bp15

I'm getting into road bicycling and need some recommendation on what to buy to complete my just purchased used bike. I got a used Giant TCR C3 almost brand new for half price, but it does not come with the pedals.

Since I'm new to this, I'd like to ask for advises or suggestions on which helmet, pedals, shoes and clothes to buy (brand, models, etc...) . I'm about 5.7'' and the bike is a medium size 50cm.

The person who sold me the bike recommend that I use the mountain bike shoes since the road bike shoes make lots of noise because of the metal pieces on the bottoms and the mountain bike shoes have some plastic spikes to prevent that issues and he said that it works fine.

Thanks for any input.

Parsnip

Helmet - Pretty personal decision due to style tastes and head shape - I love my Bell Sweep, try a few on though - dont skimp on your helmet, more expensive, better vented models are worth it - esp. if you live in a warm area.

Pedals - Top end ones work pretty similar to low end ones apart from weight.
I like shimanos, there are other choices out there, but a pair of 105 pedals are great value for money and work well. MTB shoes are easier to walk in, but if im on my bike, im not concerned with walking - ive always used road pedals though, so i cant really comment.

Clothes:
A good baselayer, somthing like an adidas climacool.
Shoes for you pedals of choice - Shimano are good value for money, Sidis are uber bling but pricey.
Shorts - dont do them on the cheap - buy the best bibs you can afford - i like pearl izumi ultra sensors. Never tried Assos, but they musty be doing something right to justify that price.
Jerseys - a few decent jerseys that fit well and have 3 pockets. If money is an object, get a cheap jersey and expensive shorts - your gooch will thank you.

BananaTugger

Whatever fits best, Look Keo Sprint, whatever fits best and whatever fits best.

Nickshu

Helmet: I have always liked Giro's, they fit well and last, and when your pads wear out just drop an email to their Customer Service dept and in 3 days you'll have a new set in the mail for free.

Pedals/Shoes: I really like Time pedals. They have the best free-float of any pedal I have ridden. For less than $150 you can get Time RXS pedals and Time 3-strap shoes (which IMHO are very comfortable). Maybe less on Ebay.

Clothes: Cycling clothes are perhaps the most overpriced aspect of this sport. Ebay is your friend, and it's about the only place you will find quality jersey and shorts brands like Pearl Izumi for cheap. You can get good deals on sale here and there but often all they have left is XXS or XXXXL sized stuff. Avoid Nashbar and Performance brand clothes, in my experience they are inexpensive b/c they are cheaply made and don't last long.

Best of Luck!!

MSchott

I suggest you peruse your local bike shops, mainly the larger ones for these items then go online and see what's available. There are many sources with good pricing including Performance Bike, Bike Nashbar, Probikekit, Colorado Cyclist and others. Some offer coupons and discounts.

Good brand names include Specialized, Louis Garneau, Pearl Izumi, Descente and others for clothes. Bell and Giro are good choices for helmets.

Thanks, Mike.

CharlieWoo

Performance jerseys/shorts when on sale are a good start for noobs. If you are going to be a road cyclist then get road shoes, not MTB shoes.

icyclist 

I think everyone here will have personal opinions - lots of different personal opinions, based on what looks good, feels the best, and/or is most or least expensive. In your case, as a noob, you'll just have to learn by experience.

But hey, if you could figure out how to score a deal on an appropriate bike, why do you think you need help figuring out how to do the same with accessories?

Jynx

Helmet - Bell Sweep R
Pedals - Shimano PD-5610 (105) or PD-6620 (Ultegra)
Shoes - Sidi Genius 5
Clothes - Hammer/Voler Bibs. Cycling specific jersey. Specialized BG Gloves.

Szczuldo

Helmet - Giro, Atmos seems like the overall favorite but I went with the model down from it.
Pedals - Look KEO pedals are good, I have the sprints and am very pleased with the purchase.
Shoes - Anything that fits your feet, carbon soles are a plus.
Clothes - Giordana works very well, haven't tried anything else.

Carbon Unit

I like the way Giro helmet adjusts. However, fit is the most important thing. Try Bell and Specialized helmets. I have a Giro Atmos and after 2 years it still looks like new. It fits very well, is light and comfortable.

