I bought a bike. What next?
Yeah, I bought an ebike from Costco. It was a pretty good deal and it exceeded my expectation in just about every way, at least so far. The only thing that's bugging me right now is that the seat is supposedly super comfortable but my butt is sore after relatively short rides, but I've read that that will go away after a while.
I haven't owned a bike for decades and I was wondering if there was any less obvious things I should look out for. I already figured out that I put on the front wheel off-center because the disc was rubbing against the brake pad, but that was an easy fix. The manual for my bike is painfully lacking in details; half of covers how to use the controller, and the other half is assembly, and even that part wasn't terribly detailed. There were two parts that came in the box that it didn't even mention (a reflector for the handlebars and the derailleur protector - the latter of which I only figured out what it was after I did a reverse image search for it). It appears that it was written for people who already know a lot about bikes. The fork has shocks on it that appear to be adjustable but I don't know how or even why you would want to adjust them. Is there a website or a book that I can find with more detailed info on bikes generally?
Finally, accessories. I already bought two simple things just on impulse: a simple cheap cable lock and a bell (which seems like a strange omission for a bike, but what do I know?). I figure that I should have probably invested in a better lock, though, since it's a fairly expensive machine, so I thought I'd ask what people would recommend. Also are there any other accessories I might consider? I want to get a bottle holder, but I'm looking for a design to 3D print if anyone has any recommendations. It'd be nice to finally bust out my roll of ASA for it.
A Kryptonite U lock will be a big upgrade in terms of security; it's not unbeatable, but it resists the bolt cutters that could go right through the cable lock. Especially if you have a quick release on your front wheel the cable lock is a decent thing to run through your wheel and the U lock in order to keep your wheel from walking away. All in all, security is about making it inconvenient for someone to steal your bike. All security is beatable, but the more inconvenient it is to steal the more likely it is to be fine.
A bottle holder is an excellent thought. Having water on you at all times when cycling goes a long way to making it a pleasant endeavor.
Is there any specific reason to go with Kryptonite over any other brand?
My bike does have a quick release on the front wheel, and I'm not entirely sure why. I suppose it would make it easy to repair a busted tire, but why isn't it also on the rear wheel? In any case, it's nice to know that the cheap cable lock I got would still be useful.
I managed to cut off the end of my post earlier; I had meant to ask if anyone had any recommendations for 3D printable designs for the bottle holder.
Other reputable brands are fine too. It's hard to tell whether a u-lock is good or bad without destructively testing it, so it's probably worth getting one that's well reviewed and from a company with a reputation for quality (not Masterlock, not "BIKEGOOD" on amazon)
I'd be surprised if there was a good design here. This situation requires high strength on all 3 axes and impact resistance. I don't really think it's possible to do cheaper and better than the classic bent-wire design.
Yeah, but the problem with reputable brands is that I have no idea who is reputable and who is not. And I have the tendency to go for the cheapest options....
All of the commercial bottle holders I've seen so far have been plastic. Should I look out for a wire one instead? My bike has an accessory mount area on the inside frame that seems purpose-made for bottle holders, so I would think that it wouldn't get beat up much if at all.
These reviews seem pretty decent: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/biking/best-bike-lock. I've read some reviews from this site before for other topics and they seem well-researched & not just ai spam
Plastic bottle holders are probably great! I like a more classic aesthetic so I've never had one, but this is one place where you just pick something you think looks nice. I over-research my buying decisions too, but this one should be easy.
I'm just thinking about the layer line weaknesses with 3d prints, and how the bike gets jostled while going over potholes. Just my opinion, I've never tried printing anything for my bike, although I've been both printing & biking for a long time.
Their locks are of decent quality for the price. There's a lot of variation in lock placement, type, and other minor features, and Kryptonite has never let me down. Quick releases are good for a couple of reasons; you're more likely to get a flat on the front wheel, so you're more likely to want to take it off to repair it, and if you want to fit your bike into a smaller space like the back seat of a car the front wheel coming off makes it a lot more compact. There are keyed spokes that are more secure and are pretty easy to install, but you then have to keep the key around.
