New Roadie

BobbyTrigger

I’ve taken the plunge and moved to the dark side  Bought a Trek 1.5C yesterday in the sale at my local LBS – very exciting!

I’m a MB’r so I’m not new to cycling, i am however very new to road bikes. So I’m after a bit of advice please.

I have a shopping list:

• New lid
• SPD’s & shoes
• 2 bottle cages
• Saddle bag

Is there anything else i need to buy?

What do you put in your saddle bag other than tyre levers and a tube?

Exactly what do you carry when you go for a ride?

With regards to the spd’s – what’s best/popular? I run spd’s on my commuter bike and love them, but thats an old mb so has mb spuds on it. I haven’t got a clue with road spd’s?

Any advice gratefully received!

Cheers.

fludey

Hi I started out on spd's and they were fine for road cycling, I have switched to spd-sl now thou as I find them better on a long ride....just don't plan to walk anywhere on them!
Saddle bag has tube, patches, co pump and spare co, multitool and I always keep some emergency cash in there..
If it's a long ride both bottles filled, spare high 5 zero drinks tabs so can get a refil if needed with just adding water and a few gels in the back pockets.

Oh one other thing get a bit of duck tape and wrap it round your pump can repair a tyre if need be to get you home from the inside.

andrewlwood

fludey wrote:

Hi I started out on spd's and they were fine for road cycling, I have switched to spd-sl now thou as I find them better on a long ride....just don't plan to walk anywhere on them!.

It's interesting - seems to be personal preference. I'm quite happy wandering around my local shopping centre on SPD-SLs - stairs are a challenge, and I wouldn't walk the Pennines in them, but half a mile is not really a problem.

Thelittlesthobo

Just started out myself on the roadbike. I carry the following on rides

CO2 cannister x 1 (Enough to do 2 x tyres)
Head for CO2
2 x tyre levers
1 x spare tube
All taped together with above mentioned gaffa tape
Mobile Phone

Drink is as you require but even if you only use one in an emergency i am sure anyone would refill a bottle for you on a longer ride

Other than that, tbh i dont carry anything else. If i get more than one puncture i am quite happy to call the wife to come and collect me (1000kms so far and no puncture)

I am also in the same situation as you with the spds. Its my birthday soon and i plan on getting the 105 spd-sl's with some shoes to go with them. I am currently using the flats that came with the bike and its starting to hurt my feet.

Oh and i also bought the Trek 1.5 triple :-) Love it

Thelittlesthobo

Oh and with that little lot i carry it in one of my jersey pockets :-)

andrewjoseph

same clothes/shoes/pedals/helmet as mtb. Saves a lot of unnecessary cost.

saddle bag with inner tubes x2, multitool with chain breaker, tyre levers, spare brake pads x2, spare brake and gear cable, puncture repair kit, few zip ties, small 'leatherman' type tool with sharp nosed pliers.

cheap alloy bottle cages to take 1l bottles, high pressure pump with good handle (behind cage on downtube).

Good big light on saddlebag and small knog white light on bars.