Alathea

Got back from WM tonight-went for other things, but as I was there I picked up a multi tool/patch kit, pair of middle of the road (their road) gloves, and a 2nd to their highest priced helmet.

How many have started with WM/Bell/Schwinn type accessories and how long did it take to have to upgrade? I know, for example, that gloves at BikeRack here (on their website, anyway) are like 30 bucks-is there that much of a difference between fingerless gel padded gloves, for example?

It was nice to find wicking shirts for 10.00 a piece, though.

Fribley

I wear those same shirts, i have their compression shorts that i wear under running shorts on shorter rides. My computer was a schwinn $10.58 from WM, my local one has a crap selection of gloves so i am still looking around on the net. Its tough when the local WM is the best/only bike shop around for 60 miles. I think i might make my first century trip soon to the place where i bought my bike and get some accesiories....

Alathea

I had bought a wireless computer from WM but I couldn't get it to sync up. I must have missed the compression shorts-ill have to pop in there next week unless I save my nickels and try a pair of aerotech baggy shorts. The gloves are a l/xl, though and they still feel kind of snug but I didnt see anything bigger there. I may see if these stretch out a bit.

AndrewCO

Bell actually makes some of the helmets, so nothing wrong there.
My first pair of gloves were 2 old golf gloves.

Bill Kapaun

I use Bell tire patch kit, headlight/tail ligh combo and computer. Cheap stuff that suits my needs.
I've used one of their "bike path" tires (Cheng Shin) that was worth the $8 I paid for it. In fact, it's on my back up bike now.
Their tools & air pumps are junk. Pump would probably be OK for 40-50 PSI?

seenoweevil

In the men's section, I got a pair of fingerless work gloves for $4.95. They're not gel padded, but they sure work nice. I like the shirts too.

txvintage

+1 on the patch kits, seat bags, tire irons, water bottles, etc. I even use the $4.99 cable set on yard sale/craigs list finds I'm not going to use heavily or sell. Heck, they make good back up cables for the bike bag too.

The Bell pump they have is good for an eight year olds toy balls, but that's about it.

Neil_B

I just bought 27" tires at Wal-Mart for an old Raleigh I'm restoring. Also, I've picked up stuff there from time to time. The Bell equipment is decent.

I've also worn Wal-mart's compression shirts and shorts, which were under ten dollars apiece at one time.

For other gear I usually find Performance Bike has the lowest prices and best selection:

https://www.performancebike.com/

The Performance Century Gel gloves are great, and often on sale for under 15 bucks:

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1140

bdinger

I have a pump from there, and I actually wore a wal-mart wicking shirt today. It's white, which was a bad choice btw, but it's held up for a year. It has worse perma-stink than my UnderArmor stuff, but it also cost 1/4 as much. Plus, in my experience at least, it's actually more comfortable because it has a looser cut (I have pretty dang broad shoulders).

The pump, eh, it was $10 and has lasted a year, and it fills tires with air. That's about all the good I can say about it .

Also, finally, Bike Rack is so overpriced these days it's ridiculous. Scheels has Specialized brand gloves, which are great, I think I paid $15 for a pair last year. They are XXL and finally need replacement, but I'm going to buy an identical pair. Great gloves at a great price.

Alathea

Ill have to go hang out at Scheels. It's not like it isn't close or anything......

c_m_shooter

I have one of the Bell multitools, and have no complaints. I actually like the padded fingerless gloves more than the expensive ones, but they don't hold up to washing very well.

Tom Stormcrowe

Guess what.....Cheng Shin makes Kenda, IIRC.

Trebor Snave

My Bell multi-tool has some good (allen wrenches, screwdrivers) and some bad (none of the box wrenches are the right size). Still, I've used it to make on-road repairs and adjustments.

Tom Stormcrowe

Hey, I use the Bell Multitool as well. Matter of fact, I also have a pair or 2 of Bell gloves around.

My touring bike has the cheap Schwinn Wired computer on it, too. It does the job.

RedC

How do you find a wicking shirt at Wal-mart? I'm losing weight pretty steadily and I'm not enthusiastic about plunking down $60 to $80 bucks for a shirt that will be two big in a few months.

Tom Stormcrowe

Look in the Men's Dept.

-Devil-

most of the time their 'wicking' shirts will be around the athletic clothing ... like baskeball shorts and so forth ... depends mostly on the size of the wal-mart you are in

i own 3 of the shirts from walmart .. that are the looser fit .. and 2 that are longsleeve and tight fit (for wearing under other stuff when it is cooler outside) ...

i am also lucky enough to have an Academy nearby .. which also has a good selection of cheaper wicking clothing .. and a big selection of the bell branded stuff (a lot bigger selection then wal-mart) ... but their prices are right in line with the local wallyworld ...

Alathea

They sell them under "Starter" or something " Athletic" (athletic works, maybe?). Colors are minimal-black/white and a Navy was all I could find her in a 3X (I hate hugging fabric). They tend to fit loose, but there are some compression ones as well.

Wogster

If your in Canada and looking for jerseys, try Winners, I got a couple of runners/joggers jerseys there, and I think I paid like $15 each, both were name brand too. In fact I don't own a cycling jersey, just a few runners ones, I don't find that paying $25 for a rear pocket is a good use of funds, when I don't need the pocket in the first place, Non-cycling sports stores sometimes also have stuff, and even better on sale, you need to be careful though, many times stuff that shouldn't be is made of cotton.

I do need to pick up a couple of long sleeve jerseys though, and another pair of cycling shorts, although I may order those from Aerotech.....

v1k1ng1001

Scheels actually has some good deals now and then. They usually have a discount section where you can find athletic wear at very low prices. They also run lots of sales and promotions.

wrk101

+1 for Bell and Schwinn helmets.

On jerseys, I head to the local Goodwill Clearance Center, $1 per pound, can't beat that price (about 25 to 30 cents per item)! Picked up several pairs of bicycle shorts there as well.

keiththesnake

I like my Bell floor pump. It's cheap, but it does the trick. My first one broke, because the plastic thingie that presses the valve down is plastic. Walmart took it back with no question. So what if the stuff I buy is made by children and political prisoners? I saved a quarter!

I came close to buying the Bell handlebar bag at Walmart, but I decided to convert a camera bag from Goodwill, instead.

It's probably not good that I'm so cheap, but I'm subject to the same economic forces as everybody else that finds himself pinched in a non-improving middle class.

Ya know, there's plenty of people who buy this kind of stuff at Walmart. There's no shame in it, and I'd bet a lot of stuff does the trick just fine. Don't always have to have the "best" to keep your bike on the road.

bdinger

Agreed in volumes. My bell pump sure does annoy me because the hose likes to pop off, but you know what, it still works. I have a Bell light that, truth be told, I like a lot. In fact when winter comes, I'm going to grab another one for the LHT. I'm a light geek, and it does pretty dang good for what it is, anything else and I have a (couple) really nice headlamps that I'll wear.

I'm just cheap, I'll admit it. I like a nice bank account more than I like stuff, and the hopes that (very soon) we can build our "dream house" without overextending ourselves. Sure I could afford a Lexus and fit in with my co-workers, but five bucks says I'd loose the looks of respect I get for cycling every day.

Wogster

There are two schools of thought, you present one, let me present the other, I would rather spend $40 on a good pump, that is likely to outlast my cycling career, then buy a $5 pump every year...... Heck even the $40 pump is cheaper then filling the tank on a Lexus