GlennR

My bicycle is much quieter than a motorcycle, so I can hear cars coming up on my left.

BTW... cars weren't mandated to have side view mirrors until the 60s.

And motorcycles are a poor example because given the option, most will ride without a helmet. On I-84 there's a paved siding at the New York - Connecticut boarder so they can stop and remove their helmets since NY requires them and Ct. does not.

Pompiere

I like the Polar Insulated bottles, 28 oz size, about $10. If you add some ice, it keeps cold for a couple hours on a hot day. Plus, it doesn't sweat and drip on the bike.

gpburdell

As one who's enjoyed many different hobbies over the years, I emphasize this advice. Stick to the minimum at first, adding solutions as you figure out the actual things you need to solve.


Which locks are people's favorites? U-locks trump cables I expect, but any specific models?

practical

Nobody is forcing you to use a mirror, but for the vast majority of riders, mirrors can be an important safety feature. For most of us, seeing traffic behind us is better than hearing it. Let's encourage mirror use whenever we can.

GlennR

I rather encourage the use of helmets.

But if one mirror is good then 2 is better?



Yes, mirrors are good if you feel you need one, but there are more important things first.

Also i'd suggest a helmet or eyeglass mounted mirror over a handle bar mirror since they rotate with your head.

ColonelSanders

I do most of my riding in urban streets, so as for hearing cars, it is tough because there can be cars coming towards you/passing you on the other side of the road, and cars from side streets merging.

If you don't want a mirror, that's fine, but it made a nice addition to my setup.

GlennR

I'll concede that in a city a mirror can be helpful. But then you have to assume there are always cars passing on the left. But when on a trail, they are useless.

FLJeepGuy

Mirrors and helmets are touchy subjects around here. Best to leave the answer as a personal choice lest we end up hijacking this thread with a near religious war.

ColonelSanders

With my Mirrycle Mirror, it has an expander that braces itself against the inside of your flat handlebar and you need an allen key to expand it out and to take it off the bike.

It is not an item I ever remove from my bike when I lock it up(unlike my lights), and I am not worried about anyone stealing it.

https://www.mirrycle.com/mirrycle_mirrors.php

GlennR

Agreed.... using both has no downside. Using neither can have serious consequences.

[group_hug][/group_hug]

DjFantom

thanks for the suggestion. will pick one up this weekend .

nice quick installation .. and bikeman recommends it too. lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GGCEEIqJLM

FLJeepGuy

My wife had one of these on her first bike and absolutely loved it. I did the install and can say that it's very stable, easy to adjust and gives a good field of view.

madurotiger

Would you bother getting a rear or front light if you won't be doing any riding in the dark?

Wanderer

I would get both front and rear, and make sure both of them have a strobe mode.

There have been many times, when I turn them both on, in traffic, to bring attention to myself. On a busy street, when you are first in line at a lite, you always wonder if that person across from you can actually see you. When I can't make eye contact with them, I have to assume I am invisible to them. Turn on the strobe, and they snap to attention...... I really like LED lites, for both front and rear.

ColonelSanders

Are you so certain you won't ever be riding in the dark?

I almost got sideswiped by a car at dusk whilst he was changing over into my lane. This then prompted me to get a very powerful rear light that is attached to the back of my helmet.

gpburdell

People "see" what they look for, and what they look for is often limited to what they're used to seeing. Car drivers tend to only "see" other cars. Think of how many accident reports include the claim "I never saw him" or "she came out of nowhere"... It's not that the [motor|bi]cyclist wasn't visible, it's that the driver simply wasn't looking out for anything but four+ wheelers.

Flashing lights often get through drivers' perception filters and help you to be "seen" when you otherwise wouldn't be.

Depending on the traffic environment I'd even suggest blinking lights in daytime.

nick779

Does anyone have any suggestions on locks? I figure that cable locks are pretty weak and a U lock or high strength chain + lock are a better bet.

