Commuting - New bike specification, any advice?

Hello all, I'm new to the bike forums - please be gentle! I used to cycle to school every day - but haven't for the past few years. I'm about to start a new job, living a few miles away from work. My workplace has excellent cycle facilities.

Soooo... I'm gonna buy a new bike, really as an alternative to owning a car. This is what I plan to buy - does anyone have any advice or recommendations about this kit? I'm fairly certain about the bike, as I've tried a couple out and really like it.

Ridgeback Switch Nemesis (http://www.ridgebackbikes.co.uk/bikes/bike.asp?bikeID=117) - Medium, 19" Frame
Cateye HL-EL400 (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=18&catId=7&subCatId=2) COMPACT OPTICUBE Front Light
Cateye TL-LD600 (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=26&catId=7&subCatId=4) Rear Light
Cateye Mity-8 (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=6&catId=6&subCatId=0) Computer
Kryptonite Kryptolok (http://www.biketrax.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b37s93p682)
Mudguards - any ideas?
Rear Rack and Panniers - any ideas? I'd like panniers that are easily detachable.
Pump + repair kit - any ideas?

and some clothing...
Jersey
Mitts
Helmet

One other question - I'm about 5'10, 5'11. I tried the 17" frame in the shop and I'm pretty sure it was too small really - so I think I'm just gonna order the 19". Does this sound right?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Lights:
Get the El-500 for the front. I have the 400 and its not good for much more than blinking so other see you. But the 500 is supposed to be MUCH brighter. It's on my short list.
For the rear, get the LD1000. I have it and it is CRAZY BRIGHT! Two banks of LED's that work independently of each other and side visibility. Can't go wrong with that one.

The best bang for the buck computer that I've found is Planet Bike Protege. It's wired, but it works great, almost everything you need to see is on one screen, no buttons. And it's cheap!

Locks: Also look at Onguard

Fenders: Planet Bike Freddy Fenders

Rack: Old Man Mountain. Tough and they even work with disc brakes.
Panniers: Look at Arkel. I have The Bug which is a pannier that converts to a back pack and I have the Tail Rider which is a sleek trunk bag. Both remove quickly and easily.

Topeak makes nice pumps. Look at Co2 pumps and cartridges but make those an addition, not your only option.

For jerseys for commuting, go to walmart and get any t-shirt made out of the wicking material. It's the same stuff you just won't have the pockets in back.

And that frame size should be ok for you. My Gary Fisher is a 17" and I'm 5'8". Also, have a larger frame will allow you to raise the handlebars more (they raise and come towards you at that angle) which will allow a more upright riding position which will be more comfortable.

One other question - I'm about 5'10, 5'11. I tried the 17" frame in the shop and I'm pretty sure it was too small really - so I think I'm just gonna order the 19". Does this sound right?



2 people can be of the exact same hieght, but due to different body porportions, can require different size frames. I would first try to convince the shop to get you a 19'' to try first. Since frame geometries don't change from year to year that can even be an older model. How they handle your perfectly reasonable request would tell me a lot about whether I would want to buy any bike from them :). If that doesn't work at least try a similar bike in that size.

You are probably right that the next size up is what you need but why not go the extra mile first?

Lights: get as good as you can afford if you'll be riding a lot at night.

Pump: I like my Topeak Mountain Morph. I think the most important feature is a flezible hose. It's a lot easier to damage your stem with a minipump.

Fenders: I like my SKS fenders. They've survived a brutal winter, a couple wipe outs, as well as racoon attack (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=1287628&highlight=Raccoon#post1287628).

I put more of my thoughts in the "Advice for New Commuters (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=90213)" thread.

Enjoy your commute!

Jerseys: Read this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=127812).

Thank you very much for the advice so far, such a great community here - I expect it's because you're all cyclists :)

I think when I buy the bike, I'll see what kind of deal they'll do me. If I can get them to give me a good discount for buying everything together from them, I will go for the El-510 and the LD1000 for the lights. This bike is really an alternative to owning a car, so I'm happy to spend a bit extra on the extras.

Am I missing anything?

Am I missing anything?
Helmet?

Otherwise, I think you have the basics covered--lights, pump, lock, even a computer, and of course the great new bike.

After a few weeks you will probably think of other things you want, but there doesn't seem to be anything else that you need.

Yeah, as for a helmet - I think I'll just have to get that when I get the bike, as I'll need to try a few on. Any brands to avoid?

I was looking at the Giro website - i like the look of them, but as I say - I suppose how they fit is more important really!

If I can get them to give me a good discount for buying everything together from them, I will go for the El-510 and the LD1000 for the lights.

Don't cheap out on the safety gear. Those two lights should be the MINIMUM you look at as far as brightness. And you are literally only talking a few bucks difference in price. They are both an awesome value in battery operated lighting.

Also, think about some reflective tape on the bike, your clothing, helmet and/or your bags.

Oh--get some simple tools. Just allen wrenches, pliers, screw driver and especially tube repair kit and a spare inner tube. The salesman can tell you the right sizes.

One problem with modern commuter setups is having to remove lots of stuff whenever you lock your bike. I prefer to mount things more permanantly.
Some racks come with a rear plate which you can use to bolt on a European-style LED lamp. This is a great location and it is also fairly thief-proof.
SKS fenders have a safety release on the front stays which really works. I wouldnt use anything else.Computers are a waste of time on a commuter (unless you use the ride to train). More clutter and distraction, more stuff to remove/lose.
Commuter panniers need to have a quick mounting/locking system, not a hook-and-elastic.
If you need to carry a wrench for the rear wheel, I suggest you use a ring, not a crescent style. I bought one quality at a junk shop, long enough to give good leverage.

Oh--get some simple tools. Just allen wrenches, pliers, screw driver and especially tube repair kit and a spare inner tube. The salesman can tell you the right sizes.

I also suggest getting a few spare valves and a valve remover...a lot of slow leaks actually occur in the valve from wear. They only cost maybe $1.00 a piece at the MOST and it's better than throwing out a perfectly good tube (even though they are pretty cheap too).

bluecat--Sometimes we love bikes so much that we tend to add on lots of equipment and ideas that a newbie really doesn't need and can't use. I have accumulated lots of bike stuff, but all I had when I started out was a $30 used (abused, really) mountain bike. That's all I needed, and all I could handle, for the first few months. I think most commuters would agree that you already have everything you really need:


A bike
Lights
Helmet
Lock


Now I would suggest that you concentrate on becoming a good cyclist and having some fun on your cool new bike.

Nice bike. Any idea if they export to America?

As for fenders/racks,does the bike have eyelets? From what I could see in the one pic,it didn't look like it had any on the fork,and I couldn't tell if there were some on the back. I don't think Freddy Fenders will work;I didn't see any eyelets on the front. You may need to go with MTB fenders. The rear will mount off the seatpost,the front will mount in the plug in the underside of the fork. As for a rack,if there's no rear eyelets,you may have to go with a seatpost mount,which will also take care of most of the rear fender duties.

I had to get creative with my Giant. I mounted a set of Topeak DeFenders(http://www.topeak.com/products/fender_001.html) and then strapped mudflaps to the seattube and downtube to catch the spray the fenders missed.