If you had $250 to spend...

[tongue_tied]

... on accessories, clothing, and such, what would you get? What are necessities to keep in stock for your bike?

[indysteel]

My must have list for my bike sadly exceeds $250, but it'll give you a place to start.

Floor pump; tire levers, patch kits, CO2 inflater and cartridges and/or frame pump, extra tube(s), saddle bag, water bottle(s). Multi tool or hex wrench set and lube. Decent pair of shorts, helmet, gloves, sunglasses, jersey (short or long sleeve depending on the weather). Sunscreen.

Other things that are definitely helpful: Bike jersey, cool and cold weather gear (arm warmers, long sleeve jersey, windproof/water proof jacket, tights and knickers, full-finger gloves, wool socks, headband), chamois cream, a bike repair manual, bike computer, cycling shoes, and rear tail light (I'd almost put this on the must have list), and lightweight jacket.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something. I'm embarrassed by how much bike gear I have, but truth be told, I use all of it pretty regularly.

[Photoflygirl]

I'd like a rack and a trunk bag, maybe some fenders, if I could find some cool ones. I haven't rode a night yet, but if I did, I would need some blinkies and other stuff to make me higher vis. I don't have any jerseys yet, so that would be nice to buy a Team Estrogen jersey. :)

[Ana]

Lots of things!

Bib shorts!
Bib tights!
Some trendy sunglasses!
A couple sweet jerseys!
A stainless steel water bottle!
A new chain!
A multi-tool!
A work stand :)

Okay, I think I'm exceeding $250 now.... ;)

Happy spending!

[tongue_tied]

I have all of the basics - bibs, shorts, a few jerseys - but that's on my list, computer, shoes, pedals, water bottles, seat bag...

Things that I considered:

Tires
Tubes
Handlebar tape
Cleaning gear
Chain cleaner
2 Jerseys
Socks

Should I invest in tools? Repair stand? I have a manual...

[Biciclista]

we've had this discussion before
must have (in this order)
helmet
gloves
topeak road morph pump
spare tubes
patch kit and tire levers
multi tool
raincoat
bike shorts
bike shoes
jersey

[roadie gal]

I just spent close to that on a pair of bike shorts and 2 tri shorts.

Otherwise, I agree with the others on the basics.

[TrekTheKaty]

If you have all the basics, then a really good pair of shorts and a nice jersey. They are my uniform for long rides, and make more mileage possible. You might as well look good when you're all sweaty and spent.

Or a camelbak or polar bottles
Garmin 305 or something with HR, cadence, mileage and speed
Do you have a rack for your car?

The only tools I have are the basics for my saddle bag--she visits the boys at the shop once a year for everything else.

[PamNY]

What I don't have and need:

CO2 cartridges
Work stand
Private lessons with a bike mechanic
Cool wings
SLR camera & bag

[MartianDestiny]

What's on my list right now:

Computer (trying to save for a Garmin)
Custom wheelset fund
Shorts
Jerseys
Stuffable rain/wind jacket

[Loraura]

What I needed 2 years ago, and what I would want now are totally different.

Right now I'd get a Brooks Finesse Titanium saddle. (And go a little over budget, as per usual.)

[wackyjacky1]

Bib shorts, and rain gear (jacket and pants).

[arielmoon]

On my wish list:

Crank set
Wheel set fund
Handlebars

[lunacycles]

B.O.B. trailer

[TrekTheKaty]

OH, yeah. Ditto the rain jacket (mine's a cheapy from Performance, so that won't set you back) and a small digital camera (I have a canon sureshot). Just sent my favorite 10 pics out to be enlarged so I can start a "bike" wall :D

[ZenSojourner]

upgrade the Despatch to 9 speed, if you could do that for $250.

[hilldweller]

Pretty sure I need a new helmet as mine's over ten years old (though has spent most of its life nice and safe on top of the wardrobe).

And what I really want is the She Loves Hills jersey when they're available :D

[OakLeaf]

Ugh.

What I just bought at the LBS or TE over the last couple of days:
cassette
chain
chain whip, cassette lockring tool, chain tool since I haven't done any of that
since it was 6-speed freewheels :rolleyes:
two tires (one needs to be replaced within the next 200 miles or so, the other just to have in reserve so I don't have to go searching for one the right color when I do need it)
arm coolers
shorts

Do I get another $250? :p

[Miranda]

Oh my... that would be gone in a heartbeat with some things already mentioned.

Sorry if this has been posted up and I missed it, but... vehicle travel rack.

I have a suv with a factor mount hitch. I *love* my Yakima hitch mount rack:cool:. Mine they don't make anymore. Changed to something else. It is called the "King Pin 2". Holds two bikes. Comes in a 4 option. Plus, in winter for the 4 they make a ski rack mount accessory.

Mine has an intergrated locking system. Hitch mount lock. I own their top tube adapter for smaller frame triangle etc. Plus, this handle bar "flop stopper" tool.

My design I can leave on the vehicle all the time. I can't lift it with my back issues. Being on all the time was a must for me. DH puts it on start of season. I re-arrange the garage so the door will shut with it on all the time (btw, long vehicle--tight garage).

The carry arm folds down to get the garage shut. And not to be in the way at parking lots etc. Plus, the whole hitch mast folds down to open the suv tail gate etc.

My suv does have a 3rd seat. I can just barely wrestle my bikes inside for transport. Which is nice for bad weather etc. However, it gets old quick w/tire dirt and grease on ya:rolleyes:.

Having my hitch mount has been so liberating to just load up and go easily. Anytime.

Plus... I have myself, and had more than one bike mechanic say... "WOW! this thing makes a great workstand!". And it does.

FWIW:).

EDIT ADD: This link shows what my rack was replaced with: "DoubleDown2"...

http://www.yakima.com/racks/bike-racks/product/8002423/doubledown-2.aspx

[tzvia]

Just got a bike repair stand, a Park, and it is awesome. It makes wrenching not so wrenching ;). Stuff that should be simple but never seems to be, like replacing cables, bleeding hydraulic brakes and adjusting the shifting, are a piece of cake once the bike stops falling over and moving around! Tools tools tools. That tool that holds the handlebar steady so you can adjust stuff and replace the handlebar tape, a chain wear indicator, cassette whip and cassette removal tool, a really good chain breaker and a set of Allen wrenches tops my list of tools. Been building it up and just need to invest in a chain breaker at this point so I can put away all the hokey multitool ones. A good book on bike maintenance for sure (no recommendations as I don't have anything current.) Maybe a wheel truing stand...

[Delta7]

I like Luna's style ... alot

Luna Sportgear.com_Graton Short Sleeve Jersey (http://www.lunasportgear.com/tops/graton-short-sleeve-jersey/)

Short Finger Glove (http://www.lunasportgear.com/accessories/short-finger-team-glove/)

[TxDoc]

$250... right now I'd just put them in my savings - I'm saving for a campy ghibli ultra :)