A bikepump is something you want to spend on if you can. It’ll really make a difference. Even on the trainer, should should be putting air in your tires every week or 2. When you start riding outside, you want it a minimum of once a week. Honestly, I’d say make it part of your pre-ride setup.
A longer (taller) pump will make less work. You want an old-timey dynamite style handle - not something goofy like a foot pump.
You’ll need to determine what sort of tires you are using and get a pump that’s compatible. There are many now that can do both dominant types. Types of what? Funny you should ask. There are to popular styles of valve on the tire. Shraeder and Presta.
Shraeder is the sort you find on your car. Its a little stocky, and has the spring pin in the middle to put air in.
Presta is thinner, and looks a bit funny when you aren’t used to him. Sheldon Brown has a nice Show and Tell. His site can be a bit old feeling, but he’s got great, trusted information on a LOT. You can get lost in there.
All my bikes are Presta. I have no idea why modern, nicer bikes favour it over the Shraeder. The first time you pump it up, you’ll probably be a bit frustrated trying to get the hang of it. That’s why you want to try out new things like this in the evening watching TV or something. The first time, you want to take you time and be able to set it aside and look things up if you get frustrated. Nothing worse that starting a ride feeling pressured, behind and angry. Trust me… :)
I like to use a pump with a gauge in it. It might not be as accurate as a dedicated gauge, but for folks like you and I its fine. The one I have had an outside dial that you can point to a specific pressure. Great for not having to remember wtf you should be inflating to.
Here’s something that looks reasonable to me: http://www.amazon.com/BV-Bicycle-Ergonomic-Reversible-Schrader/dp/B0085OGW0K
Speaking of inflating to - its on the side wall of the tire. It’ll be in PSI and probably hard to see unless you have the tire up in your grill. Go toward the higher side when filling the tire. It’ll probably make you feel a bit uncomfortable the first few times.
There are a couple reasons for this. One is rolling resistance. Lower tire means you have to peddle harder to go a given speed. Even on your trainer. You probably have lost good contact, and not even realized it. Once you get out a bit, you’ll notice it.
The other big reason for inflating higher (but not over) is it protects the tire and rim. Counter-intuitive, right? All that pressure pushes out on the tire, and holds everything in place. Kind of like a strong core when exercises. If its too low, hitting bumps can allow the tube to pinch against the rim. Flat! It also means you might dent your rim.
You’ll want 2 tubes on hand. I’d take one with me when I ride. Its much less a PITA than a patch kit. You can bring the flat one home and patch it if you like.
Changing the tube is something you want to try at home. It’ll go nicely w/ trying out your fancy pump. :) Don’t wuss out on me. Do the back tire! It feels like its a bitter harder - but maybe just to get off the bike.
One thing I recommend is looking for a ‘beginner rider’ kind of class at a local bike shop. Tons of shops do them, often for free. They’ll show you how to change a tube, and some other very basic stuff. Like me, you’ll probably stand in a crowd of 15 going “Ohhhh!” with everyone else. You can find deeper classes going down to welding a frame. For where you are, I’d YouTube it before I dropped $ on a class.
Oh yeah, so tubes. Also on the sidewall of the tire, you’ll see the size. It’ll be something cryptic sounding like 600x23. That’s radius and width. 700 is what mine is. Width will go from like 18 to 40 or something. Just tell the person at the bike shop, they’ll hook you up. Here are some great photos of what to look for on the sidewall. It also shows valves again.
Unless you are constantly getting flats, just get a run of the mill tube. Those’ll be the ones stacked all over the place behind the counter. If you are getting flats all the time, check with your local bike shop. They are you friends. If they aren’t, find another shop.
Ok. If you are going to take a tube with you, you’ll need a pump. These come in all sorts of sizes and so on, and will normally attach to your frame. Honestly, I wouldn’t worry too much about this until you start going over 10 miles. A 5 mile walk back will suck, but… Its all about balancing your comfort. Heck, bring the tube anyway. People are nice, and someone might stop to help out if they see you walking the bike.
