New Clydesdale, any tips on bike gear?
01-13-07, 01:07 PM
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New Clydesdale, any tips on bike gear?
Hi, I'm just starting to venture into the biking world. I'm in the military and used to run a lot. I have 2 arthritic knees now, so I thought it was time to switch to biking. I'm 5'11" and about 225, and never realized that made me a Clydesdale 
I've lurked here for a bit and have picked up some good info. Just bought a Trek 1200c to start riding. I figured the more upright position and 700x28 tires would suit me.
I was wondering what kind of gear is recommended to take along on rides. I'm assuming a spare tube, air pump, and tire tools? Is there anything else I might need. I'd hate to get stranded somewhere. Also, the 1200c came with Bontrager Race Lite tires and Matrix Aurora rims. Am I going to destroy these, or will they be ok?
Thanks in advance for any tips.
I've lurked here for a bit and have picked up some good info. Just bought a Trek 1200c to start riding. I figured the more upright position and 700x28 tires would suit me. I was wondering what kind of gear is recommended to take along on rides. I'm assuming a spare tube, air pump, and tire tools? Is there anything else I might need. I'd hate to get stranded somewhere. Also, the 1200c came with Bontrager Race Lite tires and Matrix Aurora rims. Am I going to destroy these, or will they be ok?
Thanks in advance for any tips.
01-13-07, 02:08 PM
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Welcome to the biking world, clyde style. I would add in a cell phone, patch kit (if you get one flat, that's the day you will get 2, it's also sometimes easier just to pull out the part of the tube that has the puncture, patch, reinsert), water, credit card, some cash (can also be used as a boot (between the tube and the tire) if the tire gets a gash in it), ID, and a bike multi tool to tighten up things that might come loose. Maybe a sidearm to take care of any overly agressive dogs.
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01-13-07, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Raub
Hi, I'm just starting to venture into the biking world. I'm in the military and used to run a lot. I have 2 arthritic knees now, so I thought it was time to switch to biking. I'm 5'11" and about 225, and never realized that made me a Clydesdale I've lurked here for a bit and have picked up some good info. Just bought a Trek 1200c to start riding. I figured the more upright position and 700x28 tires would suit me.
I was wondering what kind of gear is recommended to take along on rides. I'm assuming a spare tube, air pump, and tire tools? Is there anything else I might need. I'd hate to get stranded somewhere. Also, the 1200c came with Bontrager Race Lite tires and Matrix Aurora rims. Am I going to destroy these, or will they be ok?
Thanks in advance for any tips.
I've lurked here for a bit and have picked up some good info. Just bought a Trek 1200c to start riding. I figured the more upright position and 700x28 tires would suit me. I was wondering what kind of gear is recommended to take along on rides. I'm assuming a spare tube, air pump, and tire tools? Is there anything else I might need. I'd hate to get stranded somewhere. Also, the 1200c came with Bontrager Race Lite tires and Matrix Aurora rims. Am I going to destroy these, or will they be ok?
Thanks in advance for any tips.
Tube
Tools
Pump (Canned Air can leak out and not be there when you heed it)
Self adhesive patch kit
small first aid kit
cell phone (for if I have to make the "Call of Shame")
$$
Small 2"X2" Square of Tyvek sheet. (It can serve as a boot patch in a tire if you get a rip and get you home. A dollar bill also can!)
A light rain jacket
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
01-14-07, 11:25 AM
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Get in the habit of checking your tire pressure before every ride. If you ride with too little you risk getting pinch flats, from the tube being pinched against the rim.
After a few times of checking you'll get a feel for it and won't have to use a guage anymore.
After a few times of checking you'll get a feel for it and won't have to use a guage anymore.
01-15-07, 02:13 PM
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I carry in my saddle bag
Tube
Patch Kit
Tire Levers
Allen Keys
my cell
and my wallet with some cash.
On my bike I have a topeak road morph pump.
Tube
Patch Kit
Tire Levers
Allen Keys
my cell
and my wallet with some cash.
On my bike I have a topeak road morph pump.
01-15-07, 03:49 PM
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Thanks for all the tips. So far I've picked up a patch kit, spare tube, multi-tool thing, mini-pump that mounts on frame, and tire levers. Think I'm about set. Now I just need it to stop raining long enough to get out on the road. 
01-15-07, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Raub
Thanks for all the tips. So far I've picked up a patch kit, spare tube, multi-tool thing, mini-pump that mounts on frame, and tire levers. Think I'm about set. Now I just need it to stop raining long enough to get out on the road.
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
01-15-07, 04:32 PM
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https://www.froggtoggs.com/proaction.htm
Frogg Toggs. I used them to great effect when I had to ride my motorcycle in the rain. (More work than it might seem.) Still prevents any clamminess inside while cycling. It's good gear, I can assure you of that!
Frogg Toggs. I used them to great effect when I had to ride my motorcycle in the rain. (More work than it might seem.) Still prevents any clamminess inside while cycling. It's good gear, I can assure you of that!
01-15-07, 08:39 PM
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As a clydesdale rider, one tool I do not travel without is a spoke wrench. The stock wheels that come on bikes are built for 120 to 160 pound riders and easily get bent when I'm riding them.
Of course a spoke wrench won't do you much good unless you know how to true a wheel - as a 200+ pound rider, you'd better either learn to true your wheels yourself, or get to know your mechanic on a first name basis.
I finally broke down and bought a truing stand as well, although that's not absolutely necessary. When it gets to the point that you can't keep your rims true, your replacement set should be 36 spoke touring rims. Your back rim will wear out first - your front rim may last for a while.
As stated above - check your tire pressure before every ride. Then after every ride, give each of your wheels a spin to see if they are wobbly - correct before your next ride if they are.
Of course a spoke wrench won't do you much good unless you know how to true a wheel - as a 200+ pound rider, you'd better either learn to true your wheels yourself, or get to know your mechanic on a first name basis.
I finally broke down and bought a truing stand as well, although that's not absolutely necessary. When it gets to the point that you can't keep your rims true, your replacement set should be 36 spoke touring rims. Your back rim will wear out first - your front rim may last for a while.
As stated above - check your tire pressure before every ride. Then after every ride, give each of your wheels a spin to see if they are wobbly - correct before your next ride if they are.
01-15-07, 09:02 PM
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Welcome, and be prepared to spend more money than you thought possible......at least for a while. There are the shorts, then the jerseys, then the shoes, etc, etc, etc.
In addition to what has been posted, I would practice changing tubes in the comfort of your house, instead of your first experience being on the side of the road in a driving rain.
Also, I may be the only person on the planet that carries one, but I would add a 'Tire Bead Jack' to the parts list. It is about three ounces, costs about ten dollars at the lbs, and makes getting a tire back onto the rim sooooooo much easier.
And when you decide your saddle is not doing your backside any favors, think Brooks.
In addition to what has been posted, I would practice changing tubes in the comfort of your house, instead of your first experience being on the side of the road in a driving rain.
Also, I may be the only person on the planet that carries one, but I would add a 'Tire Bead Jack' to the parts list. It is about three ounces, costs about ten dollars at the lbs, and makes getting a tire back onto the rim sooooooo much easier.
And when you decide your saddle is not doing your backside any favors, think Brooks.
