay, not good but okay. I wouldn't use it by itself.

 

[Havoc6]

The front light is completely useless, it's even worse than a Poundland light. The back light is okay, not good but okay. I wouldn't use it by itself.

Ok they're not the best but how many bike riders ride at night on a regular basis ? So if they are free with the bike you have got them as an emergency in the unlikely event you are out at night. Just saves buying all the gear and the bike at the same time too.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Ok they're not the best but how many bike riders ride at night on a regular basis ? So if they are free with the bike you have got them as an emergency in the unlikely event you are out at night. Just saves buying all the gear and the bike at the same time too.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-femto-drive-led-front-light/ - £12

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/LIPHBPDRL-RED/phaart_bleep_dual_05_watt_led_rear_light___red_led - £2.50

I think £15 is very very reasonable for your own safety. Lights are the best thing to be seen on the roads. Even if you don't ride at night, lights are a necessity for low light conditions.

 

[SquareDaff]

Take a loan out for £1k to pay for all the accessories you'll buy, whether you need them or not!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

One more set of 'accessories' that might come in handy one day is the 2 photos, one of the entire bike from the side, and a close-up photo of the frame's serial number (quite often etched into the frame or on a sticker, under or near the bottom bracket). Add to this a safe copy of your purchase receipt for the bike.

Then if some loser steals your pride and joy, you have a slightly better chance of getting it back, as you have proof it's yours.

Enjoy riding it!

 

[voodoochilli]

Triban 3 come with lights already fitted as part of the price you pay.

Yes they told me lights come with it. I'll check them out and see how we get on. I don't intend to be out in the dark, but I guess anything is possible.

Thanks everyone for your advice.
I ordered the following.

Some trainers - just cheap ones for now so I don't scruff up my work shoes, but I'll consider some better ones once I know which ones will feel right for me.
A saddle bag
Bottle rack
A bike lock. I went for a reasonably priced one, ok you would probably consider it cheap but it I was looking at some for £4 before! I don't intend to leave the bike on its own ever, so this is really a just in case. Plus I live in a very safe area. I'm wondering if this is a false economy though now I have brought it.
A helmet, cheap.
Some lube...wife was a bit surprised when I told her I had ordered some and it was high performance, not the old fashioned stuff.

The most expensive thing apart from the bike was the delivery (£33). I paid extra for insurance as I just don't trust couriers, the last time I ordered something online was a few weeks ago and my courier nicked all of my protein shake samples! That's fine but he's not getting hold of my bike too! Also, Decathlon ran out of proper bike boxes so I'm glad for the insurance now...

 

[ianrauk]

Take a loan out for £1k to pay for all the accessories you'll buy, whether you need them or not!

Indeed.
As the old saying goes "Whoever said cycling saves you money is a liar"