Shopping List

[pastymage]

Here's the bike I ended up going with...aluminum frame and less "it just randomly fell apart and I almost died" reviews than the $90 one.

The kit has arrived as well, and I'm starting my shopping for things I need, just wanted to double-check with you guys.

Here's the crank with the cap and nut removed:

So I'm going to need this: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Puller-Square-Cranks/dp/B001VS1M20/ref=sr_1_10?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1329229589&sr=1-10
or this: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Compact-Crank-Puller/dp/B0028YUZSS/ref=sr_1_11?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1329229589&sr=1-11

The latter requires wrenches (or an adjustable). I have sockets and pliers, but no actual wrenches - am I going to need one or more of those for the stem stuff anyway, so I can just get the slightly cheaper crank puller and wrenches? Or is the one-piece puller worth the extra buck for sturdiness?

And what *do* I need, wrench-wise, or can I get away with big pliers for the whole thing?

Here's the front fork and stem:

Closer view of top parts:

I still don't fully understand the stem adapter stuff - do I have a normal one and need an adapter, or not? If I do, is there a difference between: http://www.amazon.com/Profile-Design-Threadless-Converter-8-Inch/dp/B0029TF7VC/ref=pd_sbs_sg_2
and
http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Threadless-Bicycle-Headset-Adapter/dp/B000FGYKY6/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1329229185&sr=1-5 ?

For tires I'm looking at these:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Commuter-Recumbant-Bicycle-Pressure/dp/B000C15E1W/ref=sr_1_2?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1329231540&sr=1-2 - the 26x1.5 high-pressure ones.
(and this: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TR-1-Tire-Repair/dp/B000AO7K0E/ref=sr_1_5?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1329229547&sr=1-5 )
Though there are other cheaper tires: http://www.amazon.com/Rubena-Bicycle-Flash-Tire-26x1-5/dp/B005FKPV0O/ref=sr_1_3?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1329232144&sr=1-3 and some others that don't have PSI listed. Speaking of which, I suppose I need to get a pump with a PSI gauge, then? This is the cheapest one I could find that didn't have tons of horror-story reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Serfas-TCPG-Bicycle-Floor-Pump/dp/B001MK3GFS/ref=sr_1_3?s=bikes-scooters&ie=UTF8&qid=1329233274&sr=1-3 Anything better and/or cheaper?

For tubes, am I just using the ones that came with the bike, or do I need new ones (or spares anyway)? There seem to be roughly a billion on Amazon - any recommendations (Prime preferred)?

What do you guys prefer for mirrors - bar-end ones, helmet-mounted, eyeglass-mounted?
http://www.amazon.com/Third-Eye-Bar-Bicycle-Mirror/dp/B001600YZ4/ref=sr_1_4?s=bikes-scooters&ie=UTF8&qid=1329233549&sr=1-4
http://www.amazon.com/Third-Eye-Round-Helmet-Mirror/dp/B0012OKAZS/ref=sr_1_5?s=bikes-scooters&ie=UTF8&qid=1329233995&sr=1-5

And this, of course: http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Intercept-Adult-Bicycle-Helmet/dp/B0017RAMCQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=bikes-scooters&ie=UTF8&qid=1329233680&sr=1-7

I think that's it, did I miss anything? As is, looks like this is going to blow through the $100 GC I got for my birthday and then some...

-Dave

 

[John Tolhurst]

http://cruzbike.com/search/no

http://cruzbike.com/search/node/ahead%20quill

In these pages will be photos of how to replace the stem with the ahead adapter.

 

[pastymage]

Other questions

Thanks for that link to the search page, but none of those threads actually seem to show pictures of the installation process, just the adapter itself.

Wikipedia came through with this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_(bicycle_part)#Quill_stems which seems to make it clear that I do have a quill, so that much is answered at least.

Oh, and I forgot to add this to the list: http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-SW75249-6PK-Bicycle-Chain/dp/B001QXJ916/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1329316857&sr=1-4

Since this whole experience is going to be a learning process for me, I'm going to document the hell out of it with photos - best case, it ends up making things easier for others in the future, worst case, the photos can help you guys figure out exactly where I made some sort of horrible error.

Anyway, any thoughts on my other questions (difference between adapters, difference between crank tools, wrenches vs pliers, tires, tubes, mirrors...)?

-Dave

 

[pastymage]

One more

Extra "rear" cable:
http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Bicycle-Brake-Cable-Black/dp/B000AOA182/ref=sr_1_5?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1329318285&sr=1-5

This is because with the extended height of the handlebars, the existing front brake cable will be too short, right?

-Dave

 

[John Tolhurst]

Richard's bicycle book

Most of your questions are about bicycle mechanics rather than cruzbikes per se. Perhaps a good bicycle mechanic's manual would be a good investment? Something like this for example, a second hand one can be had quite cheaply. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richards-21st-Century-Bicycle-Book/dp/0330377175 Come to think of it, I had one of the copies of this book when I was 10. I remember it said bells were good, and shouting can be even more colourful.