(Part 2) Best products from r/NYCbike

Buy this book - Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. it's under $20 on Amazon. Couple of points:

1. Amazingly comprehensive. Includes old stuff and new stuff.
   
   
2. A book is great for having when actually wrenching. Way better than trying to scroll on your phone with greasy hands.
   
   
3. All tasks are broken into three levels of difficulty. The first level is for people like you, and you'll be pleasantly surprised how much that covers. Has tool recommendations for each level.
   
   
4. Most tools don't need to be bike specific. A set of Allen keys, needlenose pliers, and an adjustable wrench will get you further than you think.
   
   Good luck!

Diagnosing knee pain is pretty tough because it's usually some combination of biomechanical flaws (of which there are many different points for adjustment as shown in /u/salzgablah 's good link) and strength, where weakness/unbalance in stabilizing muscles in the leg allow the knee/leg to not track properly.

People who are properly fitted can bike for a hundred plus miles in a day without significant knee discomfort.

I would recommend trying the suggestions in the chart and trying to get the fit right, but if you need a more comprehensive source, this book is pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Pruitts-Complete-Medical-Guide-Cyclists/dp/1931382808

This guy. He's sending you to the same place I was going to. Read that, and some of the more pointly pointers for NYC riding:

-Things you WILL get ticketed for: Riding on the sidewalk, not having a bell, not having front/rear blinkers at night - White in front, red in back.

-Things you very well could get ticketed for: Riding the wrong direction (salmoning), running red lights.

-Bern helmets have kind of become the de facto standard biking helmet. They're modest and not ugly and not hyper-expensive. The most you could ask from a helmet.

-You absolutely 100% guaranteed will wipe out at some point. It's part of the process. Wear that freakin' helmet so you live to learn from it when it happens. Also, this might be a guy thing but try not to go break-neck fast just because the cars are.

-Get a good lock. I've got a Kryptonite Series 2 U-lock. I don't trust cables or chains. When you lock your frame, lock through a triangle. Think of the bike as a chinese puzzle, because I see a lot of people lock up their frames in ways that they can simply be slid out of if you contort them correctly. Also simultaneously lock up your front wheel if you can, and saddle if it's a nice one. Don't use quick-release components unless you also want them quick-stolen. Don't lock to anything flimsy, and be wary of locking to street signs. Locking to trees is effective but sort of poor form, in my book.

-Especially for bikers who are newer to urban riding I strongly recommend using Gmaps or a similar app to plan out routes that stick to the bike lanes. Riding in a bike lane really does feel worlds safer than riding unprotected (And is). Leaving the bike lanes and using regular streets is A-OK and generally has to happen at least once per trip but the bike lanes can help you get your bearings and get comfortable. Also, if a street has a lane you have to use it unless conditions in it are unsafe.

-If you ride on a one-way street without a bike lane, ride on the left side of the street and give all the parked cars a good 4 feet or so. This will put you next to passenger-side doors, which are less likely to swing open and ruin your day/life than driver-side doors (It's actually illegal here to open a car door in a negligent manner, not like that matters).

-Pedestrians always have right of way. They're morons, but you'll look like a bigger moron if you buzz by and scare them.

-Speaking of morons, motorists generally do not understand bike lane rules. Something about entitlement. Just remember this when you're near them.

-Crown Heights to FIT is a healthy 40 minute commute! Don't get lazy in the morning and let that bring you down! I suggest the Manhattan Bridge for the way in (Then snake through SoHo to Hudson/8thAve or 6thAve), it's a gentler slope for your morning commute and the part you can bike over is bike-exclusive.

Welcome aboard.

Good comments here.

• I commute from BedStuy to East Harlem daily. I'm super happy I've started to do it. I actually get to see the city each day. Can't wait until summer when I can enjoy it a bit more.
  
• Spend a lot on gloves, but your fingers well get numb. Make sure your core is warm, I find this alleviates numb fingers and toes. Balaclavas are also dope, since when some arsehole pedestrian realises they're in the bike lane, balaclavas scare them out a little.
  
• It's like not safe, but safe. There are dickheads everywhere, particularly in midtown. Keep aware & you'll get the hang of it.
  
• If you can get away with not using a backpack, it will make getting to work a lot less sweatier.
  
• I ride a track bike and can't fit racks to my frame. So I use one of these to my saddle. It's no good for a laptop, but amazing for clothes, food, etc. I got it heaps cheaper than amazon at 718 bikes in BK.
  
  Though any bike/setup is suitable. Ultimately just do it, and you'll make it stick.

