Lock - Helmet

Isdel7
Isdel7 Posts: 7
edited October 2012 in Road beginners
Hi everyone,

I have just received my new road bike, a Triban 3 (like lots of people) and now it is time to a buy a few more necessary accessories.

First of all, I will need a Helmet and a lock. By buying this bike, it should be obvious that I am on a budget and thus I cannot spend much. I could spend no more than £35 for each one of them.
Regarding the lock, what type would you suggest?
I should mention that I am in York, which from what I've heard is relatively safe. I will mostly lock my bike outside my office at the university and occasionally in various places at the city centre.
Any suggestions?

Finally, since the winter is coming and I come from a warm place, what clothing do you think would be absolutely necessary? Please provide some suggestions.

I would appreciate any help, since I am new to the cycling world.
Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • rubyrider
    rubyrider Posts: 68
    Look out for when Lidl do bike clothing and accessories. I picked up a cheap helmet there with the same safety mark as much more expensive ones. Cheaper sports stores like Sports Direct do stock some cycling wear.

    I'm relatively new to road cycling myself and have been getting by so far with layering up with my old running kit with some new padded shorts underneath. I've ordered some stuff from sportspursuit - it's high quality clothing and accessories but you do have to wait ages for it to arrive - because that's how their business works. I'm looking forward to having a cycling top with pockets on the back, but in the meantime a bum bag lets me carry my phone and a few jelly babies (my emergency fuel :) )
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    For locks go for the strongest one you can find Sold Secure Silver minimum - Kryptonite Evolution mini if you need to carry it or Onguard Mastiff chain if you don't.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    A D-lock would be very effective, though they are heavy to carry around. A nice thickish cable is also good, just ensure you can lock both wheels to the frame as well as around a post.

    If you go for a D-lock, get a cheap cable lock too so you can secure the other wheel.

    As for helmets... There is loads of choice, the only way to go is to get into a few shops and try them on, if it doesn't fit right it'll be pretty useless in a crash. I'm using a Specialised MTB helmet at the moment that cost me about £40 IIRC.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • JamesB5446
    JamesB5446 Posts: 471
    If your budget is tight, don't bother getting a helmet and spend more on a lock.
    You'll want to get some mudguards and lights too if you plan on riding in the winter.
  • dashik
    dashik Posts: 156
    The lock wont help if he fractures his skull without a helmet....

    An entry level budget helmet and then get as good a lock as you can afford.
    http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/tNSG6qnWmYk
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1014761
  • JamesB5446
    JamesB5446 Posts: 471
    The helmet won't help if someone twocs his bike.
    It also won't help in the vast majority of crashes unless he's very clumsy and happens to fall over at low speed a lot.
  • lotus49
    lotus49 Posts: 763
    The use of helmets is a controversial topic and there does not appear to be clear evidence either for or against. If your head hits the ground, you definitely want to be wearing one but there is evidence to suggest that people who dont wear one tend to hit their head less often. Nevertheless, the UCI mandates the use of helmets in road races and that's good enough for me (because of course the UCI would never do anything wrong - ahem).

    Having done a lot of reading about bike locks I have been surprised to find that they vary from mediocre to downright useless. Even the most expensive are not proof against a determined and well-informed scrote. D locks are the best so buy the most expensive reputable brand you can afford (eg Kryptonite) after you have bought a helmet. Helmets aren't expensive so there is no need to get carried away with that.

    The best thing you can do to protect your bike (and let's face it, York isn't exactly a rough area) is to lock it up somewhere busy and well lit, preferably next to a poorly secured Pinarello Dogma 2 :-).
  • Isdel7
    Isdel7 Posts: 7
    Hi all,

    Thanks a lot for your replies.
    Still a bit confused with locks and helmets but I'll sort it out soon. However, I don't think buying a £100 lock for a £300 bike in a not very high crime area is a very clever move. After all, I will not lock my bike in the city centre for more than a couple of times per month. Thus, I will most probably go for a D-lock priced £30-40.

    And I will definitely be looking for Pinarello Dogma 2 's....
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    I found this place gave the best price for locks (you really, really want a d lock as a minimum) : http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/bike-locks/

    you should easily be able to get a sold secure silver one in your price range. I have this one. It is priced at £24.99 for the d lock or £29.99 for the d lock plus a steel cable for the front wheel: http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/abussinusplus/

    You can pick up helmets relatively cheaply from around £15 from what I remember. Check out amazon/decathalon/wiggle/ and so on
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    JamesB5446 wrote:
    The helmet won't help if someone twocs his bike.
    It also won't help in the vast majority of crashes unless he's very clumsy and happens to fall over at low speed a lot.
    Hey, I know! Get both the lock and the helmet.

    Giro make nice helmets, and get the best lock you can afford. Kryptonite and Abus are good brands. D-locks are the strongest type.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • JamesB5446
    JamesB5446 Posts: 471
    lotus49 wrote:
    Nevertheless, the UCI mandates the use of helmets in road races and that's good enough for me (because of course the UCI would never do anything wrong - ahem).
    Do you wear a Nomex suit when you're driving your car too?

    Anyway, if OP really has his/her (I can't recall if they stated which) on a helmet they should get a Kask one so he/she can look like a track sprinter and intimidate drivers at the lights.
  • lotus49
    lotus49 Posts: 763
    JamesB5446 wrote:
    lotus49 wrote:
    Nevertheless, the UCI mandates the use of helmets in road races and that's good enough for me (because of course the UCI would never do anything wrong - ahem).
    Do you wear a Nomex suit when you're driving your car too?

    I do indeed. I don't want people to think I'm not a real rally driver as I hoon around in my Impreza :D .
  • JamesB5446
    JamesB5446 Posts: 471
    I hope you have all the correct stickers and a drift charm.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    I have a Bell helmet that I got when I started that is still in very good condition that you could have for £25 posted. Was £55 new. Plain Black.

    Only used it for 5 months (never crashed or dropped) but being a complete label snob/colour code tart I now have a Kask Mojito in red/white to match my club kit.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • Isdel7
    Isdel7 Posts: 7
    smidsy wrote:
    I have a Bell helmet that I got when I started that is still in very good condition that you could have for £25 posted. Was £55 new. Plain Black.

    Only used it for 5 months (never crashed or dropped) but being a complete label snob/colour code tart I now have a Kask Mojito in red/white to match my club kit.

    Thanks for the offer but I bought a helmet, so I am not in need of one any more.
    Cheers.

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