New to road riding help with sorting out what I need

white91

I have just picked up a Planet X Pro Carbon with SRAM Red for a good price. I have been mountain biking for 5 years and fancied a go on a roadie.

So far I have bought a nice Lezyne track pump, some Mavic bib shorts and a jersey.

I currently use my DX SPD pedals and shoes, but the bike came with some Look pedals.

I need some road shoes, maybe R133s, Look cleats (red?), a mini pump or CO2 pump, some water bottles, a saddle bag, mini tool and some led lights.

Also in regard to upgrades, my saddle is woeful (Selle Italia XO) where do I start? My mtb has a WTB saddle but is probably a bit big for road?

Next is tyres and tubes, Schwalbe Blizzards are not the lightest, nor are basic tubes, maybe Ultremos or Pro Race 3? Finally I run them at 110 psi and I weigh 14 st 3, does that sound about right?

If anyone can suggest some good gear please do, I have managed around 150 miles in two weeks, with the longest being 32 miles, but this was very painful.

Cheers

velvetytoast

Thats one long list - and quite a few quid if you want to spend big. I wouldn't worry about the tyres and tubes this year, and you may want to stick with spd's (if you really want road shoes go for Sidi's with red cleats - you won't regret the extra cost)

Personally I'd go for a co2 inflator and canisters, a smallish saddle bag (why carry loads), a crank bros multi tool, some decent tyre levers (don't forget these!!) couple of tubes (I use contis - long valve)

If you look around you can get water bottles with high five free stuff in for £5 each which isn't bad at the moment. Not wanting to start a war but I'd go cheaper on the lights - Unless you're going to ride the country lanes at night I'd go for a Blackburn Mars on the back and an exposure flare on the front.

I'd also just keep riding on the saddle for the moment but maybe drop to 100psi - It won't feel quite so hard and you may find you get used to the saddle over a couple of months

Hope that helps

EarlyGo

white91,

Nice bike! Agree with the above but would add that you may wish to run your front tyre 5-10psi lower than the rear to reduce some of the road buzz through the handlebars. This is personal preference and worth experimenting with.

MTB saddles are usually designed for the more upright position and can sometimes be uncomfortable on the drops. But again why not experiment and stick it on? Altenatively Specialized shops usually have a gadget for measuring your seat bones and finding the most comfortable fit for you. Finding a truly comfy saddle can be a long process though!!

I personally prefer mini pumps to gas but most mini pumps are very much 'get you home' devices and struggle to inflate the tyre above 80-90psi. Gas will give you full inflation but if it goes wrong then it's either full inflation or zero pressure!

Regards, EarlyGo

white91

Thanks for your input guys.

Basically I have found a really good deal on the R133s or maybe some RO87 in a wide fitting as my feet are quite wide. I have been into a strangley unstocked shop and tried Shimanos on.

Also if I subscribe to Cycling Active they are currently giving away some Knog Boomer lights, which I think I will do.

Probably getting a Lezyne caddy saddle bag, with the essentials, and I fancy a mini pump as the CO2 is a one shot system.

Finally I might try a Charge Spoon or Knife as these are quite cheap, my friend has a Selle Italia gel with a cut out which is much more comfy.

Tyres and tubes can wait as it doesn't really matter if I am a little slower tbh.

And I thought the bike would be the expensive bit!

velvetytoast

Hey the bikes the cheap bit - did I hear you say you've only got the one bike? Remember the rule is n+1 bikes (n being the number you already own)

If the shoes are a good deal then go for them - main thing is to get out and enjoy it without feeling you've got to spend a load more cash - spending the cash doesn't make you any faster, only riding the bike can do that!

white91

I have a Santa Cruz Chameleon hardtail too, but I have found the kit for mtb is not always the best kit for road!

I know that Lance would beat me on a kids trike, so the bike is more than enough for me, I just don't want to have to call the other half out when I have a puncture 30 miles from home!