hvac59

This site says a lot!

https://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/2...1_archive.html

Sixty Fiver

My Girl started commuting 1 day a week, not knowing if she was able to do the 6 miles a day.

She rode several times the first week, 3 times the next week, and went to full time commuting after that.

agarose2000

Good luck. Not to be a downer, but as a non hard-core cyclist without dedicated gear already, I suspect that 13 miles on a mountain bike on busy roads in fall/winter on the east coast will be too much to handle for a new bike commuter. Not impossible, but I guarantee it will be difficult, unless you really, really enjoy being on your bike.

Despite what folks on this forum say about needing minimalist solutions, for your kind of described commute, I anticipate that you will actually NEED most of the equipment you hear folks talking about. Like:

- Raingear
- Lights - serious front and quality rear
- Fenders
- Rear rack+panniers or a bike-friendly backpack
- Hardcore reflective gear

None of these are optional if you're riding for an hour+ in darkness, rain and with significant car traffic the whole way. All of these are optional on a road bike in summer conditions with a <5 mile commute, but in the tough conditions, they are not. And on the east coast, it's more likely than not what I describe.

And on a mtn bike, 13 miles in traffic will be a chore if you're riding in the dark+rain, which will be fairly soon. I do it (18 miles one-way but with bike-friendly roads), and so do many on these forums, but I'd consider myself "hard-core" in those conditions, and honestly, in dark+rain, I find it no fun to be out there. Plus, I'm on a road bike, which is a good 20% faster than the mtn bike, easily.

Definitely take it easy at first - once a week is plenty with 13miles on a mtn bike, and do it on days with great conditions and when you're feeling great. If you force yourself too much early on, I guarantee you'll stop even considering it.

no motor?

So would a lot of us!

dahut

Okay this poster makes some good points. is this imoves on, I see I missed the MTB part of the OP's commute - AND the 13 miles. While the right MTB can make a good commuter, not all of them will. Sometimes the frame geometry is wrong, or sometimes the gearing isn't quite right. The trick is to get yourself fairly upright, high enough and with the proper stretch, seat-to-bars. MTB's tend to be cramped in the cockpit, so getting up and behind their usual center becomes important.

Things of further importance, far in excess of their seeming innocuous appearance, are these:

- Raingear
- Lights - serious front and quality rear
- Fenders
- Rear rack+panniers or a bike-friendly backpack
- Hardcore reflective gear

I stick by my stance that you can use L.L. Bean or backpacking rain gear, that sort of thing. There are a lot of choices along these lines.
But lights and reflective gear will be a requisite, if even part of your commute is in darkness. Good headgear will be, too, when the weather turns cold.
Fenders are not just for when it is pouring rain, either. They are really at their best when the roads are simply wet, or mucky. They protect you and your bike from the crap that comes up from the road, and it doesn't have to be pouring rain for it to be there. It is there when puddles are present when the spring thaws come and so on.

I have a MTB that I use as a commuter myself, and Ive added the following things to it:

A rear Rack
A wider, softer seat.
A signaling bell
A higher seat post
A set of comfort tires.

Next additions will be some riser bars and a set of fenders.

The tires are also a deal breaker, IMHO. The usual knobby stump jumpin' rubber that comes on MTB's should be replaced with a more road friendly tire - but one which is still rugged. You are looking for a happy medium between the buzzy, high resistance (slow) knobby tires, and the smooth, high pressure (fast) road tire.
If your bike is like most MTB's and has 26" tires, WalMart sells a good Bell comfort tire with Kevlar belting for $15. They also have "Slime," or you can get tire liners to prevent flats.
Seriously look into different tires, if you haven't already.

fourteen

I would recommend that you always carry a little cash for a bus fare (or taxi if there aren't buses that run in your area). If you get a flat or have a spill or something, depending on conditions it may just be better to get home first and assess/repair the damage later.

It's not strictly necessary, but it's good to have a backup plan. I'm one of those cautious types, so I keep some singles in my repair kit and my change purse in my lunchbox.

