Things to consider
 

So Im getting my first new bike in a decade or 2. It will be several days before it will be in and built. So are there things I should consider to add while its in the shop? Or you have loved since you added it to your bike.

I know this is all subjective stuff. Ive considered bar ends. I had them on my last mountain bike, but I just dont know if they would be used as much on a flat bar road bike.

Have the shop do a rough fit for you while you're there. Then just ride. You may want to consider some of the basics like a pump, patch kit, water bottle cage and water bottle. There are plenty of threads here regarding the essentials everyone recommends but since it's been so long since you've ridden... ride it for a couple of weeks and think about what you might want while you're riding.

Yeah, bike fit is #1 thing, the rest will come to you while you riding.

A pump, multi-tool, a patch kit, and a spare tube. A rear blinkie light for rides when the visibility is not so good, i.e. overcast or evenings. Water bottle and cage. I like the insulated ones. Depending what you plan to carry, a rack or under seat bag. That covers all the basics, just get out and ride. Later, you might decide you want a computer to track your mileage. Or narrower tires. Or wider tires. Or a different seat.

My basic kit is: fenders, CREE front light (after almost hitting an idiot walking at night in dark non-reflective clothing), dual blinking tail lights (want to make sure motor vehicles see me), rack, panniers, water bottle cage (I just use 20oz bottles, San Jose water is not really drinkable), mirror (the old neck is not so flexible).

For longer rides, beyond the range of close public transit, add pump, tire levers, spare tube, patch kit.

After reading through other peoples advice to new bike buyers i see a few references to the quality of the crankset. It is not something Ive heard much about before. How do I know if the crank set is good?

Crank on a new bike will be fine for many years. What bike did you get?

Short bar ends, and a Mountain Myrricle mirror are always on my short list, along with ergonomic grips and a rack for carrying stuff. I really like the Specialized Grips, and their P2 bar ends.

Safety: My essential add-on is a rear view mirror. It is an absolute must-have safety device and I feel they should be legally required. Lights are nice, but I rarely ride in the dark.

Performance: Think about the tire size. If you're going to run 90 percent on pavement, then get a "28" tire put on. Bottle cage and bottle.

Feedback: Get a bike computer. The feedback it provides is very useful (and fun).

Convenience: Rear rack with a spring. Racks without the spring require bungee cords and they can be a problem and they don't always work very well. They may be an ounce or two heavier, but the bungee cords you'll need weigh that much so in the end there's no real difference in weight.

This is the bike
Fuji Absolute 1.3 D Flat Bar Road Bike - 2014

It looks like a very nice bike. If it was mine, I'd add a mirror, computer and spring bike rack. Then ride as many hours as I could.

Nice bike. Ride the heck out of it. Keep it clean and lubed and you'll get plenty of trouble free years out of it.

And if you hell bent to start making changes (everyone does) spend an afternoon looking through old posts. You can basically upgrade almost anything on that bike but for now I wouldn't or at least start with the some of the most inexpensive ones just to get a jump on that "I gotta change something feeling". Maybe new brake pads, you can flip the stem (that one's free), If you don't like the grips that's a pretty cheap change too. If you're starting to think about the cranks and stuff like that right away then you bought the wrong bike.

You'll figure out what works for you.

I find close ratio gears make cycling more enjoyable, and would swap out that 11-32 cassette for one with tighter spacing, like 12-26. The shorter jumps between gears makes it easier to keep your cadence in the most efficient (and comfortable!) range.

Unless you are riding long steep climbs, (or milder climbs but are really out of shape) the 36-32 low gear on the bike now is fairly useless. The swap'll also ditch a quarter pound or so.

A mirror, definitely. An under seat bag to carry a spare tube and some plastic tyre levers. A frame pump (why would you not want to carry one all the time?).
Water bottle cage (s). A computer (wireless so you can remove it). Ergonomic grips (if the ones that are on it aren't comfortable).
Bar ends, yes you'll probably enjoy having them. Personally I prefer ones with a decent length of straight after the bend on the top, that way you get more than one riding position from them, and increase their worth.
Have fun with the bike, and happy riding!

I know 4 or 5 people who bought one of those or the 2013 model. It's a nice bike.

maybe fenders if you're not strictly a fair weather rider

also a rear rack. you never know what you might want to have with you, or might find to bring home, while out on a ride

So after thinking about everything, Im not really set on changing anything. Maybe grips, but I'll try the ones on it for a while. Do the mirrors mounted to the helmet work?

Helmet mounted mirrors work for some, but not for others. The vision in my left eye is minimal, so I prefer a bar mounted mirror (as mentioned below).

You didn't say what type of riding you plan to do.

Regardless of type:

Mountain Mirrycle mirror
Ergonomic grips and (possibly integrated) bar ends. (whatever you find comfortable)
Water bottle cages
Water bottles

*Multi-tool
*Spare tube(s)
*Inflation device (either a pump or CO2, or if paranoid like me, both)
Something to carry the above.

If wet weather riding is in planned, fenders would be essential.

I personally would add a rear rack, a trunk bag and lights... I always use my rack with a trunk bag, and sometimes panniers for all-day trips. I have only used my lights a couple of times, but they are always good to have just in case.

Really the riding is fitness based. I rode trails frequently when I was younger and thought it would be good to get some cardio this way. I guess I'll be on pavement, and probably fair weather only

It sounds like you can definitely skip fenders, and depending on the length of your ride a rack...

I use a rack because I like long rides with a snack/picnic along the way, plus more tools and emergency supplies than most people carry. My paranoia is based on the fact that I like riding isolated rail trails, and I can be up to about 7 miles from the nearest trail head, and in some cases, the nearest trail head is a long way from significant civilization. :) So, I could be up to 12 or 13 miles from the closest help... That could lead to a 4-5 hour walk pushing a disabled bike if it happens at the wrong time... so I ride over-prepared.

Also, unless you are the fastest rider on a trail, a mirror comes in handy on a trail too. It helps you spot riders coming from behind and be prepared for them to pass by moving over to the edge of the trail.

Darwin, when I was reading your post about being a ways from civilization, I remember reading a post somewhere about a fair amount of stock tires being crap.

These are the stocks on mine: Vera CityWide, 700 x 28c, 30tpi w/ Phalanx flat protection

Any opinions?

So first ride on Sunday was great. Im not advanced enough to critique the bike, but I like the way it feels.

That's the best critique you can give it!