Bike, water and lycra is what most road cyclists carry in eastern Idaho. On my fat tire bike commute in my CamelBak I have 1 Liter water in the bladder, a bike pump, multi tool, tire levers, tube repair kit, bandages (3), Aspirin, tourniquet, wallet, keys, food bar, food gel, and a bike lock with a cable. Sometimes a rain jacket if the weather report suggests it. It all fits shockingly nicely in the CamelBak. Lights and video cameras front and rear of my bike, and my phone on the handlebars running Strava. This winter I have to have saddlebags for my clothes. It can be -10 °C on the morning commute and over 10 °C on the way back in the afternoon. We have a daily variation of 40 F (22 C).
Always have a fashionable team car following you with at least one extra bike and wheelset. This makes you look very important and quite fast. Plus, you can quit at the first drop of rain.
Once I was riding in a wood along a river on an overcast day, and I had to take off my sunglasses because it was too dark to see. When I got home, I literally cried bugs. Since then, I always bring with me some totally clear glasses for such situations.
My top 5: -a bike (for obvious reasons) -a helmet (helmets save lives, be smart) -lycra, especially a shammy (so much more comfortable) -chain lube (without a working chain you ain't gonna go anywhere) -a pump and something to repair flats (inluding an innertube if you're running tubeless)
@@jochenkraus7016 i'd say most bikes come with a saddle, so therefore you don't have to buy a saddle. Of course you could, but it's not an absoloute must
@@Yes_this_is_my_cat Yes, but sometimes it doesn't fit at all (e.g. too narrow) or it's too uncomfortable. In all other cases I give the saddle a try that comes with the bike.
@@stevemawer848 I agree, that’s why I said I tried it first, rather than wait until I’m on the road to find out if it worked for my tyres, or my thumbs 😁
Glasses. I'd say go for a pair like Manon's - with a frame where the lenses clip in at the top rather than the frame "surrounding" the lenses. The reason being visibility: when you look behind you in particular, having a frame which surrounds the lens, and that frame being so close to your eyes means there's a significant blind spot. I thought these open frames were just fashion nonsense but they are surprisingly practical.
@@projectdaaltaran I don't know of any downsides. They're cheaper, have easy stowage (vs trying to stick the earpiece into a vent), more comfortable, better aerodynamics, increased field of view, lighter, and they eliminate fogging. They're also safer, if you get something on the lens while riding, you have a better chance of having another part of the lens to see through till you can pull over and clean them.
I carry a tiny multi-tool without a chain-breaker and a chain quick-link instead of a bulky chain-breaker tool. On the two occasions I've snapped a chain I've had no problem pulling away the outer plates of the snapped link so that I can replace with the snap-together quick-link. The other thing that I always keep in my saddle bag along with the multitool, quick-link, mini-pump, spare tube, and glueless patches are tyre levers. Yes, you can change a tube without them but they sure make a change more bearable with cold hands in the rain!
I got over glasses from my local chemist which fit over prescription glasses made by Opticaid UK. Available as sun glasses or nightsight for low light levels.Great for eye protection also
I tried road cycling to get fit but found it really boring especially living in a dull city. But then I discovered the canal paths which is a lovely place to cycle with climbs down hill sections long straights and endless bridges and little toe paths to discover plus all sorts of woods and nature my road bike which is cheap as chip's handles it fine I just had to get some better tyres because of flats happening quite often. But now I love it and find myself in need of harder gears as I don't really need the easy gear's anymore. I guess my point is don't be put off if you find cycling boring on the road or dangerous.
A red GCN Essentials Case - purchased one a few years ago, and it is the best case / wallet I’ve owned. Please stock them again in your store. Many of the waterproof alternatives don’t slide in/out of my jersey pocket as well.
Love from the east coast, love the cylcling videos just what I need to get it going the blood I love it. I always watch these before I go out and get my body moving. I always watch one of these, and then put up my heavy playlist like Delta Parole, Three Days Grace, System and then I just go haaaaard!!!! Tactic hasnt let me down yet.
Another ideal "must" have is not only the phone but an actual network connection you can use. You guys must be lucky (or unlucky) to live in a densely populated are where you have solid covering of a mobile network. Come to Scotland and here you find miles and miles of "no network black spots". Even to most glitzy phone would help you here. So, tools, inner tubes etc are essential and always time your ride correctly so you can get back to civilisation within daylight hours, which -by the way- are rather limited once we get into late autumn. You might even have to walk, and that is another reason why I don't ride with cleats but flat pedals and toe hook. I once needed to walk 10 miles to get to the next mobile signal and the taxi cost me £50 back home.
If, I think ahead of time, (impossible since, none of us where here before the Big Bang) I wrap the valve core in insulation tape: that tape they put between the treads of water and gas’s pipes to make them air/water tight..
Okay, some thoughts. 1. Glasses: I don't think you "need" cycling glasses, I for one don't use any because I can't wear contacts but have a prescription and never had any issues using my normal ones (if you have issues with the wind in your eyes obv fix it). 2. Trackpump: I also don't think that you have to have a track pump a less expensive solution for quick tire inflation can be a presta to schrader adapter valve so you are able to use the pumps at the petrol station. 3. Minipump: Just a tip, think about getting one with a hose connector it makes pumping up the tire much less of a hassle 4. Cycling Jersey: While they are great a fanny pack is easier to change the size or a bike bag (top tube or saddle) can be a very useful alternative that you don't need to replace if your body shape changes. And in general, you should familiarize yourself with your bike a bit so if you get technical problems on the road you know how to fix them, it doesn't make sense to drive around with spare tubes (or a repair kit) and a multi-tool if you do not know how to fix it. It is just gonna be harder to fix when you are on the road and not relaxed at home with the internet at your fingertips.
