I will be starting my first year of college very soon, and currently my goal is to use only a bike to get there. I am just trying to get myself prepped, figure out the things I absolutely need. Physically I am prepared, the ride is only about 19 miles roundtrip.

What do you wear during your ride to work when it is around 75 degrees?
Can you think of anything I definitely need?

I am planning on buying 2 locks, probably fenders, spd pedals/sneakers.
Thanks for the help guys!

Speedo compression shorts under athletic mesh shorts, thin 'wicking' socks and an athletic 'wicking' shirt. Cheap stuff, aside from the compression shorts. (no cotton and nothing that will absorb a lot of water)

I'm a grad student--I hope to start my last year of university very soon.

I ride about 20 miles roundtrip in the summer (the shortest route would be 12). I don't have the patience to stay below the sweat threshold (for me that would be around 12-13 mph), so I wear lycra shorts and a jersey and change at work.

Fenders, decent lights, and pump/patch kit/spare tube are essentials. I also like to have the tools I need for cable and brake adjustments (just a couple of allen keys for my bike). Just about anything else is optional--you'll soon figure out what you need and what you don't.

As a final note, campuses are high-theft areas so make sure you know how to lock your bike securely, and don't commute on anything you can't afford to replace.

cyclist-cut undies from Target, jean shorts and a t-shirt.

I commute when its 100+ in the morning and 110 in the afternoon and commute only five miles, yet I sweat and stink like I've just come off the TDF (there is no such thing as a "sub-perspiration pace" here). I wear baggy shorts and a t-shirt... with lycra shorts and jersey under them to keep the sweat at bay. I change into normal undies and a clean shirt (after a wipedown with washcloth) when I get to school and spend the next hour reading (re: cooling off.)

Synthetic shorts, synthetic t-shirt, no socks, teva sandals, work clothes in the front basket, tools in the saddle bag, water bottle in the cage, helmet on the noggin and 24 miles round trip on the fixed gear. No spandex or clipless pedals/shoes for me.

as little as possible cuz laundry is a drag

Bib shorts and a cycling jersey as a base. On most days I wear some cycling knickers and if cool enough a light jacket. When it gets over 80 or so the knickers come off and I'm all roadie.

Close here. Same Target cycling undies (they rock!) and shorts and a wicking t-shirt.

I have cycling shorts with chamois, jerseys, etc that I'll wear occasionally, but bike is fitted well and I have no issues with normal clothing chafing on the rides. Can't do jeans in any form tho.

Thank you all for the advice, I did forget to mention that I will have a flat repair kit, and multitool.
How do you think slightly baggy MTB shorts would work?
Something like this... https://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...uct_id=1366607

What do you think?

I use those sometimes. They're okay. The reason I don't wear them all the time is because when it's too hot and I sweat a lot I hate the way the synthetics smell. Cotton is less objectionable to me. When it cools off some I wear the cycling shorts more until the really cold weather kicks in.

I know a guy who commutes everyday to work with the slightly baggy mtb shorts and it works great for him. I would suggest investing in a nice backpack like the waterproof ones Ortlieb makes. The "cool" bike commuters at my campus wear as little bike gear as possible, but they usually take the bus when the weather is less than perfect! If you have a nice backpack can bring some extra clothes like socks, rain jacket, etc. I tried riding my bike to school last year, in what I thought was light, in jeans and had to sit through 2 lectures in soaking shoes and pants. Fenders and some protective glasses are nice for road grit and rain too.

Forgot to mention, you'll probably want to get a couple of the riding shorts as they need washed often. Otherwise you might scare off those sorority sisters.

Cargo shorts and bright t-shirts from walmart. I change into my work clothes when I get to work.
Ernest

I wear either bike pants or swim trunks that just look like baggy trunks, then a long sleeve alertshirt on top for visibility.
The bike pants are OK, I bought them when I first started, but honestly for me the swim trunks work as well. Swim trunks are < $10.