Tire levels help get the tire off (and on) the rim. If the tire is wide enough, and you have strong hands, you can get by without them. But given how cheap, that seems silly. Don’t get metal, don’t get anything that looks realllly chincy.
Por ejemplo: http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-Bicycle-Tire-Lever-Pair/dp/B000IZGFCE
Get at least one bottle and cage. It won’t make much difference in low miles, but will be required once you hit a certain distance. These usually mount the bike frame, in the triangle. I’d do aluminum. I prefer a 20oz bottle. The trick there is to make sure you get one that you don’t need both hands to drink from it. Drinking while you ride is a skill you should acquire.
My own setup is to have 2 cages. I tend to do about 20oz/10 miles, heat depending. I also have a camel back for when I do really long rides. Me going 45 miles in really, really hot weather requires it. Sweat sprinkler. (ewwww.)
OMG, omg, omg. You want a chain cleaner. I’ve always gotten Park. If you get in the practice of doing this like once a week or 2, zomg. It’ll be something that makes your bike always feel great. For lube, I’d say just ask someone in the bike shop.
You fill the cleaner with solvent and then clamp it to the chain and pedal. Empty, repeat a couple times. Wipe down, dry then lube. Bike loves you.
To make this easier, you need a stand for the bike. I’ve got 2 of a cheap kind that I used when I first started. I do my best to remember to shove it in the suitcase.
Once you run out of the solvent, you can just get a jug of some eco-friendly degreaser. Wayyyy cheaper and works great. Do NOT use a spray cleaner. It’ll likely go places that shouldn’t be cleaned.
You’re gonna need a way to carry all this. You can get a rack and bungy crap down or use panniers. Or get a saddle bag which is more typical for carrying the tubes, levers and an emergency $20. :)
Really though, whatever gets you out the door. If you are find riding with a backpack and want to save some $ - boom, done.
I think I’ve given you the general needed stuff to start off with. The only thing that one might consider is a multi-tool. They are the swiss army knives of biking. You can get ones that do 6 things, or get ones that do 30. I’d get one that does less. The big deal is to get one with a variety of hex wrenches. Damn near everything on the bike you’ll dork with is hex of some size. I’d set a price point and read reviews. Simpler is better at this point.
Its a nice optional because it’ll let you do things easier like re-tighten your water bottle cages. Or loosen the brakes b/c you hit a massive pothole and knocked your tire out of true. Or, like me, you can’t decide how freaking high you want the f-ing seat.
Totally not required though.
As for other tools, get them as you realize you need them. Once you get beyond hexes and couple screw drivers, you’re getting into workbench territory. :)
When you can, buy from your local shop. They are your friends. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten my shifting fixed for free because they were nice and I was nice. If they are slow, it takes them only a couple minutes. Plus, you can get solid advice on products and so on.
Once a year, I’d get a general bike tune-up. The cheapest one they have on the board. It’ll mean truing your tires, lubing stuff and adjusting brakes and shifting. Well, well worth it. Like a car, you gotta stay on top o’ that shit.
Please wear a helmet. The one time I needed one, I was barely going fast enought to be balanced… I heard the helmet crack on the pavement when my shoulder hit.
And try not to be nervous! The more miles you log, the less anxious you’ll feel. That said, try not to ride in a nervous manner. Act like you own it. People who are nervous, and do things like slipping into parking lanes and out and again aren’t predictable. Predictable is your friend. If a car sees you from way off holding a line, not weaving, they’ll feel more confident passing you b/c they don’t need to worry. Shops often will have road safety classes too, if you want. Luckily, enough people bike nowadays, cars know whats up. In my experience the best time to bike has always been during commuter hours. Lots of cars, but everyone does this every day. The worse time has been going out Friday or Saturday night. A bunch of folk who don’t drive, and feel entitled.