mdweezer

Well I'm getting ready to begin my new adventure in commuting by bike to work. I've got a Downtube 8H coming in the mail and I'm really looking forward to it.

This is the first bike I've owned since high school so it's been a while. I have a few things on the list below and would love to hear any recommendations.

- Wireless bike computer for speed/odometer, nothing too pricey but something that will give me a good idea on how I'm doing with my ride.
- Tool kit
- Rear rack bag to hold above toolkit, a replacement tube (or two), keys, cell phone, along with maybe even some shoes and my clothes for the day (I would prefer to not wear a backpack).
- A mirror for my left bar end (or both)

I've seen many references to a replacement chain but I still need to educate myself on the benefit of a chain with less links and how that correlates to the gears and such. I'm not going to concern myself with this right off the bat.

Thanks a lot and when the bike arrives and I've got it outfitted for my commute I will be sure to post some photos and a review of the bike!

Klaw

Tire patch kit, decent pump, and moisture wicking shirts. Maybe some grippier pedals, depends on shoes you wear to work.

LittlePixel

Pine Cone

My Downtube VIIIH mods can be viewed on the mega Downtube thread, but bike-specific I would recommend a 39-42 tooth chainring, new grips, and a 15mm wrench or Crescent wrench/spanner for removing the rear wheel. Depending on what comes with the bike now you may want a new bottom bracket and better pedals.

For any new bike I get reflective tape for the frame, front and rear LED lights (not to see with, but to be seen), small-medium seat wedge pack, tire levers, patch kit, spare tubes (one on the bike, one at home as a spare) and a nice multi-tool (I prefer the Crank Bros M-19 https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...cat%3A%20Multi

I have both wired and wireless bike computers on my folders and I think the wired versions are all you need. Wireless is more parts, more batteries, and speaking from experience, another thing to vibrate loose and fall off your forks... I like the Planet Bike versions that show you temperature. Not earthshaking info, but it nice to know.

If I am planning on riding at night on a regular basis I use rechargeable Halogen headlights. For serious commute bikes I also add a couple of more rear LED lights and a front dynohub generator and light. I have a couple of commute special bikes and they have 4 rear tail lights and three headlights when I commute in the dark, rainy winter months. Yamcha has a link to a headlight in a recent post that looks pretty nice.

Downtubes are a quality product and I like the 3 I have bought. I like my Pacific Reach better, but it cost about what all three Downtube's cost. The DT VIII with the Sturmey Archer hub is a great value!

14R 

One of the best investments I've made on my bike, back in the days when I use to ride a Giant Halfway RS (Rear Suspension, kinda rare in the USA):



Arkel tail rider.





Integrated rain cover, it's a little pricey but the cost/benefit is supreme.

It looks small, but it has a magic gate into another dimension, you can fit EASILY your helmet + other stuff in there!



Click here to buy directly from them

DVC45

If its going to be a dedicated commuter bike, I would highly recommend a set of full coverage fenders, as the factory ones are somewhat almost non-functional.

Gilzean

Today was the first day I commuted on my new Downtube 8FS, my commute is a 5 mile ride 45 min train then 1.5 miles to the office then back again. Like you I haven’t owned a bike since high school so it’s all new to me as well. Here is what is on my wish list so far in order of priority: (I’m going to get ripped for my ‘biking’ terminology!!!

1. Helmet (got one)
2. Lights (got them)
3. Tire Repair kit and tools
4. One of those under the seat bags for the tire repair kit and tools
5. Computer
6. Mini pump
7. Water Bottle and cradle thingy
8. Comfy seat thinking brooks but defiantly worth paying the money for a decent one (trust me after 1 ride I’m willing to pay whatever)
9. Some biking tops and gloves cause the wind is brutal at 630am in Boston
10. Decent pedals maybe some clips with the shoes
11. In the future upgrade the gearing (wish I had got the internal hub)

mdweezer

About how long was your 5 mile ride? I'm trying to gauge how long of a ride I'm going to have. Luckily the bike will arrive on Thursday so I will give my commute path a ride Saturday to give myself an estimate of how much time I should allow myself (I'm going to try two routes, one on the way there and another on the way back). It will also give me an idea of how much of a workout I should be expecting too....

But I'm really looking forward to it (and experiencing the internal hub).

Thanks for the gear suggestions.

Gilzean

Its somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes for me. Its a hilly road ride nothing too major but def not a flat ride. I predict i'll get quicker as I get fitter and when I upgrade my gearing.

