May 9, 2012. Paul Hixon
If you have bought a brand new ladies bicycle recently, or even a secondhand one, the chances are you will want to buy some accessories to make it your own. And whether you own a hybrid or a cruiser bike, you will be elated to hear that there is a whole range of wonderful accessories available to purchase.
But don’t forget that there are some important items you really should buy first, before you delve into the world of cosmetic and vanity add-ons. If you do not plan properly, with some essential pieces of kit, then you might end up having a disaster while out on a ride that was supposed to be a fun day out. Some of the essentials that you need to get hold of very soon after buying the bike are a cyclometer, a frame pump, a tools bag, and a drinking bottle and cage to hold it onto your bike. And familiarize yourself with how to use the maintenance equipment (eg. the pump and tools) just in case you do end up needing to use them.
Cyclometer – You might have bought your bike in order to keep fit, or get in shape after a period of doing very little exercise. One of the best ways to gauge your progress is to keep regular logs of your distances travelled and the times required. To do this efficiently and accurately, install a cyclometer, and this will measure your trip distances, times, speeds and normally a host of other data. This will all allow you to keep on track.
Frame Pump – Something you will tend to notice pretty quickly if you do enough cycling is that you will get a lot of flat tires. This problem will increase as you explore new places, because you will not be familiar with the ground. It would certainly be a real pain in the neck if you had to carry or push your bicycle back home every time a flat tire stopped you, so the ideal solution is to get a frame-mountable tire pump. Most ladies bicycles will already have a spot on the frame designed to take such a pump.
Tool Bag – Accidents can happen when you go cycling, and as long as you take precautions, this should be something you are prepared to deal with. Never compromise on safety, but here we are talking about mishaps which center around the bike itself, such as a pedal dropping off, or the chain slipping off and needing to be put back onto the gears. To guarantee you are always ready for such eventualities, it pays to have a small tool set that you can carry with you every time you go out cycling. Some of the tool bags on the market have small velcro straps so that you can stick them onto the frame of the bike directly. This is very convenient as it means you are less likely to leave home and forget your tools.
Water Bottle – A problem with doing lots of long distance cycling is dehydration; it is very important to keep taking on fluids, but it is best not to ride too far with just one hand, and with a water bottle in the other. This makes it far too easy to lose control of the bike and end up in an accident. By far the best way to handle this kind of dilemma is to buy a water bottle and cage and install it onto your bike. Now your water is within easy reach and you only have it in your hand when required, allowing you full control of your bike the rest of the time.
Updated May 9, 2012. Published March 7, 2011. Paul Hixon
