What Do I NEED?

[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!

[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.