Originally Posted by
JimCanuck
You know our "luck" so well. The Commission should be scrapped or thrown to the wolves (commercial), it can't get any worse then it already is.
No, I'm going to respectfully disagree,
Fenders are required because when commuting you'd like to get there on time and with less mess as possible, getting a "road shower" on your way into work is the last thing you'd like to feel.
Panniers are typically needed to carry your stuff, such as laptops, spare clothes etc, and cost nearly the same as a typical backpack or brief case etc.
Lights are legally required in a lot of areas. Skipping them can mean a ticket at least, and if your a early morning commuter, even if you don't have a front light due to the city lighting being strong, a $5 flasher red on the back of the bike IMO is required.
All kinds of tools is true, but at bare minimum one should have a stubby 15mm (typically for the wheel nuts) wrench, 4mm & 5mm Allen Keys, and a small 4" Adjustable wrench. Along with a spare tube in the seat bag and you'll be more or less set for small adjustments, a tube change and tightening things on the road.
Jim
Ok you have a point, but it's highly situational. Last year I did it as you say, to a more extreme extent to be honest. I could have overhauled my bike on the road and could commute in office clothes, and sometimes did. This year it's a road bike, flat kit and (sometimes) backpack, and since we don't need lights for day riding here I leave even them off. If you shower at work and keep your clothes there you don't care about fenders and panniers.
It's a really low barrier for entry to bicycle commuting. Just get on a bike and go, that's it. Over time we refine that to our own particular inclinations.