"Flaps" <flaps> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]
[...]
Quoted message said:oooh... I can get a Trek 4100
est_type=search&country=aus&searchType=rewardDetail&id=3768-
1988&seqnum=1
Quoted message said:Done deal. I just sent off for the certificate I need to
trade for the bike at my LBS.
So who's the lucky [censored] then?
BTW, there's a better picture and specs at
trekbikes.com4100.jspOpen ↗.
Quoted message said:So my question to you guys is, assuming I'm starting with
nothing , what would you recommend I pick up at the same
time? I'll be using it mostly weekends on bike paths..
maybe a bit of commuting.... so I'm thinking a half decent
helmet of course, a computer, but what else? I was reading
somewhere that the plastic pedals that come with entry
level Trek bikes like the 4100 should be the first to go,
but I'm looking for your experienced and sage like advice
to help me make up a shopping list.
I wouldn't worry about the pedals unless you want to go
clipless (but then you also have to buy the shoes at the
same time and they're not cheap, so it's not something to
rush). What I would suggest, at least for the short to
medium term, is buy a set of plastic toe-clips for about
$10. They'll at least ensure your foot is positioned
correctly on the pedal, thereby increasing your efficiency
albeit not by as much as clipless.
As well as the helmet (something around the $40 mark should
be about right for a recreational MTBer) get a set of
gloves. Winter weight gloves will set you back anything from
$40-$80, summer weight ones around $15-$45. If nothing else
they'll stop your hands ending up black from the rubber
grips and if the palms are padded will make longer rides
more comfortable.
Check the saddle out carefully. It's hard to tell from
the pictures but Bontrager saddles tend not to have
centre cutouts, which means they can put undue pressure
on the perineal area with adverse consequences for your
dangly bits. Talk to the bike shop about a saddle with a
centre cutout.
By law you need at least minimal lighting if you want to
ride after dusk. You can get away with seriously cheap front
and rear lights which will do nothing more than make you
somewhat visible to drivers for about $30-$50. If you want
to get serious you can spend more than $600 on top-end front
lights. But you must get something.
You'll also want a decent lock (since I live in St Kilda I
have two locks). I like the Kryptonite LS D-locks
($79/$89). Avoid the el cheapo copies. Get the longer one
for the extra $10, the extra few centimetres will make life
a lot easier in terms of being able to lock your bike to
posts and stuff. I also have a cable lock, cheaper ($20-
$40) but a bit more flexible.
You'll need a water bottle cage ($10-$15) and a water bottle
($10-$12).
You'll want a pump. A decent floor pump for home will set
you back around $70-$90 for a model with a built-in
gauge. A decent mini-pump for taking with you on the road
will be around $40-$50. I have a Blackburn; a lot of
people swear by Zefal.
You may want to consider a set of plastic clip-on mud-guards
for the winter to stop the tyres spraying surface water all
over you. Zefal/SKS for around $25-$35.
Then there's a tool kit (Topeak/Park Tool for about $40-
$60), puncture kit ($6-$8), tyre levers ($5-$10) and a
saddle bag to keep it all in ($25-$50). I also keep a Zefal
pressure gauge in mine ($30). Chain lube goes for $10-$20.
It's too hard to recommend clothing. Nix start at $40 and go
up to stupid prices, jerseys start at about $50 and go up to
even more stupid prices, and don't get me started on the
price of decent rain gear.
When you've sorted through that little lot we can start
discussing some of the more esoteric gear you'll end up
wanting. :-)
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