Starting from scratch
#1
In the Pain Cave
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Starting from scratch
Hey guys! I will be commuting to work roughly 12 miles a day and plan on cycling/joining cycle club for the weekends. I really dont know a thing though and have just recently been plowing through information this last week. Here is my list of things to purchase(keeping it around $1000 US).
Road Bikes - Motobecane Vent Noir from BD
pedals
shoes
bib
shirt
jacket
winter clothing(coming when more funds available)
fit test at LBS
helmet
pump
waterbottle
thoughts? I know I am missing a few things but not sure what. Also if there are some great links that might answer some of this in detail i am more than willing to check them out.
thanks guys
Road Bikes - Motobecane Vent Noir from BD
pedals
shoes
bib
shirt
jacket
winter clothing(coming when more funds available)
fit test at LBS
helmet
pump
waterbottle
thoughts? I know I am missing a few things but not sure what. Also if there are some great links that might answer some of this in detail i am more than willing to check them out.
thanks guys
#2
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2 spare tubes and the knowledge to fix a flat on the road. Search the threads about what else to carry with you (some carry: a few $$, ID, phone...) As a newbie, don't get to hung up on brands or models. Your tastes will change anyway. As long as the shoes, clothes and bike fits and is not a piece of junk you'll be fine.
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FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#3
In the Pain Cave
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thanks homebrew. Seems like getting caught up in brands is easy to do. Maybe I will just go ahead with this and not worry about it. I will look into spare tubes and check the commuter forums for what else to carry
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You may want to check out you-tube videos on changing a flat, as they helped me out visually. I just started biking last year, and after watching various ways to change a flat, I took bits of info from each method and applied it to my bike. Sure, there's a general way to do it, but for someone new to biking, you want to be confident in changing a tube. Helped out another seasoned cyclist change their tube once, and it was surprising to see how much trouble he had!
You may also want to look into an LED rear flashing light as well.
You may also want to look into an LED rear flashing light as well.
#5
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Hey guys! I will be commuting to work roughly 12 miles a day and plan on cycling/joining cycle club for the weekends. I really dont know a thing though and have just recently been plowing through information this last week. Here is my list of things to purchase(keeping it around $1000 US).
Response
Road Bikes - Motobecane Vent Noir from BD Know any thing about bikes like how to adjust the derailers, stress and true the wheels, install the stem (and possibly fork)? Know when and how to adjust the drivetrain controls when the cables stretch? If not, go to a bike shop and purchase there. Jamis makes some good entry level bikes that may not have the same stuff on them as the BD bike but they have a bike shop to help with the fiddly parts.
pedals Although Bicycling Magazine is mostly useless, they did have a good series of shadow boxes in the latest issue. It tell you what to spend you money on and what to save on. Save on pedals, spend on shoes. I.e. cheap pedals work fine and expensive pedals are only marginally better for much more money.
shoes
bib Spend on shorts and bibs, save on jerseys (not a shirt, please)
shirt
jacket
winter clothing(coming when more funds available) Spring is always a good time to save on winter clothing. So what if you are wearing last years stuff. Some of my winter gear goes back 20 years...they just doesn't wear out.
fit test at LBS Another reason to go with a bike shop. I'm not convinced that a 'professional fit' is worth the money. A good shop can get you pretty close to what a computer will do.
helmet Again, save on the helmet. All helmets sold in the US must meet ANSI standards. A $30 helmet offers the same protection as a $200 helmet. A mid-priced helmet ($50-$60) often has the same fit geegaws as the higher priced ones.
pump Topeak Road Morph. Say no more.
waterbottle Get two and the cages to carry them.
thoughts? I know I am missing a few things but not sure what. Also if there are some great links that might answer some of this in detail i am more than willing to check them out.
thanks guys
Response
Road Bikes - Motobecane Vent Noir from BD Know any thing about bikes like how to adjust the derailers, stress and true the wheels, install the stem (and possibly fork)? Know when and how to adjust the drivetrain controls when the cables stretch? If not, go to a bike shop and purchase there. Jamis makes some good entry level bikes that may not have the same stuff on them as the BD bike but they have a bike shop to help with the fiddly parts.
pedals Although Bicycling Magazine is mostly useless, they did have a good series of shadow boxes in the latest issue. It tell you what to spend you money on and what to save on. Save on pedals, spend on shoes. I.e. cheap pedals work fine and expensive pedals are only marginally better for much more money.
shoes
bib Spend on shorts and bibs, save on jerseys (not a shirt, please)
shirt
jacket
winter clothing(coming when more funds available) Spring is always a good time to save on winter clothing. So what if you are wearing last years stuff. Some of my winter gear goes back 20 years...they just doesn't wear out.