Kryptonite is the established best-in-class for bike locks. E-bikes are a higher target for thieves due to their higher price point (at a minimum don’t leave the battery unattended), so you’re not going to want to make a theft easy. Often thieves will initially disengage the bike by stealing a front tire, saddle, or the battery so that they can return later with better tools to remove the lock itself. You could consider hex locks if you’re paranoid, but that is dependent upon your environment and use cases. Kryptonite sells a hardened version of their locks the Fahgettaboudit) due to the prominence of bike thefts in my city. That being said, common thieves typically use leverage to pop off a U-lock before resorting to bolt cutters or portable circular saws, so where and how you lock your bike is more important than the type of lock.
The front wheel is detachable because it’s easier for servicing and for stowing a bike jn smaller spaces (e.g. back of a car). Also, the rear wheel is fundamentally attached to the gears in a way that there’s no easy way to remove without requiring separate tools and getting your hands dirty (and requiring a tune up afterwards).
I would advise against using 3D printed materials for the water bottle cage. The flexion it would regularly endure would make it easy to snap parts off. A simple steel cage is cheap and effective to the extent that you should probably spend more time figuring out what bottle you want (CamelBak Podium is a solid choice). That being said, if you’re committed to a 3D print, then I would suggest using ABS in your print to make it more sturdy.
Another thing to consider is a saddle bag to contain any roadside maintenance necessities: Tire repair kit at a minimum, likely requiring a hand-pump or CO2 canister, and a bike key/tool. None of these are strictly necessary, just good to have in the event of a popped tire (which is when you’ll appreciate the front tire quick release!). I’m also the weirdo who over-optimizes and got the Aeroclam, but you can pack as much or as little as you want in the bag. Just commuting? Probably don’t need much. Extended rides? Best to be prepared for a tire popping miles from a city. Bike camping? Gonna want some panniers.
Some bikes also have quick release on the rear, but it's less useful / more expensive. The front tire is usually the one to hit things first/hardest so having it be quick release does make repairs/fixes easier. But mostly the rear has the chain and all that attached to it, which is more to deal with and at that point you tend to need more tools anyway.
Removing the wheel to put on a bike rack. Removing the wheel and taking it with you (harder to steal a bike you can't ride away on). Removing the wheel so it doesn't scuff the car when you take it somewhere.
Generally, it's easier to stabilize a bike on a roof rack with a thru axle mount. I've got a pair on my roof basket that I can just throw the bikes on and tighten them down.
It's not entirely about repair but you can't have a quick release on the back because that's where your gears and stuff are. Removing the rear tire means removing the cassette and chain.
I bike for regular exercise. My needs may be different than yours. But I’d consider good front and rear lights to be essential. Your bike might have them included. Also a bike computer - again, maybe that’s a part of your bike. That will track distance and display grade, cadence, etc.
Nice! Which model did you get? I'm suspicious of quality based on how cheap they are, but if they're actually good, that would be great news.
Level 1 stuff
-helmet (preferably a mips one)
-bottle cage
Level 2
-mirror
-small handle bar or seat bags to carry a repair kit
-lights
-depending on the weather in your area you should also consider fenders to not get covered in mid.
That's everything you should ever need for very casual riding for short distances. Anything beyond that is for if you have specific use cases.
If you are trying to use the bike as a tool, or as a sort of car alternative you should consider additional storage on the bike. Handle bar baskets, rear tire racks, and panniers bags.
If you are trying to use the bike as a new form of fitness, you may want to get some cycling clothes. At the very least some shorts. Your butt will hurt less over time no matter what, but the combination of proper shorts, a comfy seat, and a maybe a suspension seat post will keep you in the saddle a lot longer. There's no nobility in suffering here. If fitness is the goal I'd also recommend getting properly fitted at a bike shop, as proper seat and handlebar height are actually really important for bike ergonomics. I'd also recommend getting Strava or some other ride tracking app.
The last thing I would recommend is a safety feature, but it is a lot more expensive than everything else, so I don't know how badly you'd want it. It's the Garmin Varia which is a taillight that has a built in radar that will notify you (either by phone or by on bike computer) if cars are approaching from behind. It's like an insane game changer for your peace of mind and overall safety.
Unrelated to buying more stuff, e-bikes are different from regular bikes.
They will be harder on the chain and sprockets. The chain will stretch. The sprockets will wear. Get handy, or get to know your local bike shop.
They move faster than regular bikes. You are effectively riding a motorized cycle. Consider watching some safety training.