Must Haves

[backinthesaddle]

What are all the must haves that i will have to consider purchasing along with my bike? bike rack? Clothing? Shoes?

who sells the cheapest gear?

The LBS clerk noted that most bikes are sold without kickstands and/or pedals. Do i need a kickstand, if not, how am i resting my bike at home. And what about pedals. I'd imagine, I'd need to get those right away; what should i be looking for in a pedal.

[indysteel]

What are all the must haves that i will have to consider purchasing along with my bike? bike rack? Clothing? Shoes?

who sells the cheapest gear?

The LBS clerk noted that most bikes are sold without kickstands and/or pedals. Do i need a kickstand, if not, how am i resting my bike at home. And what about pedals. I'd imagine, I'd need to get those right away; what should i be looking for in a pedal.

In answering that, it would be helpful to know what kind of bike you're getting and what kind of riding you're planning to do.

But that aside, I'd suggest focusing first on what you need to be safe, e.g., helmet, gloves, eyewear, perhaps a tail light. You will also likely need a floor pump, extra tubes, a patch kit, either a frame pump or Co2 inflator and cartridges, tire levers, saddle bag (to hold on your flat repair stuff), and water bottle(s). A multitool set is also helpful. Cycling gear is helpful, especially padded shorts. If you plan on doing any long rides or touring, a bike jersey with pockets is helpful.

If you plan on using clipless pedals, then you'll need those and cycling shoes. There are several different pedal systems. All have pros and cons. If you want to be able to walk around easily in your cycling shoes, you might consider SPD pedals. I have Look Keo pedals, however, and don't have all that much trouble walking around in my shoes.

If you plan to transport your bike in your car, then a bike rack is helpful, but I would note that it is possible to fit a bike in a car--usually with one or both wheels off--depending on the size of the bike and the size of the car.

As far as kickstands go, there's nothing wrong with having them, but IME they're unnecessary. I prop my bike up against the wall of my garage most of the time. We also have bike racks in our garage and basement. When you're out riding, it's pretty easy to find places to prop them up or lay them down. I don't have a kickstand on my roadbike, but I do have one on my hybrid. It rattles around a lot over rought pavement and drives me nuts.

I'm probably forgetting stuff, but this would give you a good start.

As for the cheapest place to find stuff, that would probably be online. There are any number of online retailers (Performance, Nashbar, Speegoat) that carry any number of things you might need. Keep in mind, however, that this is a good time to build a relationship with your LBS. Sometimes, you sacrifice price in order to build or maintain that relationship. Plus, you really should try some things on/out in person, like your helmet.

I usually try to strike a balance between online and LBS. Most shops can appreciate that they don't carry as much female-specific gear and that we often have to go online (to places like TE) to find what we want. If you have a shop in your area that is catering to women, then by all means throw some business their way if you can afford to.

[MartianDestiny]

The basics:

Helmet
Gloves
Sunglasses/safety glasses

Spare tube
mini or CO2 pump
tire levers
patch kit
multitool
Knowledge on how to use the above

Saddle bag or camelbak (depending on riding type to carry above)

Water bottles and cages (or camelbak)

Eventually you'll probably find you want at least 1 nice pair of bike shorts, depending on your expected riding style.

As for pedals, it depends on what kind of riding you are planning to do, so more information is necessary.

Same with the kick stand (more info needed). My bikes stay on a rack or against a wall at home and don't have kickstands (extra weight on the road bike, and one more thing to catch something/be dangerous on the mountain bike). I can see the potential appeal with a cruiser or commuter bike, but you are still going to be locked to a rack most of the time and won't need one.

Adding to the cheap gear list (with a note that I, too, try to strike a balance between the local guy I want to see stay open and "whoa that's crazy cheap"): REI and TE (right here) both run pretty nice clearance sales from time to time; keep your eyes open (and check out REI outlet online as opposed to their standard catalog). Also, surprisingly, you can get good deals (especially on helmets) at Amazon. Just be careful that it's brands you've heard of elsewhere because Amazon sells everything from crap to really nice stuff and you have to know the difference.

[Ritamarie]

Really good advice so far! I just wanted to add that we hang all of our bikes upside down from the ceiling of our workshop. Eliminates the chance of your good bike getting knocked over, and save a lot of space. With 9 bikes in the family, this is important!

Use two per bike -- one per wheel! You can get the hooks at the hardware store. They look something like this: http://doitbest.com/Utility+hooks-Na...sku-233820.dib

(They cost just a few $ each in the local store. The price on this page is for 40 hooks.)

[Trek420]

who sells the cheapest gear?

Don't forget the sales right here on TE

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/...rcentages-desc

[backinthesaddle]

I am planning to purchase a road bike. This is my first bike in a long time. Everytime i look up a bike or learn something new, i increase my wish list. I am easily inching toward a $1600 bike and with the addition of all this gear i may find myself spending $2000 or more, something i didn't want to do, and honestly really can't afford to do. This is such an exciting time right now. I am quite passionate (right now). I am afraid that I will overspend and realize that this isn't really for me. Or even worse, that I realize it is, and regret that i went too cheap. I want to get the right bike for me at a reasonable price the first time out, so i am not regretting my decision later.

[bmccasland]

A lot of times your LBS will also have bikes on sale - trade in or previous year's models. So if you're trying to stretch your dollar/euro/yen/pound and you're not real picky about bike specifics, so long as it fits (and that's extremely important), you might find something you like on sale.

[malkin]

Every penny I've spent buying "the cheapest gear" has been a complete waste.

Buy the best gear you can afford and shop for discounts. Buy from reputable sellers (like TE) with helpful staff (like TE) and a generous return policy (like TE).

[newtobikesmama]

This is such an exciting time right now. I am quite passionate (right now). I am afraid that I will overspend and realize that this isn't really for me. Or even worse, that I realize it is, and regret that i went too cheap. I want to get the right bike for me at a reasonable price the first time out, so i am not regretting my decision later.

I feel the same way!! I have been looking at bikes since October and finally got the one I think will be the best for me about two weeks ago. I haven't even been on a ride yet because of the weather and we got more snow today, more coming Sunday, and it isn't supposed to get above freezing for the rest of the month! I have been purchasing super cute summer jerseys in the hopes that it will bring warmer weather.

[TrekTheKaty]

After the helmet, GLOVES, GLOVES, GLOVES! Not only for comfort, but to protect your hands if/when you fall. I could tell you a graphic story, but the long and short of it is--you'll appreciate them after the fact.

And a floor pump. You can pick everything else up as you go.

[MommyBird]

A Bike Computer is really nice to have.
Amazon has the Strada Wireless for around $40.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

MUST HAVES (as opposed to 'nice to haves'):

Helmet
Gloves
Eye protection (from insects hitting your face, flying pebbles thrown by vehicles, etc)
Water
ID

and...
either flat tire changing stuff, or else a cell phone if you can't change a tire yet.
Cell phone is a pretty good thing to have anyway, like for if you get sick or you fall while riding and need help getting home.

A good lock is a must have if you plan to leave your bike outside while you go into a store, bathroom, etc.

I consider everything else optional or 'helpful'.

Don't bike on an empty stomach or you may wind up feeling ill.

[radicalrye]

http://www.nahsbar.com

You can often times find some good accessories for your bike on sale here. They also have tools, components, etc.

I usually use Amazon to check out the reviews on gear, but rarely buy from there because I can usually find a cheaper price elsewhere.

Good luck with finding a new ride