Originally Posted by
cjewett65
Hey all, new to the forums and new to commuting. I am an experienced rider on the road and on the trails but all tables seem to turn for the daily commute. Im currently in college and work at my LBS. Yes i have ridden to work countless times, but commuting verse incorporating a daily road ride on the way to work is different. I have just purchased a Marin Novato 29er with flat bars and a few accessories to make a solid and bomb proof commuter set up. I now want to commute daily to work (8.5 miles one way) and school (10miles one way) without feeling the need to go fast and wear one of my lycra kits. I wanna just throw a messenger bag over my shoulder in a plaid shirt and jeans and cruise to and from places.
This is my new set up:
2011 Marin Novato 29er
-Topeak explorer disk rear rack
-Niterider minewt 350 headlight
-Numerous rear red blinkies
-cateye micro wireless computer
-onguard bulldog u-lock
-topeak road morph portable pump
(yes I got a bit carried away with accessories considering im new to commuting but i actually had alot of this stuff from my mountain and road bikes)
Any tips for the new commuter, im in North NJ, so weather to dress tips, or anything else? Im truly curious to know people opinions of a backpack or panniers
I decided my sleek road bike was too cluttered with racks and lights and such and bought a Hybrid to commute with. It got two bottle cages, Topeak rack and trunk, lights and all the other commuter stuff. I left the blade peddles on and don't have to change clothes to go to work. I even put identical battery charges at both ends of the commutes so I don't worry about light. Just think about everything that will take the work out of the commute less the actual ride itself and you will continue to commute.
I live in the desert where it rains maybe 3 days a year. I decided I can drive the car on those days so I didn't do anything to consider (or spend money on) commuting in the rain.
Now my road bike has nothing but a computer, tiny tool kit and water bottles on it (I call it my sports car) and my hybrid is fully outfitted for commuting. I cal it my pick-up truck.
Here's the new Giant Escape 1 in full kit. Its new so I splatter its picture all over the forums. HAhHAhaa
