Help needed! What gear do I need as a beginner?

[Hobbio]

Hi All

I'm in the process of getting a bike for on and off road use, but I think I'll be spending more time off-road on trails etc.

I've been reading around, and have a rough idea of the equipment I'll need. Thing is, I don't have an unlimited budget and I also don't want to be "all the gear but no idea".

Can anyone recommend a good, sensible kit list please?

 

[MarkF]

I got started (properly) on hybrid to do road & trail. My kit kits was as follows.

1. Bike.
2. Bike multi-tool, spare inner tube & pump.

I didn't buy any cycling specific clothing for about a year and 10 years later and many 1000's of miles I've still not needed any other tools.

 

[Hobbio]

Sweet, thanks mate.
I might add a helmet and gloves to that list though, I expect I'll fall off a bit and I have eczema on my hands so I need gloves for most things.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

If finance is an issue, just buy things as you find you have a requirement for them.

The only exception I would add is that winter kit is quite cheap now (50% off) and if they have your size, and you think you might cycle in cooler weather, it would save money in the long run. Similarly in winter, the summer kit is cheap...

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

In my case it was just the bike and a puncture repair kit (edit: and pump of course) when I started.

Gloves are a very good idea. If you fall off, skinned palms are painful and take a while to heal. I'd suggest fingerless ones as they're a bit too hot otherwise.

Most of my roadside repairs/adjustments have been done with 4, 5 and 6mm allen keys, 8 and 10mm spanners and a flat bladed or phillips screwdriver - look for these when choosing your multitool.

For longer rides a chain tool (included on some multi tools) and a couple of spare missing links to suit your chain might be a good idea. I've carried these since meeting a group having to fix a broken chain on a remote lane a while back. Thankfully they've only been needed for ordinary maintenance so far.

Cable ties are really useful and 2 or 3 don't take up much space.

Personally, I don't have that much in the way of cycle specific clothing.

You'll get an idea of what other gear you want/need to get as you go along.

 

[Sittingduck]

Track pump
Spare inner tube/s
Puncture repair kit / patches
Tyre levers
Multi tool
Mini pump (take it on rides)

 

[Hobbio]

Thanks for all the responses

My list is as follows:
Helmet & gloves
Multi tool inc tyre levers
Mini pump
Spare inner tubes & puncture repair kit
Cable ties
Some sort of back pack to carry them in. I've seen this one here for £8.95, looks like a bargain to me.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[jonny jeez]

Welcome.

I might add a tyre boot, they are pennies at most shops and will help if you get a puncture big enough for your tube to be exposed (and crisp packets or leaves are not available)

otherwise, you're set to go.

PS, that kit list should fit in the back pocket of a cycle shirt, so you may not need a pack. I generally only ride with a pack if I'm carrying additional clothes for work or due to chance of a change in the weather (coat, overshoes, arm warmers etc). So mostly I ride pack-less.

If you don't fancy the pump, you can consider a CO2 inflator, they are super quick but come with their own set of challenges. I use mine if I am riding some place where I am unlikely to find a cycle shop or place to pump the tyres to full PSI after a blow out.

Minipumps struggle to get up to full pressure so are generally an escape until you can reach a place to use a proper pump (Home, boot of the car, LBS)

Have fun.

 

[Hobbio]

Ok, thanks. I'll look at tyre boots too.

The backpack I linked to also holds 2l of water, and I like to stay hydrated anyway so I think it's the way forward for me. I always used to ride my motorbikes with a backpack anyway, and I don't find them uncomfortable.

I've looked at those CO2 things, but I'm not too keen. I've read that it's possible to blast grit into the valve and wreck it, so I'll stick with the mini pump. To be honest, I can't see me venturing so far out that I couldn't make an emergency call to my wife. Certainly not for a while, anyway.

Just waiting for the money to be there now. I'm really keen to get started

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Some self adhesive tyre patches come with tyre boots already. Leyzyne ones do - at least the ones I buy do.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...s-lezyne-smart-patch-kit/lezytyrz230000000000

 

[Hobbio]

Cool, thanks.

I really don't know anything about this stuff, there's so much to learn! Last time I bought a bike (well, it was bought for me) I was a teenager, road bikes were called racers, mountain bikes were a new thing, suspension wasn't even a thing you could get on a bike and you had serious bike shed cachet if you were rocking more than 18 speeds.

 

[Boon 51]

If you are using a backpack its worth carrying a phone and a £10 note both are handy at sometime or other.

 

[malcermie]

Helmet, Helmet, Helmet!!!

 

[slowmotion]

A waterproof jacket. Wet legs are bearable but a wet torso is pretty miserable. (Yes, I'm an effete southerner )

 

[Chris Norton]

Get yourself a frame bag or saddle bag rather than the backpack. Yes it might be comfy on a motorbike but your the engine and you'll sweat like hell with one on. The drink can be in the back pocket of a cycling jersey.