Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Commuting! oh noes!

How many of you guys and gals commute on your fixies? I may have to start and Im wondering what are good things to have/bring/outfit your bike with.

The bike is a Nishiki conversion, the rear is a Deep V laced to a Nahsbar fixed fixed hub, shadow conspiracy chain, and the stock crank/double rings.

the front is whatever quickrelease was on the bike when I got it. Something old, and it makes a lot of noise...

I have a front brake and some chopped bullhorns.

What would you suggest to help out my commute? Its 12 miles each way, the only really hilly part is the last mile on my way home. Right now im running 42/17. But that is subject to change once I get new cranks.

thanks a lot!

Honestly, just do it. You'll quickly figure out what you need, what you don't need, and what needs to be changed. Maybe try the commute on a weekend once or twice to get a feel for it, plan your route, etc. (Assuming you don't bike commute already.)

never say "oh noes" ever again

Check out the commuting forum. Lots of good ideas and advice there about lights, fenders, racks, bags, blinkies, dork bands, helmet mirrors, dealing with clothing and showering issues. The total Fred package.

(Disclaimer: my commute bike is an '89 Trek 660 FG conversion (42x16), full fenders, two brakes.)

lights (I like the Planet Bike Superflash quite a bit)
good lock(s)
fenders

Pretty much in that order.

I bring the usual tools and mini pump plus lunch and a thermos of coffee. Learning to dress for the weather is the trickiest part. I like a windbreaker and a few layers under. I commute in "normal" clothes but a cap and arm warmers are nice to have in your bag just in case the temperature drops.

Check the commuting forum for more tips too. Lots of experienced folks over there.

Right on thanks! I can keep the bike inside (I work retail, so I can stick it in the lunchroom).

Other than that I'll just try it out and see what happens. Thanks again!

Inside bike parking = sweet. I still lock my rear wheel to the frame just in case.

Things that have improved my commute significantly:

waterproof Ortlieb panniers
rechargable light
sks fenders
bright yellow waterproof jacket (still I get hit???)
more tools than you think you will need

How many of you guys and gals commute on your fixies? I may have to start and Im wondering what are good things to have/bring/outfit your bike with.

The bike is a Nishiki conversion, the rear is a Deep V laced to a Nahsbar fixed fixed hub, shadow conspiracy chain, and the stock crank/double rings.

the front is whatever quickrelease was on the bike when I got it. Something old, and it makes a lot of noise...

I have a front brake and some chopped bullhorns.

What would you suggest to help out my commute? Its 12 miles each way, the only really hilly part is the last mile on my way home. Right now im running 42/17. But that is subject to change once I get new cranks.

thanks a lot!

12 Miles---no prob. If you are going to seriously commute, you need to be visible--I don't go all full blown dork lighting--but a front, rear and some reflective vest or reflective material on your bag. You'll need a bag with change of clothes, etc. Other than that, the whole point of commuting on a fixed is that you dont have to "outfit" your bike with a whole lot of sheat. If you bike has two tires and a chain and goes forward when you pedal, you are pretty much covered. Maybe a cheap plastic clip on fender at the rear for those rainy days. If you have a leather saddle, tie a shower cap or plastic gocery bag to the underside of the street.

Having a lock is good unless you have indoor parkng available.

Oh, and you should prob get a frame pump (not a little crummy hand pump) and bring along a multi-tool to change a flat, remove your rear wheel, etc.

i commute by bike (when i have a job :(). actually, i do everything by bike since my car broke down and i had to sell it. i ride an old peugeot conversion that's been surprisingly sturdy. i have a large mess bag (the kemmer special) for carrying my stuff. for work i would take an extra shirt (in case i got sweaty), a hoodie and gloves in case it got cold while i was inside, my lock, other personal stuff, and my tool bag.

the tool bag is one of those zippered bank bags, and i keep tire tools, an extra tube, hand pump, multitool, 15mm wrench, small adjustable wrench, knife, $20 for a cab ride in an emergency (well, i spent the $20, but i left myself an IOU) and a spare red blinky light.

i keep a red blinky light attached to my seat post, but i keep the spare to clip on my bag if i'm riding in the dark and it's raining or foggy. i also keep a little yellow rain jacket in one of the interior pockets, folded up all nice and neat, as well as a couple of extra rags and a bandanna to cover my face/neck when it's really f'ing cold.

obviously a bunch of this stuff i can take out to save space when i go grocery shopping, but for commuting or daily riding, i don't want to be caught without something when i need it. and it doesn't really weight all that much, and the bag has stayed comfortable no matter how it's loaded most of the time.

mace
knife
46x15
ditch the brake
tools/flat kit/pump

if that front wheel is crappy like it sounds... replace it
replacing those cranks and chainrings for a stronger track setup is a great idea

after a while those 12 miles will feel like nothing

what city u in?

I have some vans messenger bag I got for $20. haha. it kinda works. For everyday riding I hav my lock, multi-tool, Topeak pump, couple wrenches, allen set, tire levers, and a chain tool.

I need to make some pockets to keep it a little more organized, but I think it could get the job done for now.

I'm not going to need to use it for grocery shopping and stuff right now, just back and forth to work. Hopefully if my schedule keeps up I'll keep working during the day, but its hard to say with retail...

I am in Sedro-Woolley, its about an hour north or Seattle... Washington that is...

commuting? oh yeses!

when locking up inside stick your u-lock through your rear wheel and seat tube... if you can get the c-ring and a crankarm in there too you're golden and no one can **** with your bike too bad.

i lock mine like that in my house all the time... don't want some drunk ******* friend to think he can ride my bike when he really can't.

