mickey85

I'd say fenders and flaps (they go together), and three pairs of gloves - one leather with wool lining for cold days, another wool knit for 25-35* days, and cycling gloves or lighter gloves for warmer than that. Most of my bikes are upright enough that gloves for riding aren't necessary, but I find that gloves and hats are two things you can't have enough of - pick one or two to wear and layer, then peel as you go.

scoatw

That's easy for me. My Showers Pass rain jacket. If you commute everyday. Having good, quality raingear goes a long way.

Booger1

I'd buy the same bike I bought 33 years ago.

The only thing you REALLY need is a bike and a couple blinky lights front and back for night,a pump and some patches,a water bottle or two and a lock of some kind.

All of the other stuff is extra....for your bicycling needs and wants,not something you have to have.

Quickbeam

Bell discontinuing the Metro = Epic Fail

Mine is about shot and I can't find a new one in my size anywhere.

The "Citi", which Bell still offers, is "one-size-fits-most", which is ridiculous for a helmet IMO.

slcbob

I see lots of potential birthday / Christmas / etc. presents in this list. I may need to print it out and leave it laying about strategically.

A few things I'll add that make my life much more enjoyable, particularly during the shoulder seasons with cool mornings, warmer afternoons:
- a helmet cover (like a shower cap)
- a light vest, windproof front, mesh back
- arm or leg warmers (never thought I'd like them, but I do)

Easy to strip off en route (except for the leg warmers), don't take up a lot of space, let you start warm then vent easily in the AM and fit in a jersey pocket on the ride home.

No particular brand fetish, just the utility of the gear.

Grishnak

1.B+m Cyo light.
2.Carradice rain cape.
3.Novatec dynohub
4.Marathon+ Tyres

snydly

Pogies or similar handlebar covers. with these I can wear normal cycling gloves when the temp is ~20* or warmer. On colder days, normal light winter gloves keep my fingers warm enough.

As others have said, merino wool tights and top. I like Smartwool when I can find it discounted.

Speaking of Smartwool, I just replaced my balaclava with a SW one yesterday that fits much nicer.

Lake winter cycling boots are wonderful and have such a simple tensioning system that they are a breeze to put on and take off. After years of neoprene shoe condoms, I'd buy these boots again in a heartbeat!

Nokian studs are essential for the icy conditions I ride in.

Good winter gear can be pricey, but quality investments can be justified over their useful lifetime. I tend to buy one big ticket item each winter so each season my ride gets more comfortable and enjoyable.

irclean

Okay, you have my attention. What's a lockblock? BTW, my 1 Watt PB front blinkie cost me $29 CAD; I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just think that it's important to state the true cost. I am, however, open-minded and am always open to the idea of making myself more visible.

slcbob

https://toftsstrange.info/twofish-lock-blocks.asp
https://www.twofish.biz/bike.html
TwoFish lockblock is one model of a variety of little clamps that mount your flashlight/etc. to handlebar/toptube/etc. Or you can spend a few bucks in a hardware store (most of it on heat shrink to avoid the metal clamp scratching your paint).

Timber_8

My pickup truck

devildogmech

My kitty litter bucket Panniers!

They cost about $0.65 for the u-bolts and lock nuts to mount them. They are HUGE, water proof and ....... well essentially FREE!

Not to look like a dork, I spray painted over the labels....... Ok, I still look like a dork.


Billy

cervelo48

The Planet Bike Superflash seems malfunctions when riding in really wet conditions. It is a good light, but if I were to have to get another rear light, I'd consider something a little better quality.

CommuterRun

I don't wear a helmet all the time, but when I do it's a Bell Metro. Pity Bell dropped this helmet. If I'd known they were going to do that I would have bought 4 and put three up on a shelf still in the box. The Citi is kind of like it, but not exactly the same thing.

PowerGrips.

Mechanix Fast Fit gloves for mild and warmer weather riding.

Cateye TL-LD1100 and TL-LD500 taillights. The 500 is also a CPSC certified reflector so I run is as a backup to my primary taillight which is the 1100.
On my trailers I've replaced the rear reflectors with the 500 on each rear corner.

And most of all; my panniers. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ers&highlight=

Pobble.808

The range of answers shows how much people's priorities depend on the kind of commuting they do.
My deal: short distance (3 miles r/t), urban, mild weather year round, almost never at night. So:

Reflex helmet mirror -- Mirrors are kind of like bikes themselves in that everybody has their own preferences but to not have one doesn't make sense, especially in a city.

Generator light set-up -- a mediocre one that came w/ my bike, but the standlight feature is good for being seen while you're stopped. Definitely not batteries because if you only use lights occasionally you'll be sure to end up with dead batteries by the time you really need 'em.

