Originally Posted by
Sixty Fiver
Specialized clothing can be nice but is not essential... had a friend do a 120km ride last week in a dress and comfortable shoes.
Used to ride my mtb with slicks 40km a day and it was no big thing... and still like my 26 inch wheels and tyres for commuting.
If it was not for nerve damage in my back I's still be riding on flat pedals or using clips and straps but my left foot forgets where it is and I use spd pedals to keep my foot planted and my knee lined up.
Most often I am riding in everyday clothes with cycling shorts underneath my jeans or riding shorts (mtb shorts) and wearing some mtb shoes which are very comfortable for standing and help with walking because of their stiffer soles.
The things that will make your commute the most enjoyable is being ion a bike that fits you well, that is geared right for then terrain, and having a saddle that makes you forget it is there.
When you have to deal with bad weather or ride in the winter you need to do a little more to make sure you stay dry and warm and that your bike will stay attached to the road.
I'd argue that for someone commuting regularly 13 miles each way on a mountain bike, on the East Coast where rain, sleet, and now darkness are the norm before/after work, and a bike newb on top of it all - bike clothing is essential unless you plan on doing it once and being done with it forever. By bike clothing, I don't mean it has to be bike-specific per se, but should be weather-appropriate and very comfortable.
Get stuck with a good headwind even with a mild drizzle on your 1 hr 15 minute ride home in the dark with a drafty shirt on, and you'll probably never bike commute again. Heck, try commuting 1 hr 15 minutes one way, twice per day, 3-4x per week without cycling shorts as a newb, and you'll still find that alone challenging.
However, I think a lot folks would agree with me that with the right gear, commuting in some pretty god-awful conditions can be a lot of fun and adventure. That rainstorm and fierce headwind and dark doesn't become so oppressive when you're nice and toasty in your weatherproof jacket boties and gloves, comfy on the saddle with your nice bibs, got great lighting to see easily ahead and not worry at all about being invisible from the side or rear, and have a well-fitted nicely tuned bike that you're actually excited to be on. As much as I'm a cheapskate, for significant commutes over an hour in length, I'd get the best gear I could get - not optional in my book if you plan on doing it more than a few times before you quit.