Granola bars.

i usually outfit my fixie with a battering ram in case some other commuted decides to get in my way.

I would get some good socks and keep some Old Spice in your office.

For roadside repair purposes --

Minimum: a basic multi-tool, pump, tube / patch kit, good tire levers, wrench to remove wheel (as necessary), zip ties.
More hardcore: spoke wrench, chain breaker.
Insane: first aid kit, extra brake cable, spare spokes, spare tire, spare pedals, hubs, wheel truing stand, etc.

The minimum repair kit will prevent you from having to walk if something stupid happens -- like your handlebars loosen up or your seat post suddenly drops or whatever. And it's not just that you haven't kept up with bicycle maintenance: you never know what idiot with an allen wrench will fudge with your ride when you're not looking.

*Good* tire levers. My tire / rim combo is pretty tight, so levers are essential. Cheap levers will snap and all of the force that you were exerting on the lever will suddenly be exerted on your knuckles, courtesy of spoke nipples. Does that sound like experience talking? Yep. Let's just say I should have gotten the $2 levers.

Now go read everything you can in the Commuting forum. Figure out the rest as you go.

I commute into the city of seattle (bout 17 miles each way) and i would say aside from the normal lights/clothes etc.. .my suggestion would be either full fenders in the winter, or at a removable rear fender, and some ultra gatorskin tires + that puncture stripping to help prevent punch throughs... really, for me it all about avoiding flats since i commute at 4:30am and changing a tire in the dark, when it's 30 degrees. sucksmuch@ss... good tires are the #1 if you have to travel on city/industrial roads that are awash with bolts, glass, steel belt threads, + seattle potholes.

keep it basic... just remember your chain... unless your office/building is laid back and you can bring your bike into the office...

comfortable clothes, safety stuff, tools and tubes, and this rain jacket. its the best thing ive bought (well was given for christmas). http://internationalbike.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=1&id=4206

There are some really good recommendations here. I always carry a spare tube, 15 mm wrench (for wheel removal), tire levers, pump (Topeak Road Morph), sunglasses, a hat, and a cell phone. If the weather is foul, I recommend fenders and a change of clothes. Powerful lights (Dinotte Dual 5W LED) are essential if I am out when it's dark.

There are some really good recommendations here. I always carry a spare tube, 15 mm wrench (for wheel removal), tire levers, pump (Topeak Road Morph), sunglasses, a hat, and a cell phone. If the weather is foul, I recommend fenders and a change of clothes. Powerful lights (Dinotte Dual 5W LED) are essential if I am out when it's dark.

You sound like me

I had a 12 mile commute then I was teaching in atlanta. All I took with me were tools to remove the wheel, levers, tube, CO2 and a patch kit. All the other crap is stuff you pick up if you decide you need it. Depending on the availability of public transit, I take more or less. If I'm in the middle of nowhere I'll add another tube and a minipump just in case.

Worst case, 12 miles is walkable.

Your bike sounds similar to mine. Keep a brake on there. Seriously consider adding punture-resistant tires (I use 28 continental contacts) and front/rear lights (Enough to be seen, not deer shiners). These additions, plus whatever you need to fix a flat, and you will save yourself a lot of headaches on the road. Also, think about what you need when you get to work: change of clothes, towel, deodorant, wet wipes, etc. I'm a minimalist so I'm not a huge fan of commuter-specific bikes, fancy bike specific clothing, messenger bag/panniers, fenders, reflective gear. Give me a bike, my old backpack and helmet and I'm set.

I do almost 6 miles each way. I love it, uphill in the mornings means I have an awesome return trip a 5 each day. I keep a spare tube, levers, 15mm, allen set, Co2 pump, rain jacket, and usually some sort of granola, candy bar, or peanuts in my bag at all times. Depending on the weather I'll bring a change of clothes in case I get all sweaty and gross. I always have a fender on my bike. I wear a front and rear blinky and when I have it I attach a blinky to my hat because I feel safer if I can look right at someone and know that they have seen my lights.

When I first started making the commute it was sometimes dreaded, but the more I do it the more I look foward to doing it. Besides, science has proven that bicycle commuting is at least 9 times more fun than being in a car.

Get a rear rack, and some small panniers. For the commuter, they are better than a messenger bag, they don't leave you with a sweaty back.

Full fenders are great, too. I have SKS raceblade partial fenders on my Pista, and they work acceptably.

I live on campus at my school, so it's never a far ride going to class/work, but I always keep my multi-tool with me, and if I had some sort of smaller pump(come to think of it I need to buy a pump in general) I'd bring that, tire levers, and an extra tube or a patch kit.

A presta to schraeder adapter is also good to have in the tool pouch.

My commute is a measly 3.5 miles each way but it starts right off with a big-arse hill that gets me all sweaty. In this cold weather, I can take the hill slow and be okay but when it warms up I'll be a stinky mess by the time I get to work so I've decided to do the ultimate Fred move and WALK the dang hill.

When spring and summer get here, I'll still have to do the paper towel bath when I get to work; ain't no deodorant powerful enough to overcome Alabama heat and humidity.

I have the under-saddle bag that holds tools, tube, patch kit; a rack and some plastic fenders that I usually have off. Blinkies on the front bars and a Planet Bike blinkie for the rear.

I find that yelling at the crackheads usually gets them out of the way in the mornings. In the afternoon I brandish the frame pump. They show respect.