"Flaps" <flaps> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:oooh... I can get a Trek 4100
http://www66.americanexpress.com/mrcat/MRCatFrontServlet?request_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
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4100.jsp.
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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