I picked up a bike off Craigslist during COVID to get out and get some fresh air and exercise. Since going back to work (and that work being WFH) I haven’t ridden in over a year. The weather is starting to get really nice and I want to start doing weekend rides to exercise more and build up stamina. It’s been a long while since I’ve maintained a bike, and I’m hoping some more experienced people here can offer advise/recommendations.
[Here’s the bike and pictures of the tire text](https://imgur.com/a/wdnMVaC).
What I’d like to get/install myself in the next week or so is fresh tires and everything needed to install them. I think the chain is in good shape and rode well, but recommendations for chain lubricant is appreciated. When I lived in Florida I had a local shop that never steered me wrong, but every place I’ve checked out here (NJ/NYC area) seems to either try and upsell me on a new bike or just not be interested in helping at all.
**TL;DR**
What I’d love your recommendations for:
* New tires (and help identifying the right ones to order)
* Kit or tools required to install them myself
* Chain lubricant
* Portable/compact pump that won’t break the bank (manual is fine, automatic would be rad though)
Thanks for reading!
EDIT: Ooh, forgot to mention road conditions where I ride. Potholes and debris are numerous and everywhere. It’s urban biking to a T, so sturdy/resilient tires are a requirement. I’m cool carrying a spare and the pump. But if I can avoid it, I’d obviously prefer not getting a flat on the Brooklyn Bridge.
EDIT 2: Unsure if relevant, but the bike is a steel frame and I’m ~175lb.
by iprizefighter
2 Comments
I know you came here looking for advice about tires but that frame is too small for you. I will not make assumptions about your financial ability to purchase one but I strongly recommend saving up for one. This whole sub has tons of resources specifically for that.
Tires: I commute daily in Philly, littered with broken glass and trash. I used to blow a tire every 1-2 months until I got Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tires. They are expensive but I’ve ridden them for over 1500 miles and not one flat.
Tools: I purchased a [Dewalt tool](https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Mechanics-Socket-108-Piece-DWMT73801/dp/B00U0P0GHM?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1) set which covers almost everything you need besides some odd bike-specific tools. Also some tire levers, honestly any on Amazon would work.