MitchL

I bought my first pair of cycling shorts recently for $34 shipped... that was the cheapest I could find. I hated them... can't stand how all that padding feels. I bought a new planet bike saddle for $23 dollars and love it. I would say a good saddle is a better investment.


I will def have a similar sweat problem when I start my commute (11.5 hilly miles). Do the baby wipes get rid of under arm BO? Do you smell like baby wipes all day?

agarose2000

I think a cell phone for phone a friend is a much better solution.

You'll be lucky if buses in your area will accept a bike on the bus. (They'll need to have a front bike rack.) Plus, odds of you finding a bike route where you've flatted could be hard if you're not in an urban area.

If you're spotting for a taxi, I sure hope you're carrying more than singles - it's pretty much $5 minimum noawadays the moment you set foot into a cab - and most likely they'll charge you an oversize fee if you attempt to load a bike.

trekker pete

Some of the replies seem to think you can make a 13 mile commute in your work clothes.

Perhaps you can if your ride is very flat and you are in no big hurry to get there.

Mine isn't and riding a bike is an aerobic exercise thing for me. If I ain't sweating, I ain't doing it right. My ride is maybe a half mile shorter than yours.

By no means is this a recommendation to buy cycle specific clothing. The only cycle specific clothing I have ever bought is cycling shorts and tights, shoes and gloves. I buy these because I think the difference between cycling shorts and regular shorts is well worth it. I never have and likely never will buy a cycling jersey. Generic poly athletic shirts work every bit as well. The local salvation army/good will has racks full of them for a dollar or two a piece. You could ride in cotton as well. It's a personal preference although cotton as a base layer in cold weather is a really bad idea, IMO. I have ridden in weather down to the low 20s with this sort of stuff. A long sleeve poly and a fleece or 2 and maybe a windbreaker is sufficient. I have winter tights but my first 2 seasons, sweatpants over cycling shorts did fine. Just find tight fitting sweats.

Clipless shoes/pedals are also a worthwhile expense. Cages work very well, if you are tightly strapped in, but, if you are commuting in traffic where quick unplanned stops are a regular occurrence, being strapped in tight can suck....badly. An advantage to cages is that you can wear boots with them in cold weather. I bought a pair of neoprene booties instead. They can be found on sale on line for under 20 bucks.

13 miles on a mtb is tough enough already. doing it on regular platform pedals will make it a lot tougher. find the money for clipless. i recommend spd specialized tahoes. they are easy to walk in, stand up well and are cheap.

for lighting, it depends. do you need lights for seeing or to be seen? cheap led flashing lights will do you for "be seen" lighting. you can get a pb superflash tail light/blaze headlight for under 50 bucks. for "see" lighting, the magicshine seems to be very popular and is under 100 bucks.

much of these things can be had from CL or ebay with pretty nice discounts from new. the one thing I'd be hesitant about buying used is shoes, but, I'd buy them as well if the price was right.

thenomad

coworker saw me riding in 4 days a week and decided he'd give it a shot. He rode in twice a week one way. Then had a friend take him home. He's now starting to add a day or add the ride home as well. I'll ride along with him a day or so that our schedules intersect. He's loving it.

Sixty Fiver

Specialized clothing can be nice but is not essential... had a friend do a 120km ride last week in a dress and comfortable shoes.

Used to ride my mtb with slicks 40km a day and it was no big thing... and still like my 26 inch wheels and tyres for commuting.

If it was not for nerve damage in my back I's still be riding on flat pedals or using clips and straps but my left foot forgets where it is and I use spd pedals to keep my foot planted and my knee lined up.

Most often I am riding in everyday clothes with cycling shorts underneath my jeans or riding shorts (mtb shorts) and wearing some mtb shoes which are very comfortable for standing and help with walking because of their stiffer soles.

The things that will make your commute the most enjoyable is being ion a bike that fits you well, that is geared right for then terrain, and having a saddle that makes you forget it is there.

