madurotiger

I got a 2015 Crosstrail Disc and it'll be in on Thursday. I'm really excited to get started.

I need to know what accessories or things I need. From doing some research it sounds like a I need a small took kit to put in a bag on rides. What needs to be in these kits?

I'll get a water bottle to take on long rides.

Floor pump for home and a small pump to take, or no?

Give me some advice on someone getting their first "real" bike and what they need as far as any gear or accessories.

Also, if you can post links to things you've bought on Amazon since I buy a lot on there it'd be much appreciated. I really don't want to buy expensive bike shorts or a $200 helmet.

GlennR

#1 helmet, a $100 helmet is as safe as a $500 helmet... just heavier.

Get a good multi tool, I have a Topeak Hexus II, spare tube and tire levers. I carry (2) CO2 cartridges since they are much lighter than a pump.

Bike computer is nice to track your heart rate, cadence and mileage.

Shoes with cleats are great, you loose a lot of power with sneakers.

Bike shorts will keep you comfy and you're junk dry. If you don't like spandex, get MTB shorts, they have a chamois and spandex liner inside baggy shorts. They also have pockets and look like normal shorts.

Here's an example:
https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Loose...in+bike+shorts



Topeak Hexus II

madurotiger

Can you adjust your seat with any of that?

Are the looser looking shorts padded? I love the look of those. I was told to get padded shorts to help with the comfort of your seat.

Buffalo Buff

Most seat adjustments only require a hex wrench, that multitool has them.

GlennR

They are... you can see the blue chamois in the picture.

Don't fear spandex.... unless you have something to hide.

ColonelSanders

Get good lights for dawn & dusk conditions where it is harder to see bikes on the road.

Get a bike computer with cadence.

Get a good quality lock if you will leave your bike unattended.

madurotiger

Giro Indicator Bike Helmet | DICK'S Sporting Goods

Is this helmet a decent one? It's on sale and I have some gift cards from Xmas. If it's a pretty crappy one let me know. I'm not trying to be a cheapo and I'll spend a good amount on one as long as it's quality.

GlennR

As long as its "SNELL" certified, which it should be, it's fine.

Here's a video review:

madurotiger

Only Specialized helmets are SNELL certified now.

practical

If you're going to be riding in the street, then you HAVE to have a mirror - it's a safety device more important than a helmet.

GlennR

I've riden thousands of miles on my road bike and never used a mirror. You have to be aware of your surrounding's and always scanning the road and listening for cars. I live on Long Island so there roads always have cars.

practical

I don't question your skill, but you could say the same thing about helmets. Try using a mirror - it really does make riding safer.

GlennR

No you can't. I saw a guy fall in the parking lot and smack his head. The helmet saved him from serious injury. Mirrors are useless for potholes, road debris and people opening car doors in front of you.

Everyone that is serious about riding wears a helmet, maybe 1% have a mirror.

ps249

Get your self a good floor pump for around $55 that has a nozzle that is interchangeable between Schrader and presta vlaves. I find the higher end pumps better than the $15 pumps at Wlamart- those things rarely lasted me one whole year. I have the Bontrager Turbo Charger- awesome pump that has lasted me 6 years strong now and still going..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox6rTTPTvRg

Buffalo Buff

OP, no one brought up glasses yet. Have a comfy pair of sunglasses for fair weather riding, and some clear safety glasses for overcast days and night rides.

Lights are a must. If you look at the brand Axiom on Performance Bike's website, I've had good luck with them. You can find brighter, more expensive lights, and cheaper ones that may or may not do a good job, but these Axiom lights have been working great for me. Alternatively you can mount a traditionally shaped flashlight to your handlebars, but its inconvenient taking it off the mount, swapping batteries etc. over time.

I got a 20$ pump from target with a PSI indicator and it fits both valve types. Works great. No reason to drop 50$ on a bike pump IMO. You can get electronic car tire pumps for less than that, something as simple as a manual bike pump can be produced for well under 50$.

Not true.

GlennR

Then they are fools.

I've seen people fall trying to clip in and smack their heads. You don't have to be doing 30mph downhill and hit a pothole to crash.