fit test at LBS Another reason to go with a bike shop. I'm not convinced that a 'professional fit' is worth the money. A good shop can get you pretty close to what a computer will do.
helmet Again, save on the helmet. All helmets sold in the US must meet ANSI standards. A $30 helmet offers the same protection as a $200 helmet. A mid-priced helmet ($50-$60) often has the same fit geegaws as the higher priced ones.
pump Topeak Road Morph. Say no more.
waterbottle Get two and the cages to carry them.
thoughts? I know I am missing a few things but not sure what. Also if there are some great links that might answer some of this in detail i am more than willing to check them out.
thanks guys
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#6
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Wow! Some great info guys and just what i needed! Thanks again and one more question. Would building my own bike be an answer to knowing the ins and outs of the bike? Or is that really not a good idea for a first time buyer?
#7
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And there are some specialized tools that you can't really work around. That adds to the cost of doing it. It's usually a one time investment but it can add up pretty quickly.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#8
King of the Plukers
I think you're missing a few things. You need a way to carry whatever you need at work. Some people use a rack and trunk bag or pannier, some folks bring clothes in once a week and ride the rest, either way you need a solution for cleaning up and changing.
You definitely need a seat bag, a small one that will hold a tube, multitool, a couple levers, your cel phone and wallet is fine. The fashion is to go small, you don't want some big clunker back there or the girls will point at you.
Good luck!
You definitely need a seat bag, a small one that will hold a tube, multitool, a couple levers, your cel phone and wallet is fine. The fashion is to go small, you don't want some big clunker back there or the girls will point at you.
Good luck!
#9
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Seat bags are a matter of taste. I personally have a huge seat bag I use for commuting. This sucker holds my spare tube, levers, patch kit, multi-tool, wallet, cell phone and keys. Sometimes I even put my sandwich in there. I like to have my back free and clear is all.
You will also need to look into getting lights for both the front and rear for your commute.
You will also need to look into getting lights for both the front and rear for your commute.
#10
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I think you're missing a few things. You need a way to carry whatever you need at work. Some people use a rack and trunk bag or pannier, some folks bring clothes in once a week and ride the rest, either way you need a solution for cleaning up and changing.
You definitely need a seat bag, a small one that will hold a tube, multitool, a couple levers, your cel phone and wallet is fine. The fashion is to go small, you don't want some big clunker back there or the girls will point at you.
Good luck!
You definitely need a seat bag, a small one that will hold a tube, multitool, a couple levers, your cel phone and wallet is fine. The fashion is to go small, you don't want some big clunker back there or the girls will point at you.
Good luck!
Shoes are something else to think about. I wear straight road shoes, but then I don't have to do much walking. If you have a lot of stop lights and may need the ability to walk around for a time in your shoes, you should probably go with mountain bike shoes and a more walkable cleat (like Shimano SPD). Many shoe companies have a MTB shoe that is basically exactly like their road shoes, but with tread on the bottom.
Good luck!
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An all-weather commuter bike is often a different animal to a weekend race bike.
You may want to fit fenders and a rear lugagge rack (or not) but having the option to fit these greatly expands the usefulness of a bike.
Look for a bike with reasonable tyre clearance (28mm for a road bike) and threaded eyelets for full length fenders. You can get accessories that strap or clip to the bike but these are 2nd best.
There are sporty road bikes with sufficient clearance and eyelets if you look hard. Note that some rack eyelets are located close to the brakes and may interfere.
I ride 12miles/day to work and dont use cycling shorts. I only wear them when I will be on the bike for more than 1 hr.
I always wear gloves for warmth, shock absorption but mostly as crash protection.
You may want to fit fenders and a rear lugagge rack (or not) but having the option to fit these greatly expands the usefulness of a bike.
Look for a bike with reasonable tyre clearance (28mm for a road bike) and threaded eyelets for full length fenders. You can get accessories that strap or clip to the bike but these are 2nd best.
There are sporty road bikes with sufficient clearance and eyelets if you look hard. Note that some rack eyelets are located close to the brakes and may interfere.
I ride 12miles/day to work and dont use cycling shorts. I only wear them when I will be on the bike for more than 1 hr.
I always wear gloves for warmth, shock absorption but mostly as crash protection.
#12
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Hey guys! I will be commuting to work roughly 12 miles a day and plan on cycling/joining cycle club for the weekends. I really dont know a thing though and have just recently been plowing through information this last week. Here is my list of things to purchase(keeping it around $1000 US).
