Fifty Plus (50+) - A bunch of questions from a new roady

My son got me started and I bought my first road bike. I have a few questions to ask your opinions on. I plan on taking some trips with my son which will be long weekends and possibly a week or more and we would need to carry extra things like tubes/patch kit, tire tool kit, bike tool kit, pump, etc.

I have been looking at several pumps and wanted an opinion on which one to choose and also what is a good all around tool kit or should I just throw together a allen wrench set, crescent wrench, etc from what I have? I need a new helmet and cannot decide between the Bell Slant and the Bell Influx, any preference as far as fit or comfort.


Pro Quicker Pump http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280255389922&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

PARK TOOL PMP-3 http://stores.ebay.com/Abaxo_Pumps_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ13QQftidZ2QQtZkm


SKS SUB 40 SUPERLITE http://cgi.ebay.com/SKS-SUB-40-SUPERLITE-ROAD-BIKE-PUMP-MOUNTAIN-39g-NEW_W0QQitemZ300250612515QQihZ020QQcategoryZ22691QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Or should I be looking at something different all together?

Thanks!!!

Forgot what do you think about these two mirrors? the Italian one is a cleaner look but not as adjustable, although it sounds like it is better made.


http://www.cd-project.com/Inglese/sprintech/sprintech.htm

http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RBM_1001&Category_Code=Mirrors

My son got me started and I bought my first road bike. I have a few questions to ask your opinions on. I plan on taking some trips with my son which will be long weekends and possibly a week or more and we would need to carry extra things like tubes/patch kit, tire tool kit, bike tool kit, pump, etc.

I have been looking at several pumps and wanted an opinion on which one to choose and also what is a good all around tool kit or should I just throw together a allen wrench set, crescent wrench, etc from what I have? I need a new helmet and cannot decide between the Bell Slant and the Bell Influx, any preference as far as fit or comfort.


Pro Quicker Pump http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280255389922&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

PARK TOOL PMP-3 http://stores.ebay.com/Abaxo_Pumps_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ13QQftidZ2QQtZkm


SKS SUB 40 SUPERLITE http://cgi.ebay.com/SKS-SUB-40-SUPERLITE-ROAD-BIKE-PUMP-MOUNTAIN-39g-NEW_W0QQitemZ300250612515QQihZ020QQcategoryZ22691QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Or should I be looking at something different all together?

Thanks!!!

The current fad around here for on-bike pumps is the Topeak Road Morph. I don't have one, but I have heard great things. Converts into a floor pump, etc.

Do a search in the 50+ forum, and you will find some long threads about mirrors - several recently - mirrors seem to be an in thing to discuss - don't quite know why.

The current fad around here for on-bike pumps is the Topeak Road Morph. I don't have one, but I have heard great things. Converts into a floor pump, etc.

+1 on the Road Morph (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Road-Morph-Bike-Gauge/dp/B000FI6YOS/ref=acc_glance_sg_ai_-2_5_tit) that many of us recommend.

Many of us like the Take-a-Look mirror, it clips on to sunglasses. In my case, it clips on to the visor on my helmet.

Welcome! It sounds like you and your son have some fun adventures ahead.

Either the Topeak Road or Mt.Morph (Mt. a bit shorter/lighter but same volume as Road). 'Almost' a pleasure to get a flat!
+1 on the Take-A-Look . . . mounts on temple of glasses, ultra adjustable and have had mine for over20,000 miles.
Make up your own tool kit as needed: Extra tube, patch kit, tire levers and maybe a multi-tool or appropriate allen wrenches for your bike.
Pedal on!

Thanks everyone, I will look at that pump and the mirror. Any other tips for a beginner?

We were just out to South Dakota near Mt. Rushmore, what a wonderful place to ride, that is if you like hills!! It was amazing to ride through Custer Park and see/hear all of the Buffalo, actually got a little nervous when they started crossing the road near us!

... we would need to carry extra things like tubes/patch kit, tire tool kit, bike tool kit, pump, etc...

First of all, welcome to the road and to the forum. :welcome:

Second, none of the things mentioned above are "extra". You need to be able to fix a flat tire and make minor repairs and adjustments any time you ride your bike. These items should be in your seat bag along with i.d., $5, a chain master link and a rag (at a minimum).

I find all of the any of the tiny mini-pumps to be pretty close to useless. They take so many strokes to fill a tube that you'd burn less energy pushing your bike to the next town. Either a Road Morph (http://www.rei.com/product/648089), a frame pump (http://www.rei.com/product/686215) or a CO2 cartridge inflator (http://www.rei.com/product/722069) would be more useful.