When you have to deal with bad weather or ride in the winter you need to do a little more to make sure you stay dry and warm and that your bike will stay attached to the road.

agarose2000

I'd argue that for someone commuting regularly 13 miles each way on a mountain bike, on the East Coast where rain, sleet, and now darkness are the norm before/after work, and a bike newb on top of it all - bike clothing is essential unless you plan on doing it once and being done with it forever. By bike clothing, I don't mean it has to be bike-specific per se, but should be weather-appropriate and very comfortable.

Get stuck with a good headwind even with a mild drizzle on your 1 hr 15 minute ride home in the dark with a drafty shirt on, and you'll probably never bike commute again. Heck, try commuting 1 hr 15 minutes one way, twice per day, 3-4x per week without cycling shorts as a newb, and you'll still find that alone challenging.

However, I think a lot folks would agree with me that with the right gear, commuting in some pretty god-awful conditions can be a lot of fun and adventure. That rainstorm and fierce headwind and dark doesn't become so oppressive when you're nice and toasty in your weatherproof jacket boties and gloves, comfy on the saddle with your nice bibs, got great lighting to see easily ahead and not worry at all about being invisible from the side or rear, and have a well-fitted nicely tuned bike that you're actually excited to be on. As much as I'm a cheapskate, for significant commutes over an hour in length, I'd get the best gear I could get - not optional in my book if you plan on doing it more than a few times before you quit.

steve0257

If money is tight you have to prioritize your accessories. But you do have enough to get started. As one who wishes commuting was an option I would add in the following order. Add as money and time allow.

Lights, this is the only one that I consider a truly must have. The rest make it easier or more enjoyable
Bell or horn
Rear Rack
Some sort of bag, panniers, or baskets to carry stuff that may not fit in the seat or handlebar bag
Fenders
Smooth tread tires if you currently have knobbies
Now you get into clothing. For rain gear I have some cheap stuff I picked up at Mills Fleet Farm along with a reflective vest. Shorts and jerseys will be a matter of preference if you want them or not. Winter gear will turn out to be whatever works for you.

dedhed

Just some thoughts;

Ditch the knobby tires if you have them. Just the noise will drive you nuts.

For urban riding I rode for years with a cheap "be seen" lights. Street lights were enough to see. I finally splurged on a Magicshine and it's nice for the trail portion of my ride.

I wear a regular construction safety vest - ALWAYS when I commute.

I also didn't get bike specific rain gear for a few years. Being a camper/hunter/fisher I had a couple different sets that worked fine. 80 & rain is way different then 40 & rain, Rarely wear my rain gear in summer unless it's a downpour. I bought a nice pair of cannondale rain pants at the thrift store for $2

I ride 26m/day on road bike and wouldn't do it without bike shorts. I had a pair and have added more as deals come along.

I wear a stiffish soled pair of athletic shoes. When I replace them I look for flat stiff soles. I use cheap plastic $5 strapless Mt bike toe clips from REI. Quick in & out and still some attachment and foot placement control. Some day I may go clipless. Below about 20 - 25 I wear a pair of hiking boots. I love smartwool bike socks and other merino long socks for cold weather.

In cold weather I bought some Craft XC ski pants I love. Thin fleece lined, full length leg zippers for venting. Bought another pair recently on sale. Tops I had some duofold and other long sleeve henlys in wool blends and hi tech fabrics from hunting/skiing etc. I've purchased some smartwool stuff on clearance and my daughter bought me some really, really nice Icebreaker merino tops for Xmas. I have various gloves to fit the weather, but when it gets real cold I use a $4 pair of ski gloves from Menards. I have to turn them inside out during the day to dry as I will often sweat in them.

Summer tops were whatever. I've since purchased wicking tops from thrift stores, sales, swaps etc.

My 22 YO Trek road bike daily rider won't fit fenders. My hybrid rain bike has fenders for known rain days. You don't need two bikes but I subscribe to N+1
I don't own a bike without a rack. Most bought on sale or Ebay as well as pumps. I bought a used pair of panniers form a guy at work for $20. Used them a number of years and purchased a new pair at REI scratch & dent sale for $35, sold the old ones for $20. I also got an old pair of Kelty tourpacks in a $5 box O'stuff at a gear swap. These fit my kids bike for rides such as the fireworks when we need to bring more "stuff"

Oufitting yourself can be done over time on a budget, keep your eyes open in thrift stores, especially near high end neighborhoods where people buy the good stuff and wear it once. Most gear can be had on sale both on line and locally, gear swaps are another good place to look.

