Am I ready??
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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Am I ready??
In addition to the Trek 7000, this is what I am preparing to buy:
Topeak RX Trunk Bag DXP
Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage
Topeak QR BeamRack RX Bicycle Rack
Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump with Gauge
Cat Eye Rear Bike Light/Flasher - TL-LD1100
Cateye HL-EL510 LED Bicycle Headlight
Giro Indicator Sport Bike Helmet
And a few carry on tools, tubes, patch.
Am I ready?
Topeak RX Trunk Bag DXP
Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage
Topeak QR BeamRack RX Bicycle Rack
Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump with Gauge
Cat Eye Rear Bike Light/Flasher - TL-LD1100
Cateye HL-EL510 LED Bicycle Headlight
Giro Indicator Sport Bike Helmet
And a few carry on tools, tubes, patch.
Am I ready?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 11
From: Puget Sound
Bikes: 2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 (bionx), 2015 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
you might want to add cycling gloves (they really save your hands the first time you "eat pavement.) Depending on your climate... rain gear.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: the Georgia Strait
Bikes: Devinci Caribou, Kona Dew Plus, Raleigh Twenty
In addition to the Trek 7000, this is what I am preparing to buy:
Topeak RX Trunk Bag DXP
Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage
Topeak QR BeamRack RX Bicycle Rack
Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump with Gauge
Cat Eye Rear Bike Light/Flasher - TL-LD1100
Cateye HL-EL510 LED Bicycle Headlight
Giro Indicator Sport Bike Helmet
And a few carry on tools, tubes, patch.
Am I ready?
Topeak RX Trunk Bag DXP
Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage
Topeak QR BeamRack RX Bicycle Rack
Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump with Gauge
Cat Eye Rear Bike Light/Flasher - TL-LD1100
Cateye HL-EL510 LED Bicycle Headlight
Giro Indicator Sport Bike Helmet
And a few carry on tools, tubes, patch.
Am I ready?
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 7
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Summer is coming up. You may want to get some sun block, shades, a bandana for your forehead so the sweat doesn't get to your eyes, tire levers and a water bottle for your bottle cage.
#5
Peace, Love, Bikes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 900
Likes: 1
From: Central Ohio
Bikes: Schwinn Le Tour III
Ready to me is more a mental state. Once you have the basics: spare tube, decent helmet, a pump, patch kit, lights and a lock it is just getting past the mental hurdles. Things like distance, rain, traffic can all throw you for a loop. Getting out and breaking those hurdles does a lot to instill confidence and keep you on the bike.
#6
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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I will obviously be adding more as I go. As for the lock...right now my trip will be only 7 miles on the bike and almost 30 in the car. Plenty of time to stop for errands with the car. I can grab a lock when I start commuting farther. I was thinking about a mirror, but didn't add it to the list becuase I need to get the bike to check how and where I'll attach it. I think I'm going with bar end type. I'm going to try riding with my current shades and decide if I need a more wrap around type. Definitely the water bottle. And I was lumping levers in with the tools.
Good start?
Good start?
#7
Heck, when I started commuting, I had no guidance of this forum, and absolutely nothing other than a bike and a really dinky lock! Had no clue how to change a tire. No water cage or water bottle. No knowledge of cycling safety other than "stay on the sidewalk at all times".
(Gosh, that poor guy pulling out of a driveway was REALLY shaken as I flew over the hood of his car...) You have actually done your research, and you'll be fine.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 7
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Sounds like you are ready. One last thing I will add is
Practice repairing/replacing tubes for when you get a flat. It looks easy but I found out that it makes it less stressful when you know what to expect from your tires. Meaning, how easy are they to remove and how easy are they to put back on.
Practice repairing/replacing tubes for when you get a flat. It looks easy but I found out that it makes it less stressful when you know what to expect from your tires. Meaning, how easy are they to remove and how easy are they to put back on.
#9
#10
Do you really have to go with the seat post rack? You'd be much happier with a full rack if you've got a place to attach it.
You might want fenders at some point, but that can probably wait.
If you plan to actually use the Cateye headlight (as opposed to having it for emergencies), I recommend getting two sets of rechargeable batteries and a good charger. The claimed battery life is really high, but it gets noticeably dimmer after about 4 hours. I keep one set of batteries in the light and another in the charger and switch them every couple of days.
You might want fenders at some point, but that can probably wait.
