Necessary Accessories

Irish Gunner

Ok picking up the bike today Rapid 4 and going to Bike it home first real test

I have the following accessories

Cateye Lightset
Helmet
Abus Lock - Need to check this is a combination lock with lead
Mudguards
Bottle Cage & Bottle
Nevis Waterproof Jacket and overtrousers

Looking at adding the below

BBB Quick Pack Saddle Bag To carry wetgear

Also going to get Multi took set as wheels not quick release and puncture repair kit

Can anyone recommend a good pump that is not crazy money something small. Was quoted €40 from the bike hub just wondering is this the standard price? See a few online but not sure which is best?

Going to get socks from Lidl and then see how I get on as using bike to get fit

Any other essentials one may need?

Cheers

seamus

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Abus Lock - Need to check this is a combination lock with lead

If this is a cable lock, then don't use it if you ever want to see your bike again. Get yourself a good U-lock for securing the bike in public. If your bike is at risk while at home (e.g. left in a back garden or an unlocked shed), have a good chain there for locking it up.

Irish Gunner

seamus wrote: »

If this is a cable lock, then don't use it if you ever want to see your bike again. Get yourself a good U-lock for securing the bike in public. If your bike is at risk while at home (e.g. left in a back garden or an unlocked shed), have a good chain there for locking it up.

Its a U lock with a cable but have to check it out as they are only pricing it as €30 so may upgrade this. Have a chain also but its to heavy for taking around so can use this at home

Tonyandthewhale

You can get a fairly decent mini pump (for carrying on the bike for emergencies) for 10-15e. Of course you'll also need a proper floor pump for at home to get your tyres up to the correct pressure so as to avoid getting punctures in the first place. One of those should set you back 20-30e at the very least.

Lumen

If you're not doing crazy distances in the heat, using a second water bottle to carry wet gear and tools will be less rattly and look better than a saddle bag.

ROK ON

Gilet
Armwarmers
Knee warmers
Overshoes
Cap
Speed lever
CO2 canister and nozzle.

That will cover you for about 95% of the time cycling in Ireland.

colm_gti

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Any other essentials one may need?

A garmin edge 800, HR strap, cadence sensor and power meter....definitely!

monkeypants

Two tubes. Easier to use than a puncture repair kit at the side of the road.

ugsparky

I like the idea of the water bottle Lumen - :cool:

Don't forget your mobile and some kind of ID - not being smart here but I carry my Blood Donor Card - something so other people will know who you are and maybe who to contact - and if you have any allergies you should have some kind of detail about this - ie allergy to penicillin ...

Enjoy your bike

Irish Gunner

Welll got the bike and did 12.1 km in about 30 minutes which I was happy enough with no hills or steep climbs but my feckin bum was killing me just have to get use to saddle.:D Sweaty at the end but felt good

Got the raingear and also got adapter for valves for tyres so I can use garage pump. Did not get the carrier but got a lock and lead. mudguards a mini pump, spare tube, bottle and cage, helmet and tool key kit. Have ID on me all the time.

What apps is there to use for Android had My Tracks installed but did not have GPS DOH also had a look at Strava? I am on PAYG so no data this matter?
I keep my phone in pocket so does that defeat the purpose?

Maybe down the line will get a small computer maybe not the garmin edge 800 not at that price.

Any decent ones at good value for a starter just to see how things go

Cheers

Maciej_D

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Maybe down the line will get a small computer maybe not the garmin edge 800 not at that price.

Any decent ones at good value for a starter just to see how things go

I recently started cycling myself and was doing a bit of researchon computers. Decided to get the garmin edge 200. Avg price online and in Dublin is around €140.

davenewt

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Welll got the bike and did 12.1 km in about 30 minutes which I was happy enough with no hills or steep climbs but my feckin bum was killing me just have to get use to saddle.:D

Hearing you on FM

Irish Gunner wrote: »

What apps is there to use for Android had My Tracks installed but did not have GPS DOH also had a look at Strava? I am on PAYG so no data this matter?
I keep my phone in pocket so does that defeat the purpose?

Take a look at Endomondo.com - apps for various platforms, I use on iPhone. No issues slinging it in a pocket to track GPS.

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Maybe down the line will get a small computer maybe not the garmin edge 800 not at that price.
Any decent ones at good value for a starter just to see how things go

If you're happy using an app on your phone for the GPS tracking side of things, look at the Cateye Strada range of computers. I got the double wireless (with cadence sensor, because I'm a sucker for technology ).

Various options - wired, wireless, with or without cadence. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cateye+strada&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acateye+strada (not an affiliate link!)

Look at other people's reviews, make your own mind up, etc.

HTH!

colm_gti

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Maybe down the line will get a small computer maybe not the garmin edge 800 not at that price.

I'm only winding ya up, but soon enough you'll be trying to justify the purchase of one:o

Irish Gunner

Think I will hold of on the computer like the look of them and the double wireless ones however don't want to much attachments on the bike just in case I do have to lock it in a public place some time

Will trying running with the Android app My Tracks remembering to turn on GPS first:o

After first cycle the hands a bit numb so may look at getting gloves which are better fingerless or full ?

Also have to look at getting a good backpack to keep raingear, spare tube and change of clothes. Any on the likes of wheelworx and cyclesuperstore not the best and to expensive will have a look around

Cee-Jay-Cee

Get fingerless gloves for summer/milder weather and full finger water proof gloves for winter. Lidl have their bike gear on offer next monday, i have their fingerless gloves and find them fine, i dont see the point in spending a fortune on gloves purely because they have a brand name.

cdaly_

Irish Gunner wrote: »

I am on PAYG so no data this matter?