Carradice Bike Bureau pannier - rugged and spacious

Dahon Biologic grips -- comfy, and fit w/ my twist grip shifter

Zefal Mini (toe) Clips - totally uncool but super easy in and out, perfect for short-distance stop-and-go city riding.

Just got a Bell Citi helmet and am happy w/ it, but really, a good fit is what makes the difference in a helmet so I'd say just go w/ whatever feels good to you...

jeneralist 

One point on helmets: Bell & Giro (owned by the same corporation) are very good about replacing parts on their helmets. When the removable padding in the helmet gets beyond stinky, I've sent an email to the manufacturer and gotten replacement pads -- for free.

Makes me want to stick with the company, y'know?

nkfrench 

Ambien to help the insommnia so I get more than 5 hours of sleep.
Alarm clock so I wake up with time to ride my bike and get to work.

azesty

My legs, eyes and cycling practice I have accumulated in a number of cities, and now two countries over many years of cycling

z

AndrewP

helmet - try as many as possible as different models from the same manu8facturer can fit differently. look for ease of adjustment so you can add a hat under the helmet in cold weather

reflective jacket/vest - for colder weather a jacket with good ventilastion, no elastic on cuffs. Front closure by poppers and zip so you can let more air through as you warm up. For slightly warmer weather I have a Karrimor sleeveless vest. In summer I dont have anything over the jersey.

repair equipment - Topeak multi-tool + tire levers as these are the tools you will need most and are a lot easier to use than the ones that come on the multitool. Spare tube + patch kit as it is possible to get multiple flats in a day.

pump - I have been happy with my Topeak Roadmorph. I think the similar one by Lezyne is a bit bettter, but I hadnt seen it when I bought my pump.

lights - the Planet Bike Blaze 2W LED is fantastic ($35). I also use at the front a white blinky, an 8 yr old Cateye EL300 and 2 $store LED flashlights. 2 red blinkies at the back.

Carrying things on bike - I only have a light-weight cable lock on the bike, and leave the heavy U-lock on the rack at work. I keep shoes, towel, shampoo, slacks at work. I carry my lunch, shirt underwear and tools in a trunk bag on top of the rack. If you go for panniers get a rack with dog-legged stays which will stop the rear of the panniers swinging into the spokes if you make a sudden swerve.

Other accessories - fenders. Waterbottles - I have Camelback Podium bottle but they are not really worth the cost. Look for soft bottles that are easy to squeeze and have a spout that allows a good flow of water. Gloves will prevent pain on hands when you fall. Take-a-look glasses mount rear view mirror - this is particularly useful if you have to make a left turn across multiple lanes.

Cyclocross with triple front der - drop bars are a godsend in headwinds. 28 mm tires (foldable) are light and fast, but will tolerate unpaved paths, shortcuts across undeveloped land and parks, and careful curb-hopping.

Timber_8

I guess it would be my Trekking bars & Aero bars then my Topeak trunk bag & rack with the U lock storage. Fenders & Lights are just standard equipment. I do like the Take-a-look helmet mounted mirror.

akohekohe

Well, the thing I'm most pleased with lately is something I didn't even buy but just made myself - and that is my front parking brake. It is just a small piece of wood that I stick into the gap that opens between the top of the front brake lever and the lever housing when you pull on the front brake lever. This keeps the brake engaged while I'm parked. This is really, really, useful. I keep the piece of wood attached to the stem with Velcro when I am not using it so that it is easily accessible when I need it.

The other thing I really like is the Biologic Zorin Seat Post Pump by Dahon. Better than any frame pump I've ever used (including the vaunted Topek Morph) and it stows completely out of the way (it is the seat post). Great because you can use both hands to pump because the seat is the handle! Really clever design.

Timber_8

That seat post pump is trick

TJx

Commuting favorites or "Must Haves" for me:

Disc Brakes
Puncture Resistant Tires
BMX Pedals (Shimano PD-MX30)

Cyclaholic

Non-negotiable items for my commuting:

Topeak Road Morph
Mr Tuffy liners
SPD pedals & shoes


Stuff I think I can make better than I can buy, at my price point:

Light - 3xCree XR-E, 11.1v 2Ah Li-Po, 900 lumens, 3 hours runtime, in less than 5 ounces, about $100 to build.
Messenger bag - 1000 denier nylon, waterproof liner, closed cell foam padding, 3' wide shoulder strap. As good as any $500+ bag I've ever used, cost about $30 to make.

JPprivate

let me add one other thing... my Bontrager skull cap. Love those things esp if it's in the 30s or 40s.

prxmid

Love my Carradice Nelson Longflap bag

Topeak Road Morph

Not yet sure about the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, bombproof but heavy

Don't like the Miracyl mirror, all I see is my arm