If you plan to actually use the Cateye headlight (as opposed to having it for emergencies), I recommend getting two sets of rechargeable batteries and a good charger. The claimed battery life is really high, but it gets noticeably dimmer after about 4 hours. I keep one set of batteries in the light and another in the charger and switch them every couple of days.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

For my commute now (25-35 miles r/t depending on how I feel) I'm down to a handlebar bag with a couple tubes, my pump and levers, phone/wallet/ID badge for work, and a Topeak Survival Toolbox on my seat tube.
At this rate, 20 years from now I'm gonna be riding double centuries with no bags, a half full water bottle, and a stick of gum in my jersey pocket.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
#12
Dave
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: Homestead FL
Bikes: Nashbar X-Cross 29r wheels front disc brake
#13
Since you're asking... 
Full fenders.
Power Grips (unless you ride clipless.)
Headlights powerful enough to light the road in front of you.
Rear lights that can be seen conspicuously in broad daylight.
Comfortable spandex undergarments.
Personal lubricant.
Sue Bee honey packets for emergencies.

Full fenders.
Power Grips (unless you ride clipless.)
Headlights powerful enough to light the road in front of you.
Rear lights that can be seen conspicuously in broad daylight.
Comfortable spandex undergarments.
Personal lubricant.
Sue Bee honey packets for emergencies.
__________________
No worries
No worries
#14
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 1
From: Boston (sort of)
Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle
I agree. If you ask people whether you have enough accessories, you'll end up getting a never-ending list of clothes and gizmos that various cyclists can't imagine their commute without. And each object might indeed prove indispensable for the person who's recommending it, but for you it may end up being a purely optional nice-to-have thing, or even something you dislike.
#15
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Yes, gloves. I have only "made use" of my helmet once, but I've done major skin removal on my hands 3 times in my life. I will no longer ride without gloves; I'd almost sooner ride without a helmet. It's no fun having bare raw meat on the heel of your palm and keeping it dressed for 2 months while the skin grows back. NOT pleasant.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#16
Yes, gloves. I have only "made use" of my helmet once, but I've done major skin removal on my hands 3 times in my life. I will no longer ride without gloves; I'd almost sooner ride without a helmet. It's no fun having bare raw meat on the heel of your palm and keeping it dressed for 2 months while the skin grows back. NOT pleasant.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
My sentiments exactly! REI has this rack too.
https://www.rei.com/product/697821
https://www.rei.com/product/697821
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1
From: Boston
In addition to the Trek 7000, this is what I am preparing to buy:
Topeak RX Trunk Bag DXP
Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage
Topeak QR BeamRack RX Bicycle Rack
Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump with Gauge
Cat Eye Rear Bike Light/Flasher - TL-LD1100
Cateye HL-EL510 LED Bicycle Headlight
Giro Indicator Sport Bike Helmet
And a few carry on tools, tubes, patch.
Am I ready?
Topeak RX Trunk Bag DXP
Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage
Topeak QR BeamRack RX Bicycle Rack
Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump with Gauge
Cat Eye Rear Bike Light/Flasher - TL-LD1100
Cateye HL-EL510 LED Bicycle Headlight
Giro Indicator Sport Bike Helmet
And a few carry on tools, tubes, patch.
Am I ready?
#19
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I guess I should have given the thread a different title.
"Is this a good list of absolute BARE minimums?"
As for that rack...I believe it comes with side frames. So even if they aren't meant to attach, I'm sure I could figure something out.
"Is this a good list of absolute BARE minimums?"
As for that rack...I believe it comes with side frames. So even if they aren't meant to attach, I'm sure I could figure something out.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 1
From: Boston (sort of)
Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle
The answer, of course, is "it depends". What's your commute like, and what's the "absolute BARE minimum" of stuff that you need to transport back and forth? For me, with my commute, a lock is necessary, a tube and pump are not (I commute in a city, public transit is always there if I have a flat, but if I have to stop I need to be able to lock my bike). I don't need a rack or trunk bag or panniers because I use a backpack, which is also what I use when I'm not on the bike -- one bag goes everywhere. So...it depends.
#21
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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Starting with part ride/part drive and steadily increasing. 7 miles, 15 miles, 20 miles, 27 miles. I'll need to carry clothes for work, shoes, frsh towel. There will be NO public transit available as I'll be on mostly suburban roads. For now, of the total 35 miles, I'll be driving about 28 of them. So I can do any errands with the car and not need a lock right away.
#22
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: the Georgia Strait
Bikes: Devinci Caribou, Kona Dew Plus, Raleigh Twenty
Yes! Just do it! You can always refine as you go. But if you haven't bought the rack yet and your bike has dropouts to accomodate (which it looks like it should) go for a non-seatpost type rack as they are much more stable.







