I commute on my Schwinn Volare in the summer and also a Bianchi Tangent on occasion. during the fall and spring when I don't know what kind of weather to expect the Specialized expediton get the duty and fills in quite nicely. I have a 7.2 one way commute so its not too bad if I get caught in the rain except for not being able to see to well because these pesky glasses. Here are my commuter and as you can see they are all very different bikes. the Bianchi is a light touring bike and its heavier than the Volare and the Expedition, well it is what it is

Backpack with a white lightman strobe, headlight for night. Oh & a seatpost mounted fender for rain rides.

racks,fenders, bike, helmet, pump, tire- repair kit, tubes, light system, horn, water bottle/cage, panniers (front and rear), gym gear, rain gear (work and commute), complete change of clothes, toileties (Tooth brush/paste, toilet paper, soap, etc), gym -sweat/suit-swim suit, towel, plastic bags for rain/storage, work documentation (p/c), identification forms, for the most part!

i use both front and rear pannier sets, a handle-bar bag and a rackpack bag for the above listed. it is simular to touring, but there is a pay check every other week...

OK, here is my opinion. Keep in mind I have only been commuting about three months. I started on an old hard tail MTB. It is a good bike. I decided to get myself a steel touring bike about a month ago. I chose the Novara Randonee. All I can say is, wow, what a difference. I had put some semi slick tires on the MTB, but the touring (road) bike was like night and day. I cut 10% off my commute time the first day I rode it. Still getting better. It is not light like one of those speedy carbon road bikes, but it is way faster than a mountain bike. The things I have noticed so far that made a big difference in my commute.....1) A mirror. Man, this helps a lot if you ride in the road. You can tell right away if the guy approaching you is giving you room or screwing with you. 2) One of those orange vests with reflective tape. I noticed the difference the first day I wore it. On the way in, it's dark. The led flashing tail light and led headlight keep me visible. On the way home is when the vest realy helps. Cars can see me sooner and most move over when they pass. Without it, about half move over. 3) In my rack and bag (you need those!) I keep a first aid kit, tire patch kit, spare tube and lock. My first commute I wiped out on the way in and got some road rash on my left leg and elbow. It's good to have some alcohol wipes and stuff to clean up wth. The Patch kit and lock are self explanitory. That's all I've figured out so far about what is realy neccasry. Look hard at touring bikes. Cross bikes are cool, but touring bikes are tough, made to carry a load, and designed around comfort and reliability first. Sounds like a recipie for the perfect commuter to me. Good luck!

Man, how do you use those helmet mounted mirrors? I tried one and just about twisted my head off Excorsist style trying to see behind me with the damned thing.

I didn't plan on having a commuter. I bought my bike as a trail and bike path bike for recreational rides. It has just morphed into commuter over the last year and change and my 20 mile round trip commute is what I mostly ride now. It's a lot of 'stuff' but I wanted to eliminate the need to drive to work to replenish supplies and I can ride in most any weather. I am lucky in that I can store the bike inside and can use the train for part of the commute when the weather is really bad. I feel safe and comfortable on it.


2007 Specialized HardRock Sport, Nashbar Jaws Pedals, Blackburn Rear Rack, Transit Waterproof Small Panniers, Transit Pro DX Rack Trunk, KneeSavers, Road End Bar Ends, Schwinn Cyclocomputer, Specialized Water Bottles and Cages, Planet Bike ATB Freddy Fenders, Specialized Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5 Tires, Specialized Thorn Resistant Tubes, Nashbar 12.0 Light Set, Mirrycle Mountain Mirror, a mini pump, tools and patches and tube, etc to handle most repairs on the road, and some goofy reflectors.

Who makes that bag that is that on the top tube? It looks to be about the exact size I want.

The patch kit is cheap insurance against getting more than one flat. It has happened to me. Once because I failed to correcty identify the cause of the first flat. Without the patch kit, no more riding.

Thanks again everyone! Awesome replies!

Back in 2000, I had a handlebar-mounted mirror that worked well on my old bike but didn't work adequately on the new one. So I decided to try the helmet-mounted mirror. The first couple of rides, I wanted to pull it away; I couldn't find a way to aim it adequately. But I decided to keep it in place anyway. Well, after 4 days, I suddenly realized that I was using it all the time.

Why specifically a Brooks for riding to and from work? The reason they are good is that they don't sweat or chafe on long rides. I don't see any real benefit on shorter rides. As long as the saddle is comfortable, you'll be fine.

I think with a commuting bike there is always the slight concern that someone will steal you bike or parts on it, as it stays locked up away from you for 8+ hours at a time, in the same predictable place. If you use the same bike for everything, or if you love a particular piece of gear, then sure you can ride the best and most expensive stuff to work or school or to the shops. But if it is just for getting from A to B, all you need is a safe, reliable, comfortable bike that will carry what you need it to.

That said, I ride a $1700 tourer with a brooks saddle and a bunch of accessories to my workplace in Dandenong

Thanks for the honesty! lol I'm looking at the "09" Moto CX TEAM TI as a commuter. About the same price range as yours. I used to pay a $460 monthly truck payment plus gas and ins. That's roughly 4 months worth of driving to get my bike and accessories. I live at the beach so joy riding is a must as well. I want one bike for all of it with as much comfort, speed and durability as possible but for around $2,000.

If you have trouble with helmet mirrors, Spintech mirrors on drop handlebars work well.



Ortlieb panniers are hard to beat. They are $$$ but worth it.

I shopped and shopped for a bike to replace the cheap hybrid I first started commuting on; took months to decide and investigated several of the bikes mentioned above. Settled on a Surly Cross-Check because it felt great to ride, with some of the performance advantages of a road/cross bike but with commuting options like clearance for wide tires and fenders. I nearly did the Long Haul Trucker but it's heavier and designed for big loads while I'm the type who prefers to carry stuff on my back - I figure my legs are doing enough work pushing the bike, plus the backpack builds the upper body and comes with me automatically when I'm done riding. If you carry a lot of stuff on your commute the LHT or another touring bike might be the thing. Always amazed though at what I can fit in my Victorinox pack. I could live out of that thing.

This is more personal taste, but in test-riding I didn't like the feel of anything but steel. I was willing to spend more money as this vehicle is keeping my car in the garage and saving me thousands. But the non-steel bikes seemed to bounce me right out of the seat.

They are called Bento boxes. Most bike shops should have them, but if not, try triathlon specific shops. They are popular with Ironman distance triathletes for keeping food and gels for the 120 mile ride.

Jandd stem bag

Yep its a Jandd and it holds my battery for the headlight and my I.D. badge so I don't have to fumble around in my pockets at the guard gate.

Once again, thanks everyone! I think this thread can help a lot of first time commuters find the products that will work best for their specific needs. I've dabbled with commuting in the past but getting serious here in a month or so.

Accessories: All those things mentioned by others so far.... but please consider getting a "Brave Soldier" Road Rash First Aid Kit. Great thing to have, so hopefully you will never need it. Doesn't take much space, runs about 14 bucks.

-3bikes

Can't say enough good things about the Carradice Bike Bureau



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