After only 1 ride i'm loving the commute already and find myself wanting to spend more money on another bike or some serious upgrade.

Gilzean

Day 2 of commuting and my list has changed.

1. Waterproof Clothing
2. Brooks B17 Saddle
3. Tire Repair kit and tools
4. Small saddle bag
5. Pump
6. Some nice grips (get rid of the downtube bar ends)
7. SRAM x.7 rear derailleur with thumb shifter
8. Some decent pedals maybe Ritchey Pro Peloton Road
9. Research into the gearing more
10. Water Bottle and cradle
11. Some biking tops and gloves cause the wind is brutal at 630am in Boston
12. Computer

My downtube has the useless Suntour rear derailleur and I’m finding out the hard way if I pedal hard I get lots of slip, the grip shift I find myself inadvertently changing because of the stupid bar ends. Ok I’m bitter today cause its wet and I had no real waterproof pants!

mdweezer

I really like the above bag but unfortunately it is a little out of my price range.

I've got a set of comfort grips in the mail (https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5251) and I also plan on adding a mirror to my left handle bar like the other 2008 8H thread (I really liked his setup).

Water bottle is a given, so will a pump and bike computer. Repair kit and such will get in there eventually (I'm close enough that my wife could get me if necessary or a co-worker; I wouldn't be stranded). I'll also evaluate the seat and shop around once the bike arrives...

I've got the commute cut down to 8 miles. I'm going to give it a shot on Saturday morning and see how it goes to give myself a gauge of what to expect next week when I begin commuting on it.

trueno92

just wondering, but other than a brooks saddle, anyone move to something like a selle italia gel xo or trans am on their folders? i figure it has a bit to do with seating posture etc.

a nice saddle would be right up there on the list of gets, but i hear a brooks seat takes quite a while to break in.

invisiblehand

Keeping stuff off the back is a real bonus. So I would definitely go with something that fits on the rear rack. Just be careful with clearance due to the small wheels.

Since you are thinking of getting a Brooks saddle, I would also consider a Carradice saddle bag like the following ... https://www.carradice.co.uk/saddlebag...addlebag.shtml

As you can see, I recommend a lot of carrying capacity. I figure that since you are not racing, extra capacity is better than too little.

My favorite frame pump by far is the Topeak Road/Mountain Morph pump. Moreover, they give great customer support.

I like the Ergo grips due to their increased surface area ... https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/148...fort-Grips.htm

They have a version with little bar ends too.

I like to add reflective stickers to the bike and fenders too ... https://www.streetglo.net/bicycle-ref...-stickers.html

law4jba

I ride in Boston regularly on a fixed swift. I recommend LL Bean waterproof pants (the cheap set they offer). I wear them all winter to block the wind and in the rain up to about 60 degrees.

mdweezer

Picked up a nice little bike accessory kit which included a water bottle & mini pump with a nice mount for the braze on. That'll get screwed in first thing. It also came with a decent lock with a mount that I imagine I will attach to the seat post. It will obstruct it from completely telescoping closed but only by about an inch or two. If it's too much I will toss the lock in a bag or something. It also included a 7-in-1 multi-tool.

The kit also came with a cheap bike computer but I don't want a wired one so I'll be giving this to a co-worker and instead I ordered a bike mount for my handheld GPS unit (Magellen Meridian). It's a hand held unit from a few years back that I've used for geocaching and such. It'll be nice and accurate and it has a nice display that I can configure with as many details as I need (speed, odometer, time, ETA, heading etc etc) . I can input my routes and it will give estimated arrival times and won't require any fussing with a magnetic switch on my fork and getting it calibrated.

So here's hoping that my Downtube shows up tomorrow (which is when Yan thought it would arrive via email).

jur

You're getting a bike via email?? You're way ahead of the rest.

mdweezer

Ha, let me rephrase... Yan had sent me an e-mail letting me know that UPS would most likely be dropping the bike off on Thursday. Phew.

Now here's hoping for a bike today....

mdweezer

Bummer, I wish I had a tracking number. A delivery attempt was made (and they didn't note what time, grr) and they left a note saying it required signature. If I had a tracking number I would have seen the requirement and could have made arrangements.

Waiting to hear back from my wife so I can give UPS a call about the package to arrange a pick up later or a second delivery attempt. Or if all else fails, I'll sign the form and get it left at the house tomorrow. Typically UPS ground packages I get don't require signatures, I didn't think this was going to differ.