Great video, really helpfull for beginners I think. However everytime I see these kind of "10 things" and see the "glasses" come around there is never an introduction into glasses for somebody like me that cannot handle contactlenses and therefor are forced to use regular glasses. I just cant find a product that can be put over them and still have the same benefits (no wind behind etc). Maybe you can make a video on that. It would be really helpufull for me. Thanks.
If you have regular prescription glasses then they will do 90% the job of proper cycling glasses.I cycle with regular, non-cycling sunglasses all the time and whilst my POC cycling glasses are definitely better, it's not that big a deal as long as you have some kind of glasses on. My POCs came with an internal clip-in frame which, I presume, can hold prescription lenses - so if you get serious about cycling glasses you can just get a proper set with clip-in precription lenses.
Unfortunately, if you need fairly strong prescription lenses, you're somewhat out of luck. There are a few systems that can accommodate them, but they all suffer from various drawbacks - really small lenses, very close to your eyebrows or simply reduced coverage (or a mix of the above). Find an optician with experience in sports glasses to help you find the least bad system for you. With weaker prescription lenses, it is often possible to fit them into certain regular frames, though the details vary. Personally, I've settled on the optical dock by Rudy Project, though overall face coverage isn't great (some wind and the occasional insect can make their way around the glasses, especially at high speeds) - it just happens that the others don't work at all for me. If all else fails, there are helmets with visors - those definitely work very well, though they are expensive and - at least here in southern Germany - often draw more attention than you might want. Then again, some people might view that as a plus...
You may want to look into a dedicated pair of glasses for riding. If your prescription is mild enough, prescription sunglasses can come in some shapes very much like “standard” sport sunglasses. If not, nearly any glasses can be purchased with sunglass lenses, including impact-resistant sports goggles. Check with your optometrist or glasses provider.
Thanks all for the answers. Basically I currentely use my normal prescription sunglasses but have some of the same issues mentioned here (still some wind flowing behind, the occassional insect). They do have already some larger than normal glasses so it's better than nothing I guess. I might look into some of your suggestions though. Hopefully I find somthing better than what I have currentely.
I watch an interview once with a guy who did downhill mountain biking, he broke his back in multiple places when he came off his bike. doctors had worked out that the brakes were so bad because he had a bike pump in his bag and that it what he landed on. Since that interview and seeing the picture of his back my pump goes on my frame. Unfortunately I can’t remember the guys name otherwise I’d link it below. Really made me reconsider what I keep on me. Great videos as always though, chain brake is definitely a must, I’ve been miles from home with a broken chain and it sucks
Manon, the issue with the sheep was you didn’t have ice cream! The Sheep on the Bwlch mountain where this was filmed loooove ice cream 🤣 I live in this area 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Can you do another video about what to look for when starting to ride road. I’m a much larger lady, who now commutes to work on my old hybrid bike, but I would love to get into road cycling to get a bit fitter. I’m after a new bike, but honestly don’t know where to start 😩
@@juuuuuung yeah, it’s a Topeak version. I realized when I went to my local big box hardware store that husky also makes one that is cheaper and works for more than the bike. They sell the bits individually so you can get the specific bits you need, too. I had the Topeka so I just picked up a couple of other bits for my Brompton. I’m in the US.
A small container of multipurpose lube for when your chain or other mech starts getting noisy or sticky in the middle of a long ride. Cleaning wipes for hand-cleaning after repairs or cleanup after other biological necessities. A spare quick-connect link in case you have to splice a broken chain. If your pump is Presta-only, carry a presta-to-schraeder adapter so you can help out fellow riders who've flatted without means of repair. Patch kit. Several feet of duct tape. Zip ties.
And don´t forget to check the inside of the tire first before you change the inner tube. When something is still stuck in there you run out of inner tubes quickly. ;)
Not too many commenters mentioned tyre levers. If you have strong thumbs and tyres that come off and go on easily You might just manage but I wouldn't recommend doing without them any more than going without those little packs of instant stick patches should you have more than one puncture and only one spare inner tube or only one CO2 canister.
From experience I'd say a chain breaker, spare link and knowing how to fix a chain at the roadside are essential. When I started on longer rides I was forever stressing the chain by changing gear horribly, noisily on ascents - you could tell it was doing damage from the grinding sound. More than once this led to a broken chain miles from home. If your chain breaks you really are stranded. It took a while, but now I get into the right gear on ascents and (touch wood) I've not had a broken chain for years, but I still carry the tool and the spares, just in case.
Yes no need, my friend worked in a bike shop for 10 years and only ever encountered 5 chain breakages including his own cycling. So rare I will not bother with tool or link (I inspect my bike always also) and if does happen to me it will just add to the adventure
@@stefanwagener As I said, I got the broken chain precisely because I was new to cycling and inexperienced in selecting gears. This led to a broken chain more than once. This video is aimed at new cyclists who (it's possible) may also make the same mistake. Congratulations on your vast amount of experience, your excellent riding skills, and your network of friends and acquaintances willing and able to rescue you from the roadside.
