52 yo man needs help with bike choice.
06-29-10, 04:34 PM
#26
17yrold in 64yrold body
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If you only ride distances that are within easy walking distance from home, then your 'essentials' might only be a water bottle/cage. Once you get far enough away though, you might think about simple repair stuff. A small seat bag can carry a multitool, spare tube, patch kit, tire levers spare change/money, and not add a lot of weight or complexity to your setup. Flat tires have a way of happening when you least expect them, so it pays to be ready to repair one when (not if) it happens. Using puncture resistant tires can help, but even they can be flattened. YMMV.
06-29-10, 04:44 PM
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OK - I will chime in here.
Bike shorts are as essential to a bicyclist as a swimming suit is to a swimmer, tennis shoes to a tennis player. I don't see any of those being played competently by folks dressed up in suits. Some can get away with regular shorts, but you will get pulling, binding and chafing.
There is a "Clydesdale" forum here - folks over 200 lbs up to several 100 - and almost all of them wear bicycling shorts.
I have had 3 flats within 15 minutes of each other. I have gone months without a flat. They happen to everyone at the most inconvenient time.
So, I carry (on each of the 3 bikes I ride regularly):
Frame pump (2 are road morphs)
Multitool
2 tubes
patch kit
hydrocortisone cream - small tube. I have never used or needed it, but my riding partners have!!
chain and lock of some sort
patch kit
cell phone
tire levers
and my bike has
2 water bottles
a bell
I don't use fenders as we only get about 15" of moisture annually.
And some more stuff I can't recall right now
And, I have used every single thing listed above.
Bike shorts are as essential to a bicyclist as a swimming suit is to a swimmer, tennis shoes to a tennis player. I don't see any of those being played competently by folks dressed up in suits. Some can get away with regular shorts, but you will get pulling, binding and chafing.
There is a "Clydesdale" forum here - folks over 200 lbs up to several 100 - and almost all of them wear bicycling shorts.
I have had 3 flats within 15 minutes of each other. I have gone months without a flat. They happen to everyone at the most inconvenient time.
So, I carry (on each of the 3 bikes I ride regularly):
Frame pump (2 are road morphs)
Multitool
2 tubes
patch kit
hydrocortisone cream - small tube. I have never used or needed it, but my riding partners have!!
chain and lock of some sort
patch kit
cell phone
tire levers
and my bike has
2 water bottles
a bell
I don't use fenders as we only get about 15" of moisture annually.
And some more stuff I can't recall right now
And, I have used every single thing listed above.
06-29-10, 05:08 PM
#28
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Or you can carry water and a cell phone. Some money is good, too.
Of course that assumes you have somebody handy who'll come get you and you're not to far off the road. The money is for paying the farmer to take you back into town or the emergency food and drink if you reach the "bonk" and there's a convenience store.
Denver is right. Experience will teach you what you need. He must deal with some nasty stickers or glass shards. Two tubes? and a patch kit?
As you go farther and farther you will want the security the precautions give you.
Of course that assumes you have somebody handy who'll come get you and you're not to far off the road. The money is for paying the farmer to take you back into town or the emergency food and drink if you reach the "bonk" and there's a convenience store.
Denver is right. Experience will teach you what you need. He must deal with some nasty stickers or glass shards. Two tubes? and a patch kit?
As you go farther and farther you will want the security the precautions give you.
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06-29-10, 05:24 PM
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Or you can carry water and a cell phone. Some money is good, too.
Of course that assumes you have somebody handy who'll come get you and you're not to far off the road. The money is for paying the farmer to take you back into town or the emergency food and drink if you reach the "bonk" and there's a convenience store.
Denver is right. Experience will teach you what you need. He must deal with some nasty stickers or glass shards. Two tubes? and a patch kit?
As you go farther and farther you will want the security the precautions give you.
Of course that assumes you have somebody handy who'll come get you and you're not to far off the road. The money is for paying the farmer to take you back into town or the emergency food and drink if you reach the "bonk" and there's a convenience store.
Denver is right. Experience will teach you what you need. He must deal with some nasty stickers or glass shards. Two tubes? and a patch kit?
As you go farther and farther you will want the security the precautions give you.
06-29-10, 05:40 PM
#30
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No, down here in crackerland we have sandspurs but they are only a problem in bare feet.
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06-30-10, 12:48 PM
#32
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20 years ago and I started riding. Soon after came the helmet and cycling shorts. Eye protection was a pair of sunglasses but I soon learnt that Cycling tops have a lot going for them in comfort and Warmth-If covered with a waterproof when it rains and a Sports shirt when cold.
Punctures occur--whenever they like so A Patch kit and 2 levers were on the cards- this has been augmented with a spare tube and a multitool--all carried is a small bag under the saddle in a "Wedge".
But the accessories come as you think you require them. I would recommend the helmet though. Your head falling from 6ft straight onto a hard surface at even a slow speed can cause damage. Puncture repair is almost a necessity to some of us- And clothing is more comfortable. Just don't get the clipless pedals for a month or so as you will have enough to worry about with the bike.
Punctures occur--whenever they like so A Patch kit and 2 levers were on the cards- this has been augmented with a spare tube and a multitool--all carried is a small bag under the saddle in a "Wedge".
But the accessories come as you think you require them. I would recommend the helmet though. Your head falling from 6ft straight onto a hard surface at even a slow speed can cause damage. Puncture repair is almost a necessity to some of us- And clothing is more comfortable. Just don't get the clipless pedals for a month or so as you will have enough to worry about with the bike.
