Just Ordered My First Bike, Now What?
07-10-11, 10:33 AM
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Just Ordered My First Bike, Now What?
After doing my research I ordered the Gravity Liberty 1 from BikesDirect. Hopefully it will come this week. Now I need to get my accessories...
Well I need to purchase some shorts, a jersey/shirt or two, and a helmet. Those are my main concerns. So what recommendations do you all have for me of where to buy and what to buy? Also if you have any other suggestions on what to buy I would appreciate the input. Can't wait to get out on the road!
Well I need to purchase some shorts, a jersey/shirt or two, and a helmet. Those are my main concerns. So what recommendations do you all have for me of where to buy and what to buy? Also if you have any other suggestions on what to buy I would appreciate the input. Can't wait to get out on the road!
07-10-11, 11:09 AM
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There are no right answers here. Why don't you just go to a bike store - they're there to help you with stuff like that.
07-10-11, 11:13 AM
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If you got it from BD, then chances are that it will not be fully assembled, so unless you are a knowledgable mechanic, you're going to wind up at the bike shop anyway, and better sooner than after you screw something up. When the bike comes in, take it there for assistance in assemble, and have them hook you up with shorts, a jersey, shoes, pedals, etc. p.s., yes, pedals, your bike will not come with pedals.
07-10-11, 11:14 AM
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...gloves, glasses, pump, spares, chain lube, cleaner, micro fiber, cheezy puffs, chamois cream, computer, gps, complete team kit, power bars, chap stick, multi tool,
07-10-11, 11:41 AM
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What's the difference between a computer and a gps. (I'm not quite sure if I'll start off with a GPS)?
What's a complete team kit?
What's a complete team kit?
07-10-11, 11:46 AM
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Assos Shorts and Assos jersey, Giro Atmos helmet, Castelli Zero gloves, Oakley flak jac sunglasses, Sidi shoes.
Should cost you about as much as the bike.
Should cost you about as much as the bike.
07-10-11, 11:53 AM
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All you need (excluding the bike): shorts, jersey, helmet, shoes, and pedals. A frame pump and patch kit wouldn't be a bad idea.
07-10-11, 12:22 PM
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Side note for all you soccer fans, GO GO USA!
07-10-11, 02:04 PM
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Now your life changes in multiple ways: you will no longer have extra cash, you will wear clothing that only superheros should wear and you will have desires to have your legs. All in all, excellent changes!
07-10-11, 03:58 PM
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07-10-11, 04:01 PM
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The selection around me is VERY limited. What websites would you recommend?
07-10-11, 04:54 PM
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07-10-11, 05:12 PM
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www.performancebike.com and www.nashbar.com are the best you can do price wise. The brands these two sell are considered "inferior" by most bike snobs, but I find them to be more than sufficient.
07-10-11, 05:39 PM
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www.performancebike.com and www.nashbar.com are the best you can do price wise. The brands these two sell are considered "inferior" by most bike snobs, but I find them to be more than sufficient.
www.jensonusa.com is a good one. I am not a fan of nashbar.com
07-10-11, 10:45 PM
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But heres my advice to the original poster.
Things you need:
Good Shorts, good gloves, and good shoes(assuming you have pedals), and a good helmet..
About the things you need, this is the one place you should not "skimp" or cut corners. There are 3 touch points on the bike, and those are it, all of your weight is divided across these 3 points. A good pair of shorts will literally save your butt. Dont make the same mistake I did trying to save money on gloves. I refused to spend $40 on a high end pair of Giro Monaco gloves, so I bought some low end ones, for $20. They fell apart in 1 season, I bought a second pair for $16, they were horribly uncomfortable on the bike(no cutout for nerve pressure). I then bought a third semi high end pair on sale for $16. They arrived already splitting at the finger seems, are created more pressure points then they solved.. So ive been through 4 pairs of gloves in 2 years.. and Guess who now owns a $40 pair of Giro Monaco gloves. Lesson learned!!
Dont buy shoes online if you haven't tried them on elsewhere! Fit it super important here. All your power is going through these shoes from your feet, and if they are uncomfortable youre gonna feel it bad.
The difference between good shorts, gloves and shoes.. is the difference between "I've had enough for today", and "ahh hell, maybe just a few more miles"..
Things, you should get:
Sunglasses, saddle bag with spare tube-co2-tire levers, a bike computer(ideally with cadence), Cages and bottles.
Sunglasses are fairly important for protecting your eyes, but you DO NOT need $300 ones. And once you start going on longer rides, having a safety net in the form of a spare tube, and the ability to inflate it can be a life saver, as getting stuck miles from home with a flat on a super hot day can really suck!
Things you are GOING to want:
Upgraded components... higher end helmet, shoes, jerseys, shorts, tires, you name it...
The real hard part about spending money cycling, is having the will power to keep items in the "things i want" category, from sliding into the "things i need" category. If you've spent $1000 on your bike, don't be surprised if over the next 2 years you spend $500 on other stuff(new jerseys, shorts, etc). Add in consumables, ie, Gatorade, energy bars, and such, and it adds up fast.
As to where to buy these things. PBK, Jensonusa, and Nashabar all have great prices! and are a good place to start!