@@stefanwagener chains are also a lot more narrow and less robust than the 7/8/9/10 speed versions back years ago + many many tools include a chain breaker, so it's nice to have and seldom makes a big or any difference in price. Some of the newbies in the clubs i have riden - especially on climbs, have no idea how to properly select gears and i can totally see this popping a link laterally
@@roblucchetti2993 At least for wear and tear that is not true. Tests have shown that the 11 and 12 speed chains last about twice or even three times as long as 7 to 10 speed chains and I would assume that this could be an indicator for robustness as well. And if those chains withstand the power of pros and Tour de France riders then as a hobby rider I wonder if we should fear broken chains because of brute force? And todays gear shifters typically work pretty precise (except for totally misaligned ones), so I wonder how a newbie can break a chain. And a newbie who doesn't know how to shift properly probably also doesn't know how to repair a chain. And after the first ride he should be able to shift properly without destroying chain and derailleurs.
Instead of "heavy and bulky" inner tube I take repair patch with me. But actually never had a puncture on my road bike in the last 40 years, only on my trekking bikes when moving around town. And for all other rare emergencies I have a phone with me ... which I haven't used neither for that purpose.
I presume you only ride a few hours a year then. Or are riding with solid tyres (when you wouldn't need a patch kit). If you are riding even as much as an hour a week on pneumatic tyres, I just do not believe you could possibly go 40 years without a puncture
@@alexheney8717 On one hand I believe that tires and tubes got better over time and that shows, as in early days I had maybe a puncture every other year on my trekking bike but since the last 8 years or so I also didn't have a puncture with that one (going 2000km/a with that). With my latest road bike I went 10,000km the last 2 years and didn't have a single puncture. But my trips with the road bike are out of town and streets are pretty clean here. But maybe it is also because of the Conti tires I use on all my bikes and I stick to them as I am very happy about their puncture resistance and rolling performance.
@@stefanwagener Yes, tyres certainly have got better over time. 10,000Km without a puncture is unusual, but not unknown. 40 years just seemed too much. The Conti tyres I have on my new road bike (grandprix race) don't seem particularly puncture resistant :( I had 4 punctures in the first fortnight, though I have gone a month since then (about 500Km) without another. I do ride the back lanes, which do tend to have a fair amount of debris on them, particularly around harvest time or ploughing time, when the farm vehicle are out a lot.
I was waiting for that phone to fly out of Hank's hand as much as he was shaking it around. Maybe a secure place to keep it is essential (jersey works!)
Oli going for a ride and leaving everything just spoken about on the table - A true champion but at least he has those guns to get him out of any situation.
Glasses are also good for eye protection! If anybody has ever been hit in the eyeball by a bug then they know what I am talking about. I got hit once in the eye by a large bug and it hurt like crazy. I felt like I was going to lose my eyeball. I've worn glasses since that happened. I buy the cheap ones. One other time a bee hit me in the glasses and was walking on them. That was weird and I was definitely glad I was wearing the glasses to protect my eyes on that day. It's a good tip to wear glasses to protect your eyes.
Yeah, wait till after the main part of your ride or at the end to drink a coffee, also as tempting as sugary pastry is to fuel up, it's really not the most ideal thing. Bananas and something like a protein bar made with oats or other grains or something simillar if you're gonna ride long after the stop.
The fact you still *need* to carry an innertube even if you're tubeless is why I haven't gone tubeless on my road bike and commuter. Works for MTBs, but it's a massive faff for road bikes IME.
Tools: 1) A small pair of needle nose pliers for removing the trash that punctured your tire and that's too small to remove by hand; 2) Use a connecting link made by Wippermann, they're bombproof and last for years. The only time to break a chain is when sizing it for your bike.
@@ark8tct Ha ha! They are unrelated items! Undercrackers is underwear - go without under your padded shorts. Cake money because you never want to be stranded without the means to access coffee & cake if you are out and about (especially with no undies in 😂)
I rarely see riders carrying all these bulky tools as a pump, inner tube, or multitool, I am also not sure you need them as a beginner and for short rides
Yup, beginners don’t get punctures and of course they never happen on short rides. Everybody knows that beginners are exempt from any type of mechanical.
@@Heliosmaster You're wrong. I found a bargain on Evans Cycles, over £8,000 off. Dowside is it's still about £6,500 which is quite a bit for a bicycle. Because irony doesn't always come across in type, this is true but also demonstrating how right you are in a sarcastic manner.
@@KermitFrogThe thanks for the clarification 😁 I wouldn't have understood. Regardless, my comment was also due to the fact that just yesterday my LBS canceled the order of my first road bike.. after 5 months because the manufacturer just gave up 😭
@@Heliosmaster I wish you the best getting a bike. I have an old Giant Escape 0 flat bar road bike doing nothing but I doubt that is any help whatsoever. When I moved back to drop son current bike it showed me one thing for sure. I really suck on flat bars. The clarification was just because I have messed up irony in type so many times. Naturally dry dark humour is best delivered in person.
Glueless patches; You *hope* that the one spare tube you're carrying is all you'll need and pray that you never need any of the six glueless patches in that tiny coin-sized plastic case.
did anyone else notice that no mention was made of a helmet? also, as for "cycling glasses" those don't work for squat if you have to wear corrective lenses and getting some fit into cycle glasses is more expensive than the bike...
I think you've missed the most important thing.. a bike 😂. Jokes aside, yesterday I got my order cancelled from my LBS after 5 months of wait for my first bike as the supplier said they won't send them any bike at all for a few months. So now I put another order for a Canyon bike but I know I won't be cycling until spring 2022, at least... 😭
Why are there no stylish cycling glasses for spectacle wearers? I use lab type glasses over my spectacles which aren't very stylish but work well, however they do not come with tinted glass.
