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Post by Andrew James on Feb 8, 2014 19:03:12 GMT
Good evening and thank you for reading my post.
I am a very inexperienced cyclist and, up to now, have only use mountain bikes.
I have reserved a Triban 3 and am picking it up on Monday.
The question I have is, what else do I need? I am not looking to race or do sportives, I just need to get fit to control a bad anxiety problem!
Obviously some good clothing, that goes without saying. A pouch for some tubes etc too.
But what about the other stuff? Do I absolutely need new shoes? Do I need to have clipless pedals? I don't want to spend loads up front but, at the same time, I don't want to have a bad initial riding experience, as that could really put me off quickly too.
Any little tips and heads up would be very much appreciated.
Thank you
Andrew
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Post by Spoakes on Feb 8, 2014 19:29:23 GMT
Right a BIG welcome to the road! LI was the same as you only used MTB let's see what you need ?
Inner tubes for sure P* repair kit A chain link A saddle bag. Set of lights as one on t3 is naff get a good one for Β£17.50 off amazon Pump with tube if possible High vis waterproof top.
All the clothing from aldi or lidl is good for beginning until you want LYCRA ( it will happen ).
Clipless peddles not necessary yet get a feel for the speed and handling first.
Any thing I've left out others will bang on the end I'm sure.
Oh where you located?
Welcome
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Post by sodafarl on Feb 8, 2014 19:31:09 GMT
Andrew What pedals do you use on the mountain bike ? I wouldn't worry too much about the pedals to start (get used to the road) with make sure you have a good pair of shorts with decent padding a rain coat and in my opinion a helmet. Others will think differently but the final choice is yours not everyone has a fortune to spend. You can even use the pedals and shoes of your mountain bike until you decide on something different. Register and see all the info you will ever need.
Enjoy the Triban.
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Post by robertsims on Feb 8, 2014 19:56:17 GMT
Only thing you NEED in my view is decent pair of shorts, couple of inner tubes, 2 tyre levers and a pump plus some decent lights if plan cycling in dim/dark conditions. You can now ride bike, be comfy and sort out odd puncture if they occur.
For pedals I personally have always used mtb spd pedals anyway for last 3000 miles and wouldn't change as find them far more practical. Saying that if you're nervous to start then just use flat pedals so can bale out if feel the need!
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Post by ianmoss on Feb 8, 2014 20:00:57 GMT
1. Helmet 2. Padded shorts 3. Spare tube (if you know how to change a tube) 4. Pump (else you won't get air into new tube) 5. P* repair kit (at least self adhesive parches) 6. Multi tool 7. Saddle bag (somewhere to keep it all)
You probably have some clothing / tools / knowledge from mountain biking. Gloves, jackets etc.
Don't worry about pedals until you get the feel of being on the road for a while. Be confident, don't ride too close to the curb. This way you won't have to swerve out if you need to miss a grate or pot hole.
Hope Monday brings some good wether for you to enjoy a first ride.
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Post by cbrdeano on Feb 8, 2014 20:27:29 GMT
I find that if I ride on the road and casually swing a small toffee hammer around with my right hand the cars avoid me like the plauge - haha
But seriously -
If your mountain bike gear works for you - use it.
When you have spare funds - swap some of it for more road specific gear.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2014 20:31:24 GMT
Re the tool kit others have advised you to get, I find a complete set plus two spare tubes fit neatly into a spare water bottle which is mounted in a second cage on the rear down tube alongside a small frame pump. As for the pedals, get used to the bike first.
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Post by Red Devil on Feb 8, 2014 20:36:57 GMT
Andrew,
good luck on the new steed. When you pick her up on Monday have a good look through the Decathlon clothing bits, they quite often have some bits for sale at very good prices.
I picked up a pair of baggy shorts with a padded insert for around Β£7.
Where abouts are you based perhaps a meet up with other near by could give you the push to get out the door in some good company.
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Post by RobP on Feb 8, 2014 21:42:21 GMT
Nothing to add to the lists already given but get yourself registered on the forum properly rather than posting as a guest, loads of help, advice and support here to help your progress.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2014 23:12:07 GMT
Thank you everyone for your kind advice. I am a little surprised, in so far as I expected I'd need much much more. Part of what has held me back from buying a road bike has been reading too many websites and forums where I have been a little overwhelmed with what I would need.
I know there is always the risk of serious riders making it sound too complicated but it was still hard not to hear those voices!
So basically, my mountain bike gear with a bit of extra clothing and an emergency pack seems like all I will need... I really had believed that I couldn't possibly ride a road bike without special shoes, clips etc etc but you have given me the confidence to get out and just see how it goes.
Thanks again
Oh and I am in north west London...
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Post by ozzrahog on Feb 8, 2014 23:15:47 GMT
your mtb gear a phone and a credit card, its a bike ride ffs dont over think it
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Post by sodafarl on Feb 9, 2014 0:32:12 GMT
your mtb gear a phone and a credit card, its a bike ride ffs dont over think it On the button.
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Post by robertsims on Feb 9, 2014 8:03:27 GMT
your mtb gear a phone and a credit card, its a bike ride ffs dont over think it Totally! You can get obsessed with other tat at a later date like rest of us!
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Post by Spoakes on Feb 9, 2014 14:16:01 GMT
After thinking about all the stuff I bought straight out.
I'm the type of person that does belt an braces so would rather be prepared than a spare part. That's my excuse anyway.
As they say don't over Cook it! Just ride and enjoy. Take a phone ! Bugger couldn't resist it
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Post by chiban3 on Feb 9, 2014 19:44:27 GMT
Andrew, welcome to the club!
Based on what you've said about being nervous to start with, just take and wear what you do with your MTB, assuming you've been riding on local roads/ cycle lanes, then stick to those and just get your confidence on the lighter bike. Stay in a local loop rather than taking on grand adventures to start with.
By all means take a tube, tyre levers and pump if you're happy to fix a puncture at the roadside, but as others have said a drink, your phone and of course the number of a friend or local taxi firm should be sufficient.
I assume the 3 still includes the toe clip pedals so no need for shoes and Unless you're going 20k+, the shorts are probably not necessary to start, wait to buy some good ones when you're starting to do the distances.
As someone else has said, you will soon want to splash out on everything that's going, but above all you're a Triban owner and we just ride because we enjoy it!
Good luck for tomorrow!
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