bigmommasally Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 It's OH's birthday next week and he's getting a bike for his birthday. He hasn't ridden for a few years so we are having to get him the whole kit and caboodle but I really want to get a few little bits as a surprise that he may not of thought of for himself. So other than a helmet, lights and lock does anyone have any good ideas that would be useful. Thanks as always Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Depends what kind of bike he's getting, and how far he is planning to ride (is it just commuting 5-10 miles or is he planning 100km plus rides). These are some ideas: 1. Padded shorts - they are an absolute essential unless you are going to confine yourself to really short rides under 10 miles. 2. A cycling shirt with the pockets in the back - absolutely essential for carrying things like inner tubes, a small pump, snacks and so on. 3. A mini pump, inner tubes, tyre levers and puncture repair kit (and learn how to use them). Some of the CO2 canister pumps are really small and can fit in a pocket or tiny saddle bag. 4. A saddle bag or bar bag, depending on length of rides he is going to do. I'd say anything over 60 miles and a bar bag becomes a requirement as you have to carry plenty of food. 5. A bidon-style drink bottle and a bottle cage to fit on the bike - you will need this even for short rides in the summer as you get seriously dry as you are breathing through your mouth all the time. 6. I would also go for clipless pedals and shoes. I use the Time ATAC system, but the Shimano SPD system is also good. They are much easier than toe clips and straps, and you need something to clip you into the pedals to help with climbing hills so you can pull up on the pedals as well as push down. There are systems that cost as little as £30 for the pedals and similar for the shoes, or you can spend any amount of money you like if you want the full carbon-fibre experience. 7. A bike-fitting session where your bike is set up properly to fit you so you can ride a distance in comfort. Again, if you are planning rides over 20 miles or so, then this is really helpful. 8. A cycling jacket - one that is windproof, water resistant and preferably bright-coloured to help people see him. 9. A cycling computer - speedometer plus odometer that you can wire in to the bike. You can get ones that do heart rate if you have a heart rate strap as well. You don't have to get all of these things. I just think of the things I take when I'm cycling. Of all of these I'd say padded shorts, a clipless pedal system, a bottle cage and bidon, and the wherewithal to repair punctures are the essentials. Try www.wiggle.com - they have loads of stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 We bought my dad a cycle computer a few years ago and he really loves it. It tells him everything he needs to know about the bike ride he is on - miles covered, miles per hour, average speed etc the only thing it doesn't do is pedal for him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Lots of high vis stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 gloves are an essentail bit of kit too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 docsquid has pretty much covered it. I would second the C02 cannisters which are something was wouldn't probably have been around when he last cycled and bike lights have really come on a bit now. Look at the Catseye lights which give out a huge amount of light - almost like a car headlight. What about a book or map of local cycle routes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 pedalites are fab! they replace the pedals on the bike and they have flashing lights in them that are charged by the pedalling: it means that even when you stop at a light the pedal-lights keep flashing. Great for town/city cycling and commuting.... and fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Comfy seat!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Well, after reading this I've no doubt DocSquid's a confirmed roadie. My preference lies with mountain biking, and if that's the kind of riding BMS's OH will be doing, there are some additions/changes I'd make to DS's list. Mountain biking takes you further away from obvious civilisation, so you have fewer opportunities to stop and replenish what you need (food, water, spares etc.), so something to carry those things in is good. I use a Camelbak - basically a rucksack with a water-holding bladder. Once you've got something to hold things, the first thing I put in there is the mobile phone so I've got a way to call for help if necessary, and I supplement it with a personal first aid kit. Cereal bars and other energy snacks are a good idea, but probably irrelevant on a birthday present list. However, a banana guard could come in handy. I agree with padded shorts and proper bike shoes, but given the potential remoteness of mountain biking, one might want to cover a wider set of eventualities. A decent waterproof jacket and a fleecy top for warmth spring to mind. Gloves are not just for comfort, but will also protect hands when one (inevitably) comes off. Also, as well as the pump, a couple of spare inner tubes and some inner tube patches (Park Tools do some self-adhesive ones that avoid that whole puncture repair kit hassle) are hugely useful, even if the bike this lucky guy's going to ride has tubeless tyres. Finally, I know you mentioned a skid lid in your "of course" list of presents, but can I underline the importance that it's also in his "of course" list of things to actually wear. No-one expects to fall off, but it will happen, and awkward situations can develop in an instant. I've written off two lids, and yet cycled away from both those incidents. They work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Comfy seat!! Agreed, so long as "comfy" isn't interpreted as "highly padded". If there's too much saddle, it'll tend to rub and make your bum more sore than if you had a well-fitting slimmer saddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Spokey Dokeys!!! BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 I've written off two lids, and yet cycled away from both those incidents. They work. Couldn't agree more. My ES flew over the handlebars, landed on his head (on tarmac) but "walked away" (in an ambulance ) with a minor break to his collarbone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 Brilliant! Loads of good ideas thanks everyone OH use to do marathon running and was pretty good at it, unfortunately had to have knee surgery last year and he hasn't really been able to pick up the running again as he would like, therefore the bike is a sort of replacement sport to his running. He has gone for a Hybrid (Marin Alp - Belvedere) bike for now as he plans to use it mainly on the road, rather than off road. I'm going to pop back to the cycle shop in my lunch hour tomorrow to get a few surprises for Saturday, the puncture repair kit & CO2 cannister will be top of the list, and will look at the cats eye lights and computer thingy - I don't think he has thought of one of them. He already has a camelbak that he has used on long distance running so he could use that on the bike I think, although for the shorter distances to work I guess he would prefer the water bottle. He has already got a cycling shirt & gloves as he picked them up in the sales earlier in the year and he already has several different waterproof jackets that will probably do to start with for the bike and he has quite alot of high viz stuff that he will probably be able to use on the bike. Happy Chickens - I mentioned a comfy saddle in the shop yesterday both OH and the shop guy laughed at me and said they were for girls Major - He will definitely be wearing the skid lid every time he gets on the bike - apart from being a sensible type anyway he knows better than to incur my wrath by not wearing it And yes Beckyboo - I may have to get some Spokey Dokeys or even some handel bar tassels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Some chain oil? His bike will get dirty, if you blast it with the hose, none of the chain etc will be lubricated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 I've had a few items from this company. http://www.cyclechic.co.uk/shop/helmets-c-22.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 A bell (if riding on dual foot-cycle paths). Crud catchers (if going off road). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Comfy seat!! Agreed, so long as "comfy" isn't interpreted as "highly padded". If there's too much saddle, it'll tend to rub and make your bum more sore than if you had a well-fitting slimmer saddle. I agree. I had a padded saddle and it was awful. I now have a think plank with a hole in the middle, and it is very comfy, provided you wear the padded shorts (although it is OK for riding to the station without padded shorts too)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
