AIBU to ask about your cycling essentials?

[Alicewasinwonderland]

One of our new year resolutions is to start cycling this year, which sounds a bit more focused than just "getting fit". (Road cycling, no mountain biking just yet).

I thought that we just needed a bike, and an helmet, but I am sure I am missing something. My husband's birthday is in a couple of weeks, so his gift will be cycle-related, as apparently we are doing the London to Brighton even this year.

Any recommendation from the experts here please?

[JoffreyBaratheon]

lavender, I had Marathon Pluses on my Pashley - had it a few years now and not a single puncture. So I recommended them to my son who put them on his Ridgeback. He had no problems, either. Then he gave his bike to his little brother. Instantly - puncture. Then repeatedly... I swear my youngest could puncture a tank.

This time of year I'd make lights a priority - as good as OP can afford. (Can check out the ratings on sites like Wiggle, and also read the reviews). We took an ancient, really bad Raleigh clone left abandoned at my son's student house - purely for the still-working 1980s' Dynamo lights.

[lavendersun]

Joffrey - I have moved away from the pluses very reluctantly. My husband obviously has something much swisher on his audax frame, sometimes he gets two punctures on one ride, probably a 75 mile ride but still, a price much too big for me.

My bikes are steel tourers, I just love being outside, 12-14mph max is absolutely fine, forever, for me. I ride before school pick up a lot and a puncture would cause me problems.

However, I have been steered to something slightly faster, still durable "although not as puncture proof as a brick' I am told. I will just ditch the supremes if I get punctures. Who cares if they might be a bit faster and lighter, I am not out to set any records.

[Anotherusername1]

Another vote for gloves, but they can be any gloves, just don't forget them this time of year.

A helmet that fits properly. If it doesn't, you are better off without.

Lights. I don't have them on my old bike and it's a nuisance if you are out later in the afternoon and suddenly notice the light is fading.

A hi-vis jacket or sash.

A decent lock and money for coffee and cake!

Anything else is a luxury. Even the saddle thing. You feel a bit sore for a couple of days but your bottom hardens up and then it doesn't hurt anymore. I have a Garmin watch for running, so use it for cycling as well.

[Anotherusername1]

I read somewhere just before Christmas that helmet cams reduce the effectiveness of a helmet. So you might want to reconsider if a helmet cam is a good idea.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Yes, lavender I'm sticking with the Marathons on the Pashley and whatever-came-on-the-Cannondale-til-they-wear-out...... It was hilarious how my youngest son could even puncture Kevlar - he has quite the talent for it!

I'm not too worried about the weight of my bikes as I'm a sloooow cyclist. I couldn't do without the Brooks saddles though (sprung on the Pash and like a racing one I forget the name of, on the Cannondale).

Had no idea of my speeds til I used the MapMyRide app - I'm probably only doing 17 PH at my fastest and, more often than not, considerably less (but then I cycle on a Sustrans track and keep stopping to smell the flowers, etc).

[JoffreyBaratheon]

• PH, even. Doh.

[lavendersun]

I have a Brooks too Joffrey and one of these - half the price, thicker austrailian leather, really really nice (actually prefer it).

www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s204p2667

[BuggersMuddle]

What you need depends on what you intend to do. As others have said, so daylight rides as a pair, you don't need much more than the bike and some warm clothes (don't need to be cycling specific, but if you're on a road bike it can help as the back and sleeves tend to be longer to account for body position). I also wear a helmet as I figure it can't hurt.

You don't need much to pootle around, but if you are building up to longer distances, I would prioritise:

• Decent padded shorts / longs (I wear bib shorts year round and pull on fleecy longs on top)
  
• Gloves (do not underestimate the windchill)
  
• Water bottle cages (although you can of course chuck stuff in a backpack)
  
• Some basic tools in case of a puncture. FWIW once I started doing a lot of miles I invested in some decent puncture resistant tires and although I carry spare tubes, I have very rarely had call to use them.
  
• A good waterproof
  

Now I do sportives and whatnot I have loads of kit, but not a lot of it is 'essential' (although some of it makes life easier). I cycle clipped in, but tbh, if you've not go much experience or are out of practice, I would just cycle and see if you like it before considering that sort of thing. I commuted for 5 years before I bothered changing my pedals.

Do make sure your bike is set up correctly and fits reasonably well. A badly adjusted bike will not be a joy to ride.

