new bike ...yipee but what now

[Sully]

Hi only second post so be gentle with me, Ive just purchased my first ever road bike and am now thinking about accesoriesd, Im gonna need shoes and peddles, can you tell me if lets say Look pedals will be ok with a different branded shoe in other words are they interchangable ? and would you mind recommending any to me please, bare in mind im a novice and I dont fly helicopters in my spare time, I also need some good lights again if you could help me with recommendations Id be very gratefull
Thanks in advance
Craig

 

[mr Mag00]

hi welcome (sorry)go see you local bike shop (LBS) thats is the best advice you will get here, they will help and see you right in the future, support your independent trader

 

[Landslide]

Another vote for ask your LBS. There are many brands of shoe that will fit Look cleats (the plates on the bottom of the shoe that clip into the pedals). Go and try some on, have a chat about different types of pedal system etc. For instance, Look are great for road riding, but if you're likely to be walking a bit more (MTBing or touring), then a system like Shimano's SPD may be a better bet.
There are already a lot of threads on here about lights that you may want to have a look at. What sort of riding do you want them for? Commuting on well-lit roads, or haring about country lanes at night?

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

For lights, everyone's current favourite bargain for the front is the 3W LED torch from Tesco (£8 if you can find one) using a Twofish Lockblock. Here's the thread. Or mount a pair of them and pretend you're in an X-Wing fighter .. actually, no, I suppose you'd need four to do that. Anyway, you get the idea.

There was a similar one where somebody had come up with a mounting system using a bit of old inner tube which sounded good. Can't find the thread though .. sorry. By the way ..

 

[numbnuts]

A lock, don't forget a lock or you won't have it tomorrow

 

[Tynan]

lights, smartflash for the rear, £10
front, something like the solaris for £20, more if you can afford

clipless pedal and shoes are cool if you're keen

bib tights are good for this time of year, bib shorts ofr summer
a proper cycle top and some merino socks, winter boots are helpful

cycle glasses, a buff, a windproof top/gillet, waterproof is usually too warm un;ess you're trundling, a base layer, some winter gloves

there's more but that's plenty, you accumulate gear over time

always cheaper online unless you want an LBS to recomend

 

[Sully]

omg, thats gr8 advice everything you ve suggested I ll look into, yes deffo need a lock...do people still use a chain and padlock ? I understand about supporting my LBS, only concern I have, with all due respect is they sell me what they want me to buy and not what I need or is best for the money I have to pay, I know that you will give me your totally unbiased opinion, when I ve heard your suggestions (if you dont mind giving them me) then I ll order which one the general concencus thinks is ok, just made to many mistakes in the past which has cost me a fortune and wanted to pool the massive pool of knowledge you have aquired,even something like lights sods law I ll buy A then realise that B are only a bit more but much better, want all the winter clothing ...but I cant afford it at once, need bare basics.....mmmmm need a helmet first seen one in Halfords, what should I look for please ? and I beg dont say something that fits, I dont want to be on my Wilier but with a mountain bike helmet on....you see my point
Tar
Craig (very greatful)

 

[Radius]

I know that you will give me your totally unbiased opinion,

HAH! You'd be lucky.

More seriously, for a lock, Kryptonite are a reliable and good brand, and it is generally recommended to spend about 20-30% of the value of your bike on the lock, as a guide. Something like this is a good deal if the bike isn't too pricey and the crime around you isn't really high.

 

[Sully]

Hi Radius would you mind checking the hyper link canna see owt...proper Nottinghamshire twang....ey up me duck
Thanks M8
Craig

 

[Radius]

Sorry, fixed

 

[Sully]

Hello m8 thanks for that Ive saved the page and will order one for when I recieve my bike, I ve got a feelin this is gonna cost a fortune...and I used to moan at buying new trainers every 400 miles

 

[Radius]

Yeah, it really is gonna cost you, especially if you begin to adhere to the most important equation in existence, that the answer to the number of bikes / accessories you should have is always n + 1, where n = the current number.

 

[Tynan]

essentails?

ths time of year, front and rear light, some sort of all weather top, some gloves

some would/wouldnot say hiviz top and a helmet

you can get that lot for £70 I reckon if you look out for a deal, plus a helmet

get the rest as and when, you appreciate better stuff once you've used the less better stuff

 

[marinyork]

Welcome , we're collecting quite a few Nottingham newbies thesedays. A good front light is a cateye el-530.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Welcome , we're collecting quite a few Nottingham newbies thesedays. A good front light is a cateye el-530.

I have one of those, plus an EL-320. And I supplement it off-road / on unlit roads with the Tesco 3W torch.