Road Bikes - Motobecane Vent Noir from BD
pedals
shoes
bib
shirt
jacket
winter clothing(coming when more funds available)
fit test at LBS
helmet
pump
waterbottle
thoughts? I know I am missing a few things but not sure what. Also if there are some great links that might answer some of this in detail i am more than willing to check them out.
thanks guys
Road Bikes - Motobecane Vent Noir from BD
pedals
shoes
bib
shirt
jacket
winter clothing(coming when more funds available)
fit test at LBS
helmet
pump
waterbottle
thoughts? I know I am missing a few things but not sure what. Also if there are some great links that might answer some of this in detail i am more than willing to check them out.
thanks guys
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/359753-my-actual-cost-cycling-dollars-cents.html
i started it in the hopes that it might help out some people who were just getting into cycling and wanted to stay on a budget. have a look and see if there are some things on there that you may not have thought of.
i would say that a good multi tool, a spare tube or two, a patch repair kit, and maybe a small saddle bag to carry it all would be good things to get in addition to what you already have listed.
oh, and gloves, too. i never ride without wearing some sort of hand protection.
happy riding.
#13
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You could do it...bicycles are pretty simple...but there are some things that can come up that could be frustrating to fix unless you've run across them before. Mostly it's little details that will be the problem. Park tools has about the best on-line mechanical help you can find.
And there are some specialized tools that you can't really work around. That adds to the cost of doing it. It's usually a one time investment but it can add up pretty quickly.
And there are some specialized tools that you can't really work around. That adds to the cost of doing it. It's usually a one time investment but it can add up pretty quickly.
having just built up my first road bike, i have to agree wholeheartedly with you on those points.
#14
Senior Member
Good advice above.
I'll add that a lot of "top line" helmets get relegated to second line status after the first year or two. There are some very, very nice helmets in the $60 range.
cdr
I'll add that a lot of "top line" helmets get relegated to second line status after the first year or two. There are some very, very nice helmets in the $60 range.
cdr
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OP - don't want to complicate this - you have received great advice so far - but for commuting, you may want mountain bike pedals/shoes instead of road bike pedals/shoes. Mountain bike shoes are quite 'walkable' with recessed cleats and soles w/treads. That would be a great benefit if/when you're off your bike to cross traffic, stop at store, hike home w/two flats, whatever.
#16
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OP - don't want to complicate this - you have received great advice so far - but for commuting, you may want mountain bike pedals/shoes instead of road bike pedals/shoes. Mountain bike shoes are quite 'walkable' with recessed cleats and soles w/treads. That would be a great benefit if/when you're off your bike to cross traffic, stop at store, hike home w/two flats, whatever.
Also, if you're going to start soon, do yourself a favor and pick up some armwarmers and kneewarmers. They're exactly what you need for spring mornings.
#17
Senior Member
I know what you mean though. I put a 110 cu in saddle bag on my "nice" road bike, and a 125 cu in expanding bag on my old road bike. And I was thinking "oh yeah, the roadies will be looking down their noses ..."
But I love having the space to jam in a pair of arm warmers or whatever.
Absolutely get a rack and a pannier of some type, if you're commuting. I never did understand why people would carry something on the backs (it gets hot and sweaty!) if the bike could carry it for you.
#18
In the Pain Cave
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Thanks again guys. Looks like I need to look into mtb shoes. I actually have a pretty nice setup in regards to work. I have a shower at work I can use and I can take a bus when the weather is bad if needed. Hince optimizing for road "cycling" as opposed to commuting. One of my LBS is having 70% off winter gear so I will have to go check it out.
thanks again guys and I will let you know how it turn sout
thanks again guys and I will let you know how it turn sout
#19
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+1 on the mountain bike pedals/shoes. Stairs in road shoes can be treacherous. And +1 on the arm/leg warmers. If you commute in the morning, the temperature can rise quickly.
Did you mention sunglasses? A good pair is well worth the money. Riding blind in rush hour traffic is scary.
#20
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I like a small backpack. CamelBak HOG, if they still make it is about the right size for me. I leave changes of clothes at work, plus some warm stuff in case a front comes through while I am working.
If you can only swing one bike and you really want to race, you pretty much need a fast bike. If racing weekends was not an issue, my advice would be different. All said, I have five bikes - my road bike is still my favorite commuter.
#21
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Thanks again guys. Looks like I need to look into mtb shoes. I actually have a pretty nice setup in regards to work. I have a shower at work I can use and I can take a bus when the weather is bad if needed. Hince optimizing for road "cycling" as opposed to commuting. One of my LBS is having 70% off winter gear so I will have to go check it out.
thanks again guys and I will let you know how it turn sout
thanks again guys and I will let you know how it turn sout
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!