[damacl6]

My budget number has been up in the air. After much discussion, my bank, who is also my wife, agreed to hand me $1200 in two weeks. What are the road bike beginner must haves, other than the bike? I need to know how much of the 1200 I will actually be able to spend on a bike. I don't plan on going clipless right away. I would like to spend some time getting comfortable first. I have a helmet I have been using with the crappy mtb I have been riding on the road. Other than that I have a bunch of running gear. What things can't I do without and what can I put off for a while?
I thought I had my choices narrowed down, however with the cost increase of the '12 models, The accessories I need to get will effect which bike I get. I am hoping that in 2 weeks when I have the money in hand there will still be some '11 bikes in my size and price range available. It is not looking good though.

 

[Doolab]

cycling shorts or better still, bibs.

 

[AndrwSwitch]

I'm surprised there's not a packing list or something on the forum.

I never go anywhere without a multi-tool, spare tubes, pump and extra chain link. I highly recommend gloves.

And, +1 to good shorts. Finally getting bib shorts was a bit of a revelation, and I'm a big fan.

 

[ChrisMartin]

I've got some cycling shorts, which having been used to rising with no padding at all for a few months, I'm quite enjoying! Are bib shorts significantly better?

 

[PJ352]

...with the cost increase of the '12 models, The accessories I need to get will effect which bike I get.

My advice is to make the bike first priority. Almost everything else can be purchased piecemeal, except that.

You have a helmet and aren't going clipless yet, so you'll save there. On the 'must have' list, I'd go with a saddle bag, multi-tool, spare tubes, patch kit, tire levers, CO2 and/ or mini-pump and padded shorts (Performance has moderately priced offerings).

On the 'really nice to have list': floor pump with gauge (almost made the 'must have' list), cycling jersey, gloves, bike computer with cadence (wired run about $30).

 

[silkroad]

I highly recommend Pearl Izumi shorts and jerseys. You can't go wrong with Performance bikes products too. YMMV

 

[ezrida]

TIME, TIME, TIME

water bottle cages (2) ~ $30-50
water bottles (2) ~ $20
seatbag ~ $10-30
pedals ~ $20-300 if gets clip in then will need shoes
multitool kit ~ 20-50
tire levers 5
pump ~ 20-60 --- co2 optional
tubes (2) $3-7
gloves ~10-50
helmet --------------------> $20-300
$5 bill
cycling bib/jersey---------------------> $50 - 300 (get the knock offs, feels almost the same Bibs are great, once you go bibs you'll never go back
extra chain link
get rid of the reflectors on the wheels
a good lbs to take your bike to for questions/help --------------> free-$$$$$$
an ID

optional:
an understanding wife/gf/sig. other
cycle computer
patch kit - if you don't have spare tubes
good lights if planning on riding at night.
good pair of glasses
nicely shaven legs

bike workstand

out on the road riding ----------------->PRICELESS

 

[the_don]

My advice is to make the bike first priority. Almost everything else can be purchased piecemeal, except that.

You have a helmet and aren't going clipless yet, so you'll save there. On the 'must have' list, I'd go with a saddle bag, multi-tool, spare tubes, patch kit, tire levers, CO2 and/ or mini-pump and padded shorts (Performance has moderately priced offerings).

On the 'really nice to have list': floor pump with gauge (almost made the 'must have' list), cycling jersey, gloves, bike computer with cadence (wired run about $30).

That's weird, you say we must have a saddle bag spares and tools. I've been riding for 5 years and have never carried any of these. When I first started riding, I bought sports clothing, but not Lycra with padding. Eventually (because I went from flat bar road bike I.E. Ridgeback Genesis Day 02) to fixed gear (specialized Langster Chicago). I got clips and straps and learnt about pedal stroke. I eventually changed to a full steel frame bike and got 105 spdsl pedals and shimano road shoes and a specialized toupee, then when I started riding over 50km a day I went and bought some eBay Chinese Lycra kit. That was an amazing transformation for my riding! Now I have a road bike with full dura-ace. I still ride those same Lycra after 2.5 years of riding and they are still in execellent condition. I did have to sow up a hole recently, but that's ok.

I think the advice should be just get what you think will be fun! My hybrid was fast and handled great, then all my FG bikes were so much fun, I always buy used, and after 6-12 months thinking about selling as I think about what I like and don't like about the bike I had. But I have always held onto the Lycra, helmet saddle and shoes though.

Recently I got a Polar HRM computer with cadence. Again, transforming my ride experience. Learning about HR zones and being able to see how much I am pushing myself really helps.

I have learnt that the weight weenie thing is BS, yes a lighter bike is nice, but beyond a point you get deminishing returns. And that point is at the 105 level for recreation riding.

Aero also is the same, it doesnt make you faster, and if you are riding for fun and exercise, why worry about shaving seconds off your regular run?!? But if running a cool set of wheels makes you more happy and gives you motivation to ride, then do it, just don't BS yourself, because then you'll end up paying $100 for a bottle holder that is 10g lighter than the plastic model!

