Th3Pr1de

Hey guys, looking to get into commuting. I have a route laid out that is about 8.3 miles long and I'm in TN so everything is hilly. With any luck tomorrow I'll be picking up a Schwinn Traveller from Craigslist to use as my commuter bike, I've spoke to their person and had them send several pics of different components it looks like a good bike and hopefully tomorrow it'll ride well. So my question is, what do you guys recommend buying first? (I have some lighting already) so should I focus on getting some bags and storage stuff or focus on getting new tires and grips and stuff?

Also, would love any recommendations on budget gear you recommend.

Thanks!

Jaywalk3r

Flat resistant tires. My experience with Schwalbe Marathons has been excellent- 4 punctures in ~25,000 miles, YMMV.

Rear rack and panniers. My Axiom rear panniers are budget class, but have been surprisingly durable, outlasting a (supposedly) higher quality pair for the front, and still going strong. Panniers are much more comfortable than backpacks or messenger bags.

I can't say enough good things about my Brooks saddle. It remained comfortable even through high mileage days on tour. You'll know soon enough if replacing your saddle is a priority!

Th3Pr1de

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking into these right now.

One more question, any suggestion on a repair kit to buy on Amazon or is it better to just buy a bag and add your own tools?

Darth Lefty 

These are the universal challenges. A lot of them are really the same as a car, when you think about it. There's an endless variety of solutions, in all styles and price levels. (My coworker has titanium tire levers!) You need to prepare, or have a backup plan, for...

• Being on time and being presentable
• Storage and lockup
• Hauling stuff
• Darkness
• Inclement weather
• Flats, adjustments, breakdowns

Jaywalk3r

I just pieced together a tool kit myself (without any combo tools). It lives in my pannier full time. A patch kit, tire levers, a set of allen keys, and a spare tube is probably enough, assuming the wheels are quick release. (If not, an appropriately sized wrench is needed.)

Darth Lefty raises an important point about being able to lock it up. I'd recommend at least a high quality U-lock or bike-specific chain. I use a U-lock in combination with a thick cable lock (with its own padlock), but that would probably be insufficient in a high crime area. Note that any cable lock is easily defeated with tools available from Walmart, so don't rely on a cable lock alone, except perhaps in very low crime areas. Some brands to consider: Kryptonite, Abus, OnGuard. Avoid cheap department store locks and hardware store chains. Online bike shop clearance sales might be a good way to source a lock inexpensively.

Jaywalk3r

Almost forgot …

Fenders are important for a commuter bike, unless you live in the desert. I'd strongly recommend SKS Longboards, since I'm unaware of any others that provide similar coverage, e.g., keeping your feet and drivetrain dry, without modification.

WinNT

I think the best option is to start commuting and then think what else you want to have (apart from a tube and some tools). I usually can fit everything i need into my backpack. But some place to keep some tools on the bike, might be nice.
I used to go similar distance with spare inner-tube, pump, hex keys and a screw driver. Expecting that i would not have more than one puncture. A kit with patches can deal with more.
Also you may need a lock.

dim

1st thing, is get decent tyres that will offer good puncture resistance. The Schwalbe Marathon Plus are bomb proof but if you want thinner faster slicker tyres, get the Schwalbe Durano Plus .... they have a puncture resistance of 6, grip well in the wet and dry and last long. You can get them up to a 28mm size

2nd thing, look at Fenders. Nothing worse that getting to work and your back is plastered in mud

3rd thing, get a decent saddle. A good cheapish one is a Charge Spoon. If you want leather, Brooks B17, and if you are loaded and want the best, get a Giles Berthoud Aravis, and if you opt for leather, get a cover for when it rains

4th thing, get a back rack with pannier bags .... makes life easy and you don't strain your back with heavy things, and you can carry lots and even do the daily shopping

also get Strava .... you can get then free version and it makes riding fun as you can monitor your progress and monitor your rides against others

most importantly, get 2 decent D-locks (Gold rated) if you are parking your bike in a public place. One lock for the back wheel, through the frame and onto the bike rack, 2nd one through the front wheel and onto the frame

loads more, but thats the main points .... you will also need a jacket that is warm, and waterproof. Proviz make the Reflect switch which has hi viz for day and night

10 Wheels

Two spare tubes and a spare folding tire.

dim

you don't need them if you are using Marathon plus or Durano Plus

tsl

Darth covered the major bullet points well. What you choose to meet them is largely a matter of budget and personal preference.

