mcoomer

Hello all,
I've just picked up my first road bike and wanted to introduce myself. I've been riding mountain bikes and kept hearing how road biking would increase my stamina so I started looking around and when the Specialized demo van rolled up at the shop I checked out a Tarmac. 25 miles later I came in and bought one. I've got a Tarmac Pro that is essentially stock with Specialized Bar Phat tape in black and the white Alias saddle is now a black Alias. I've already started commuting to work (36 miles round trip) and will do some recreational rides as well.

I'm still picking up items for the commute and wonder if you would look over my inventory and tell me what I'm missing for commuting or for recreational rides, solo or with a group.

Saddle bag:
Tube
Multi-tool
Chain tool
CO2 and mini pump
Tire levers
rivet and spare link

I run an HID light but still need to get a red blinker for the tail (commute is in the evening). I'm also looking for a good water/weather resistant messenger bag with a strap to cross over my chest for added stability. I think I've found one from North Face that I like but if you've got recommendations I'm all ears. I've good cycling gear, helmet, shades, and shoes. Fortunately, I have a shower at work and I've taken a shower kit in already, so I just need to pack some shorts, socks, and a Tee in the messenger bag and I'm good to go. My manager has also let me store my bike inside so I don't have to worry about theft. I've got a Garmin GPS with HRM and I just ordered a cadence sensor for it so I have a good computer.

Let me know what you've found helpful. I did find the one thread in the forum dealing with commuting and I'm still going through it looking for info but if you see something that I've overlooked please feel free to educate me.

Thanks,
Mike

HardyWeinberg

I've wound up accumulating tools in a desk drawer. The multi-tool is good for issues on the road, but some things I can tough out until I get to work and then I wind up doing cubicle mechanic work on the bike.

muccapazza

I've used both the North face and Timbuk2 bags and like them both, but didn't like them for as long a commute as you have. Would rather have a rack and a pannier or two, but it's your call.

mechBgon

For a 36-mile round-trip, it might be worth having multiple spare tubes along, just in case, and a patch kit too.

If you need a recommendation for a rear flasher, then if your HID headlight happens to be a NiteRider, pick up the NiteRider taillight: https://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=LT9030



This taillight will cut your headlight runtime by only 1%-5%, it's daytime-visible, and there's no need to keep buying batteries. It's also fairly light, weatherproof, and not too clunky-looking. But you need a NiteRider headlight system to power it.

Another option would be a Cateye LD-1000, another daytime-visible "super-blinkie" that has really nice side-firing LEDs. If you get one, resign yourself to feeding it fresh Alkaline AA's every couple weeks or less to keep it at peak output, or use Lithium AA's that maintain 1.5 volts until they finally drop dead abruptly. Again, it's daytime-visible and I made use of that capability to get some extra rear visibility during the day.



With either taillight, mount it rigidly to the bike, and check the aim carefully. The hotspot is a tight beam, so clipping them onto a bag or something is going to really diminish their effectiveness if the aim's not dead-on.

Also make sure you have the visibility equipment required by your state laws so you're covered against technicalities. Since you live in Washington, I happen to know them too and they're simple: headlight (you're obviously covered) and red rear reflector visible for 600 feet directly in front of lawful lower-beam headlights. So make sure you have your rear reflector installed, and keep it clean. Mounting it off the centerline of the bike, such as on the seatstay, will help keep it from getting dirty from your tire throwing road grime at it. Your shop will be able to find an appropriate mounting band and reflector to accomplish that if you need.

If you can find a place to install a big DOT red rear reflector, they're better from long distances than the little wide-angle ones. The one shown below is very lightweight and has the rear-reflective surface of about 10 wide-angle rear reflectors. Given the design of a Specialized Tarmac, however, I don't know if you'll have a spot for this.


I use one of these in red on my trunk bag, fastened to the bag with zip-ties through the holes

I've also been very impressed with the visibility of reflective legbands like the wide Jog-A-Lite ones (REI has them). Since they move in a cyclic motion when you pedal, and are down low where they catch low-beam headlights well, are visible from any direction, weigh very little and go from bike to bike with you, I think they're hard to beat for $10 a pair.

jamesdenver

Just an idea, as I think storage is VERY important when biking for commuting and utility purpose: I'd recommend a rack trunk with a shoulder strap. When going in stores it's really easy to throw over your shoulder and becomes a big messenger bag.