Your first decision on shoes is road or mountain. I ride road shoes and am quite happy with them. Mountain shoes are easier to walk in but with coffee covers, road shoes are not bad. Road shoes are stiffer and lighter. Road pedals have a larger platform than mountain. Check out the Shimano shoe line. Shimano builds a very durable shoe for the money.

Pedals will be the most difficult decision to make. I bought three sets of pedals before finally settling on the Speedplay Light Action pedals. Among road pedals the most popular brands are Speedplay, Look and Shimano which are really Look imitations.

For clothing, if you are just starting out, the stuff that Performance Bike sells is a good place to start. As you ride more you start to figure out what you like. I have mostly the higher end shorts from Pearl Izumi and Canari jerseys.

Noles Fan

Some decent shorts can be had at Sports Authority for 40 bucks. The brand is "Canari"

halfspeed

Fixed.

yogi13

Helmet: Bell Sweep, Bell Alchera on sale from performance if you're looking to go cheap. But bell fits my head better than giro, might be the opposite for you.

Pedals: Look Keo sprints from probikekit.com, though with the exchange rate you might be able to do better on ebay. Hard to beat the price and no tax/shipping charges to the US, though, from PBK. Alternatives are the shimanos mentioned by others from the same source.

Shoes: shimano or specialized if your feet are on the wide side, sidis if on the narrow side. Avoid the specialized if you tend to over supination when you walk. Carbon soles are lighter/stiffer, which helps with pedaling efficiency, but are not necessary. Three straps, but you don't need top of the line models. Definitely try the shoes on, as if they don't fit nice and snug but not too tight you can get hot spots or worse.

Clothes: Don't buy shorts, buy bibshorts. The cheapest bibshorts I've been happy with are performance ultras or giordano silverline. Jerseys are much less critical to get something good quality, IMHO. Check sierratradingpost.com for deals on jerseys and shorts, sometimes really good prices on top-notch gear like giordano or exte ondo. Sizing is all over the map on cycling clothes, however. Louis Garneau and pearl izumi fit large/like american clothes sizes, most of the european manufacturers tend to run a size/size and a half smaller (medium PI=large or XL assos).

ShadowGray

https://probikekit.com/display.php?code=C8185
Get a size small

Ih8lucky13

Helmet- Gyro Ionos
Pedals- Time RXS Ulteam Titanium
Shoes- Rocket 7 full custom
Bibs-Rapha

Hickeydog

+10000 on getting bibs. I found some DeMarchi attack bibs for $40 on Nashbar. Very, very nice and comfortable and a great buy.

shayel

The Keo classics are much cheaper, 30 grams heavier, and almost half the price. I think they're better.

BananaTugger

No, they aren't.

Beaker

FWIW, you might want to check out REI's sale right now -- probably some great bargains that will lessen the burden.

Wilsonc

The question is though, is it worht paying twice the price for a bit of weight savings at his level?

BananaTugger

Weight savings is always worth it to me.

urbanknight

helmet: Whatever fits comfortably and looks good
pedals: If you're bent on mountainbike pedals, look at Crank Bros.
shoes: Whatever fits comfortably. Seriously, try every pair you can before you decide.

Only when walking. They're quiet as a mouse while riding, which is what they're designed for. Either type is fine, though.

Szczuldo

There aren't any metal pieces on the bottom of road shoes that I am aware of. I can send you a picture of the carbon soles of my shoes and the only thing that touches the ground is rubber same with the mtb shoes except not as easy to walk in i would imagine.

BarracksSi

Helmet: Specialized S-Works 2D.
Pedals: Crank Bros Quattro.
Clothes: Descente Strada bibs, any jersey with pockets.
Shoes: Sidi Genius 5 Mega.

But, you might prefer different stuff.

bp15

wow, i cant believe how many responses that I got from people...what a great site!!

I've gotten enough advises and info to go out and try a few things. Thanks for the tip that REI is having a sales and I'm heading to the nearest store now.

Thanks again for those who has spared a few minutes to give me these invaluable data.