Tl:dr: when shopping for a bike, keep 20% of your budget for not-bike stuff.
One of the best received bits of wisdom I get to hand-out on Reddit is – what else do I need besides a bike to ride a bike?
For some small group of people, maybe nothing. But for almost everybody: plan to buy a few things to go along with your bike:
Almost Everybody: Helmet, Lights, Reflectors & a repair kit.
Helmet: Start here: Virgina Tech Helmet Ratings. These are the best helmet tests around right now, so it will help you buy one that’s safe.
Lights: More below, but I suggest ~1000 lumen front light in Solid (not blinking) mode. One or two rear red lights. A couple reputable manufacturer: Light & Motion, and Outbound Lighting. Personally, I use a Dynamo generator with a B&M IQ-X light. More about those a different day. Light keep you safer day & night, so get them.
Reflectors: I like these jackets, and I ride with a pack cover they make. Spoke reflectors are also good. I like to put reflective tape on my fenders.
Repair kit: enough to fix a flat: Tire Levers, Patches, Pump, and an extra tube. Learn how to use them and practice.
If your bike might ever get stolen: Get a Lock.Kryponite New York Fahgettaboudit is a good choice. Small chains & Cables are very easy to cut – ok for an hour or two, bad news for any extended stays. If you have a very expensive bike (electric) a more serious lock could be a good idea. Also: insurance.
If you will ever have to ride in bad weather: Fenders, Rain Gear, a way to stay warm. At least where I live, you can plan on bad weather. Maybe there are places where you know there won’t be bad weather, but… Better safe than sorry.
Fenders are such a good investment if you will ever get rained on.
Otherwise: A Rain Jacket or Poncho, and Rain Legs. Showers Pass seems to be good, I use a ‘Shakedry’ jacket but they can be a bit delicate. I also really like my Poncho for trips in the city; easy on, easy off, highly breathable and a great wind break.
Rain pants are kind of a pain, as are lots of rain jackets. Basically: very few actually keep you dry, those that block the rain trap your sweat so you end up wet regardless.
To stay warm: get a merino wool sweater. You don’t need a giant thick thing – when your riding you will stay pretty warm, so what you really need is a bit of breathable insulation that manages moisture well and won’t be horrible to be in later. That’s called Merino.
More later!
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