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06-30-10, 02:18 PM
#33
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How many of you travel with ID? I always have a copy of my health insurance card in my saddlebag. Also, a piece of paper with my name and contact info for my spouse in a small zip-loc bag.
06-30-10, 02:26 PM
#34
just keep riding
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And I'm sure glad of it. Those goatheads look like a real menace. I guess it depends on what kind of road hazards the OP is likely to encounter where he rides. A single spare tube, a patch kit (sometimes), tire tools and a frame pump are all I have needed to get through most rides. I sometimes carry a second tube on extended rides on my bike that has larger bags to carry more stuff.
06-30-10, 04:09 PM
#35
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I have not needed it yet, but I always have my Road ID. Just in case I am unable to communicate to emergency responders. I think of it as 'cheap insurance'!
06-30-10, 05:11 PM
#36
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Seriously, there are heretics out there with contrarian views about what to wear.
tcs
06-30-10, 05:19 PM
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Actually, chicks dig cyclists in suits.
Seriously, there are heretics out there with contrarian views about what to wear.
tcs
Seriously, there are heretics out there with contrarian views about what to wear.
tcs
SO, you pays your money and you takes your choice. Personally, bicycling bibs and a jersey work for me and lots of other folks!
07-01-10, 08:43 AM
#38
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"Let experience be the best teacher of what is "essential" or not." --Dnvrfox
+1
To go along with the new bike...mini pump, saddle bag (to hold a patch kit and/or a spare tube, couple of cotton balls to find what punctured the tire and perhaps a CO2 inflater) and a helmet if you don't have one. Cycling shorts are good primarily for wicking away moisture from your nether regions, but perhaps not essential.
Brad
+1
To go along with the new bike...mini pump, saddle bag (to hold a patch kit and/or a spare tube, couple of cotton balls to find what punctured the tire and perhaps a CO2 inflater) and a helmet if you don't have one. Cycling shorts are good primarily for wicking away moisture from your nether regions, but perhaps not essential.
Brad
07-01-10, 05:41 PM
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Then in the next year or so you will get fitter- know what type of riding you want to do and also the type of bike you need.
Now that is when your real problem will start. So for now- buy what you feel comfortable with now. But be prepared to get another bike in about a years time.
Now that is when your real problem will start. So for now- buy what you feel comfortable with now. But be prepared to get another bike in about a years time.
Love hearing everyone thoughts on our wonderful hybrid.
07-01-10, 08:44 PM
#40
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Final update from OP in this thread.
Thanks for all the help and support. After a long talk with a LBS owner who has been in business a long time and does not own a car, I took my Bianchi in to him. He convinced me that I have a perfectly good hybrid already and that I don't need another. I talked with him for about an hour and he showed me various bikes and various technology.
I agreed to replacement of hub bearings, check the crank and headset bearings and then look at maybe changing out the straight bar to a handlebar with some rise. I should have the bike back next week. I did buy some bicycle shorts, a helmet, a saddle bag, a combo tool thing, a computer, a headlight, and a taillight. I will get the mini pump, the replacement tube, some tire removers, and patches tomorrow next.
Happy Birthday America!
Thanks for all the help and support. After a long talk with a LBS owner who has been in business a long time and does not own a car, I took my Bianchi in to him. He convinced me that I have a perfectly good hybrid already and that I don't need another. I talked with him for about an hour and he showed me various bikes and various technology.
I agreed to replacement of hub bearings, check the crank and headset bearings and then look at maybe changing out the straight bar to a handlebar with some rise. I should have the bike back next week. I did buy some bicycle shorts, a helmet, a saddle bag, a combo tool thing, a computer, a headlight, and a taillight. I will get the mini pump, the replacement tube, some tire removers, and patches tomorrow next.
Happy Birthday America!
07-02-10, 05:56 AM
#41
just keep riding
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^^^^You are fortunate to have such a good LBS owner. Sounds like he gave you great advice. Afew easy mods to your current bike to make it fit better will save you hundreds compared to buying a similar new bike. If you stick with it, you will be wanting a new and different type of bike after a while. I'm thinking you will know just where to go to get it.
About the pump. If your bike has room to hold a full size frame pump or something mid sized like a Morph, I would get that instead of a mini pump.
About the pump. If your bike has room to hold a full size frame pump or something mid sized like a Morph, I would get that instead of a mini pump.
07-02-10, 06:02 AM
#42
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Mini pumps are worthless for any real pressure.
Enjoy your summer and keep us informed of your progress.
Enjoy your summer and keep us informed of your progress.
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07-02-10, 06:04 AM
#43
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Once you're on the road, be sure to check out the club rides in the area. Maybe I'll see you out there sometime.
https://www.biketcba.us/tours.php?pg=Rides
I'm in Haslett.
https://www.biketcba.us/tours.php?pg=Rides
I'm in Haslett.
07-02-10, 06:56 AM
#44
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Things I would consider essential:
Helmet
Gloves
Cycling shorts
Spare tube and inflator
Cellphone
I am your age and have just gotten back on the bike after 25 years, so I know a little bit about what long layoffs are about. I used to race so I chose a racing bike as that's all I'm really used to riding. I need to lose about 10 pounds so it's not about weight loss, more about conditioning. My butt hurts, my legs are burning, but I'm loving every friggin' minute of it.
Helmet
Gloves
Cycling shorts
Spare tube and inflator
Cellphone
I am your age and have just gotten back on the bike after 25 years, so I know a little bit about what long layoffs are about. I used to race so I chose a racing bike as that's all I'm really used to riding. I need to lose about 10 pounds so it's not about weight loss, more about conditioning. My butt hurts, my legs are burning, but I'm loving every friggin' minute of it.
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