Another option is to find a good place to park part way to work and multi mode commute until you build up the strength, resolve, whatever to do it full distance, full time. I started out parking at one of our other locations and riding 4 miles and doing extra riding after work until I was ready to go the distance.

Commodus

I haven't read the rest of the replies...

But, you don't need anything. Once a week? You don't need rain gear or fenders or tools. Bring a cell phone and/or some change, if you get a flat grab a bus or call a friend.

Don't ride in the rain. Eat whatever you want. You're just riding to work once in a while, it's not an adventure.

Pick up some cheap blinkies, your idea to make trial runs is a good one. You're fortunate to have wide shoulders on your route.

If you like it enough to start doing it more often, you will eventually start to resent not being able to ride in the rain. So, you will want rain gear and fenders. You will know when you need them. Similarly with clothing, as you start to ride faster and push yourself a little, because you find it fun, you will start to wish for more appropriate clothing. When you need these things, you won't have to ask anyone for advice. Because you will know you need them, and exactly why.

PaulH

Like most of the population of Beijing and Copenhagen, I don't own any of these things and never have. I just hop on the bike and go.
However, lighting is essential.

Paul

agarose2000

Are you doing 13 miles each way on a mtn bike?

PaulH

Ten miles each way an a German commuter bike. I've never ridden a mountain bike, so I can't comment on the experience.

Paul

fourteen

I guess I'm lucky to be where I am. I live in the Piedmont Triad of NC, so aside from the city bus systems (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point) there's a regional transit system that you can use to get between them (as well as to the smaller cities in the area). They all have bike racks, even the little shuttle buses.

Then again, I'm the type of person who absolutely hates to inconvenience anyone, so I'd rather stand at a bus stop bleeding or pay an extra few bucks than call someone and say "halp".

Loose Chain

Amen, ditto, a mtb, 13 miles, busy roads, wow. Yeah, I am sure some of you man up and can do it but why torture yourself, at least get a quality machine that fits and put the correct tires on it and lights etc. For a mtb, get rid of the squishy, dangerous knobby tires and get it equipped with some decent street tires.

Important, learn how to fix flats, splice chains etc because cell phone or not, there will be a day you need to kn ow how--and get the tools and sprares to do the work.

coldfeet

Yup, that's me, I tend to buy bike stuff ...just because.+1 this,

Make up a list of things suggested in this thread, then think about it with the addition of your own experience on the commute, then prioritized purchases ( if needed ) based on that.

The only fear I have, is that you'll have one day that is close to disastrous, i.e. arriving to work looking like a drowned rat, torn clothes, late, shivering... whatever.. and that killing any thought of doing it ever again. If you have a backup plan, don't be afraid to activate it, consider the situation, and if necessary, break out the cell phone, or whatever. Sometimes overcoming adversity can be great, we aren't you however, you're the one who is there.

I assume that the boyfriend is an important resource in this, use him, if he's worth keeping, he'll be delighted to help. Don't let him push you into stuff that you're not ready for though.
Generally, from the tone of your post, it sounds like you've got your head screwed on right, get out and ride!

Also, please report back, we'll be waiting for your posts.

HardyWeinberg

+1

whitecat

What you said generally stands for cotton and classic clothes. Proper cycling quickdry clothes do not stink, breathe much much better then cotton, and dry much quicker where cotton stays wet and cold for a long time. Some of us sweat a lot no matter how we ride, and such proper clothes are a MUST. But I guess, you might think your opinion is right if you never tried quality biking clothes.

whitecat

This is good advice. Take notice if you want to enjoy your commute.

009jim

I believe above is the best advice. You can always just walk your bike to the nearest LBS or call a friend if you have a problem. Get good tires and you won't get punctures. Play it safe is the big deal. Don't get over-confident. On a bicycle you are unlikely to get special treatment from cars, buses, trucks - stay clear of them.