Gear recommendations required - I have nothing!

[Daveb99]

I've decided to get back into cycling (road rides) after a 20 year break, and have more or less sorted out which bike I'm going for (Specialized Secteur Sport) - so I need to start thinking about the gear I'll need.

I don't have anything at all currently, so I'd really appreciate some recommendations on entry level, value for money gear and where to buy it from. I really need to keep the costs down as much as possible as I'm already stretching myself buying the bike itself . I may be able to get some of this from my local shop when I buy the bike but I suspect the internet may be my friend also.

I've listed below what I think I'll need but if I've missed anything essential please feel free to mention it and I'll add it to my list.

For the bike:

SPD Pedals (not SPD-SL)
Saddlebag
Short pump
Innertubes
Puncture repair kit & tyre levers
Computer (I do have an iPhone 4, what about the GPS-based apps - worth it?)
Lights
Basic toolkit
Bottle cage
Bottle
Track pump


For me:

Shoes for SPD pedals (Size 42/43)
Helmet
Top
Shorts
Long trousers/leggings
Waterproof jacket
Fluorescent top / reflective stuff?
Gloves/Mitts
Glasses, dark and clear or changeable lenses


Any help would be much appreciated - I'm fairly clueless and don't know where to start with looking for this stuff!

 

[Hacienda71]

Bottle cage
Bottle
Gloves/Mitts
Glasses, dark and clear or changeable lenses


Re Apps for the phone Endomondo is good fun and you can join the cc team for monthly challenges.

 

[Kestevan]

I think a track pump is pretty much an essential.

You'll quickly realise that trying to put 100+ psi into tyres with a portable pump is something best left to emergencies only.

Oh - and a decent lock, pretty essential for any bike you want to keep for more than 5 mins).

 

[Daveb99]

Thanks guys - I'll add them to the list. I do have a couple of decent locks but might need something better.

Any recommendations on the best places to buy this stuff, and good quality entry level bits to go for?

 

[henshaw11]

Pedals - best bang/buck probably Shimano M520, usually 20 quid or less from chainreactioncycles or merlin cycles, tho' ribblecycles are doing 'em for ~18 quid (but may not be free postage)

Pump..hmm, the few I've bought have Blackburns 'cos they're well made and work, I expect there are some good/inexpensive alternatives - my track pump's a nice solid SKS and is well over 15yrs old....

tubes - for road or mtb some places (wiggle and crc ?) used to do deals on 5-packs..

Repair kits - Park postage-stamp self-adhesive ones are good/cheap for a fast fix (but don't over-abrade the tube 'cos they seal less well !)
Old type Rema feather-edge glue-on patches I've just tried too for a couple of repairs where I thought sticky ones might not work so well, seem to be ok so far..

(Other than a set of loose allen keys, small adjustable spanner, chain tool and a small multitiool with allen keys/screwdrivers, rest of my tools have been bought when needed..)

Bibshorts are generally more comfy that non-bibs - I've bought some cheap Nalinis from probikekit in the past (they often do an extra 10% off offer to mail list subscribers too) which are fine for the price (sizing guides are well out tho'), they're also doing some 'prorace' bibs for £27 at the mo - no idea what they're like tho' but I may give 'em a try. (Oh - beware italian sizing, often need to go up a size)
Lusso gear's well worth a look, I've got various bib longs - relatively inexpensive and well-made (and in the uk too) - ribble's usually got best availability/price. Endura's worth considering too (also UK)

A thermal/base layer under a short sleeve jersey can help cover quite a range of temperature..not sure what to recommend, Helly Hanson stopped doing their old knitted things year ago and the lightest modern equivalent's not half so good (and is smellier). Nearest I've found was a (Technicals) merino wool base layer in a Blacks sale last year...
On-one/planet-x have got a deal on merino wool LS jerseys at the mo' ~20 quid - they've had other decent deals in the past too (merino wool also doesn't get long-term smelliness like most synthetics).
I've worn non-bib lycra tight with shorts in the past for a bit more warmth (but did need braces !)

For cold weather, roubaix (fleecy-backed) stuff is nice and warm..

(re waterproofs - difficult to stay properly dry, must admit I've always gone for the warm/wet approach, probably best to have a look for a few threads on rainwear - but something that's at least windproof will add a few degrees of warmth)

Helmet - primarily one that fits well ! - manufacturers vary a lot, even change their own sizings/shapes from time to time...met, specialized, giro, bell are the obvious ones at least. Certainly best bought at your LBS.

Well worth a trawl round your LBSs - they often do decent discounts of stuff end-off season or on old stock - I recently bought some Gore windproof tights from Evans cycles (not known for keen pricing) that was far cheaper than elsewhere - thought I did have to buy them mail order, cos they don't keep 'em in the shop !

Corinne Dennis stuff is difficult to find- mail order direct - but is kinda mid-priced and very well made IME. Plus doesn't suffer 'pulls' from bloody glove velcro like some of the more open weave fabrics around nowadays. I've a roubaix-style LS jersey that's probably over 12 yrs old, has seen assorted offs on the MTB, has faded over the years but still gets worn a lot in winter. Occasional discounts from being on the mail list too.

One thing not on your list - overshoes ! (says he looking out the window) - no recommendations currently, my old ones were unbranded neoprene things from the LBS, I've bought some rubber-soled Enduras to replace 'em (hopefully the stop at the top of the zip on these won't ping off !)

 

[DTD]

Edinburgh Cycle Coop do a saddle bag loaded with some basic tools and a puncture repair kit for under £20.

+1 for a track pump.
+1 for a decent lock, such as:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q...lok-series-2-u-lock-with-kryptoflex-extension
for £30

as an aside Planet-X (see the above link) are quite good for accessories.

