What Do I NEED?

[katibosch]

I'm very new to bicycling (used to ride when I was a kid, 15+ years ago, haven't since then, but have enjoyed immensely the few rides I've taken since buying my current bike). I'm very short, but also very overweight (5'0" and 230 lbs.) and frankly I'm sort of proud of myself for even getting on the bike, much less actually riding it.

I have basically no money to spend on this (maybe $100.00 more). I have:

24" Murray Mt. Climber bike (bought for $30.00 off Craigslist) (got it checked out at the LBS, they adjusted some things and put a steel wheel on the back -- that all cost about $100.00).

I bought a helmet, of course, and a water bottle/cage, although so far I can't ride far enough to really need to carry much with me. I can only ride a couple miles so far, I'm embarrassed to admit.

I ride mostly on pavement, although my street is gravel. I do ride on streets/roads with some traffic, so I'm thinking rearview mirrors and lights/reflectors (don't currently have any) might be important.

I don't think I can afford any fancy/specialized clothing yet. Would some simple fleece or cotton pants work for the colder weather that's coming?

Anything else?

[Melalvai]

Sounds like you are off to a great start! Don't be embarrassed about not being able to ride far. Everyone has to start somewhere and it will be SUCH an accomplishment when you reach your first milestone! There are a lot of folks on here who have done just what you are doing, and their stories are inspirational. Yours will be too!

If you are going to ride in the dark, dusk, dawn, fog, or cloudy day you need lights.

You don't need special clothes to ride. It makes some things easier, but they can be pretty pricey so it's better to accumulate that sort of thing gradually.

What type of riding did you have in mind? It sounds like you are setting up to be a commuter, riding your bike on short trips to work or for errands. You'll need a lock, and don't go too cheap on that. You'll want some way to carry things. A backpack is ok at first but you'll end up with a rack and panniers and/or a basket before long.

I strongly recommend saving up for a seat. Even if the seat costs more than the bike! It will do more for your comfort than anything else. I prefer a brooks saddle which is leather and takes a little time to break in, there are many threads on here that discuss saddles and there are lots of recommendations. You may not notice discomfort on short trips, but the first time you take a longer trip you will notice your saddle!

So for now I recommend helmet, lock, and lights. You might even have a little money left over, but you might save it until you decide what is the next most urgent.

Happy riding!

[OakLeaf]

Eye protection and gloves. They don't have to be bike-specific, but hands and eyes are very vulnerable.

And welcome!

[malkin]

Any pants that are comfortable enough will work.
You'll have plenty of time later to develop snooty preferences.

Good for you!

[hebe]

Hello and welcome!

I'm new to cycling and to here, one of the best recommendations I was given was to buy a floor pump. Mine was cheap, but does the job fine, and it's amazing how much better the bike rides with fully inflated tyres.

Enjoy riding!

[Catrin]

+1 on all of the advice the others have given - The advice for a new seat regardless of price is a good one. Take it from someone who learned the hard way - you may not have any pain right now with really short rides but when you get to riding long enough that you do - it can become a show-stopper.

Eventually you will want some kind of padding for riding longer distances, (there are lots of choices here - liners that can go under anything, lycra and baggy shorts), but that certainly isn't something you need right away. You will have time to develop your own preferences :)

Congratulations on your new bike - and welcome to TE! No need to be embarrassed about your distance - those milestones are sweet when they come :D

[stella2]

Hello and welcome. I can't add anything to the suggestions made by the other girls. I am also new here and to riding (only sat on a bike for the first time a few weeks ago). I get the impression that there several larger women here. I am one myself. It will be nice if cycling results in weight loss, but at the very least it should result in us becoming fitter :)

[jelee1311]

Welcome and congrats you are doing it ,how fast and how far isn't important. I think maybe a good padded liner would be important (its kinda like underwear with a chamois).as long as you are comfy it doesn't matter what you wear. I'm not a smallish girl so when I started I didn't want to invest in a bunch of clothes because I knew I would lose weight. Gloves ,a bike pump and lights all a good idea and can be picked up cheap. I would also suggest a spare tube and learn how to change a flat asap. You might ask at LBS about bike clubs to find out if anyone does beginning classes or rides . Keep it up!

