The essentials for a beginner?

[Mikesbike]

Having bought my new bike dawes discovery 201 I've now bought a few things so I'm ready to go as soon as I pick my bike up. I think I have everything but want to be reassured? my aim is to commute to work most days of the week 6 miles each way.

I have Bike lock,lights,high viz waterproof jacket,helmet, already have some t shirt gear from my running. Oh and going to buy some gloves and lycra shorts sometime. So any recommendations on those would be greatful ta.

Have a old repair kit which will do for the mean time but can anyone recommend a not half bad one?

 

[HLaB]

Get yourself a spare innertube too, 99% of the time you can change that quickly if you get a p'ture so it won't disturb your commute too bad. Its easier then to fix the old tube in your own time. Repair kits are much of a muchness IME but the things you tend to get in better kit, is better tyre levers, patches a glue.

 

[potsy]

Good pump if you've not got one,gloves and padded shorts are a must for me.

 

[Hacienda71]

A multitool and saddle bag to carry all the bits and bobs in.

 

[summerdays]

If you haven't yet picked up your bike is it worth considering if the shop would swap the existing tyres for puncture resistant ones - just paying the difference in cost and maybe a delay in picking up the bike?

And I hope the lock is a D-lock?

Other than that you can start fairly simply and just keep on adding bits as you go along. Each of us are different, I can cycle in jeans but need bamboo and merino base-layers to get me through the winter.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Check that the glue in your repair outfit hasn't dried out. A new repair outfit is only a couple of quid.

 

[bottombracket]

A floor standing track pump!

Get your tyres up to max pressure and the bike will roll much more efficiently...

Carry a small pump as an emergency measure.

 

[Mikesbike]

Get yourself a spare innertube too, 99% of the time you can change that quickly if you get a p'ture so it won't disturb your commute too bad. Its easier then to fix the old tube in your own time. Repair kits are much of a muchness IME but the things you tend to get in better kit, is better tyre levers, patches a glue.

ah yes punctures they love me in the limited amount I have cycled before they seem to follow me around....learnt never to go into pot holes what so ever

 

[Mikesbike]

Good pump if you've not got one,gloves and padded shorts are a must for me.

padded shorts are these easy to find not too exspensive and would u go against Lycra then ?

p.s sorry only just found the multi quote button after this post

 

[marinyork]

Tyre levers, pump and spare tube is all I'd say you need.

Puncture repair kits, there isn't really much to them, the rema ones aren't much and are very good, it's just the glue goes off after a couple of years.

 

[Mikesbike]

A multitool and saddle bag to carry all the bits and bobs in.

hmm probaly get a small rucksack as sometimes will need to take extra things to work.

If you haven't yet picked up your bike is it worth considering if the shop would swap the existing tyres for puncture resistant ones - just paying the difference in cost and maybe a delay in picking up the bike?

And I hope the lock is a D-lock?

Other than that you can start fairly simply and just keep on adding bits as you go along. Each of us are different, I can cycle in jeans but need bamboo and merino base-layers to get me through the winter.

hmm yes might take that tyre option thing up cause I know how much punctures are easily picked up was being served by a kid at fred bakers u may know it? but was a weekend worker should be able to ask more weds

and do you really think I want to delay picking up the bike if I can help it!!! hehe

yes a magnum plus lock shackle and cable.

A floor standing track pump!

Get your tyres up to max pressure and the bike will roll much more efficiently...

Carry a small pump as an emergency measure.

a floor standing a one you use on car tyres I presume? I have a foot pump but isn't anything special. do you pump your tyres or check the psi every day or just week or so ?

 

[Mikesbike]

Tyre levers, pump and spare tube is all I'd say you need.

Puncture repair kits, there isn't really much to them, the rema ones aren't much and are very good, it's just the glue goes off after a couple of years.

ahh right maybe thats what happend with my old bikes tyres then as I glued them back fine but it was one of the cheapest puncture repair kits(was only a student to be fair though)

 

[marinyork]

No, we're talking about "track pumps", up right ones that sit on the floor that have a long plunger and a pressure gauge. It's much better you have one of these in the long run.

 

[Mikesbike]

No, we're talking about "track pumps", up right ones that sit on the floor that have a long plunger and a pressure gauge. It's much better you have one of these in the long run.

yes sorry I had this sort of pump in mind when you said earlier... though looking at on a screen it does look like a pogo stick hmm...

 

[ASC1951]

Get yourself a spare innertube too, 99% of the time you can change that quickly if you get a p'ture so it won't disturb your commute too bad.

I always carry two tubes with me, on the basis that if you go through a patch of something nasty you may well hole both tyres. That hasn't happened yet, but I find it does discourage the p* demons.