Originally Posted by
SlimRider
No. Those things aren't really necessary to get started. However, once they do start, they had better begin to acquire the necessary tools to keep rolling, or else they're going to be in trouble. That statement becomes increasingly important with commute distance. They are going to need patch kits, tire levers, pumps, Park tools, etc..If getting to work neat and clean is important, fenders will also play a significant role in their commute. If they are carring a laptop, books, lunch, and such, a rack with panniers might come in handy, too!
It's also important as newbie commuters, for them to expect to acquire these things, sometime down the road. Hopefully, more sooner than later! Now admittedly, some folks will never need rack and panniers, so those commuters will kindly omit those things from the list. Some folks work in factories and mills. It won't matter to them that much, if they've splashed through a few puddles while cycling to work. For them, fenders are a futile concern.
However, practically everything else is a commuter requirement, if the commuter is being truly efficient...
There's no point in carrying a chain breaker or even a multi-tool if you don't know how to use one. I personally think that being able to change a tire is a really-really good to have skill if you're going to be a commuter.
That being said, my guess is that maybe 50% of the people who commute to my office would bother to change a flat if they got one on the way to work. Their backup is a cell phone. And you know what? That's OK.
As many times as I show my wife how to change a flat, she wouldn't do it unless she had no other option. She goes to work early and she'd have no problem waking me from a nice to slumber to go rescue her. Or if she was close enough to work or home, she'd just walk.
Same with my 12 year old son. He bikes to school. Theoretically at least he could change a flat, but if he got one, he'd call me or my wife. That does remind me though. I should have him change one again just to prove to me, and more importantly to him, that he can do it.
Oh, and I think it's a good idea to carry a spare tube even if you wouldn't change it yourself. Maybe a good samaritan would come along and change it for you.