And wearing it CORRECTLY is just as important..... it's not a "hat", its a helmet. it needs to fit correctly, be properly adjusted and worn correctly.

Do you know what they call motorcyclists that don't wear helmets..... organ donors.

Head Injuries and Bicycle Safety | Gateway to Health Communication | CDC
"Any bicyclist who does not wear a bicycle helmet is at increased risk of head injury."

madurotiger

Trust me, I'll wear a helmet. I think you're more than idiotic if you're riding on roads with other cars or through the mountains and don't have a helmet.

-Helmet
-Reflective light
-Multipurpose tools/kit
-Floor pump
-Mini pump to take on rides
-Padded bike shorts
-Lock (if you plan on leaving it unattended)


That about cover it to get started with?

GlennR

2 bottle cages... cheap ones work just fine.

And glasses, as mentioned, they keep sand and grit out of your eyes. Cheap ones work, my son bought some nice ones on ebay that are made in China for $19 and they came with a few sets of lenses.

Buffalo Buff

search for 3M safety glasses on Amazon. I bought a pair of sunglasses and safety glasses under that brand / model and paid under 10$ shipped for the pair. They work great too.

madurotiger

Thanks guys. If anyone has any other tips or wants to give their input I'm all ears. This board has been awesome and helpful.

ColonelSanders

I was pleasantly surprised by how much less stressful my riding was when I added a mirror to my bike's handlebar end.

DjFantom

to those with mirrors on your bike , how secure are they attached? can they be easily stolen? has anyones mirrors been stolen? ... i want o get some but just see it as 1 more thing i have to take off my bike when i lock it up. already i take off my rear light , (front light is mounted by hex screws and hasn't been stolen yet) , pump, bt speaker out waterbottle holder, and phone mounted on handle bars , and this is just to run in the store real quick for a beverage . or get food ..

Wanderer

The cheapest Specialized nylon/plastic bottle cages work great - I have never had a bottle fall out of one yet, over thousands of miles.....

And I will also suggest a Mountain Myrricle rear view mirror. I've ridden many thousands of miles without one, and many thousands with them, and with them is lots , I MEAN LOTS, better. Easier to be aware, easier to see, less stressful, and really good view to the rear without weaving around.

I'd give up gears, before I would give up a mirror. MHO

FLJeepGuy

All of the above is good advise, but a lot comes down to the where you will be riding and how far your rides will take you. Hydration is always a must, but a second water bottle may only be necessary for longer rides. Start with one and if you find you're needing more, get a second as they are inexpensive.

Helmets are a personal thing; many use them and many don't. I personally use one since I did experience significant injuries in a prior crash without one. I recommend wearing one, but again, that's a personal choice.

A decent floor pump is good to have around. Being properly aired up before your rides will help avoid pinch flats from hitting something with under-inflated tubes/tires.

Tools and other emergency repair supplies will come in handy, and I'd rather have them with me and not use them than need them and not have them. I'll second the recommendation for the Topeak Hexus II multitool, mine has come in handy on numerous occasions. You'll find it especially handy on the first few rides for tweaking your seat, etc. I also carry a $20 bill, spare tube, patch kit, CO2 cartridge, and a couple of zip ties. These and the multitool will easily fit in a small under-seat bag. I also have a Lezyne Pressure Drive CFH frame pump that accepts CO2 cartridges as well.

Once you get the basics of roadside repair and getting home on your own out of the way, then you can get into computers, racks and bags, etc., etc., etc. Your need for some items like lights, locks, rear rack and bags, and a second water bottle will be dictated by the type of riding you do. The best advice is to not just go out and over-buy. Get the minimum you need for safety, and then expand from there as you find a need.

practical

Exactly. Would anyone take a motorcycle out on the streets if it didn't have a mirror? There are a variety of mirrors. You should find one that is the most stable. Mine attaches to the bar end and has an arm. It doesn't vibrate or move. I've had one that vibrates and moves and gets out of position - those are worse than useless. Some people have a mirror that attaches to their helmet. I've never tried that but apparently they work well too. I went years without having a mirror, but when I added one that works, it was great. I can't imagine riding without one now and I won't.