"Pump up the jam, pump it up...." can I use a mini pump for that too? :-D One essential tool for your spare bag is a valve key - if your valve got loosened you can easily fix it. Very small and the weight of a fly.
uhhh I think a quality road bike, helmet, uber-bright usb-chargable front and rear lights and cycling gloves would be the first items needed to begin cycling. I've ridden thousands of miles without a fone, but yeah they are handy to have during a mechanical. Czech for second-hand bikes ad the resulting savings will allow for the helmet, gloves and lights. Brake clean is pretty common stuff and can be found in most department or auto parts stores. The right lube is important so I DO drop the extra cash for that. It should not take a small fortune to begin to cycle.
With all the gear I carry on my bike, it weigh 10 kilo. Because I also need a bike lock with me if I want to visit a store for some snack. The bike weight is 8 kilo without the gear. Makes me wonder what is the point with a light weight bike?
I wear glasses in everyday life and it is not easy to get cycling glasses with the right dioptrien. The ones that I've found are way out of my budget, so I'm stuck with wearing my everyday glasses
Have you looked into contact lenses? I know they’re not for everyone though. I wear contacts and a pair of sports glasses only for sports, in everyday life I prefer glasses.
Hi guys. Got a question. My myopia is quite severe so I constantly need to wear my spectacles. Contacts are not an option for me. Is there any sunglasses out there that can fit my spectacles? Maybe a sunglass with a lens that has degree in it?
Never spray degreaser onto bike, spray or pour onto your drivetrain rag and then apply to chain chainrings and jockey wheels and then remove with clean water.
I use CO2 cartridges and store four in my saddle bag. Most of that product ends-up in your tube. Those cleaning products are the absolute worst for the environment. I use a citrus degreaser, and ProLink chain lube because it tends to wash-out most of the road grime as I squirt it while rounding the chain. I wipe the chain thoroughly after its application. I also use the ProLink in a pinpoint applicator to hit all the pivot points and springs.
What other things do you think are a must-have for cyclists? Let us know in the comments!
… maybe a bicycle? (just guessing)
Gloves.
A big wad of money (soon to be gone)
Bike, water and lycra is what most road cyclists carry in eastern Idaho. On my fat tire bike commute in my CamelBak I have 1 Liter water in the bladder, a bike pump, multi tool, tire levers, tube repair kit, bandages (3), Aspirin, tourniquet, wallet, keys, food bar, food gel, and a bike lock with a cable. Sometimes a rain jacket if the weather report suggests it. It all fits shockingly nicely in the CamelBak. Lights and video cameras front and rear of my bike, and my phone on the handlebars running Strava. This winter I have to have saddlebags for my clothes. It can be -10 °C on the morning commute and over 10 °C on the way back in the afternoon. We have a daily variation of 40 F (22 C).
A bike would be handy
Always have a fashionable team car following you with at least one extra bike and wheelset. This makes you look very important and quite fast. Plus, you can quit at the first drop of rain.
Gold. 😂
Okay, I got all these things in the video now. Maybe I should get a bike now, right?
Surprised they didn't include helmet...
Yes, but you must get a full carbon Canyon or Pinarello, just like they have.
Not yet mate getting a bit cheeky there you need to pass your year 4 cycling test first. Jeez
I can honestly say that this is the first time I've ever been impressed by the size of another man's torque wrench!
"Different lubes for different occasions"
Agreed. I remember the 80s very well.
Watch where you use the cinnamon lube though.
Once I was riding in a wood along a river on an overcast day, and I had to take off my sunglasses because it was too dark to see. When I got home, I literally cried bugs. Since then, I always bring with me some totally clear glasses for such situations.
😂 it happens...
Photochromatic lense are the answer; good in all light conditions.
My top 5:
-a bike (for obvious reasons)
-a helmet (helmets save lives, be smart)
-lycra, especially a shammy (so much more comfortable)
-chain lube (without a working chain you ain't gonna go anywhere)
-a pump and something to repair flats (inluding an innertube if you're running tubeless)
Between bike and helmet, I'd put a saddle that at least ist not completely off (e.g. much too narrow).
@@jochenkraus7016 i'd say most bikes come with a saddle, so therefore you don't have to buy a saddle. Of course you could, but it's not an absoloute must
I left out the lycra togs.....good point! IT supports my legs, is cool and helps w road rash
@@Yes_this_is_my_cat Yes, but sometimes it doesn't fit at all (e.g. too narrow) or it's too uncomfortable.
In all other cases I give the saddle a try that comes with the bike.
Unrelated but I think Manon, Hank and Ollie would be perfect in a GCN sitcom!
The mini pumps which have a hose hidden in the end with the valve on are good, at least I find them easier than direct connect.
Better for the valve too!
Lezyne high pressure pumps are incredible, ive had mine for years with no issues.
Except when screwing it off it unscrews the valve core instead.
Good shout!
Frame pump 4 lyfe!
In Luxembourg sometimes you are lucky to come across some inner-tube vending machines. but would count on it only seen three so far.
That sounds amazing!
I am moving there!
I find these videos very instructive. I've learnt a lot from you, guys, really. Thank you for thinking of those who have questions and no one to ask.
Tubes aren’t very useful without tire levers when you are stuck on the side of the road. A chain breaker is great, but don’t forget the quick link.
Many multitools have tire lever. Although pair of real ones doesn't take too much space but make job easier.
Thumbs? Saw it online, gave it a try on my road bikes, works a treat.
@@stuartfryer2970 Not all tyres will come off without a bit of non-digital assistance - some rim/tyre combos are tight.
