(Part 2) Top products from r/NYCbike

Few things. I think that most of the people here pointed out the biggies - rules, regulations, legal necessity stuff, maps, etc. I'm still newish to the city and just got a bike a few months ago. What really really helped me was joining some cycling groups. People are typically very friendly and they know their bike stuff and can help you if you have a flat, etc.

I first joined bicycling groups on www.meetup.com. The only one I've ever rode with was Social Cycling NYC though, really great folks. I also joined the 5 Borough Bike Club (5BBC); I've only been on one ride so far but, again, great people.

There are lots of rides to participate in too. The first Friday of every month, Time's up does a Moonlight Central Park ride. Really cool, I did the last one. There is also one of these for Prospect Park and I hear that one is nice too. Time's up also does a ride called Critical Mass, but I haven't personally went, just heard about it. These are free rides. Some (all? I don't know) of the 5BBC rides are free but there is a yearly membership ($20 and if you join in October, I think, you essentially are buying the 2013 membership and have the rest of 2012 free). However, I'm not sure how much free time you'll have to gallivant around!

Joining an organization like 5BBC or Transportation Alternatives also gets you discounts at bike shops as an FYI. Each organization has a list of participating shops.

Anytime I've ridden in Brooklyn, I've really enjoyed it. There are many more bike lanes than up my way in Queens. Take advantage of that and explore! A ride to Rockaway beach is nice too.

Some gear you might be interested in that I thought was helpful:

26 in one multi tool

On frame pump


Also, I don't know what sort of pedals you have or prefer. However IF you decide to get clips or clipless pedals, some of the bike folks I've met told me a few things. (I have clipless pedals btw) If you've never had clips/clipless pedals, get a pedal that has the the cleat thing on one side and a pedal platform on the other. This way, you don't have to be clipped in if you don't want to be.
I got these.

Also, for the shoes that go with said pedal: I was told for predominantly city riding that you can wear out the cleat on the bottom of the shoe faster if you have the treadless road bike shoe. Also, if you do any walking on hard surfaces with this shoe I guess it wears out quicker. If you buy a mountain bike shoe it has a perimeter of tread that goes around the sole. Keeps the cleat more protected from grinding on the pavement. It will still grind on certain types of ground or flooring though.

Since I already have Amazon open:

This Versus this

I have Pearl Izumi shoes and I really like them.

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

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.

I've got one of these, it's a piece of shit but it gets the job done. You can move it around fairly easily but it needs a solid ceiling to push against as part of it's support.

Here's what I wear in sub-30 weather starting from the bottom:

Wool socks, sandwich bag over each sock (put it on under the shoe and then tie the top of the bag so it doesn't hit your chain), thermal bottoms, pants, tshirt or thermal top, light sweater or flannel, shell jacket (ie something to keep moisture off of you, heat contained, and serve as a wind brake - don't bother with anything heavy unless it's around 0f), shell mittens and nothing else on my hands, buff around my neck, buff over my head covering ears and skull, bike helmet.

I biked to work this morning at 7am with that outfit and felt fine the whole ride. Even showed up slightly sweaty.

When the temperature dips under 20f I'll add liner gloves under the mittens, a scarf, and a hat with ear protection.

Good call. I typically carry some of these...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IZGFCE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also carry a patch kit...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016HSA4O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I agree--love my cargo net, and got it from Amazon for less than $5:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WY6ZXA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000WY6ZXA&linkCode=as2&tag=xoxoadrienn-20

I can strap my backpack on, or take it a step further by using the cargo net to secure a small woven trash basket to the back rack to carry things. My husband does the same with a crate: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6mx77QJzX1qz8fbvo1_500.jpg

I have one of these - they can hold two bikes and look great. They work with tension between the floor and ceiling so you don’t need to drill holes:

gearup OakRak Floor to Ceiling Storage Rack, Golden Pecan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TM96MM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mSxMDbNDDBT4H

$10 basic safety glasses

Keep the cold wind, rain and snow out of your eyes and unlike sunglasses you can wear them the 60% of the time that it's dark.

This thing is amazing.

I just stand mine up on a moving blanket when it's dirty. Makes it easier to clean too. I have to wash the blanket periodically.

this is for a friend - hopefully he'll heed this advice.

I usually slap on locking skewers on my wheels. These aren't great - you just need a 5 sided hex tool thing to take 'em off - but it does the trick for a few hours of Midtown and Canal st parking

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Lock-n-Roll-Skewers/dp/B002K2IYPY/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1348002245&sr=1-8&keywords=locking+skewers

You can get them on Amazon - many types.

I used to live in Sweden and used these 32mm Nokian Nokia (yes nokia) tires; buying some for my first NYC winter.

If you're going to pay for Citi Bike, why not buy a single speed folding bike? This one is about the same price as Citibike for a year.

http://a.co/j8VVScP

There are also folding bikes w/26 inch wheels.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015QPOP4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_1AkGzbBQYXHBK

I would not recommend doing that. if you stripped the threads then re-tapping them would likely lead to a mismatch in the thread size of your pedals and the crank. the fix you may be looking for is called a Helicoil which will likely cost you more than a new crank arm will

I have wipes if things get really out of hand, otherwise, I bring a backpack with deodorant and some clothing changes. I'm still working it out - but the benefits of a bike commute outweigh any assholes at work having an issue.

USA is not in its cycling infancy, the automobile industry, oil giants, etc. just destroyed every other option, defunded them and created biased laws and infrastructure, and social attitudes. Roads as we know them were created for cyclists:
https://www.amazon.com/Roads-Were-Not-Built-Cars/dp/1610916891

Try twisting my New York Fahgettaboudit mini-U you'll destroy the bike in the attempt.