 

[PJ352]

That's weird, you say we must have a saddle bag spares and tools. I've been riding for 5 years and have never carried any of these.

The saddle bag is to hold the essentials needed to repair flats and make minor bike adjustments if/ when needed, so a jersey pocket will suffice (but not very well, IMHO).

Beyond that, flats being a given (at least IME) and most riders not having the luxury of 'on the spot' assistance, I see my 'must have' list literally. Apparently, YMV's.

 

[ezrida]

+1 for the knock off bibs/jersey kit from china. They are good quality at a fraction of the cost, and noone is gonna care if you're wearing knockoffs, and if they do, who cares!!!. I have both fake and real ones and i can't tell the difference on 2-3 hour rides.

 

[volrus]

Coming from someone who literally just bought a new bike and am new to road biking, here is what I've found that I MUST have to enjoy. Keep in mind I am going on short rides only right now where I'm never more than about 10 miles from home and I can call someone to come get me if I have a flat/mechanical issue.

Bike - I got a new Felt Z85 with 105 components for $1000
Seat bag for phone - $10
Floor pump - $40
Helmet - $50
Computer - $50 for a Cateye Strada wireless (no cadence because I wouldn't know what to do with it anyway)
Pedals - bike shop threw in free cage pedals
Bottle Cage - bike show threw in free
Bottle - $10
Cheap bike shorts - $30 for pair of Navaro from REI that I liked MUCH more than the Pearl Izumi's I tried on.

 

[PJ352]

Computer - $50 for a Cateye Strada wireless (no cadence because I wouldn't know what to do with it anyway)

In all seriousness, learn. Whether you use a computer to monitor cadence or just guestimate, smoothing the pedal stroke and keeping an adequate (~90-100) cadence (varyiing with conditions and terrain) will help you build endurance along with raising efficiency/ performance.

Long term, because pedal resistance is lower, it'll also help to save the knees from undue stress.

 

[bmach]

Buy the bike and a bag for your spare tube, pump, tire levers, and water bottle cage and bottle. That should leave you $1150 for the bike. The rest you can get as you go along. Nothing else that was mentioned are must have right now items that you can't ride without. As you ride more you will learn just what you want and need.

 

[AndrwSwitch]

The only time I don't carry tools and at least one spare tube is a cyclocross race, when there's a pit area with neutral wheel support and I'm only a few minutes' walk away from my car at the most. I wouldn't even do a fully-supported Century with a sag wagon without this stuff - I'm confident I can fix my bike faster than the car can get to me, and almost none of my rides are supported. I don't want to be miles away from home without the means to get my bike working again. I have a smaller care package that I can fit in a jersey pocket for MTB races - after seeing most of my race pass me by when I got a flat, I decided that I'd rather carry an extra 300g or so and be able to finish.

I don't get flats or break chains often. But enough that I'd rather not have them be a major problem.

I've always been content with the $6 bottle cage, and I haven't paid for a water bottle since 2005 or so. They're an incredibly popular promotional item, and most of them are the Specialized water bottles that are actually quite good.

 

[bdok]

I would at least think about going clipless right away. It really is not very hard to learn and does have benefits. Depending on pedals and shoes, that can add up pretty quickly. Just can't imagine riding without clipless and I've only been doing it two months.

 

[teflondog]

I just started riding for only 2 months now. Spare tires, lights for riding at night, and a good helmet were the first things I bought. Then and a computer with cadence. Soon I'll be switching to clipless pedals. I use a camelbak so I don't have a need for bottle cages.

 

[volrus]

I just started riding for only 2 months now. Spare tires, lights for riding at night, and a good helmet were the first things I bought. Then and a computer with cadence. Soon I'll be switching to clipless pedals. I use a camelbak so I don't have a need for bottle cages.

Why don't more people use camelbak's on road bikes? Is it becuase of the extra weight and the riding position?

 

[K&K_Dad]

I've got some cycling shorts, which having been used to rising with no padding at all for a few months, I'm quite enjoying! Are bib shorts significantly better?

yes.

if you want bibs check out Love2Pedal.

Why don't more people use camelbak's on road bikes? Is it becuase of the extra weight and the riding position?

When it's hot I know I like to have airflow. even the smallest camelbak will cover that up. The chaffing and straps just add to it. Not to mention, a backpack pretty much renders my ability to use a rear pocket mid ride useless.

 

[ezrida]

^^^^^ camelbaks add an extra layer of "clothing" to my back, and cause increase in temp, and decreased comfort.

 

[teflondog]

Why don't more people use camelbak's on road bikes? Is it becuase of the extra weight and the riding position?

There are a few disadvantages. It makes my back sweat more if I'm riding in the hot sun. Also the straps sometimes causes chaffing when I'm wearing a tank top. And a lot of other people on road bikes shake their head at me. But I still choose to wear a camelbak because the pros outweigh the cons for me.