@@stevemawer848 I agree, that’s why I said I tried it first, rather than wait until I’m on the road to find out if it worked for my tyres, or my thumbs 😁
Glasses. I'd say go for a pair like Manon's - with a frame where the lenses clip in at the top rather than the frame "surrounding" the lenses. The reason being visibility: when you look behind you in particular, having a frame which surrounds the lens, and that frame being so close to your eyes means there's a significant blind spot. I thought these open frames were just fashion nonsense but they are surprisingly practical.
I agree completely. I tend to buy safety glasses for mine. They wrap around and provide glare protection in your peripheral vision.
Even better to have integrated visor, completely frameless and no restrictions to your view.
@@galenkehler yeah but there r negatives to an integrated visor.
@@projectdaaltaran I don't know of any downsides. They're cheaper, have easy stowage (vs trying to stick the earpiece into a vent), more comfortable, better aerodynamics, increased field of view, lighter, and they eliminate fogging.
They're also safer, if you get something on the lens while riding, you have a better chance of having another part of the lens to see through till you can pull over and clean them.
@@projectdaaltaran x 2 on the safety glasses. Frameless, light weight, clear and tinted available, and cheap (or free). They work just fine.
I carry a tiny multi-tool without a chain-breaker and a chain quick-link instead of a bulky chain-breaker tool. On the two occasions I've snapped a chain I've had no problem pulling away the outer plates of the snapped link so that I can replace with the snap-together quick-link. The other thing that I always keep in my saddle bag along with the multitool, quick-link, mini-pump, spare tube, and glueless patches are tyre levers. Yes, you can change a tube without them but they sure make a change more bearable with cold hands in the rain!
I got over glasses from my local chemist which fit over prescription glasses made by Opticaid UK.
Available as sun glasses or nightsight for low light levels.Great for eye protection also
okay but why do you know the local chemist?
I tried road cycling to get fit but found it really boring especially living in a dull city. But then I discovered the canal paths which is a lovely place to cycle with climbs down hill sections long straights and endless bridges and little toe paths to discover plus all sorts of woods and nature my road bike which is cheap as chip's handles it fine I just had to get some better tyres because of flats happening quite often. But now I love it and find myself in need of harder gears as I don't really need the easy gear's anymore. I guess my point is don't be put off if you find cycling boring on the road or dangerous.
A red GCN Essentials Case - purchased one a few years ago, and it is the best case / wallet I’ve owned. Please stock them again in your store. Many of the waterproof alternatives don’t slide in/out of my jersey pocket as well.
Great video, although I'm pretty sure a bike should be on the must have list to start road cycling!
Love from the east coast, love the cylcling videos just what I need to get it going the blood I love it. I always watch these before I go out and get my body moving. I always watch one of these, and then put up my heavy playlist like Delta Parole, Three Days Grace, System and then I just go haaaaard!!!! Tactic hasnt let me down yet.
A bike is a good starting point
Manon always shines
I've always understood that one should never use a torque wrench to undo bolts as it will quickly go out of calibration. Alex?
Sheep: forgetting an inner tube is a baaaaad idea
Another ideal "must" have is not only the phone but an actual network connection you can use. You guys must be lucky (or unlucky) to live in a densely populated are where you have solid covering of a mobile network. Come to Scotland and here you find miles and miles of "no network black spots". Even to most glitzy phone would help you here. So, tools, inner tubes etc are essential and always time your ride correctly so you can get back to civilisation within daylight hours, which -by the way- are rather limited once we get into late autumn. You might even have to walk, and that is another reason why I don't ride with cleats but flat pedals and toe hook. I once needed to walk 10 miles to get to the next mobile signal and the taxi cost me £50 back home.
Innertube: make sure the core of the valve doesn’t repeatedly unscrew when pumping up your innertube with a hose-enabled-mini pump.
I glue my valves, only way to be sure.
They're more devious, they wait till you've already pumped up.
If, I think ahead of time, (impossible since, none of us where here before the Big Bang) I wrap the valve core in insulation tape: that tape they put between the treads of water and gas’s pipes to make them air/water tight..
Should carry two tubes really unless on a group ride (or a puncture outfit), it's not like double punctures never happen.
Okay, some thoughts.
1. Glasses: I don't think you "need" cycling glasses, I for one don't use any because I can't wear contacts but have a prescription and never had any issues using my normal ones (if you have issues with the wind in your eyes obv fix it).
2. Trackpump: I also don't think that you have to have a track pump a less expensive solution for quick tire inflation can be a presta to schrader adapter valve so you are able to use the pumps at the petrol station.
3. Minipump: Just a tip, think about getting one with a hose connector it makes pumping up the tire much less of a hassle
4. Cycling Jersey: While they are great a fanny pack is easier to change the size or a bike bag (top tube or saddle) can be a very useful alternative that you don't need to replace if your body shape changes.
And in general, you should familiarize yourself with your bike a bit so if you get technical problems on the road you know how to fix them, it doesn't make sense to drive around with spare tubes (or a repair kit) and a multi-tool if you do not know how to fix it. It is just gonna be harder to fix when you are on the road and not relaxed at home with the internet at your fingertips.
Great video, really helpfull for beginners I think. However everytime I see these kind of "10 things" and see the "glasses" come around there is never an introduction into glasses for somebody like me that cannot handle contactlenses and therefor are forced to use regular glasses. I just cant find a product that can be put over them and still have the same benefits (no wind behind etc). Maybe you can make a video on that. It would be really helpufull for me. Thanks.