You can quickly secure it to your rack, and holds tons of stuff, and some expand too. I keep all my essentials in mine, and I use it when traveling on non-bike trips (car, planes, bus) too.

I've use one for six years and works great, and I have a grocery pannier if doing addition shopping.

jyossarian

Fenders?

ken cummings

For $12 to $15 you can get a Xenon daylight visible strobe that can be wired into any 6 to 12 volt system.

I would go for a rack and pannier too, for when I have to carry cold weather cloths, rain gear, and work cloths. Get some kind of locking storage at work, a full height wall locker or two is best.

juliebeanpie

For me, must haves are:

Eye drops to wash out my eyes. Even with sunglasses on, once in a while I get grit or, worse, a bug in my eye. Being able to wash it out is imperative for the rest of the commute.

Hankie: In the summer, to wipe off my face when I arrive at my destination, in the winter to blow my nose when I come to a stand still. (What makes that always happen?)

Lip balm: self explanatory, I think you said 36 miles round trip, right?

Happy and safe commuting to you.

Banzai

This is all very good advice.

And a Tarmac is a superb racing bike...I'm jealous.

A Tarmac is a racing bike...ergo I don't believe it has attachments for a rack, or the capacity to mount fenders, etc.

You have an amazing bike my friend...but I don't know if it's the very best commuter you could utilize.

All racing bikes are road bikes, this is true...but not all road bikes are racing bikes.

CB HI

Fenders can be mounted with plastic zip ties.

shakeNbake

How bout some pics?

CB HI

Pics from prior thread
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...63#post2751163

jyossarian

Planet Bike EZ fenders use rubber straps to mount onto the fork and seatstays. Coverage isn't the best, but it should keep you from getting a skunk stripe.

[e] I just looked at my roadbike and I probably couldn't squeeze the fenders in between the brake bridge and tires. Doesn't look like there's too much clearance there. YMMV

mcoomer

OK...







Tonight was the first ride in so I've got the Nite Rider HID on the front and the newly acquired LED taillight in place. I picked up the Nite Rider taillight (thanks for the tip mechBgon) so I wouldn't have to keep feeding it batteries. It just plugs into my existing battery connection. I also added another tube and picked up a Timbuk 2 messenger bag but I'm not happy with the strap and if I can't figure something out it's going back to REI.

Anyway, thanks for the advice given so far. I will say this, my friends have already told me that if I put a rack system on they're going to point and make fun so I'll have to take a pass on that.

Mike

notfred

Except for cyclocross bikes, which are used for cyclocross racing. And cross country mountain bikes, which are used for cross country mountain bike racing, and downhill mountain bikes, which are used for downhill mountain bike racing, and BMX bikes, which are used for BMX races... etc.

jyossarian

Your friends are just jealous. Don't bow to peer pressure. In fact, get a BOB trailer so you can haul a keg around and give out free beer to the ladies.

HiYoSilver

Looks good. I would add:

1. fenders
2. a couple pairs of disposable plastic gloves, ie doctor type gloves to make clean up faster
3. at least 2 spare tubes
4. Side clearance lights mounted on front forks, $6.
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
5. in dark seasons, 1 small flashlight for flat repair and emergency light in case HID goes out.
6. if you decide you need more carrying space, consider the topeak beam rack instead of a standard rack.

Again, looks like lots of fun, enjoy.

aadhils

Replace the seat with a Brooks...

Banzai

Guess I was more thinking of road racing, or what many people would consider archetypical "racers"...pardon my snobbery, and perhaps my narrow definition. Just trying to convey a distinction between the "typical" racing bike (think TdF), and cyclocross bikes, touring bikes, "comfort" road, etc.

Incidentally, I think of a cyclocross bike in the category of "road bike", at least by the divisions we have set in recent years. It simply happens to be a "road bike" with a lot of rough and tumble ability.

sauerwald

I have a 30mile RT commute, my tool bag contains: Spare tube, patch kit, multitool, tire levers, and a neatly folded $20 bill - it is the last item that has gotten the most use!

I have a frame pump on the bike.

capejohn

I took my Brooks off after 6 months of trying to break it in.