If you can carry a chain lock with you I'd just use that and make sure it's big enough to fit between both wheels and frame. Otherwise I'd get one of these and a good cable lock. I wouldn't worry too much about theft during the day, I locked my bike up outside for the better part of a year and all I lost was a seat because I didn't bother keeping it attached to my frame properly. Good luck!

These are great, I have them on my wife's bike and mine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IIPBYB2?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2


I bought us crazy bright headlights for actual mountain biking. The ones I recommend above I got on a lightning deal for like 8.99 a set. We night ride on the beach in FL and that set isn't good enough for a new moon night but great for bc safety in the city.

I love quad lock. It's super little but locks up the phone really tight and it's really easy to remove. You have to use it as your phone case but I don't mind it because the case is simple and nice. I also leave the blue part on bike and it has never gotten messed with.

Quad Lock Bike Kit for iPhone 7 Plus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ1IBT7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_O8CBzbMG7TAJD

I use my rack for panniers- I bought this set of waterproof bags from amazon for like $90. I recommend them if anyone is in the market; they're huge (I can fit my laptop and 4-5 textbooks in them), and again they're waterproof so rain doesn't stop my riding with them.

Typically I have all must stuff for the day and leave the other one always filled with all the bike essentials (u-lock, hand pump, patch kit, extra dry t-shirt, sun glasses, etc.)

The only downside is sometimes I end up with 20-30 extra pounds of stuff, and the weight ends up making a difference over time.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YIB1J8/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use a HORNIT. It has 4-5 different sounds. The one that I prefer is like a loud robot chirp.

Its good in conjunction with shouting. Its not the best on the avenues as the noise gets lost, but with the the closer confines of the cross streets its pretty effective.

That being said I still need to shout as a last resort.

If you're just doing commute rides, go to any hardware store and buy a pair of work gloves for $1. They work great as linings and you won't find a cheaper option.

As for more hefty gloves I've had these for two years and really liked them for cold weather (below 40). Above 40 you'll need something thinner, but those can easily be picked up for $10-15 so you'll be well under your $50 budget. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NW8VALA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! Any tips for where to sit/how to hold the bike on mass transit? I was successfully able to hold it out a little bit so that 2 people could sit on either side of me and nobody licked the flood trying to walk around the bike.

I read how to correctly lock up a bike, and bought this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YPK8G2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It has good reviews so hopefully it'll work out.

If anyone in this thread is looking for a bell, I just got this one and it's the best bell I've ever had. Japanese bells are awesome!

Oh, bells definitely work if you have a good one. The Incredibell is pretty decent for the price, but the most effective bell I've come across is the Spurcycle bell. It gets a lot of looks when you ring it, which is exactly what you need it to do.

There's lots of decent ones, I've found this pair to be the BEST I've ever owned, (and survived Philly and NYC and more) https://www.amazon.com/BLITZU-Rechargeable-Headlight-Waterproof-Flashlight/dp/B01NAGIHJB/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=blitzu&qid=1554999293&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Headlamp gets decent enough life, incredibly bright for the price (like you can actually see the road, and importantly the strobe is a normal speed not some epilepsy inducing speed. Also it's super compact and mine's been through hell at this point.

Only down side is the charging covers are a bit flimsy and fall off, rear one is a bit cheaper feeling than the front (it's a generic rear) but still is holding up as well.

How is the stabilization with this mount? I have a GoPro hero 5 and a 3rd party Aluminum handle bar mount. On bumping roads it is really burry.

Mountain Bike Camera Handlebar,for All gopro Models/Action Cameras Mountain Bike Mount, Aluminium 360 Degree Rotation Upgraded Version by Forevercam https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0789LSSL1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_w9LJDb7GBBJ0T

Thanks

Sealskinz gloves are excellent. I use these ones.

Best combination of water resistance and dexterity I've found.

I just bought lightweight waterproof jacket and waterproof pants from Patagonia (I had a 10% cash back deal at the time). They work great, but still gonna get a little overheated in them.

I also bought these waterproof shoe covers which are fantastic when biking in the rain/snow.

For my daily commute, I wear layers:

• rain pants over my slacks (if it's rainy)
  
• undershirt, Shirt, sweater, golf pullover, Visijax rainshell/windbreaker
  
• Gloves (cheapo leather gloves from C21)
  
• if it's really cold, my Skullcap
  
• My Buff
  
  
  This will work, even in pretty low temperatures (10s/20s F) with moderate wind.
  
  The layering allows me to adjust to the local conditions pretty well. Everying fits even into relatively small bags/ knapsacks