Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

WRT lights, check out the front & rear light threads that are around in here somewhere.

If you're actually riding at night, I recommend a Basta/Planet Bike/Smart SuperFlash light, + a second light set to steady (not flashing). The SuperFlash is an attention getter, while a steady light makes it easier for people to judge your location and position.

Don't use front lights on blink if it's really dark, you want bright white steady front lights that help people see "hey, there's a vehicle there", rather than "what's that funny blinking light?"

Hey Bnej,

Cheers for the info. I am actually only buying them for either early morning but not when its dark.. like when its getting darker. So I can be seen without them, it just makes it more clear that its a bike you know extra safety.

If I ever do decide to ride in the dark I will get one of the stronger lights for sure.


I went for a ride before and I can't wait for the leg warmers to arrive haha

I was wondering how often one should wash their bike shorts and how do you do it? do you soak them? machine them?

perception twin wrote:I went for a ride before and I can't wait for the leg warmers to arrive haha

I know the feeling, that's one thing that I need to get when I get enough dosh together.

perception twin wrote:I was wondering how often one should wash their bike shorts and how do you do it? do you soak them? machine them?

The way I do it is: good rinse after each ride (often while in the shower), drip dry, and once weekly hand wash with detergent, not machine, don't tumble/spin, just let it drip dry.

No idea if that's the best, seems to work for me, but I don't ride heavily atm, so anyone who does, please enlighten me as well.

You should wash (or rinse) bike shorts after each ride (you are supposed to wear them without underwear btw, just in case you haven't been told).

Mine are supposed to be hand washed but I put them through on the gentle machine cycle in cold water and they haven't been destroyed yet. Dry in shade, they'll dry overnight on a clothes airer indoors - leaving in direct sunlight will damage the fabric over time.

Don't use an enzyme based detergent as it will attack the synthetic fibres. Generally the enviro-friendly ones like Green Care are also good for your bike clothes.

Thanks for the tips , I think atm I will just do what Bnej suggested untill I figure out what I am doing with the machine as mum's away lol. I shall try the "free" route on my next ride, on my last 2 short rides I wore undies to get used to them.. one step at a time aye

Bnej wrote:You should wash (or rinse) bike shorts after each ride (you are supposed to wear them without underwear btw, just in case you haven't been told).
.

After a few rides I have decided it's much more comfortable for me with underwear

Noticed quite a few dawn patrollers here in Sydney were not wearing leg warmers over the weekend (mind you by mid morn you would think it's summer).
Glad I got all the gear required to be comfortable against the chilly morns.

Bluerider wrote:After a few rides I have decided it's much more comfortable for me with underwear

You'll change your mind either with summer or longer rides. If the seams in your undies get damp with sweat they will start chafing down there, which is a less than ideal situation if you still need to ride 30km to get home.

I think we are doing a pretty good job of helping you spend your hard earned money on bicycle accessories. If after all this you still find yourself with money in your bank account, let us know and we will see if we can spend the remaining dollars for you. We're pretty good at that.

just get carbon fibre EVERYTHING! that'll keep the credit man happy!

tho havin said that, torpedo7 has carbon bottle cages goin fairly cheap every so often

timbo wrote:I think we are doing a pretty good job of helping you spend your hard earned money on bicycle accessories. If after all this you still find yourself with money in your bank account, let us know and we will see if we can spend the remaining dollars for you. We're pretty good at that.

haha true that, thanks to everyone who has posted . Lucky I didn't budget too much for the bike Though I did factor in accessories when I was buying it so I knew roughly how much it was going to work out to in total. Maybe in a few years I can budget $2500 just for the bike

I am pretty sure I bought the "basic" accessories for a roadie:
Gloves, shoes, pumps, shorts, warmers, spare tubes, tire levers, lights, seat bag and a jersey with pockets woah. You could get away with less of course.

Wanta-bike wrote:just get carbon fibre EVERYTHING! that'll keep the credit man happy!

tho havin said that, torpedo7 has carbon bottle cages goin fairly cheap every so often

lol yeah I don't think I would ever go full CF unless I had a need to go quickly into debt.. I am pretty happy with a steel frame (steel is real aye).

And on the CF topic, no way I would buy a CF bottle cage, I am way too sensible for that

Well at least the warmers were good for something after I went for a ride today They are sure worth the money lol its pretty dodgy weather here in Adelaide today.. but with shorts, leg warmers, shoe covers and a wind/rainproof jacket it was fine.

It turns out my medium exustar arm warmers are too short so I will have to send them back, maybe I should measure my arm this time