FLJeepGuy

With locks you really get what you pay for. The Kryptonite New Yorker and the Abus 6500 both get pretty good ratings, but you also need to consider where you're locking the bike and for how long. I use a combination of a Kryptonite U-Lock plus a Kryptonite braided cable, but I never leave my bike far out of sight, nor for very long. If I was locking it up for a full day, I'd get a secondary U-Lock as well. You also need to consider weight and how much you're willing to lug around with you and what type of riding you're doing while carrying everything. As anyone will attest, a determined theif with the right tools can get through pretty much anything given time and or location to work.

headloss 

Some weird answers in here... I don't have a bicycle computer and I've been riding for seven years now, don't have a need for one. CO2 is nice, but start with a pump, you can get something that gets the job done for less than $30. Do your local gas stations have free air? Just get a valve adapter and use those to fill your tires. CO2 is more helpful when running 100# of pressure; on a hybrid with maybe 60# of air, it's just a luxury. Multi tools tend to be over priced and break easy... just get an allen wrench set to begin with.

Mirrors are nice if you are riding for hours, in that a car won't just sneak up on you. Not really needed though, unless you have some physiological issue that prevents you from turning your head.

My recommendation. Get a 1W tail light for safety/visibility day or night. Saddle bag to carry an extra tube and an energy bar. Cheap pump to attach to the frame if necessary. Ulock, if necessary. Beyond that, figure it out as you go.

You can get a good helmet from Performance for $50 when they have a sale.

travbikeman

Performance Bikes have good prices on helmets at the moment. From $30 on up. They also have a good pump as well for only $30. Which is similar to many pumps on Amazon in that price range. I highly suggest buying a helmet from a bike store to try on the fit. I mistakenly purchased a Zefal helmet from WalMart thinking it fit. It did, until I unwrapped the straps after tearing off the cardboard. Figures, straps are too small for me. Wasted the $25. Specialized has some good helmets (which is what I got) for $40.

I suggest riding your bike for a while to figure out what kind of pedals and grips you may need. You might like what your bike has, you might want better.

There are many inexpensive multi tools available. Depends on your needs. Cheap is good if you don't use it often. Use it often and you want something better.

I personally don't like the mirrors. I'm more of a person that feels better about being more aware of the surroundings. I believe mirrors belong on motorized vehicles. Besides, they for some reason are very distracting to me, so I forgo that.

Pompiere

I like a mirror when out on the roads. I live in a rural area, and sometimes the wind masks the sound of an approaching car.

I always carry a blinker led for when the visibility is less than optimum. Rain, overcast, sunset, etc. There have been two cyclists killed near here in the past couple years when hit from behind. One was in daylight, but she was riding toward the setting sun.

I don't have a gas station or bike shop nearby, so I have to be self sufficient while out on the bike. For that reason I carry a small tool kit, spare tube, and pump. I prefer a pump over CO2. You don't have to buy canisters, and you have more reach to fend off a dog.

jt02gt

Just some things I have picked up over the last couple years:
Park Multi tool - Amazon.com : Park Tool Rescue Tool Kit : Bike Multifunction Tools : Sports & Outdoors all tools you need and is very compact to fit in saddle bag)
saddle bag got at LBS during their annual spring sale along with a floor pump.
Spare tube and bicycle tire levers like these - Amazon.com : Pedro's Bicycle Tire Lever - Pair : Bike Hand Tools : Sports & Outdoors
Lezyne pump - Amazon.com : Lezyne Road Drive Hand Pump : Frame Mount Bike Pumps : Sports & Outdoors (pump mount fits under water bottle cage which is nice)

gpburdell

jt02gt - quick question. Why the separate tire levers when the Park Tool Rescue Tool you listed claims to have an integrated set?


Anyone have experience with the Lezyne Pressure Drive CFH? Seems to offer choice of both options depending on circumstances since you can just carry the hose and a CO2 cartridge.

GlennR

I carry a pair of the blue Park tire levers since they make changing the tube much easier.

jaycee74

Don't forget to buy some chain lube to keep your bike running clean. good luck and stay safe