If you have regular prescription glasses then they will do 90% the job of proper cycling glasses.I cycle with regular, non-cycling sunglasses all the time and whilst my POC cycling glasses are definitely better, it's not that big a deal as long as you have some kind of glasses on. My POCs came with an internal clip-in frame which, I presume, can hold prescription lenses - so if you get serious about cycling glasses you can just get a proper set with clip-in precription lenses.
Unfortunately, if you need fairly strong prescription lenses, you're somewhat out of luck. There are a few systems that can accommodate them, but they all suffer from various drawbacks - really small lenses, very close to your eyebrows or simply reduced coverage (or a mix of the above). Find an optician with experience in sports glasses to help you find the least bad system for you. With weaker prescription lenses, it is often possible to fit them into certain regular frames, though the details vary.
Personally, I've settled on the optical dock by Rudy Project, though overall face coverage isn't great (some wind and the occasional insect can make their way around the glasses, especially at high speeds) - it just happens that the others don't work at all for me.
If all else fails, there are helmets with visors - those definitely work very well, though they are expensive and - at least here in southern Germany - often draw more attention than you might want. Then again, some people might view that as a plus...
You may want to look into a dedicated pair of glasses for riding. If your prescription is mild enough, prescription sunglasses can come in some shapes very much like “standard” sport sunglasses. If not, nearly any glasses can be purchased with sunglass lenses, including impact-resistant sports goggles. Check with your optometrist or glasses provider.
Thanks all for the answers. Basically I currentely use my normal prescription sunglasses but have some of the same issues mentioned here (still some wind flowing behind, the occassional insect). They do have already some larger than normal glasses so it's better than nothing I guess. I might look into some of your suggestions though. Hopefully I find somthing better than what I have currentely.
Ollie's multi tool kit was pretty sweet, anybody know which one it was?
I watch an interview once with a guy who did downhill mountain biking, he broke his back in multiple places when he came off his bike. doctors had worked out that the brakes were so bad because he had a bike pump in his bag and that it what he landed on. Since that interview and seeing the picture of his back my pump goes on my frame. Unfortunately I can’t remember the guys name otherwise I’d link it below. Really made me reconsider what I keep on me. Great videos as always though, chain brake is definitely a must, I’ve been miles from home with a broken chain and it sucks
Manon, the issue with the sheep was you didn’t have ice cream! The Sheep on the Bwlch mountain where this was filmed loooove ice cream 🤣 I live in this area 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Manon: Hey, ewe! Do you have an inner tube?!
Next week on GCN, how to gut a sheep and make your own inner tube.
In french a tubular is called boyau (a gut), a sheep must have one for sure.
All those tools and they couldn't tighten up the legs on Ollie’s desk🤦♂️😂
Can you do another video about what to look for when starting to ride road. I’m a much larger lady, who now commutes to work on my old hybrid bike, but I would love to get into road cycling to get a bit fitter. I’m after a new bike, but honestly don’t know where to start 😩
Wow, a miniature torque wrench! I never imagined one existed.
Yea would love to know which toolkit that is with the mini torque wrench!
@@juuuuuung Topeak
@@juuuuuung yeah, it’s a Topeak version. I realized when I went to my local big box hardware store that husky also makes one that is cheaper and works for more than the bike. They sell the bits individually so you can get the specific bits you need, too. I had the Topeka so I just picked up a couple of other bits for my Brompton. I’m in the US.
A small container of multipurpose lube for when your chain or other mech starts getting noisy or sticky in the middle of a long ride. Cleaning wipes for hand-cleaning after repairs or cleanup after other biological necessities. A spare quick-connect link in case you have to splice a broken chain. If your pump is Presta-only, carry a presta-to-schraeder adapter so you can help out fellow riders who've flatted without means of repair. Patch kit. Several feet of duct tape. Zip ties.
You should have asked the sheep in Welsh, Manon:
"Esgusodwch fi, a oes gennych diwb mewnol?"
Maybe Manon knew the sheep didn't understand Cymraeg 😆
To be recommended are photochromatic glasses - no spare glasses needed (not so much more expensive.
And don´t forget to check the inside of the tire first before you change the inner tube. When something is still stuck in there you run out of inner tubes quickly. ;)
If you have a chain breaker you'll also need a spare chain master link in order to fix a broken chain. Tire levers and $10 too.
Not too many commenters mentioned tyre levers. If you have strong thumbs and tyres that come off and go on easily You might just manage but I wouldn't recommend doing without them any more than going without those little packs of instant stick patches should you have more than one puncture and only one spare inner tube or only one CO2 canister.
From experience I'd say a chain breaker, spare link and knowing how to fix a chain at the roadside are essential. When I started on longer rides I was forever stressing the chain by changing gear horribly, noisily on ascents - you could tell it was doing damage from the grinding sound. More than once this led to a broken chain miles from home. If your chain breaks you really are stranded. It took a while, but now I get into the right gear on ascents and (touch wood) I've not had a broken chain for years, but I still carry the tool and the spares, just in case.
In 50 years of cycling I never had a broken chain. And these days I take a phone for the emergencies and for the extremely rare cases of failures.
Yes no need, my friend worked in a bike shop for 10 years and only ever encountered 5 chain breakages including his own cycling. So rare I will not bother with tool or link (I inspect my bike always also) and if does happen to me it will just add to the adventure
@@stefanwagener As I said, I got the broken chain precisely because I was new to cycling and inexperienced in selecting gears. This led to a broken chain more than once. This video is aimed at new cyclists who (it's possible) may also make the same mistake.
Congratulations on your vast amount of experience, your excellent riding skills, and your network of friends and acquaintances willing and able to rescue you from the roadside.