Myself, I'd recommend puncture-resistant tires, a good lock, and something to carry your work clothes because in TN you're going to sweat going to work. Nobody wants to work with that stinky guy who rode his bike to work.

You may already own a backpack, and a lock and chain, so you might be able to get by with only buying puncture-resistant tires to start.

The big thing is to keep it cheap to start, just in case it doesn't work out for you. I know a ton of people who started out with good intentions (One told me, "I wanna be just like you!") then for whatever reason it didn't take. Then they're left with all sorts of expensive accessories they'll never use, and that won't even sell at garage sales.

I started out exactly that way, then figured out what works for me (and what didn't) from all the sometimes conflicting advice I got here. It was several months before I got fenders and a rack and bags to replace the backpack. But without puncture-resistant tires, a lock, and the backpack, I would never have gotten that far.

The whole kit and caboodle can be overwhelming too, so start with the basics, see if bike commuting is right for you, then if the answer is "Yes", build on that.

As for your question about toolkits, start with only some tire levers.

In 10 years and nearing 50,000 miles of cycling--mainly bike commuting--I've never used any other tool on the road. Just tire levers. Although one time I could have used a chain tool. But all that crap they package in those kits will only take up space, weight and lighten your wallet.

That said, there are others here who would feel very uncomfortable travelling that light, without a full toolkit and even some spare parts, (or spare tires). That's what I mean about it being a matter of personal preference.

Me? I do my maintenance at home so I don't have to do it on the road. Others want to be prepared for the apocalypse before leaving the house. There's no right or wrong, just what works for you.

baron von trail 

Cool. Good luck!

Recommendations: Cycle in bike shorts and use quick dry shirts. Carry work clothes. Best is to store them at work, if you can, so as not to carry them back and forth everyday. Other than that, you'll learn as you go. No need to overwhelm you with info on your first day.

Jaywalk3r

Or even original Marathons.

Jaywalk3r

For most people, showering before they ride in is plenty sufficient to avoid being "that stinky guy." Sweat doesn't stink; bacteria stinks. A freshly showered body doesn't have much bacteria on it, and air conditioning will dry sweat quickly. And an 8 mile commute isn't far, well under an hour at a relaxed pace. If one has a job that allows them to wear clothes that are comfortable enough to ride in, there's no reason they shouldn't do so. One of the great things about bikes is that they can be safely ridden "as you are," with no special clothing or equipment.

BobbyG

I've been seriously bike commuting for 25 years, and I understand budget constraints. If you're gonna ride in traffic you may want a mirror (or mirrors). I had been using handlebar-mounted mirrors, but when I discovered the glasses-mounted take-a-look mirror ($14-$20 bucks), I discovered a whole new kind of confidence in traffic. Being able to see behind me the same as when driving really helps in terms of safety.

Inexpensive non-flat resistant tires work fine when tire-liners are used. That's what I do. Since I began using Mr. Tuffy's tire liners (under $25) a few years ago I have had only one puncture through the tread. (Okay, last winter I splurged and bought studded-snow and ice tires for one of my bikes, but I bought them for in the summer for 50% off).

And sometime back around 1994 I discovered the AirZound Airhorn. It's as loud as and sounds like a compressed air sports or boating horn, but you pump it up with your bicycle pump. I believe there are a couple three brands now including Delta. I think the one I bought last year on Amazon.com was around $32...but worth it!

As others have pointed out there is no end to the gear, but if you read through this forum, you should get a good idea of the basics and what may work for you, and how others have found inexpensive solutions.

You know, just yesterday I rode my 33-year-old road bike to work. It has Bell lights from Wal-Mart, an air-horn (and a Bell bell from Wal-Mart for pedestrians), a small Bell frame pump from Wal-Mart, and a Bell saddlebag from Wal-Mart with a spare innertube and patch kit, and a Bell toolkit from Wal-Mart No fenders and no rack. WHen I ride this bike I wear my backpack (and my Bell helmet from Walmart) and I do just fine. My main commuter has fenders and a rack, my older mountain-bike based commuter has fenders, a rack and folding baskets. But really, in dry weather, to get to work and back (8.6 miles each way for me) that's what I rode yesterday. And I have been caught out in the rain while riding it and lived to tell a soggy tale. The fenders are mainly to keep you and the bike and gears clean and dry in wet, damp puddly weather, because when it's actually raining, fenders or not, you and the bike will get wet.

Good luck, be safe and don't get discouraged. Remember: The riding gets easier, and you get smarter about it.