I'd go for a basic wireless cycle computer, this months Cycle Active magazine liked this one for £12.95:

http://www.veloset.co.uk/Bike-Compu...-Function-Wireless-Cycle-Computer/prod_4.html

or this one at £16 (actually parker are selling it for £10):

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...base&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Googlebase

Perhaps look for a waterproof jacket that is reflective already – you'll find Altura stuff on special offer all over the place.
It's now end of season sales time, so have a good hunt around.

 

[henshaw11]

BTW - Smart lights generally seem to get good reviews and are reasonably-priced IIRC - tho' my most recent purchase is a Cateye TL-LD1100 - well-sealed, various running options - think I got that on a *particularly* good discount at wiggle. Raleigh Astrium rear ISTR has had good reports (I think cheapest might be fleabay..). Worth having two rear lights, or at least one plus reflector.

Also equipment reviews - several sites with user reviews, obvious ones are wiggle, chainreaction, evanscycles, mtbr.com - might need to take with a pinch of salt but can be helpful.

 

[Daveb99]

Absolutely brilliant guys, thanks for the advice so far - I can now start trawling websites and review sites etc and begin to buy some of the gear. There's no substitute for recommendations - I know a lot about camera gear and computers but very little about cycling gear!

I'll definitely use my LBS for the helmet and probably some of the clothing, but clearly for some other stuff I might be better buying online.

Keep it coming....!

 

[vickster]

Jacket wise - Altura Night Vision hard to beat

This company are very good for kit, good prices too, very quick to despatch - £35 for that jacket, £65 elsewhere, a bargain

http://www.bikesyoul...oof_Jacket_2011

Mitts - Evans have reductions on 2011 Spesh ones- I got the gels for £17 in store, anyhow

http://www.evanscycl...ecialized%20gel

Tops wise, I use Nike running gear, long sleeves for £17 in store from Sport Direct - far better than the more expensive Endura ones - they do in blue, yellow, black - very comfy, wash well, e.g.

http://www.sportsdir...lcode=45201913; http://www.sportsdir...irt-mens-452019

I'd add a yellow gilet to the list too, e.g. http://www.bikesyoulike.co.uk/product/7733/Altura_Night_Vision_Windproof_Gilet_2011

I probably wear my gilet more than anything else (well at this time of year)

Padded shorts - Tenn Direct or DHB from Wiggle are popular, as are decathlon. Personally, I like Pearl Izumi (womens), but not the cheapest

Bottle cage/bottle - well depends what you want but Wiggle, Tredz, Chain Reaction etc (or ask the LBS to chuck them in with the bike if not already bought)

Shoes - I'd buy from LBS; socks Endura Coolmax are a good budget buy, 3 pairs for a tenner

 

[vickster]

One thing to add - most kit has lycra in or made of synthetic materials - wash regularly at 30 deg with NO fabric softener

 

[henshaw11]

Another place I spotted recently, but not used:
http://www.discountcyclewear.co.uk/

- seem to have quite a bit of Northwave stuff amongst others. Dunno how old the stock is - not an issue as such, but possibly wrt sizing 'cos I'm pretty sure Northwave sizes have shuffled around -eg a few things I bought in med. a couple years ago, whereas for a recent jersey purchase I'm more like a large...mebbe they've fallen back into Italian sizing - or perhaps clothing cuts differ...

Quite a few places now do free p+p - or at least above some order value - but returns you obviously pay postage on - but one thing wiggle now have is useage of 'connect+' for postage-free returns of shoes/clothing. They enclose a return sticky label, and you drop off the returning parcel at your nearest connect+ pickup point - typically a newsagents/corner shop - I used it for the first time recently : http://www.collectplus.co.uk/faqs

 

[Daveb99]

This is really invaluable stuff and will save me loads of time - I'm going to Evans in Birmingham this afternoon to try on some clothing / jackets, though unless they are cheaper than the other places recommended above I'll be buying it elsewhere. Seems that there are a lot of end of season sales on which is clearly a good thing.

Again, many thanks for all the help so far, it is hugely appreciated!

 

[DTD]

I'm pretty sure Northwave sizes have shuffled around -eg a few things I bought in med. a couple years ago, whereas for a recent jersey purchase I'm more like a large...mebbe they've fallen back into Italian sizing - or perhaps clothing cuts differ...

That's a bloody brilliant excuse – doesn't explain why clothes I've already got seem a bit tighter this year ;-)

As an aside, I remember it being suggested that Saville Row tailors should run the diplomatic corps. One customer contacted his tailor and said he would like his trousers 'let out a bit' – the tailors replied that they would of course attend to this if he came in for a new fitting and apologised profusely for the fact that his trousers had shrunk over the years.

Come to think of it, I might fancy taking part in The Tweed Run…

 

[Globalti]

ALL clothing: Wiggle's own brand dhb is excellent value for money, well made and looks good. It also fits well, unlike cheaper offerings from Aldi and Decathlon.

Here: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb/

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

As mentioned above the Lusso clothing is very good value for money and well made. The main plus point about Lusso clothing is that it is proper UK sizes, not silly cycling skinny like a lot of other cycling clothing brands. The Sports Direct Karrimor stiff is pretty good for commuting etc and is cheap and generously sized. Tenn Outdoors cycling clothing is good value for money too IMHO. For when the weather gets colder you could try using Ronhill Bikester leggings with padded undershorts underneath. They are pretty hard to get hold of but are often found on ebay. I like them because I have skinny legs that look stupid in tight lycra, they are also fairly warm and superb for cycling in. The DHB stuff is good too, and sensibly sized in my experiences so far.