What do you wear?
08-20-09 | 03:51 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
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From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bikes: 2008 Trek 1.5, 2010 Trek Soho S
The "slightly baggy MTB shorts" are actually a double-short: the inner short is a liner with a chamois to help prevent chafing (they're meant to be worn without underwear, btw). It's a pretty good solution for that temperature range; however, I don't know anywhere in Wisconsin where it's 75 degrees year round. The liner of those shorts is detachable, so if it's got a decent chamois, you may want to experiment with wearing it under other pants as well.
The statement that "SPDs aren't really useful for a commute" is marginally true if one believes (erroneously) that usefulness is only measured in terms of a "performance gain", and nonsense otherwise. If you are using clipless now and like them, that's what you should use for your commute.
The statement that "SPDs aren't really useful for a commute" is marginally true if one believes (erroneously) that usefulness is only measured in terms of a "performance gain", and nonsense otherwise. If you are using clipless now and like them, that's what you should use for your commute.
It will be around 75 in Wisconsin for the first month of commuting, after that I will figure out what else to wear. I currently have SPD-R pedals on my road bike, and hate riding without clipless pedals. The SPD pedals I will be buying have a platform on one side, and clipless on the other side. I think the Pearl Izumi X-Alp sneakers will be the best sneakers for me. Any further suggestion or comments about those items would be useful.
08-20-09 | 03:56 PM
#28
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,978
Likes: 4
From: Redwood City, CA
Bikes: aggressive agreement is what I ride.
I find that SPDs are a lot more comfortable though, being connected to the bike, its not always about performance. I have two pairs of SPD walkable shoes, one being sandals, and both are comfortable. I put SPD one side/platform other side shoes on my commuter in case I wanted to ride in other shoes but I hardly ever do.
08-20-09 | 04:15 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 621
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From: Phippsburg,Me.
Bikes: Trek 7300/cannondale mountain bike
Jeans and sneekers no socks ,shirt to match weather in mild going. Every thing changes here about every two months THE old addage about Maine weather//Fall /Winter/Spring and The Fourth of July is way to true./Kenneth
08-20-09 | 04:48 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 6
From: Binghamton, NY
Bikes: Workcycles FR8, 2016 Jamis Coda Comp, 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker
Although my commute is not that far I just ride in regular clothes. My pedals are Wellgo somethings and I just use Power Grips. Whatever accesories you do get, just make sure they are portable (lights, rear blinky, air pump, seatbag, etc.). Something you can stuff in your backpack once you are locked up.
I think a rear rack and fenders would serve you well. You could probably bungee your backpack to the rack instead of keeping it on your back (shoulder straps up). You could also look into those panniers that double as a backpack as another poster mentioned (though I heard the attachment system can dig into your back). If you go with a backpack I would suggest one slightly larger than what you would normally carry (for extra stuff) with a waist/hip belt, chest strap, and perhaps internally framed.
Check with your campus police if it has a high incident of bike thefts. Some campuses are notorious while others rarely anything happens. A good ulock for the rear triangle and tire and a cable for the front wheel may be sufficient. Also LOCK your bike in a well traveled, lit, and secure place (our campus just intalled a bike rack with an overhead very close to the quad
). Otherwise get to know some of the professors or others who bike to work. They may let you park your bike in their office, a classroom, or an unused storage place. Also see about lockers and such. Some of our older buildings and Athletic facilities have them. Our Art Department has some huge ones.
I think a rear rack and fenders would serve you well. You could probably bungee your backpack to the rack instead of keeping it on your back (shoulder straps up). You could also look into those panniers that double as a backpack as another poster mentioned (though I heard the attachment system can dig into your back). If you go with a backpack I would suggest one slightly larger than what you would normally carry (for extra stuff) with a waist/hip belt, chest strap, and perhaps internally framed.
Check with your campus police if it has a high incident of bike thefts. Some campuses are notorious while others rarely anything happens. A good ulock for the rear triangle and tire and a cable for the front wheel may be sufficient. Also LOCK your bike in a well traveled, lit, and secure place (our campus just intalled a bike rack with an overhead very close to the quad
). Otherwise get to know some of the professors or others who bike to work. They may let you park your bike in their office, a classroom, or an unused storage place. Also see about lockers and such. Some of our older buildings and Athletic facilities have them. Our Art Department has some huge ones.
