Quoted message said:Can you just tell me what's normally included in the box, and what you
would regard as 'essential extras'?
ESSENTIAL:
Mudguards. In the shop I'd suggest SKS ones for £23.
Lights. LED ones (longer battery life). Get a cheapo rear one, and get
a front one with a fairly wide beam. Use rechargable batteries and
change 'em WELL before they run out (they get dimmer in a fairly
'straight line', so'll be rubbish well before the batteries die). £10 -
£45.
Lock. A D-lock and something else to do the front wheel is a good idea
(I recommend this to customers: <http://preview.tinyurl.com/yvsl2p> £25 -
£30.
Pump and puncture repair kit. I recommend a good track pump to stay at
home (tyres done in seconds) and a mini pump for emergencies on the road.
£20 for track pump with gauge and £13 for mini pump (EBC's Revolution own
brand ones are excellent). £3 - £3.50 for puncture repair kit. £3 for
inner tubes (or £4 from other shops :-P ). When it's raining it's nice
to just bung in a new inner tube (remove glass or thorn from tyre first!)
NICE TO HAVE:
If you're taking heavy or bulky luggage then a pannier rack and panniers
a lot better than a rucksack, especially in summer. £13 for the pannier,
£50 to £75 for the panniers (go for quality). Ortlieb do the best ones,
in terms of waterproofness, durability (a lifetime) and the attachment
system).
For a cyclist wanting to get all hot and sweaty, clipless pedals give 30%
more power. £20-50 for a pedal with normal and SPD sides, £40-50 for
shoes.
As for clothing, cycling specific stuff is more confortable and has a
better fit. I wear thin, windproof gloves for all 3/4 of the year. A
baseball hat keeps rain out of the eyes (a pet hate), and a windproof
water*resistant* top keeps the rain out without being too sweaty
(waterproof stuff isn't really breathable enough for a sweaty cyclist).
I do cycle year-round, so place a higher value on the right clothes for
the job. I recommend you get stuff after you've been riding the bike
some time - you'll have a better idea of what you'd like and what you can
do without.
Quoted message said:Is it also true that there is no longer a 'retail' market in second
user cycles, and that the only way you'll get one is through a private
ad in the classifieds?
Kinda. Most shops will not buy second hand bikes 'cos (nearly) all they
get offered are stolen ones. Some sell second hand ones - locally Harry
Hall's sell expensive stuff, Bicycle Doctor sell good, medium
range+expensive stuff and Withington cycles sell all kinds of weird,
cheap old and battered stuff (but they've serviced them and replaced worn
parts. It's how I got my first semi-decent bike). Ring about the local
shops and see what they've got in. I'd recommend buying new thobut -
£300'll get something good, with good availability of spare parts.
Buying from the paper is a good way to get stuff that'll cost as much to
repair as you paid for it. Great for a £20 hack bike, not good for much
else unless you know your stuff.
