Originally Posted by supadupamikey
.... i was just looking for some suggestions on products
1.) What kind of computer should I get? The bike shop had some Specialized ones... the basic one was like $25... sounds alright to me... wireless and stuff would be nice, but, we're on a pretty strict budget, i just want speed, distance, etc... comments/suggestions?
I have a Cateye Mighty 2 computer. Right now, replaced by the Mighty 8 or Enduro 8. Has two wheel diametres (if you switch between two bikes), distances A, B and total odometre, plus the usual stuff (speed, average speed, maximum speed, time). About same price. And it has proven to be waterproof. I tend to prefer wired technology, because it's cheaper, has less interferences (especially with a generator) and it doesn't eat batteries.
AFAIK, all cyclocomputers are equally precise, so the remaining questions are price, functions (especially distances A and B), display (are you able to read digits easily) and waterproofness. The only drawbacks I see with my computer are :
- I would like to display permanently mileage and time of day, whereas the display always have speed and one other element (minor problem);
- I would like a button to get a backlit display. There is none.
Originally Posted by supadupamikey
2.) What kind of air pump should I get? I want one of the kind that you stand up and pump... they had a Specialized one for like $28... that decent?
The only one I like is the Topeak Road Morph. It's portable -- though not as compact or lightweight as minipumps --, but it has a flexible hose. It's the only pump with which I'm able to pump tires at full pressure without getting sore wrists and elbows, without getting too hot and without fear of breaking apart the valve stem. In a nutshell, it's almost as good as a floor pump. Only caveat: the pump headvalve snaps if you try to use the pump at -20 C.
Originally Posted by supadupamikey
3.) What kind of gloves should I get? Does the insert really make a big difference? What about the lengths? Is there a big difference between full-finger and half-finger?
I would suggest you get half-fingered gloves for 3 seasons and full fingered "regular" gloves for winter. You probably won't ride as much in winter anyways and the padding you get in regular gloves will probably be sufficient for that. As for which cycling gloves are the best, I would suggest that you ride for 1 hour,
then go shopping for gloves And while you have them, try them on a bike. That way, you will quickly see which gloves have a seam in the wrong place.
Originally Posted by supadupamikey
5.) Oh, whats a good style of bag to use/carry/wear when biking? If I commute, I'd like to be able to bring my lunch with me... and maybe a change of clothes or something...
There are many theories. I prefer by far the "everything on the bike and nothing on me" approach. I have a rear rack and use panniers for commuting. I generally carry only one pannier, with my pump (that way, it doesn't stay on the bike when I lock it), tire patch kit, spare tube, rain gear, bungee cords, taillight (I have a wired on generator headlight) and lunch. When I plan to shop, I also bring the second pannier. If your bike doesn't have a rack and can't have one, another approach is the Carradice bag attached to the saddle. You'll see what I mean if you visit
http://www.wallbike.com and
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com