[queenofthemountains]

I cycle a lot but not for long distances, I do 4-5 miles at a time. I have a helmet, a hi vis jacket that came with my car, lights and gloves in winter. I just wear my gym clothing, old trainers, long sleeved tops or a fleece nothing special or expensive. I've been wearing this for 5 years now, never needed anything else.
I don't take a drink or a puncture kit as I can always walk home.
If you're going to buy lots of stuff wait till Lidl or Aldi have it in their gear is good and cheap.

[bearleftmonkeyright]

Change to buy some tea and cake

[lavendersun]

Or notes bear .... well in our case it is definitely notes, sometimes we stop twice on a good day.

[Claybury]

I think this thread illustrates how cycling means different things to different people. OP - are you planning to ride a road bike for sport and fitness ( I assume yes, if you are thinking of London to Brighton ?)
Because honestly suggesting riding in jeans and any old gloves isn't really going to be much fun if OP is planning on distances like 50 miles or so. And in order to change gear easily and operate the brakes you really should have well fitting purpose made gloves which have grip. One rain shower when wearing jeans will ruin your day !
Technical fabrics are better for riding in as they won't become soaked with sweat when you ride, being sweaty can make you very cold riding in the U.K. But if you have any running kit, for example, that would be fine at first.

Essentials I would say at first
Helmet, properly fitted
Gloves - full in winter, fingerless in summer
Puncture repair kit.
Layers of clothing, thin water proof / wind proof jacket. Padded shorts.
Water bottle and cages.

I'm not sure about the comparisons to looking at what the Dutch wear are very appropriate - riding distances for sport on a road bike is completely different from cycling for transport.

Once you are confident on a road bike and have decided if you like it, you can switch to bike shoes and clipless pedals, which will be far more comfortable and efficient. I would get confident on the road bike first though.
(However if you wear lace up trainers do ensure the laces are tied v short - it is easy to get them caught in the chain. )
I hope you get into it, I know cycling has many barriers to entry especially for women, but it is a fantastic sport.

[bearleftmonkeyright]

Have you looked at Breeze rides? They are great way to find people to train with.

[Pannn]

I'd like to ask...why does 'puncture repair kit' appear on everyone's list as 'an essential' when we all know that repalcement inner tubes cost less than the kit (I bought two this morning for £5.50 at Halfords - I know) and you'd bring the spare with you anyway.
IF you do insist on a kit it's just as important to know how to use it properly..

OP, I agree with others saying these lists are totes OTT. Cycling essentials for a beginner doesn't go much beyond bike, helmet (controversial itself), lights and hi-viz if you ride in the dark, gloves and clothing to keep you warm and dry, can be just everyday clothing.

All these posts and not one emocion.......

[Pannn]

and last night I hit a sunken grid face and punctured back wheel. No Team Pan car came steaming up with a mechanic swoping my rear wheel in 4 secs and giving me a push start. Just me. My bike. And a flat tyre. And a 2 mile walk to the nearest train station. In the dark. Through one of Manchester's badlands.
No idea where the team car got to.

[Claybury]

Pannn- quite right. IMO puncture repair kit =levers and spare tubes.

[lavendersun]

We use Schwalbe tubes Pannn, £5 ish each, worth repairing. My puncture kit contains my levers. DH usually repairs his broken tubes. He carries two spares, on a bad day in December he used them both and patched something as well on one ride. Poor man, he did phone team Lavender but I had left my phone in the car and was not alerted to his plight!

Sorry to hear about your evening.

[Pannn]

thanks lavendersun - first puncture in about a year! I now have sparesy tube, mini-pump and levers in top of rucksack. Changed the burst tube at home this morning, though I doubt I'd have the patience to do a rear change on the road side if train was an option....

repair kits? Still, it isn't an essential though, as a newbie and cheaper tubes are more likely to be used when first pedaling out?

[lavendersun]

Well, I don't get punctures, because I use 'bricks' for tyres - but DH puts a new one on and repairs the punctured one at the roadside, then if he needs another one he has a good one in his bag - big distances though and not used for commuting. Only problem last month was he had parked at school and was doing the school run, he was worried he wouldn't make it in time.

If I did get a puncture and I didn't follow his method so that the broken one was fixed I would get a lot of stick!

We are very rural - once you are on your bike there isn't another option at all, so fifteen miles from school and a puncture and you would be very stuck if you couldn't deal with it.

[OneofTHOSEWomen]

Learn to ride your bike on the road assertively safely. Look up a course in your area, they are often free. 🚴