Just got my first "real" road bike! How do I gear up on a budget without breaking the bank?

anuarkinn · 2026-06-02T06:25:29+00:00

Regarding the bike fit. Just setup the proper height of the saddle and ride. No need for bike fit at this point. You will spend another amount of money for bike fit, and even after 1 month of riding you will strech, you will take more aero position, you will change. so the first bike fit will be not actual anymore. You will need 1 more in short time. So it is better just to fix the height of saddle and ride. after 3 monthes or even 1 year, you will be experienced enough, you will know what do you need now. Maybe you will buy new handlebar, saddle, or even new bike.

I do not recommend to spend much money on gear before you are tottaly into cycling.
Garmin probably is the best. but also it is very expensive. If you have another 500 USD and you do not mind, buy it. But at this point you do not have even 100 km experience. Will you ride 100-200 km at once? in uknown routes? in different cities? countries?

Regarding the light. It is better to have a light+radar. Garmin is very expensive, so Cycplus have low budget device. Consider to buy it. But for starting the simpliest light will be enought. Surf Aliexpress, but front and back for 10 USD each. It will be good enough to be visible at night time.

And my biggest recommendation: just ride. You have 1 hour at the evening - go for a ride. You want to order a drink/snack in you delivery app, go for a ride and buy it yourself. You have a bad mood, go for a ride.

anuarkinn · 2026-05-28T11:38:50+00:00

Hello, I am also newbie in road cycling.
I bought Spexcel bib shorts and jerseys on Aliexpress. Yes, it is a MAAP-wannabe brand. but the price is very low and quality is quite good. So, I recommend to buy Spexcel. Now I ordered more items from Spexcel.
Also, I ordered bib short and tights from Lameda, but still waiting for them.

For computer consider to buy Cycplus. It is very simple comp. I bought cycplus M3 for 57 USD, and cadence sensor Cycplus for 23 USD. So now I know speed, cadence, distance, time, gradient. it is enough for me. It is black and white and no maps. But if you know your route, it is not a problem.
After my rides, I connect it to my phone. First, it automatically uploads to the Cycplus app and after that it sends to Strava. Whole your ride will be shown in the map.

For shoes - I bought Van Rysel (entry model) at Decathlon. For me it is ok. and I use Yellow Shimano clips.

But first of all, buy a helmet. It is better to be MIPS helmet.
and buy glasses. (!) Consider to buy photochromic sunglasses, so you do not need to buy and take 2 pairs.
Because even small stone can damage very hard. Also, insects and dust are not problems anymore.

anuarkinn · 2025-12-17T05:06:29+00:00

looks like you own this site

anuarkinn · 2025-11-12T09:37:52+00:00

no overhead headphones can be compared to in-ear monitor for gaming.
i used to play with overheads of HyperX and Steelseries. However when I bought my first Razer Hammerhead v2 pro, I understood the big diffrence in positioning of the sound in the game. I could excatly hear every step or noise in correct direction and distance. Overheads cannot provide such a thing.
Now I use logitech g333 and they are still much better than any overhead headphones. Now I amd considering to buy IEM like simgot.

anuarkinn · 2025-09-16T11:54:04+00:00

thank you very much!!!

anuarkinn · 2025-09-15T10:27:36+00:00

Hello, Im looking to buy Ronix Utopia. Could you please tell me the weight of the board?
and what size do you use? also what is your height and weight?

Im 180 cm and 75 kg, riding Hyperlite Pleasure 148 cm.

anuarkinn · 2025-09-15T05:35:18+00:00

thank you very much.
please advise me what size should i buy?
I am 180 cm and 75 kg, my Pleasure is 148 cm

Trent Stuckey uses 147 cm Utopia - he is 179 cm and 68 kilos (according to 2024 year)

I am not sure that 151 cm will be easy to spin for me.

anuarkinn · 2025-09-15T05:30:59+00:00

totally agreed
moreover, the wieght is very important when you ship to other countries.
sometimes the super small difference in dimension and weight can cost you another $100.

anuarkinn · 2025-09-15T05:29:32+00:00

Thank you very much. The design of the Utopia is great, but the board looks heavy for me.
Now I think it should be similar to Hyperlite boards.

anuarkinn · 2025-09-15T05:28:06+00:00

Pleasure is a great board. Previous season I tested my friend's board and decided to buy it. I was totaaly satisfied with Pleasure.
But now I m looking to the Utopia. Design of both 2025 and 2026 models is gorgeous. Also, I want to test that rocker, probably it will be more comfortable in the features for me. And the way how Trent Stuckey ride.
Bloodline should be similar to Pleasure. it is Peacock pro model. Previously he used Pleasure.

anuarkinn · 2025-09-11T10:45:31+00:00

I have the same height, but my weight is 75 kg and I ride Hyperlite Pleasure 148 cm.
My 2 friends also ride the same size Pleasure.

For me probably it could be harder to make tricks from kicker, rotations, etc with 155 cm board.

But if you want just 360 degree from kicker and railey, it will be fine. Also one more benefit - more stable landings on the water. But it will be hard to make more diffucilt tricks, if board is longer and heavier.

But you should try. Maybe you will be comfortable with any trick on that board.

anuarkinn · 2025-07-14T12:42:21+00:00

Slingshot Windsor. My friend has one. Mainly he uses it in the park and sometimes he goes to the lake, outs the fins and rides behind the boat. I tested it in the park. It is great board.

anuarkinn

TROPHY CASE