Sure does. Unassisted GPS will take up to 10 mins or so to get its initial fix. Using assisted GPS (ie gets some data over the network) will be up and running almost immediately. Most GPS apps will want to download maps. These'll incur data costs though you can download maps at home and upload them to the phone. SportsTracker uses OpenStreetMap so no having to buy map access.

O2 do a data addon on PAYG: 200Mb for €5 per month, 700Mb for €10 per month. You just sign up and they deduct from your credit balance each month. With maps pre-downloaded I use less than 50Mb per month.

Raam

The most sought after accessory is a smug sense of superiority over other road users. However, you have to grow that, so in the meantime... this: http://www.rapha.cc/rapha-shoe-trees

Wishbone Ash

Of course you'll need a razor and gel for shaving your legs!

Irish Gunner wrote: »

also got adapter for valves for tyres so I can use garage pump

I'm not sure what PSI your bike takes but just be aware that many filling station compressors only go to 60PSI - i.e. useless for traditional road bikes.

kingoffifa

someone mentioned gloves.

as important as a helmet - what's the first thing you use when you are going to eat tarmac?

lidl ones are grand - have gel in them. personally crash tested them. they work well.

other advice is get a relatively tight fit. when they are too loose they tend to effect your grip on the bike.

going to be doing lumens idea as well - great idea about the second bottle holder!!

Surinam

cdaly_ wrote: »

Sure does. Unassisted GPS will take up to 10 mins or so to get its initial fix. Using assisted GPS (ie gets some data over the network) will be up and running almost immediately. Most GPS apps will want to download maps. These'll incur data costs though you can download maps at home and upload them to the phone. SportsTracker uses OpenStreetMap so no having to buy map access.

O2 do a data addon on PAYG: 200Mb for €5 per month, 700Mb for €10 per month. You just sign up and they deduct from your credit balance each month. With maps pre-downloaded I use less than 50Mb per month.

Not sure what network the OP is with but Three do unlimited data per month every time you top up by €20.

Mycroft H

cdaly_ wrote: »

Irish Gunner wrote: »

I am on PAYG so no data this matter?

Sure does. Unassisted GPS will take up to 10 mins or so to get its initial fix. Using assisted GPS (ie gets some data over the network) will be up and running almost immediately.

10 minutes? My android has it in less then 30 seconds and my 3 year old Nokia in less then 2 minutes. Both unassisted gps.

a148pro

If you've those poxy small valves (presta?) pick up one of the adaptors which allows you to pump up the wheels at the petrol station

If you're comuting pump up the wheels regularly enough, makes a big difference to your speed

High vis jacket, waterproof - Altura is good

Ultra lightweight water proof also for when weather is warmer

Those luminous bands which go around your ankles are good too, make you much more visible than the jacket alone

Wishbone Ash

Lumen wrote: »

using a second water bottle to carry wet gear and tools

ugsparky wrote: »

I like the idea of the water bottle Lumen

kingoffifa wrote: »

great idea about the second bottle holder!!

It's an old practise but just make sure you purchase a bottle with a full width cap - otherwise it may be impractical.

PS Lumen - how on earth would you get wet gear into a standard water bottle?

Wishbone Ash

a148pro wrote: »

pick up one of the adaptors which allows you to pump up the wheels at the petrol station

See posts 10 and 18.

a148pro

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'm not sure what PSI your bike takes but just be aware that many filling station compressors only go to 60PSI - i.e. useless for traditional road bikes.

Really?

I always get a great pump (?) at the petrol station

monkeypants

Irish Gunner wrote: »

don't want to much attachments on the bike just in case I do have to lock it in a public place some time

I believe that most cycle computers/GPS devices are detachable from their mount in the same way that lights are. When park, put them in your pocket.

BeepBeep67

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It's an old practise but just make sure you purchase a bottle with a full width cap - otherwise it may be impractical.

PS Lumen - how on earth would you get wet gear into a standard water bottle?

Sleeveless Gillette fits in mine, have a wide top Kellys.

Wishbone Ash

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Sleeveless Gillette fits in mine, have a wide top Kellys.

A gilet could hardly be described as "wet gear" though.

Irish Gunner

monkeypants wrote: »

I believe that most cycle computers/GPS devices are detachable from their mount in the same way that lights are. When park, put them in your pocket.

Understand that but looking at the wireless one you need an attachment at your back wheel and the computer itself can be installed on the mount and removed.

With non wires the wires extend down the forks.

Would not want some Scobies ripping these off. May stick with Android apps for the mo.

Thanks

Lumen

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

PS Lumen - how on earth would you get wet gear into a standard water bottle?

I can get a Zoot (I think) showerproof long-sleeved rain jacket into a 500ml* Canyon bidon no problem.

It can also be done whilst riding, which isn't possible with a saddle bag**.

* Compliant with Euro rule #40.
** Non-compliant with Euro rule #30.

Irish Gunner

Have to get the below

Fingerless Gloves
Backpack - separate compartments to hold raingear, spare tube and change of clothes also bag is waterproof

For the gloves don't want anything spectacular something that will do the job.
Had a look online at cyclesuperstore,wheelworx and Halfords. Going to get the long finger gloves from Lidl

Any other good places online to try for the fingerless gloves?

For the backpack so many but again don't want to go mad overboard on budget any recommendations and places to either online or brick and mortar shops?

Thanks

lochdara

im only new at it after a break but i have my computer, android with strava, and water bottle with homemade isotonic drink.

I carry a backpack/hydration pack(tresspass version from tk max €20) with a 1 -1.5 litre of water instead of 2 bottles and a light raincoat and munchies. Toolkit on the saddle but that could as easily go in backpack.