Kolelo

I will be buying a bike in the next two weeks. What are the essential accessories to get for it?

Seat bag, extra inner tube, small hand pump, lock, and ...?

What am I missing for that ride that takes you 8-20 miles away from your car's parking spot?

If you know of a particularly good pump or other item, please link. Thanks.

Ware

What kind of riding are you doing? Since you're in the road bike forum and not commuting, I'll assume you're in it for exercise/training.

So, I guess my advice would include the following:

- Forget the seat bag and use your jersey pockets.
- Yes on the tube, but you'll also need a set of tire levers. Maybe a patch kit too.
- Trade the hand pump for CO2.
- Forget the lock all together.
- You'll want to carry around a multi tool. Something like this.
- Lastly, a set of Zipp wheels.

BarryJo

8-20 miles, I wouldn't worry about the lock. I bought one with my first bike and have yet to use it.
I'd get a couple of inner tubes, tire lever and co2 pump and 16 gram cartridges - stuff you can fit into your jersey.
You should be good to go (assuming you have the bottle(s) and cage(s) depending on how hydrated you want to keep yourself).

edit: Yes, what Ware said

BarryJo

Also some members might suggest a 9mm, depending on where you plan on riding this may or may not be a good investment.

thirdgenbird

i would try removing your tires before buying tire spoons. i havent needed them in years. the tires are easy to mount and dismount on my last three wheelsets. tire spoons would provide no help at all.

achoo

I'd say get a seat bag and put your accessories in there. Since you're starting out biking, it's pretty easy to forget what you should take. If it's always in the seat bag on the bike, it'll be pretty hard to forget anything.

FWIW, Pricepoint.com has these:

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/108...-%26-Save!.htm

Pricewise, those are hard to beat if you get enough to make the shipping costs worthwhile.

rollin

And a mobile phone.

joejack951

Absolutely essential:

floor pump (mini pumps won't cut it for getting your tires up to the appropriate pressure and CO2 is a waste for topping off tires)
bottle cages and water bottles (anything over a few miles on a hot day will leave you thirsty)

Very good to have:

spare tubes
tire levers
mini pump or CO2 to inflate spare tubes (if you do go for a mini pump, look for one like the Topeak Road Morph or Lezyne Pressure Drive. Both have hoses that will flex as you pump and keep you from ripping the valve out of the tube)
multi-tool, and the knowledge of how to use it

Randochap

Get a seat bag and stuff it with a spare tube or two, a multi-tool and some spare change.

Depending on how far you're travelling, you might want to carry some extra gear as well. The Topeak Road Morph is a good pump.

icyclist 

You might consider carrying a copy of your driver's license and medical insurance card (if you medical insurance).

BarryJo

For $2 US I'd buy the levers.
New tires can be a b*tch to get on and off the rim.

And yes, practice changing a tire is essential. Especially getting the rear wheel off and on the first couple of times.

Kolelo

LOL... Got that covered. I actually sold a bunch of gun stuff in order to finance the bike but I kept a 9mm. I'll just have to get a carbon bike mountable holster for it.

Thank you for the tips!

Randochap

+1 No reason not to carry levers. Even a loose tyre is a pain with cold/wet hands. And if you lack confidence changing a tube, here's a good (video) guide.

thirdgenbird

i guess i have been doing it wrong. i have not carried spoons in 7-8 years...

Kolelo

Is there an good Amazon.com type on-line retailer just for cycle supplies?

Amazon has most of the accessories sugested but shipping from several different retailers adds up quickly.

DieselDan

Tube
Pump
tire lever
mini-tool set

All of it is worthless unless you can use them.

zatopek

Extra tube, patch kit, mini-pump, multi-tool, tire levers (2 plastic or nylon ones), bottles and cages and a small, simple, wireless computer so you can track mileage, ave. speed, etc. in order to track your progress. Oh yeah, good pair of shades to protect your peepers.

thirdgenbird

x2 on glasses. get wrap arounds that fit close to your face. the wind and sun will come over the tops of some styles.

achoo

Niagara Cycles through Amazon is pretty thorough, so you can probably stick with just them.

As for others, outside Amazon, Let's see, here's a start:

https://nashbar.com
https://pricepoint.com
https://jensonusa.com
https://treefortbikes.com
https://www.blueskycycling.com
https://www.biketiresdirect.com
https://icyclesusa.com
https://www.coloradocyclist.com

That's just in the US. If you want to make a large purchase, like a group set, for example, these can be great:
https://totalcycling.com
https://www.wiggle.co.uk
https://www.probikekit.com

thirdgenbird

how dare you forget www.excelsports.com

OldPilot

I use my camelback vs saddle bag to carry everything. In the camelback I have spare tube, patches, multi-tool, tire levers, CO2 pump with extra cartridges (2), basic first-aid items (band-aid, motrine, antiseptic wipes, anti-acid, etc), cellphone in a plastic bag, wallet with money & leatherman micro (you never know if you need scissors, knife, etc.).

With the camelback it is really nice not having to reach down for water just pull up the drink tube to your mouth, drink your fill and drop the tube out of your mouth. For some that might be too much weight, but I don't mind the weight just gives me a harder workout. I have everything I might need in the camelback. If I have problems I don't know how to fix, I can call the wife to pick me up. I don't need to remember anything I leave the camelback packet except for the cellphone & wallet. After the ride I put my gloves in the camelback & clip the helmet on the carrying strap. Grab-n-Go set-up (except for water of course).

I have read about some riders carrying extra derailleur & brake cables, but I can't imagine needing that on a training ride 8-20 miles long. I hope this helps & give you ideas.

eschew

rear blinker for when you happen to be out in low light conditions

rumrunn6

carry nothing, that's a decent walk if anything goes wrong

urbanknight

The bare minimum I will take with me on any ride I wouldn't want to walk home on:

- pump or CO2
- tube
- patch kit
- tire levers
- tire boot (or dollar bill)
- multi-tool with at least (or added seperately)
---- 4, 5, 6, 8 allen wrenches
---- philips and flathead screwdriver
---- chain tool
---- spoke wrench
- cell phone

Oh, and learn how to remove and install tires at home before you try it out on the road.

rumrunn6

rim tape; hockey tape; zip ties; cone wrenches; aspirin and bandaides; 3 quarters; tire gauge; latex gloves; small adjustable wrench; fine point locking pliers; backup front and rear lights; 2nd spare tube; plastic bag for cell phone; shorts and baseball hat to put on when entering public establishments; snickers bar; b6; b12; and caffeine.

or nothing ... :-)