At Home
- Bike Pump
Don't wait until you are ready to ride to find out you need a bike pump. All tires or tubes will lose air over time, skinny high-pressure ones more so than fat Mountain Bike style ones. Invest in a high quality pump and it will last a long time. Make sure that you get one with a gauge on it so you know how much air you're putting in. Inflate to the recommended pressure indicated on the side of the tire - keep it on the low end if you want a cushier ride or you're not going to be riding on pavement or pump it up to the high end if you want an easier rolling ride and don't mind feeling the bumps a little more. Get in the habit of checking your tire pressures and "topping them off" if necessary before every ride. You can get a decent floor pump for $25-35 if you shop around.
- Chain Lube
Keeping your chain properly lubricated will make it shift easier and last longer. Do NOT use WD-40 EVER. Go to your LBS and pick up a bottle of bike-specific lube. There is quite a bit of debate around the Internet about how often to lubricate chains. If you over lubricate you will just end up attracting dirt and grime but in my opinion this is much preferred to the alternative. I normally do it every 200-300 miles if I'm riding on pavement, much more often if I'm riding in the wet. A small bottle of lube should cost between $5 and $10 and will last you a long time.
On The Bike
- Water Bottle and Cage
If you have good riding weather it's going to be warm out and if you're doing it right you're going to sweat a bit. (If you're anything like me you're going to sweat a LOT.) Almost every bike has at least one mount for a water bottle cage (it's the two bolts or holes spaced a few inches apart inside of the frame triangle if you don't know what to look for.) You can pick up a water bottle and a cage for cheap at just about any store that sells bikes or accessories (including a big box store if you prefer.) One you get the cycling bug you may want to add another bottle or even a hydration pack for longer rides. You should be able to get a bottle and cage for around $10-$15.
- Seat Bag
A seat bag is a cheap and unobtrusive way to keep your kit with you on the bike. You can keep it stocked so you don't have to worry about it when your mind is on sunny skies and open trails. You can stash your cell phone and your keys there too so you don't have to worry about them falling out of your pockets. (That being said my rule is don't put anything in the seat bag you can't live without. I have a bad habit of getting something out of the bag and leaving it open which then promptly distributes the entire contents of the thing all over the trail.) Make sure to get one that is big enough for your kit and will attach securely to the bottom of your seat AND the seat post. I recommend spending a little more on this since it's going to be holding your gear but you shouldn't have to invest more than $20-25 in one.
- Spare Tube
Even if you only ride on pavement eventually you're going to have a flat tire when you're miles away from home. As your rides get longer and longer this becomes a bigger and bigger deal and it doesn't hurt to be prepared. You should know how to change the tire yourself but if you at least have a tube you can limp to a local bike shop or possibly have a good Samaritan help you out. (Eventually you may want to keep a bike-mounted mini pump or CO2 inflator so you don't need any help to get yourself back on the road.) Tubes are cheap, buy a couple of them so you have a spare in the garage and you will have spent around $10.
- Multi-tool
Most bikes use metric allen (hex head) bolts for adjustment points (brakes, etc.) Even if you don't know how to wrench on your bike it doesn't hurt to have a multi-tool with you when you're out and about in case something happens. Inexpensive and you'll be glad to have it if you need it, $10 is a good amount to shoot for.
- Tire Levers
Tire levers are small plastic pieces that are designed to help you get your tire off of the rim when you need to change it. Typically they are sold in sets of 3 but you only need 2 to change your tire. Different brands come in different colors and I recommend something other than black so it's easier to find them when you drop them by the side of the road. There isn't much to them and they are priced accordingly at around $5.
- Cash
Besides it's obvious use to buy stuff cash can also serve other purposes while you're out blazing trails. You can use it in a pinch to slide between your tire and tube if you get a hole in your tire or you can use it to pay the bike shop to mount your tube (or their tube if you don't have one) when you flat out. I usually keep a couple of bills with me so if I do end up using one to help fix a flat I have another one handy. I wouldn't keep more than $20 in there, a $1 and a $5 or a $10 will do nicely.
- Identification
This is a big, big deal if you ride a lot by yourself. If you crash or are somehow incapacitated you need to be sure that the people that eventually come to help you have some way of finding out who you are, who to call and if you have any special medical conditions they need to know about. It doesn't have to be your driver's license or a fancy laminated sheet - a business card with some notes on the back will do nicely. Make sure you have someone else's phone number on there who is likely to be reachable during the times you normally ride and prefix it with "ICE" (In Case of Emergency.) First responders are trained to look for an ICE number to call if you can't give them one yourself.
- Helmet
Don't even get me started about how stupid it is to ride without a helmet. You can fall down 15 feet from your house and sustain a brain injury that will change your life forever. A helmet doesn't have to cost a lot, just make sure you get one that's comfortable. Hit the big box stores and try on several different ones and if that doesn't work head to the sports super stores like Scheels and your local bike shop. Fiddle with the adjustments and straps until you get it figured out. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a helmet but an entry level one shouldn't set you back more than $25-35.
- Padded Shorts
You've no doubt heard the expression, "Saving your a**." That's what padded shorts do for you. Before you start shouting "no spandex!" you should know that you can get a pair with an inner liner and pad with regular looking pair of shorts outside. You will be amazed at how much of a difference that diaper-feeling pad makes on your rear end ESPECIALLY at the beginning of the riding season. Mail order is the cheapest but make sure they have a good return policy in case you don't get the sizing right. Sports superstores are another good source, check the sales in the bike section. As you ride more you'll probably want at least 2 pairs but start off with one for around $30.
- Sport Shirt
Cotton T-shirts are great for lounging around the house but they are not so great for bike riding. They absorb sweat like crazy and don't let it evaporate very quickly which will make you miserable on a hot day or a longer ride. For a cool evening ride you can get by but if you're planning on riding much you will want a shirt made of some kind of moisture wicking fabric. It doesn't have to be cycling specific or any particular name brand, just any sport shirt that you like, is comfortable and fits your budget.
That about does it for your basic cycling kit. Now learn how to change a tire and get out and enjoy yourself!
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