Kitting out from the beginning

[Spinyadas]

Well it seems I have found a friendly forum with lots nice people to offer advice. Right then I have just brought a road bike with my last pennies. Going forward being that I have no bike tools equipment etc. Where do I start ?? clothing, tools, equipment, spares.To start with I just want to potter about and get attached to my new purchase and enjoy the freedom of riding but I am guessing at some point I will need all of the above. Whilst I don't have excess money to throw away at this realistically can you offer advice about the important bits.

Also can anyone suggest a bike maintenance course to take in the Chesterfield / Sheffield area.
Cant wait to pick up my new (2nd hand) Stead tomorrow.

By this point I am sure you are chuckling at me while I am a practical person I believe that knowledge is key so want to learn to do it myself instead paying people to do it.
Many Thanks in advance for your help.

Richard Cameron

 

[vickster]

• A few spare inner tubes - I personally am happy with the five for a tenner jobs at Halfords
• Tyre levers
• Some self adhesive patches assuming you'll try to repair any goosed inner tubes
• A track pump for at home and a mini pump for on the bike (most come with mounts)
• A multi tool to adjust the bike
• Lights if cycling in the dark
• A helmet if you have decided you want to wear one, go to shops, try on, get one that fits you and is comfortable
• Padded gloves, will provide some cushioning for hands and more importantly stop you scraping them to hell if you fall off
• Bottle cage and a water bottle
• a saddle pack for putting stuff in (if limited pocket space)

Padded shorts if planning on doing much distance - note your arse will hurt, check the bike is set up right for you (lots of youtube guides) including starting with the saddle flat
Some sort of windproof jacket (not waterproof, you'll just get sweaty if it's a cheap one), you may have something suitable looking at your picture?

Don't need to spend a fortune, try Decathlon, Planet X in Sheffield, www.cycle-clothing.co.uk, Lidl, Aldi (when they have sales). Sports Direct do inexpensive kit but much of it isn't really very good

Google should help you with the maintenance courses, or just use YouTube vids? Or better ask on here in the mysterious technical section

Enjoy the new bike

 

[Doobiesis]

Well I think vickster covered everything.

Most of all enjoy your cycling, you've picked a good time to start as its going to be lovely and warm soon

 

[MichaelW2]

Look our for the bike kit sales at Aldi.
Basic tools are usually better and cheaper from car-boot sales, eg spanners, pliers, screwdrivers etc
You may find some cone wrenches but other bike tools are rare.
Track pumps sometimes crop up.

Cheap, new tools are made of cheese.

 

[S.Giles]

Also can anyone suggest a bike maintenance course to take in the Chesterfield / Sheffield area.

I learned by taking apart, adjusting and re-assembling an old bike. IMO, you will learn more self-reliance by doing that than a bike-maintenance course will give you.

You-Tube is an invaluable resource. I particularly like cjhoyle's videos. He explains everything very clearly, and doesn't work on expensive bikes or have fancy workshop facilities.

 

[mjr]

Top tip: buy commodities like grease from motor spares shops rather than bike shops - as long as you're reasonably sure it's the same (wouldn't recommend it for chain lube, for example).

Workshop tool starter sets from Aldi, Lidl or online offers from Merlin or Edinburgh are OK I think.

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op in Sheffield do courses but http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/inf...heel-building-classes/?f_Cardinal=8#sheffield says the only scheduled one is fully-booked.

I think my riding toolkit includes: multitool, wrench, tyre levers, patches, inner tube (preferably the right one for the bike!), pump, chain tool, quick links, cable ties (long rather than short - that was an annoying discovery), sealant cannister (for those cold/dark times when you can't be doing repairing at the roadside) and emergency lights (one with a bottletop taped over its lousy switch so it doesn't get turned on by mistake - another annoying discovery).

 

[Profpointy]

A lot of the above is worthwhile but by no means essential. More or less essential some tools, many of which you probably have already, tyre levers, spare tube(s) AND puncture kit and whilst not absolutely essential really really worthwhile is a track pump. Clothes, well you've probably got everyday clothes that'd do, but good gloves are really worthile if it's cold or wet. I'd put a good windproof fleecy jacket, may or may not be bike specific as far more worthwhile than cycle shorts, which whilst nice, are by no means essential and are no substitute for a correctly adjust comfy saddle.

 

[mjr]

Oh yeah, of my riding toolkit, I only regard the canister as nearly-essential... but I have ended up walking home carrying a broken bike before and it's much more annoying when you've got a full toolkit (that time, the axle had failed and needed cone spanners to sort...)

 

[paddypete]

Well it seems I have found a friendly forum with lots nice people to offer advice. Right then I have just brought a road bike with my last pennies. Going forward being that I have no bike tools equipment etc. Where do I start ?? clothing, tools, equipment, spares.To start with I just want to potter about and get attached to my new purchase and enjoy the freedom of riding but I am guessing at some point I will need all of the above. Whilst I don't have excess money to throw away at this realistically can you offer advice about the important bits.

Also can anyone suggest a bike maintenance course to take in the Chesterfield / Sheffield area.
Cant wait to pick up my new (2nd hand) Stead tomorrow.

By this point I am sure you are chuckling at me while I am a practical person I believe that knowledge is key so want to learn to do it myself instead paying people to do it.
Many Thanks in advance for your help.

Richard Cameron

well said,diy,bike shop cowboys would wreck your bike

 

[Spinyadas]

Again thanks people that's very helpful just got back from picking it up excited much hell yeah!!!

 

[Cyclist33]

Happy riding. Oh by the way, pictures or it isn't true!

 

[Spinyadas]

There you go cyclist33 meet Murphy!!!!! (Not set it up yet)

 

[Berk on a Bike]

These guys do two maintenance courses (basic and complete) in Sheffield http://www.recyclebikes.co.uk/

 

[Fab Foodie]

There you go cyclist33 meet Murphy!!!!! (Not set it up yet)

Very nice .... proper kitchen shot as well :-)

Welcome, can't add much more than the advice above except .... practice swapping-out inner-tubes in the comfort of your own home before you find yourself having to do it for the first time in semi-darkness and pouring rain!

 

[slowmotion]

Evans Cycles used to do free bike maintenance courses, I think. They still may do. If they do, they are possibly quite good. Regarding clothing, I would at least get a waterproof jacket. I'm an old wimp and I really don't like rain running down the top half of my body. Padded undershorts make things more comfortable if you want/need to stay with "civilian" clothing.

BTW, buying all the stuff is ruinously expensive, even if you stick with Aldi/Lidl/Decathlon etc. My firm advice would not to go out and buy it all at once. Spreading it over time helps you forget how much it has cost.

Have fun.