Hey all. New guy around, iv been riding for a couple months now and am also a distance runner (marathon training right now). Been using a friends allez while I looked for a quality ride and finnaly put down on a giant defy composite at the lbs. Got quite a few questions so I figured I'd start out with the basics. Do I need bibs or riding shorts and jerseys or am I safe in a wicking tee and my running shorts? And should I invest in clipless pedals right away on this new rig? I'll pop in with more questions as they hit me. Kthx

What kind of riding do you plan on doing? How far/how long will your rides be?

Go with with a 8-10 panel bib ($50-150) and jersey(look for sale items, you dont want too much flap nor too tight) right away. I assume you picked up helmet. Have you ever ridden clipless before? May want to find a good shoe first, pedals later. The hard sole on the shoes makes for significanly better transfer.

Get ready to dial up some watts.

Of the things you have mentioned I would get a reasonable pair of shorts first, whether they are bibs or not is a personal preference. However, most people seem to end up with bibs and don't look back.

You will probably be okay in a wicking tee, but a good cycling jersey will wick well, can be unzipped, has pockets for the endless amount of crap that people carry, doesn't flap about in the wind (assuming it fits well), and let's face it, looks better.

Clipless pedals are something that you will likely want to upgrade to at some point, for now I would just get used to riding the bike. Oh, and when you do upgrade, I'd like to pre-congratulate you for falling over at that stop sign with both of your feet clipped in...

Bibs and jersey, bibs are pretty much a necessity for any ride above 20 miles, I can't even ride 10 miles without mine. Jersey is optional, but still recommended.

And like neurocycler said Just ride the bike for now, but you will want to get clipless pedals soon.

Thanks guys will look into shorts, shoes and pedals when I make my last payment this week. Wht should I get for the bike? (it's a giant defy composite, last years model so got a good deal on it)

Nrowensby- like to bump the distance soon- 40+mi? I like the idea of distance riding

Perhaps for you they are a necessity, but I rarely ride under 20 miles, and do so in perfect comfort with regular bike shorts.

Everyone's different. We don't live in a one size fits all world.

(1) No, you don't need Andre the Giant's bibs, or cycling shorts. Most roadies like them a lot, but you're completely fine riding in normal people clothes, too.

(2) You don't need to get clipless pedals right away, but if you wait, when you finally get them, you'll wish you'd had them all along.

I assume he was including cycling shorts with the term "bibs". I've done 200mi in one day in cycling shorts with no problems.

+1 I was in a similar situation as the OP and so far have not converted to cycling specific gear. I did go clipless though and love them.

Why do you use a wicking tee and running shorts for your distance running? Why not use a cotton tee and cargo shorts? Do you use running shoes or Air Jordans? Cycling specific clothing has been developed because it can improve the experience and increase comfort. Having said that, wear what you want...if you find that you develop sores or have a lot of chafing then look into cycling specific shorts. If you don't like the tight lycra thing, there are mountain biking shorts that look like regular shorts but have a sewn in pad.

Regarding clipless...I rode with straps for a long time but I had very stiff shoes. As stated above, clipless has evolved because it's the most efficient way to transfer power to the pedals. It all depends on what you're trying to accomplish with your cycling.

Since you're new to the sport, please make sure you carry the stuff you need for doing flat repairs and minor adjustments. You don't need a saddle bag to carry things but if you're not wearing a jersey with pockets, you'll have trouble finding places to keep the essentials: Pump (either mounted on the frame or CO2), patch kit, spare tube, multi-tool, tire lever(s). Then make sure you know how to patch or replace a tube out on the road.

Fixed.

Look, nobody is saying that cycling clothes can be really helpful and comfortable - for some people more than others. But it's just as silly to say they're completely necessary and that you can't ride a bike more than a few miles without them.

How is that different from everything else that people buy? Who needs fancy running shoes when a $30 pair of Chucks is all you need? Why buy a smartphone when a 90s Nokia can manage all of your calling/texting needs? Why drive a BMW when a Ford Fiesta does essentially the same thing?

Yeah that's what I meant. I actually use shorts more than bibs they are more comfortable than the bibs I have. sorry about that.

If you have the money to get all that stuff right now (cycling bibs, cycling jersey, clipless pedals, and cycling shoes), I vote for just getting it now. That stuff is way more comfortable, IMHO, so why not just start out comfortable? If you can't swing it right away, I vote for the pedals and shoes first, but that's just my preference. I can ride in regular clothes, but I much prefer to clip in. Even though I bought dual-purpose pedals (platform one side, clipless the other side) for my ultra-beater/commuter, I almost never ride the platforms on it because I don't like the feel underfoot compared to being clipped in.

Good luck and enjoy it!

It isn't in any fundamental way; we're just talking about the cycling version.

(For what it's worth, I have a cheap dumb phone that might as well be from the '90s, but handles my talking and texting needs without a huge data plan. And there's nothing more comfortable to ride in than a thin merino shirt.)

Thanks guys, I will most likely do pedals and shoes and look at riding shorts aswell as a tool kit. Should the bike be fine or is there anything that o should look to swap out as soon as I can?

Don't worry about the bike unless you weigh a lot 200+lbs. If you do weigh that much, you might want to replace the wheels, if spokes start breaking.

I'd also start reading up on basic maintenance and pre-ride checks as well. How to change a tire, checking that wheels are generally true, brakes are aligned correctly, etc..

Also you will need a floor pump and either a small saddle bag or to carry all your tire changing stuff in your jersey pockets (annoying).

my 2 cents suggest trishorts 9w/thin liner) under other shorts.

also, you may find that wind blows up the leg of running shorts exposing your thigh and upper thigh. with the trishorts underneath there is no embarrassment or stares. black on black and no one notices a thing.

At 145 I should be safe on that end, thanks I will keep an eye on spokes tho

I wear compressions regardless so I should be safe on that front

Have a saddle pack I can put on the new bike already

And depending on what kind of weather you have where you ride, you might want to get a pair or arm warmers and gloves.

I say just go ride it... when something isn't working right (shorts, jersey, shoes etc) then look into addressing the problem.