And oh, yeah...have fun!

baron von trail 

In Tennessee, where it's almost always hot and humid, plus quite hilly, I'd suggest not trying to ride in the same clothes you have to wear all day. And, certainly not cotton.

Jaywalk3r

I live in a state next door, in the same climate, with similar terrain. We're talking about an eight mile commute, not an intensive workout. It's absolutely no big deal, and quite easy to do without smelling offensive afterward.

Darth Lefty 

I guess I wouldn't go out and spend $200 on stuff for a probably $100 40yo Schwinn Traveler.

Darth Lefty 

That's funny, the last time I went to TN we had to scratch the project because of the blizzard

flyerguy

I live in Minnesota, where it's low humidity most of the time and almost totally flat, and I commute 10 miles one way, and I'm VERY sweaty when I get in whenever it's over 60 degrees or so, and I don't bike particularly fast (13-14 mph). If I wore my work clothes, I'd have to worry about them being drenched and dealing with soggy underwear all morning as much as I would be worried about being smelly. It's really dependent on the person - some people are just naturally more sweaty. I used to live in Alabama and can't even imagine bike commuting in my work clothes here let alone in that climate!

My tips are to shower before the ride and keep baby wipes at the office. Baby wipes are clutch after a commute on a hot day. For me, I love when my commute is around 40-45 degrees. :-)

Jaywalk3r

It's a commute, not a workout. 13-14 mph is pretty fast for utility cycling (which includes bicycle commuting). Slowing down a little bit will drastically reduce your required power output. Fast commutes are for prime bicycle season, i.e., winter.

I've lived and ridden in many states and cities in the southeastern quarter of the US, including spending ten years in Florida. I've never felt a need to change clothes after a commute. Nor have I ever received any indication from friends or coworkers, including office mates who would not have hesitated to say bring the matter to my attention if necessary, that I smelled odorous. A shower each morning before I leave (along with not treating the ride into work as an intensive workout) is all that's necessary. I'm no sweatier after a summer commute in 90º+, high humidity weather than I would be after a walk from the parking lot to the door. In either case, air conditioning makes quick work of the evaporation.

The only "bicycle commuters" I've known who don't simply ride in their regular clothes are the ones who use their commute as an excuse to get in a recreational ride; those folks tend to wear lycra costumes. That's a whole different matter. Regular commuters, the kind ride bikes because it's the most practical tool for the job, and who would fit in well in any city in which typical people typically cycle, all seem to wear their regular clothes on their bikes, providing no clue off the bike, visual, scented, or otherwise, that they arrived under their own power.

TenSpeedV2

It is so funny to read these threads. I say that because I rode to work today, 8.5 miles each way to be exact. No fenders, no panniers, no racks, no rear view mirror, no horn, no bell, no safety vest, no saddle bags, no bar bags, and no nonsense.

Lights go on at night, they aren't even on the bike during the day. Work clothes carefully rolled up tightly and put in my messenger bag along with a small pump and spare tube and one lever and a small multi tool. Garmin EDGE 810 on the stem to track miles, speed, time, elevation, etc. That's it. 2 miles on an MUP, the rest on neighborhood roads and some heavier travelled lower speed roads. U lock and heavy cable are already locked up at the rack at work. Deodorant and body spray are in my small locker at work.

No need to over complicate a commute. Get on the bike and pedal.

Jaywalk3r

It all depends on whether one has (and, in the OP's case, plans to keep) other commuting options. For recreational commuting, I've no doubt your way works fine. Personally, I'm happily car-free. But there would be a lot less happiness in that decision if I hadn't "over complicated" things, like ditching a wearable bag in favor of panniers, adding fenders to stay dry, etc. Such things make the trip much more pleasant and the bike much more useful.

I do, however, do away with the nonsense of extra clothes. They're just not necessary. The time saved not having to cool down and change clothes more than makes up for the slight speed decrease that prevents their need. And having a rack and panniers makes the bike useful enough that I can stop off on the way home for groceries, a case of beer, or most anything else the average person going home from work might expect to stop and pick up along the way. "Over complicating" things makes it possible for me to save several thousand dollars annually in transportation costs.

Jim from Boston

Last year I started a thread, “Describe your commute," and set up this format below, to describe the entire cycle-commuting experience, FWIW. There were about four pages of replies.

I would stress this one piece of advice.

WinNT

Yes, that is why, my advise was to start riding and think what you need. Everybody needs different.