Commuting Necessities (gear)?
 

My partner and I recently started riding to and from work. The ride is about 7-8 miles one way on poorly kept bike lanes with trash, glass and various repairs. I ride a Specialized Hardrock and she rides something similar made by Giant (both entry level).

We will both be riding when it is dark out, so the plan is to buy some lights. I have done some reading here and am thinking this for the rear and have not settled on front lighting.

I want to get us seat bags with the necessities as well as a mini-pump. We are on a budget and hoping to avoid spending a lot of money on this endeavor. Does anyone have recommendations on what to carry and specific brands that can be purchased without costing an arm and a leg? As of now we have the bikes and that is it.

I was thinking of getting a seat bag and sticking the following in it:

Spare tube
Patch kit
Tire levers
metric wrench set
screw driver

Any recommendations on the well priced seat bag, mini-pump and patch kit? Also, does it look like I am missing anything?

The last question is: How secure are seat bags? I take my bike up to my office, but she has to lock it up outside. I doubt anything will go missing where she parks, but want to insure that it doesn't. Any tips on this aside from bringing it inside with her?

First aid kit, 2 weeks supply of water, bag of MRE's, and a good hunting knife just to be on the safe side....

My commuting set-up doesn't address all of the issues you mentioned specifically. But this does give a lot of bang for the buck. So if you're budget conscious, then you might want to consider it.

Here's a link. Have fun.


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=566657

We are riding to work, not through the wilderness. I just want a small seat bag, nothing excessive...

You've got a good choice in rear light there. It's really bright and really noticeable, someone who passed me once even asked if I was an emergency vehicle. You might want to try looking for the 'Stealth' version; it is supposedly a little better sealed against water. That price is also a bit outrageous... I picked mine up for $14 Canadian, including tax, at a local retail store.

I too am looking for a good front light, and have heard a lot of good things about the Deal Extreme flashlights with a bicycle mount. I don't remember the name of the lights, but if you search for Deal Extreme you should be able to find the thread about them.

I'm currently looking for a pump myself, but I'm considering a Lezyne Micro Floor Drive; I've heard only good reviews about it so far.

Saddle bags are pretty easy to remove, you can just undo the straps and walk off with them. If either of you are adept with a needle and thread (or a sewing machine!) you can make something like a bike burrito (http://www.bikeburrito.com/). I made one that holds my 15mm wrench, spare tube, tire levers, allen wrench set and an energy bar, I just put it in my backpack when I lock my bike up outside. It's also small enough to fit in my pocket with a bit of squishing if I leave my bag at home for whatever reason.

Road morph pump. Multi-tool. Spare tube AND patch kit. Tire levers. Cable lock. This is all I commute with. Lockers (both bike and personal), Showers, clothing, and food are provided at work.

This can fit inside some of the larger seat wedge bags no problem, like a RavX Maxi. The cable lock is just in case you need to lock the bike up when you make a stop somewhere, or in case you break down and locking the bike up and comeing back for it later is a better option than pushing it. Leave the heavy duty locks at work so you don't have to lug them back and forth.

Seat bags and panniers are not secure, so if you lock the bike up outside, take them with you. Or decide that you are risking about $75 worth of stuff for the convenience of leaving it on the bike. I did this for two years. Two years of convenience, never had anything taken in my low crime lockup area. For the ultimate convenience, get a topeak MTX rear rack and an MTX bag. You just slide the thing on and off in seconds, plus you will have more capacity than a seat wedge.

Suit yourself. But when the weather turns bad you're going to want more capacity than a seat bag will supply.

I have to agree with bluegoatwoods. You're going to want more capacity. You might want to think of a back pack and or a pletcher style rack and bungee cords. The pletcher style have that spring loaded arm that clamps down, and tend to be inexpensive.

But what you have planned so far sounds good. Patch kit and a spare tube definitely. For my old Hardrock, I usually carried and old Zefal HpX pump. It's longer barrel made it easier to pump with than my Road Morph.

Thanks for the tips, I will look into the stealth and think about a bike burrito.

We have locks already, I never use mine since my bike sits in my office. She does. So far so good. I will look into the products you recommend.

We also carry a bag when we ride which has some food, our wallets and cell phone among other things. We are never off main roads and can always call for help.

I appreciate the concern. Right now I am trying to pick a comfortable bag, my partner has a small Timbuk2 and likes it very much. For our situation that is more than enough room.

I prefer a CO2 inflator over a hand pump because it fits easily in my seat pack and is quick and easy to use. I know I'm limiting how many tires I can fill on any given ride, but I've never needed more than two cartridges at a time. I carry two CO2 cartridges, a spare tube, and a multi-tool in my pack. That's pretty much it.

I have the Inertia Designs Trail Wedge which has been doing the job for a long time. It also comes in an expandable version if you want to carry a little more.