For your situation: cargo shorts and a merino wool t-shirt. Merino self-cleanses - you could ride for a week in it before getting stinky. I wash both in Nikwax water repellent. This leaves them as capable of ever as "breathing" but makes rain bead and run off them. Merino boxers are a nice touch if you can find them.

SPDs aren't really useful for a commute - the real performance gain is tiny. Try BMX platform pedals instead - they stick to your feet like crazy and let your wear almost any shoe. Stick for the crucial lowest quarter of the pedal stroke is very high, so propulsion efficiency is too.

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.

I usually commute (28mi round trip) in 'baggy MTB shorts' and a cycling jersey. I know it is just vanity, but when I have to stop for errands on the way there/home, I like not walking through wal-mart/target/grocery store in spandex. I also wear wicking socks (I have bike-specific ones - as silly as it sounds to spend money on biking socks, they help a lot) as well as crankbro's eggbeaters (candys). I use a fairly relaxed shoe with them - I can walk around without feeling the cleat, which is nice if performance isn't your main goal.

Get good locks, and replace any quick releases you have on your wheels/seatpost! I see bikes locked up missing a wheel or seat all the time.

Personally I wear bike shorts and a wicking shirt but I have easy access to a shower at work and I like to push it on my commute. Many people successfully ride in whatever they're going to wear at the office.

As far as SPD pedals go, it's an open question as to whether you'll see much benefit from them during a commute. Personally I like them and have experienced the competitive advantages but as far as making your commutes faster... well, I don't see a lot of difference overall. If you have some significant hills to deal with that may tip the scales more in their favor.

If you already have them and are comfortable with them, then by all means use them. Having some sort of foot retention can be nice in wet weather and it makes bunny hopping easier, though some would call it cheating. The downside of course to SPDs is the expense and having to wear compatible shoes. Mine are pretty comfy and I can wear them anywhere but they do click on any concrete that isn't really smooth.

edit: Something else I thought of regarding clipless pedals (or any foot retention). Even though it doesn't make much difference in terms of my overall commute time, the extra acceleration and ability to hold a pace longer does come in handy now and then. This might actually make up for those times that I still inexplicably have trouble clipping in

for my 20 mile round trip: poly-blend cargo shorts or Target-brand golf shorts over seamless undies, any of my wicking shirts, and Shimano sandals.

I ride a commuter train for a portion of my trip, and since I'm not a competitive cyclist, I have no need to dress like one for short hops. I have roadie shorts and jerseys for long rides.

I usually wear supportive underwear with khaki shorts on top and a wicking tee, it's nice to get technical shirts from running races. I always bring clothes with me to change into when I arrive at work.

Old cutoff shorts and a t-shirt.

There's this guy I see every day and he's always wearing a long sleave dress shirt buttoned to the top and a tie. I can only imagine how hot that must be.

I wear baggie mtb 'double shorts' (inner short w/ chamois, outer baggy short) up to about 85 degrees, then switch to medium/long running shorts when it is hot.
Up top, wicking stuff (running shirts, mainly) on hot days, cotton tee shirts when it's not so hot.

If you are accustomed to SPD's, use 'em!
I personally feel really wierd riding on a bicycle in street shoes, but I've used cycling shoes and toe clips / clipless pedals since the late 70's. I couldn't imagine riding a bicycle more than a mile without them.

I have about half the distance you ride so I just wear whatever I plan to wear to work that day. (with extra shoes and a sweater for excessive A/C left at work) You might not need to change depending on your riding speed and whether its a flat or hilly commute.

I'd go for locks, full fenders, a good waterproof jacket, lights (assuming you will be riding home sometimes after dark), and something to carry your books back and forth in. A rack and panniers would be ideal (look for a pannier that doubles as a backpack for carrying it around campus), but you could get by with a backpack (its just nice to keep the weight and sweat off your back)

For clothes in general think windproof waterproof for outer layers, and comfortable and breathable for inner layers. Dress slightly cooler than you would if you were walking in the same temperatures since you'll generate heat when riding.

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.