InvisibleRider

Hi All,

So finally I bought my first road bike. The 2011 Specialized Secteur Elite with 105 shifters, 105 front and back derailleurs .. 700x23 tyres.

What would be my next thing now.. ? Gear and helmet.. The first thing I am planning to do is bike tuning. Then I want to buy riding gear but I am not sure what are those "slacks" called with the gel pads..

any suggestions ?

Thanks in advance.

bwrench

You are going to be spending more cash on the bike accessories than you did on the bike. Before you go riding, you need a good helmet to keep your brains inside of your skull. It is not if you crash, but when, and head protection is of utmost importance. You will also need a few pairs of bike shorts. Get a good quality pair with a good pad, your back side will love you for it. This will lead on to bike jerseys, since you need something to wich your body heat away. You might think that you can ride in a Tee shirt, but once you wear a good bike jersey, you will never use a cotton tee shirt again. The next thing you need is a good tail light, then a pair of bike shoes with clipless pedals.

Have fun riding!!! the bike computer comes next

david58

In our country, where it is so wet, you are definitely going to need lights front and rear. Not so you can see, but so you can be seen. bwrench is right - shorts (I prefer bibs, myself) are pretty important, your hiney will thank you. Chafe-proofing yourself with "Bag Balm" is important, too.
You are eventually want pedals and shoes, jerseys (you can use non-cotton "tech fabric" shirts available cheaply at Target, etc until you decide what you want for jerseys). You also need a couple of spare tubes, tire removal tools, and a seat bag to tote them in.
I would suggest drifting down to REI - their cycling clothing is solid, and they also carry other brands than their own if you wish to spend more. But I got a much-coveted REI Headwind jacket from Mrs. Santa yesterday, and have NO desire to spend more on the fancier brands - REI stuff is good, and they have a wide variety, especially if you go to the downtown store.
Welcome to the ranks of the empty-walleted cycling-addicts. I will heft my IPA in your general direction in your honor (I earned the beer after an hour on my trainer with my road bike).

darinm

I would start by riding the bike, take it from there.

BigBlueToe

I spend a lot on bike gear. I like it! If there's a new bike gizmo - "bike schwag" - I'm likely to buy it.

Start with a helmet (my opinion).

If you ride a lot you'll get a flat tire. It could happen on the first ride if you're really unlucky. If it happens you can call someone to come rescue you. But if you can fix it you can continue on your ride in a short time. Get a spare tube, tire irons, a patch kit, and a way to carry them - underseat bag, rack trunk, etc. You'll also need a frame pump (or some CO2, but I prefer a pump). Find someone who's patient and experienced to show you how to change a flat if you don't know. (Hint: Don't use a screwdriver!)

Spandex bike shorts with padding ("chamois") are great, as are jerseys with three pockets in back. However, I rode for decades before I discovered this, and so can you if you wish. Some people (my wife, my son) just can't seem to see themselves "sportin' the spandex." My son wears his under thin basketball shorts (coward!) My wife prefers baggy mountain shorts because they still have the pad.

Seattle Forrest

This is the correct answer.

pat5319

Find someone who is experienced, preferably with at least a little racing experience, to "take under their wing". There are a lotta clubs, teams and shop rides (Elliot Bay to make connections there, google some, and ask around. There are a lot of riders out there moer than wiling to "give back". Read some books like Greg Lemond's, Bernard Hinault's, Chris Carmichael's all and more can be had at library. I sometimes will ride in the Seattle area, I'll give you a heads up- send me a msg when the weather gets better to remind me if you want, or if you want to ride in Spokane

B. Carfree

The first step is to ride the bike. However, step zero may be to read and understand the vehicle code. (That's the vehicle code, not the often poorly-written driver's handbook.) This may not add much to your safety, but at least you can avoid doing the dangerous things that are illegal.

If you're going to learn from a mentor, good luck. From my cranky old (get off the lawn!) perspective, most of the folks who have taken up cycling during this current boomlet are amazingly clueless on their bikes. Look for cyclists who have a few decades and several hundred thousand miles in the saddle. Hint: if the person who is teaching you assumes that crashes "just happen", then look elsewhere for a mentor. Hitting the pavement should be something that happens less than once per hundred thousand miles.

10 Wheels

Get a good floor pump...air up the tires before each ride.

motofranz

Invisiblerider
I bought some cycling short padded liners and like then very well.
You can just wear your regular shorts over the liners.
Next I will purchase some winter (cold,wet riding ) gear for the beautiful winters in the NW.

pat5319

for clothing- stick to hydrophobic fabrics such as polyester, polypropolene and wool (My fave, especially for really cold or really hot weather)