See both here: http://www.workbycycle.com/store/ind...oduct_list&c=9

I'd suggest choosing gear based on two things: your commute, and your knowledge/skills. There is no point in carrying something that you don't know how to use -- that includes tools, first aid kits, etc. If you don't know how to change a tube, why carry a spare? Also consider where you're commuting and how self-reliant you need to be. If you're doing a 20 mile commute on the prairie all on your lonesome, you probably want to carry the tools to fix most mechanical problems, an "ouch pouch" first aid kit to deal with minor problems, the know-how to use them, clothing appropriate for any possible changes in weather, and a cellphone to call for help. If you're like me and your commute is in a city, it's not nearly as necessary to be self-reliant in that way -- then it becomes a matter of choice whether you'd prefer to be able to (for instance) fix a flat when it happens, or simply lock up your bike, hop on public transit, and come back to deal with it later.

For me, it's

-lights
-spare tube
-frame pump
-tools to get the wheel/tire/tube off/on

other than that, the only "necessity" is the bike itself.

If your commute truly has alot of glass and other road hazards, consider putting a good set of commuting tires on your list, such as http://www.bicycletires.com/pmic26/m...26_inch/pp.htm on a budget or http://www.bicycletires.com/pscmp6/s...26_inch/pp.htm or http://www.bicycletires.com/pcocug/c...6_inch)/pp.htm if you want the best.

A good set of tire levers such as http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...ire+Lever.aspx

As far as inflation goes, I personally prefer the reliability and lack of waste that a frame pump (or good mini pump) provides versus the more convenient (but higher waste/anxiety - "is there enough air left?") CO2 type fillers. http://www.bikeman.com/PU1105.html

A good multi-tool is a necessity if you know how to do your own maintenance...... http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/116-Tools.aspx?s=735

As far as a bag goes, I'd just use a backpack for now, then switch to a rack and trunk bag/panniers long term. Seat bags CAN carry the essential toos, tube, etc, but I personally feel that the money is better spent on other stuff at the moment.

Lighting is worthy of an entire dedicated thread. For a rear light, the PB stealth and Superflash are great values for the money.
Up front, I like to have two lights - one blinking light to get attention, and one for illuminating the road. The latter will cost ALOT of money ($100+) if you want to get a good quality light.

Look into the Topeak multi-tools, you'll find a basic one with a screwdriver and the allen keys you'll need. It will be more compact than separate tools. It seems most people won't mess with a seat wedge but I'd probably take the multitool out if leaving the rest on the bike. A road morph pump will give you leverage like a floor pump so its much easier to inflate tires to full pressure than with a mini pump. They come with clips to attach it to the frame.

A patch kit should cost you about $3, its just some patches, glue and a bit of sandpaper to rough things up. I find the Zefal ones work well.

Not on your list but I'd highly recommend for commuting is a rearview mirror (take-a-look)

+1. I've been using Continental Contact tires and have encountered quite a bit of glass on my rides. The gators probably have a little less rolling resistance (faster), the contacts probably work better on loose terrain (packed dirt, etc.) due to the tread patterns.

One thing to bring is a cell phone in case there is a major problem. I carry a flat kit but will call my wife if something bigger happens (chain breaks, etc.).

Avoid Serfas products!!

After having discarded a K-2 size mountain of malfunctioning gear, my choices are:
lights - Trek, Mars or Blackburn. within these three price directly reflects quality. Keep the receipts, not all lights fit all frames and handlebars.
pump - blackburn airstick, the one that's rated to 160 psi.
saddle bag - any old thing will do, just make sure it is expandable. Have 2 - I repeat - 2 spare tubes and patch kit on top of it.
Leatherman-type tool to pull burrs out the tire. Sears has pretty decent thing for about 10 bucks - blue plastic-covered handles.

Ride Safe

SF

If I am going any distance I carry a minimum of;

tools and tyre levers
spare tube
pump
water
cel phone

Unless I am certain the weather will remain nice I also carry lightweight rain / bad weather gear.

The Planet Bike Superflash is probably the best rear light out there and these are fairly inexpensive... front lights are more expensive when you want illumination and not just lights to help you be seen.

3watt lights are a minimim for this, I like my 10 watt Nighthawk as it turns night into day.

Mounting a rear light on your helmet is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of being seen from the rear and the benefit is that it is always with you.

My winter helmet has front and rear lights.

What I have:

Fenders (if riding in rain)

Dinotte 140L tail and 200L head light, though the SuperFlash is totally acceptable most of the time. I just like the extra safety of the 140L because I ride even in heavy rain and heavy fog. 99% of the time the superflash would be fine. I dunno about front lights for < $100 - I never found anything I liked but others will help here. It depends on whether you need it to see or to be seen.

Rack & pannier - but whatever you have to carry your stuff in is fine.

