I just bought my first bike today! I obviously need to get pedals and a lock. What else do I need right away to start long, casual rides? Thanks!
Since I don't know you I have no clue as to what your abilities are when it comes to fixing a bike. If your abilities are nonexistent then why take tools? If you do have a good mechanical aptitude and can repair bikes then look into getting a mini tool. Because I ride 30 to 50 miles from home, plus do bike camping I carry a chunky Park MTB-3 mini tool, it will do almost anything except weld! Ok, it also won't pull cranks, so major repairs are out, but major repairs are extremely rare, most bike problems are minor, heck I can't even remember the last time I had a breakdown. I did use the tool to make a seat adjustment but that's hardly a breakdown.
But most people just carry minimal tools and a cell phone, I do carry a cell phone but in the last 38 years of being married, I've only had to call my wife three times, once because I got diarrhea really bad and I couldn't ride, so she came and got me, and the other time I had a bike crash and was at a hospital; and the last time I called her was just 3 months ago when my seat broke while on a camping trip, I tried to fix it but it was beyond repair and I can't ride a loaded touring bike while standing constantly for 45 miles! otherwise, I stay independent when I ride. My wife is my wife, not my mommy, and I refuse to have her come get me, I will walk if I have to...well as long as it isn't walking 45 miles with a loaded bike! Even if I had a nonrepairable breakdown 20 miles out on an unloaded bike I would call her at that point since a 6 to 7 hour walk would make my wife worry.
I know people who call their mommies, err, I mean wives, because they got a flat?! Strange as that sounds it's true.
Heck, my wife has called me a lot while I've been riding since I started to carry a cell phone, usually wanting to know when I'll be back.
I would start with an under-seat bag, you really don't need any other bag unless you're wanting to do camping of course. I did mention a couple of bags in my first comment to you, you have figure out all the stuff you want to carry
I would like to be able to fix a flat on the trail for sure, so I'll start learning. I'll ask my local bike shop to set me up with what I need to do that on the trail too. I guess at the very least, if I'm somewhere a vehicle can't drive, or where I don't get cell coverage (does that exist anymore?) I want to be able just fix a flat and then keep going. Thanks.
I have a Park Tool floor pump for pre-ride. But for flats on the road I have a CO2 inflator and carry a few cartridges. Some people hate this method but have yet to find a frame pump that actually works without killing your hands and arms.Multiple people have mentioned a pump so that I go out with the right amount of air in my tires every trip. I haven't done any research into pumps. Any suggestions to start with?
(Sorry, I forgot the Lezyne was mentioned already.)
Congrats, Enjoy itI just bought my first bike today! I obviously need to get pedals and a lock. What else do I need right away to start long, casual rides? Thanks!
Did you drop Acid before posting?See all that plastic stuff that's hanging off the bike? The reflectors on the spokes? The plastic thingy that goes behind the cassette? Those mark your bike out as being three things: unridden, owned by a total newbie and complying fully with road regulations concerning cycling