Hosscooper

Howdy y'all I live around FT Worth TX and have just gotten back into riding. I haven't ridden since I was a kid and had a bmx style single gear bike. I recently bought a 2010 trek 7000 hybrid off of craigs list for 185 and I am enjoying it pretty regularly. With 21 gears and it being a heck of a lot lighter than I would have imagined I am regularly averaging 12mph on 5+ mile rides. Anyhow what are some of the little things that I might find extremely helpful that I might not know about. The only thing I can think of is gel gloves, my hands hurt after a while, and a helmet. Well I look forward to y'alls responses.

SPiN 360

1. Make sure you have a proper HELMET!
2. Proper padded bike shorts make longer rides MUCH more tolerable.
3. Don't switch gears when pedaling hard. Let up a little and switch. This save A LOT of wear and tear on your chain and drivetrain.
4. Downshift when you are coming to a stop so it's easy to get going again.
5. Downshift BEFORE you get into a big hill.
6. Yes, gloves definitely help.

aaronmcd

It all depends on what kind of riding you are doing, or want to do and what kind of shape you are in. For years I commuted to school and work. I was interested in speed and getting to work and school FAST so I bought a road bike. I noticed tje difference between a cheap walmart bike and a 20 or 30 year old road bike were tremendous. The difference between that and a 10 year old road bike were better. For commuting, every driver is out to kill you. Seriously. For all riding, make aure you don't have much weight on your hands. I never use gloves unless I am cold. I didn't use bike shorts for 4 years. Bike shorts aee good if you arent used to commuting, or if you want to ride over 100 milea per week. I have not had a good bike fit, but others swear by it. It took me years to figure out exactly how to bast ride. Just pay attention to EVERYTHING and learn from it is my opinion.

Rootman

Welcome to the forum and back to the world of cycling, spin 360's advise above is good stuff, all I can add is perhaps get a mirror too. It can save your life.

Gloves are a little bit of a hot topic. What I personally do is go to a home center and buy a pair that's made to work with impact tools, they seem tougher and fit me better, the padding seems thicker too. As well as the gel padding, gloves cover your hands and keep them from the sun and protect that sensitive skin should you take a tumble. I personally wear long fingered gloves year around but select what you feel comfortable with.

And above all - KEEP RIDIN'!

bike0enthusiast

If you ride at night make sure to have some good lights to be as visible as possible. Look into planet bike or Portland design works lights.