@@stefanwagener chains are also a lot more narrow and less robust than the 7/8/9/10 speed versions back years ago + many many tools include a chain breaker, so it's nice to have and seldom makes a big or any difference in price. Some of the newbies in the clubs i have riden - especially on climbs, have no idea how to properly select gears and i can totally see this popping a link laterally
@@roblucchetti2993 At least for wear and tear that is not true. Tests have shown that the 11 and 12 speed chains last about twice or even three times as long as 7 to 10 speed chains and I would assume that this could be an indicator for robustness as well. And if those chains withstand the power of pros and Tour de France riders then as a hobby rider I wonder if we should fear broken chains because of brute force? And todays gear shifters typically work pretty precise (except for totally misaligned ones), so I wonder how a newbie can break a chain. And a newbie who doesn't know how to shift properly probably also doesn't know how to repair a chain. And after the first ride he should be able to shift properly without destroying chain and derailleurs.
A bike and a power meter, those are the essentials.
Instead of "heavy and bulky" inner tube I take repair patch with me. But actually never had a puncture on my road bike in the last 40 years, only on my trekking bikes when moving around town. And for all other rare emergencies I have a phone with me ... which I haven't used neither for that purpose.
I presume you only ride a few hours a year then. Or are riding with solid tyres (when you wouldn't need a patch kit). If you are riding even as much as an hour a week on pneumatic tyres, I just do not believe you could possibly go 40 years without a puncture
@@alexheney8717 On one hand I believe that tires and tubes got better over time and that shows, as in early days I had maybe a puncture every other year on my trekking bike but since the last 8 years or so I also didn't have a puncture with that one (going 2000km/a with that). With my latest road bike I went 10,000km the last 2 years and didn't have a single puncture. But my trips with the road bike are out of town and streets are pretty clean here. But maybe it is also because of the Conti tires I use on all my bikes and I stick to them as I am very happy about their puncture resistance and rolling performance.
@@stefanwagener Yes, tyres certainly have got better over time. 10,000Km without a puncture is unusual, but not unknown. 40 years just seemed too much. The Conti tyres I have on my new road bike (grandprix race) don't seem particularly puncture resistant :( I had 4 punctures in the first fortnight, though I have gone a month since then (about 500Km) without another.
I do ride the back lanes, which do tend to have a fair amount of debris on them, particularly around harvest time or ploughing time, when the farm vehicle are out a lot.
The only thing I don’t have on that list is the mini pump, I ride tubeless so carry C02 as fortunately after over 10,000 miles never needed it.
I was waiting for that phone to fly out of Hank's hand as much as he was shaking it around. Maybe a secure place to keep it is essential (jersey works!)
Oli going for a ride and leaving everything just spoken about on the table - A true champion but at least he has those guns to get him out of any situation.
A very lightweight mini pump is probably my most favorite thing that I 'overpaid" for.
Glasses are also good for eye protection! If anybody has ever been hit in the eyeball by a bug then they know what I am talking about. I got hit once in the eye by a large bug and it hurt like crazy. I felt like I was going to lose my eyeball. I've worn glasses since that happened. I buy the cheap ones. One other time a bee hit me in the glasses and was walking on them. That was weird and I was definitely glad I was wearing the glasses to protect my eyes on that day. It's a good tip to wear glasses to protect your eyes.
Ollie might not have big guns, but did you see the wobble on that table after he pushed off at the end, he nearly sent it flying!
Hulk smash!
Love tool stand dancing :P on Ollie table.
Question for Ask GCN: Is there a way to avoid "Cafe Legs?" The first 10 minutes after a stop are wretched.
Yeah, wait till after the main part of your ride or at the end to drink a coffee, also as tempting as sugary pastry is to fuel up, it's really not the most ideal thing. Bananas and something like a protein bar made with oats or other grains or something simillar if you're gonna ride long after the stop.
Ollie slides off screen for a ride leaving all his essentials behind on the desk ......
I would have included a bike helmet it saved my life.
I would still take a inner tube even if your tubeless.
The fact you still *need* to carry an innertube even if you're tubeless is why I haven't gone tubeless on my road bike and commuter. Works for MTBs, but it's a massive faff for road bikes IME.
His torque wrench set = Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX, I think, for everyone wondering the same thing I was… it’s on Amazon.
1:03 What's that multi tool set he has?
Probably the largest he could find.
Looks like the Topeak Rachet set.
Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX+
Curious, when is the last time that Manon, Hank and Ollie each had a puncture and did the repair themselves?
i have a cycling backpack which carries all i need. No mention of water bottles??
Tools: 1) A small pair of needle nose pliers for removing the trash that punctured your tire and that's too small to remove by hand; 2) Use a connecting link made by Wippermann, they're bombproof and last for years. The only time to break a chain is when sizing it for your bike.
Wow, you mentioned a jersey, while I think having cycling shorts is more important. As opposed to short pants with a seam down the middle!
Had a bin lorry shed its load or had the Tour of Britain just passed through on Hanks last bit of riding.
Proper shorts WITH a chamois and WITHOUT any undercrackers! And always make sure you have cake money
😁
I tried that after I heard that in an older GCN video. But thin underwear felt better.
@@ark8tct Ha ha! They are unrelated items! Undercrackers is underwear - go without under your padded shorts. Cake money because you never want to be stranded without the means to access coffee & cake if you are out and about (especially with no undies in 😂)
I rarely see riders carrying all these bulky tools as a pump, inner tube, or multitool, I am also not sure you need them as a beginner and for short rides
Yup, beginners don’t get punctures and of course they never happen on short rides. Everybody knows that beginners are exempt from any type of mechanical.