Tools:
cheap $10 multitool from a department store is all I really use. A couple of wrenches besides that if you are going to be changing pedals, etc, but you don't need to carry those on rides.

Spare tube

Topeak Road Morph pump

Tire levers

glueless patch kit in case you flat more than once before getting home

"real" glue patches to fix the tube *properly* when you get home - I buy the $2.49 patch kit from Harbor Freight which has many patches in it:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=97204

This is the same light as the PBSF:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/193...fety-Light.htm

You might see my post in the lights/gadgets forum asking about it, and someone thought it wasn't the same...but I just got three of these and one of the Superflash yesterday. Same lights, different package. The PBSF has a nicer mounting strap/thingy.

For multi-tool, I like this: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/142...Multi-tool.htm

It has tire levers and a chain tool that works well. I lost mine and bought another.

For front light, consider a good LED flashlight and Two Fish lock blocks. Lockblocks are $6.95 at Battery Junction. You can get by with a Maglite LED with two AA or three AA batteries -- depending on how fast you're riding.

A Romisen like this will probably be better and cost about the same as theh Maglite: http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...CREE-Q5/Detail

A spare tube in case you have a flat that can't be patched.

That's really all I carry as far as gear on my commute - 27 mile round trip.

I cannot stress lights enough !! I went cheap and bought this http://cgi.ebay.com/PLANET-BIKE-BLAZ...d=p3286.c0.m14

The Blaze headlight is pretty much worthless for navigating any dark street at 15+ MPH but in flash mode it damn sure gets attention day or night.. I was catching left crosses on a DAYILY basis and have not had even one since installing the light..Both have withstood rain quiet well..RUN THEM LIGHTS DAY AND NIGHT !!!

Good breathable rain can be $$$$$$ ...I again went cheap and bought a pair of these http://cgi.ebay.com/L-Khaki-Frogg-To...d=p3286.c0.m14

Work great but you will pour sweat if you ride even remotely hard in them..Slow down , take it easy and enjoy the cool rain..

If I had the $$ to spend right now id get a set of racks and bags for the back..The backpack gets heavy when filled with, water, lock/cable, work pants/shirt, multitool, raingear, key, wallet, cell phone..Over 8lbs. in my case..

Lights and a cell phone. Spare tube and pump are nice as well. Everything else is dead weight!

This is why I don't bother with rain gear. I say leave the stuff home, ride hard and enjoy the cool rain.

I have had good luck with Specialized Crossroad tires for the rear and specialized Hemisphere for the front. 1000 miles of street riding they still look new and no flats.
I run the super flash and 1/2 watt blaze day and night. I ride all street to work and the Super flash is bright enough to catch most people's attention in late afternoon sun.

I'm trying to get a less is more attitude because I found my self riding a pack mule with the trunk bag. my seat bag has the following:
Small cheap multi tool
Cheap plastic Tire levers
patch kit.
Seat cover (I have a brooks on one and leather Terry's on two).
Sometimes I carry a inner tube if it is going to be a long ride.

I really like my Alien II multi tool but it is big, heavy and bulky. Touring it is on the bike. For commuting I have never needed it so I got the cheap multi tool that is 1/8 the size and weight.
Cell phone. I can always call the Wife or work buddy sag wagon if it is more then a mile walk in.

I keep a frame pump on all my bikes. CO2 is nice but you have one shot And on a large mountain tire it may not get it full. If you didn't get the leak fixed you are SOL. I like the Topeak Morphs the best. Built in gage, hose so you don't stress the tire valve and it has a flip out foot holder.

Head light...Very few small lights that will do the job. Unless you are going slow you can out run them if you don't have a path that is lit with street lights. I run a Cygo lite Night Rover in the winters when I will be commuting in the dark. Worth all 2+lbs for the 16 watts of light. Expect to spend at least $100 a light. I'm to the point that my main commuter may get a Dyno hub. $160 you can get a built dyno wheel from http://www.velo-orange.com/shdyhubwh.html

I have a rack and trunk bag to carry my lunch, clothes, phone, wallet, keys, access badge, lock, sunglasses, and a mini-toolset w/ spare tube. If I wasn't bringing my lunch and spare clothes, I'd probably use just a small saddle bag.

That's a good point, but someone who does know how to change a tire may stop and do it for them. Especially if the one with the flat tire is female.

If the bike is locked outside you need to make different choices than if its kept safe inside. Also if you have a job where your daily presence is not considered a necessity for someone's life, that can change your approach too.

I go 12 miles each way. I carry a road morph pump, spare tube, patch kit, levers, mini multi tool and a cell phone with taxi cab number stored in it. I also have a road ID that has my bosses number as an emergency contact.

My bike has full fenders, disc brakes and the best lighting system you can get.

Front and rear light.
Spare tube.
Multitool.
Tire lifters.
Pump.
Personal identification.
Wallet.
Cellphone.

Basically, everything you need should fit into a saddle bag.