So you have chosen your potential brand new bike. You’ll also need a few bits and bobulums to help you carry out the basic maintenance to keep it running smoothly. I can personally guarantee that , at some point, you will puncture so a couple of spare tubes, a set of tyre levers, a pump and a puncture repair kit are absolutely essential to get you back on the road again. If you don’t know how to change a tube or fix a puncture I have made a couple of other films explaining how to do it. Tyres also naturally deflate over time so a track pump with a gague is essential to ensure they are fully inflated to the correct pressure. If you have bought your bike for your daily commute or if you plan on doing any riding at night, you’ll need a good quality set of lights. Most new bikes come with a free six week service. This is to make sure that all the cables and components have settled in correctly but, from time to time, you’ll need to make little tweaks and adjustments yourself so a multi tool is crucial, as well as a small saddle bag to put everything in. As you start getting fitter and going on longer rides you will need to hydrate yourself so a bottle and a cage is essential. And to keep your new bike clean and running smoothly, you'll need some bike wash and lube. Again, I have made a couple of other films that explain all of this in more detail, including how to actually wash your bike. All of these things are what I would call basic essentials meaning that it would be very difficult to ride without them for very long. Trust me, having this stuff will make life on the bike so much easier and more enjoyable so spend a little extra and make sure you have everything you need. Nearly all riders now have some kind of computer on their bikes. While its not actually a basic essential, it will certainly add to your overall cycling experience and maybe even help you get fitter. Prices start from around ten pounds or fifteen dollars for a very basic entry level model and go all the way up to an all singing, all dancing cycling computer with wireless connectivity, GPS and bluetooth. These fully featured computers can represent the biggest investment you will make after actually buying your bike but you may not need all of their functionality so its important to chose wisely. If you want to get the lowdown on cycling computers and an have an introduction to the ubiquitous Strava, I have made two other films that explain both. Your local bike shop is a pretty friendly place so if you are buying everything; bike, basic essentials and cycling computer all in one go, they may well do you some kind of bundle deal. Some shops even do discounts for members of local cycling clubs so its well worth asking. If you would like to follow my efforts on the bike you can follow me on Strava. My profile is here: http://www.strava.com/athletes/515946 You are also very welcome to join my virtual cycling club on Strava. By sharing our rides we can help and encourage each other to reach our fitness goals. You can join the club here: https://www.strava.com/clubs/Chernobyl and the Chernobyl Cycling Club Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chernobylcyclingclub/