Otter box style case or ziplock baggy for the phone- in case of rain, puddle, sweat, or the urge to douse yourself with water on a hot day.
Bought all of this and now I can't afford a bike :'(
That's OK. It's not on the list so you don't need one.
don't worry. even if you could it's not like you are able to get one now anyway... 😭
@@Heliosmaster You're wrong. I found a bargain on Evans Cycles, over £8,000 off. Dowside is it's still about £6,500 which is quite a bit for a bicycle.
Because irony doesn't always come across in type, this is true but also demonstrating how right you are in a sarcastic manner.
@@KermitFrogThe thanks for the clarification 😁 I wouldn't have understood. Regardless, my comment was also due to the fact that just yesterday my LBS canceled the order of my first road bike.. after 5 months because the manufacturer just gave up 😭
@@Heliosmaster I wish you the best getting a bike. I have an old Giant Escape 0 flat bar road bike doing nothing but I doubt that is any help whatsoever.
When I moved back to drop son current bike it showed me one thing for sure. I really suck on flat bars.
The clarification was just because I have messed up irony in type so many times. Naturally dry dark humour is best delivered in person.
You guys did this video already.
I have all the things specified in the video, but still cannot go biking. I think getting a bike would come into play somewhere.
At 6:31 onwards, just look at all the rubbish thrown out of cars onto the grass verge. Is that Wales?
Has this woman never heard of carrying a puncture repair kit as well? One tube might not be enough.
Glueless patches; You *hope* that the one spare tube you're carrying is all you'll need and pray that you never need any of the six glueless patches in that tiny coin-sized plastic case.
Rather than bothering with a spare inner tube and a pump, get solid tyres. I find tannus work well.
did anyone else notice that no mention was made of a helmet?
also, as for "cycling glasses" those don't work for squat if you have to wear corrective lenses and getting some fit into cycle glasses is more expensive than the bike...
What's the toolkit shown at 1:44? I'm looking for it on Amazon and can't find it. Looks good
I think you've missed the most important thing.. a bike 😂. Jokes aside, yesterday I got my order cancelled from my LBS after 5 months of wait for my first bike as the supplier said they won't send them any bike at all for a few months. So now I put another order for a Canyon bike but I know I won't be cycling until spring 2022, at least... 😭
look for a good used bike...dont wait
Why are there no stylish cycling glasses for spectacle wearers? I use lab type glasses over my spectacles which aren't very stylish but work well, however they do not come with tinted glass.
"Pump up the jam, pump it up...." can I use a mini pump for that too? :-D One essential tool for your spare bag is a valve key - if your valve got loosened you can easily fix it. Very small and the weight of a fly.
Looking for a bike rack for a Nissan Xterra while towing our RV.
why to have different glasses or lenses for different brightness conditions if you can have nowadays photochromic adaptive lenses?
uhhh I think a quality road bike, helmet, uber-bright usb-chargable front and rear lights and cycling gloves would be the first items needed to begin cycling. I've ridden thousands of miles without a fone, but yeah they are handy to have during a mechanical. Czech for second-hand bikes ad the resulting savings will allow for the helmet, gloves and lights. Brake clean is pretty common stuff and can be found in most department or auto parts stores. The right lube is important so I DO drop the extra cash for that. It should not take a small fortune to begin to cycle.
What about a water bottle or water backbag?
A huge pair of strong Gluteus Maximus. ie. A firm, pert butt.
"Shouldn't have kept using the lift."
What's the best prescription cycling glasses to get?
fluent in welsh and talks to the sheep in english ... of course the woolcarrier strolls off miffed
What's with all the litter on the sides?
With all the gear I carry on my bike, it weigh 10 kilo.
Because I also need a bike lock with me if I want to visit a store for some snack.
The bike weight is 8 kilo without the gear.
Makes me wonder what is the point with a light weight bike?
I wear glasses in everyday life and it is not easy to get cycling glasses with the right dioptrien. The ones that I've found are way out of my budget, so I'm stuck with wearing my everyday glasses
Have you looked into contact lenses? I know they’re not for everyone though. I wear contacts and a pair of sports glasses only for sports, in everyday life I prefer glasses.
I mean number 1 thing to get into road cycling is surely the bike ;P
I think a bike is a good place to start!
A sense of direction is also quite useful until you get yourself a gps device.
I have them all in a water bottle!
Hi guys. Got a question. My myopia is quite severe so I constantly need to wear my spectacles. Contacts are not an option for me. Is there any sunglasses out there that can fit my spectacles? Maybe a sunglass with a lens that has degree in it?
try transition lenses!
Back up battery and cord for your phone. Music and gps apps drain your battery pretty fast.
What multi tool did you speak on
Don't really need to bring a tube or pump with you on a ride if you are running tubeless tires with a good sealant.
Thanks.
#OneMessageFoundation
Never spray degreaser onto bike, spray or pour onto your drivetrain rag and then apply to chain chainrings and jockey wheels and then remove with clean water.
I like the multi tool kit. Where can i get one the same?
have you found out?
@@AndreiMovanu No
I use CO2 cartridges and store four in my saddle bag. Most of that product ends-up in your tube. Those cleaning products are the absolute worst for the environment. I use a citrus degreaser, and ProLink chain lube because it tends to wash-out most of the road grime as I squirt it while rounding the chain. I wipe the chain thoroughly after its application. I also use the ProLink in a pinpoint applicator to hit all the pivot points and springs.
I only counted 9 items, so I guess the bike didn't clear editing?
you missed out "the will to live"
1. Legs
2. Bike
3. Roads