[lizbinsocali]

I was a "beginner" in January 2009 with the puchase of an inexpensive mtn bike. I didn't know if I would like biking again after a 20 year break from it. I weighed about 250 lbs (I'm 5'4") and had a "skateboard" type helmet, biking shorts and tshirts. I fell in love with it again and the mileage started piling up.

I bought my first road bike (a 2009 Fuji Finest 2.0) this past February and joined a cycling club in July. My new cycling club buddies helped me train for my first century which I completed last month and I radically changed my diet. (I no longer eat flour and sugar) I now ride 3X/week with my long rides on Sundays being around 50-60 miles. Since October of last year, I have lost 67 pounds and I feel great, no more "plus size" cycling clothes (or regular clothes) for me!!

Have a blast!
Liz

[Biciclista]

a lot of people are suggesting you buy a new saddle but i did not see that you are complaining about the one you have. So why fix it if it is not broken?

so i go with the pump and gloves. eye protection is easy, you probably already have sunglasses.
a rearview mirror would come in 3rd for me, if you ride on the road. I have one that I duct-taped to my helmet and I love it!

[Bike Writer]

Hi katibosch, welcome and congrats on your biking endeavor! I am pretty new here and have recently taken up biking again after about 20 years. You've played it smart with a used purchase to see if you are really going to stick with it before spending a lot, again I've done the same. craigslist rocks! Once you prove to yourself that you will be committed to the effort you can start piling on the goodies.

It's fun to get a bike then buy stuff for it and make it your own. I knew right off that I would be running errands because stores are close to home so a basket was in order first thing for me, plus it looks so nice I want to ride and show it off so I'm more inclined to hop on the bike to get to the post office, bank or grocery store. You will discover what is important to you and what could be called needs and perusing through stores, these forums and browsing on line will fill you with stuff you'll define as wants as this evolves for you.

Biking clothes? What did you wear as a kid when you rode? Until you are riding long distances regular tees and shorts are fine, whatever is comfortable and dosen't get caught on the bike parts.

Don't apologize for short rides, everyone starts someplace. You will amaze yourself before long, in fact you probably already have.

It's easy to get hooked on the exhiliration from riding and Autumn is the most wonderful time of year for outdoor sports. Good luck and have fun! :D

[channlluv]

Welcome, and congratulations on getting such a good deal!

Let's see...you've gotten some great suggestions here.

I highly recommend gloves, not so much that you'll need them for short rides, but if you crash, they'll protect your hands from road gravel. (And I say this from experience...I've crashed several times, and as another large rider, we tend to fall hard.)

Regarding sunglasses, I've worn some schmancy ones that wrapped around my face and had interchangeable lenses and all that, but right now I'm wearing a pair of $25 ones I got from Big 5 Sporting Goods and they're more comfortable to me.

On the water bottle, get one that's easy to clean. They get pretty groady pretty quick. And when you start doing longer rides, you'll want to get some GU or other electrolyte drink powder. I like the lemon lime and the orange flavors.

I also recommend getting a Bento box for snacks and keys and such (I use this one: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodFB_840200.html), and a behind-the-seat tool bag for your replacement tube and the tools you'll need to change a flat, and yes, take a class to learn how. It's not hard to do, but it does take doing it yourself a couple of times to feel confident about it.

The miles will come. When I started riding almost two years ago, I was on a five-mile circuit around a lake. It seemed like forever! Now I'll pop over to the lake for a quick ten miles and it's no big deal at all.

I celebrated my 45th birthday last year with a 50-mile bike ride. That felt pretty awesome. You'll get there, too. Just be patient with yourself and respect your body's signals. Don't risk an injury.

Good luck!
Roxy

[Catrin]

I have never used Co2 cartridges, but my frame pump has come in quite handy for use of other cyclists that had cartridges that did not work for them. Just something to consider - frame pumps might be slower (though mine is pretty good in that department) but they don't fail.

They do have frame pumps that have a switch for high/low pressure that makes it much easier to pump up high-pressure tires.