1. A bike.
2. A place to work.

Those are the essentials. Everything else is just fluf.

I don't have a job right now and still commute. If you got somewhere to go would be more appropriate.

Here? rain gear.

Nah, you're just a wannabe commuter. Keep it up though, so your quads are ready for the real thing.

I started with a beat up mountain bike, a helmet, a cheap lock, and a spirit of parsimony. I also started with a commute of 1.2 miles each way (to Metro), done only in daylight, and with my wife or daughter to back me up with cars as needed. Related to this, I suppose: I carry my cell phone at all times, and I try to ensure that it is always charged. I've needed it from time to time when a) I got a flat, before I got patch kit and pump b) when I suffered a broken chain and c) when my bike was stolen. Depending on your situation, it might be your most important accessory.

As I rode more, I decided certain accessories made sense. The first thing I actually bought was a new backpack, when the old one I had been using split a zipper in an unrepairable way (unrepairable in an economic/practical sense - not actually unrepairable). I would say this is a common early need -- a way to carry more stuff. You'll find splits of opinions over what's best, and that's because what suits one person doesn't suit another. I was a confirmed back pack person until I decided to ride all the way to the office, instead of using Metro to make part of the journey. The longer time on the bike encouraged me to get a rack and panniers. Others prefer messenger style bags. I still prefer a backpack when I am doing a lot of moving about off the bike. YMMV

I now ride about 12 miles each way, I have a (relatively) inexpensive drop bar hybrid, a rack and panniers (fenders coming), 2 U locks (one lives on the office rack) and a cable lock (though I often forget it at home), tire levers, spare tubes, patch kit, pump, multitool, 2 headlights, 3 taillights, 2 pairs of gloves, a reflective vest, a seatbag, a bell, and probably a couple of things I'm forgetting. One thing I'm missing is a master link to repair a broken chain -- it is on my list of items I want to have with me, but forgot.

I started out wearing street clothes, but shifted to wearing cycling shorts (under 'street' shorts) and wicking t-shirts during the warm summer months (even for my shorter ride -- I sweat!). I rarelly wear spandex as an outer layer, if for no other reason than I prefer to have a pocket available. I also don't think anyone wants to look at the shape of my butt. I have other active outerwear appropriate to being outdoors in most weather, though little of it is strictly cycling specific. For example: I have little in the way of rain gear -- my waterproof pants are wide legged, so I need to peg them if I wear them to ride. Honestly, though, I'm mostly a fair weather cyclist at this point -- not that I object overmuch to riding in rain, but it is inconvenient and adds certain risks, esp. after dark.

I wear a GPS enabled 'watch' rather than a cycling computer. if/when it fails, I might choose to replace it with a cycling specific model, instead. Definitely not essential, but fun to track miles/ speed/ 'progress'.

I recently began to use SPD pedals, after years of riding with standard (flat) pedals and toe clips/straps. Again, far from necessary, but it works for me.

I prefer my hybrid for commuting, though I own a road bike and a mountain bike. However, I will probably use the MTB for winter commuting, if I decide not to be a wimp and just ride metro ;-)

I'm very long winded. This is not essential to commuting.

Don't students commute? How about volunteers? is a mom or dad taking the kids to school each day 'commuting'? I think this def'n is too narrow ;-)

I'm suspecting what alan s said was in jest and good fun. I am also suspecting your response is the same.

Hopefully I will have a job to commute to soon. Just gotta make sure my quads are up to the task. I am applying all over the country from Florida to Alaska. That would be one heck of a commute.

All I carry is a waterproof shoulder bag for important work stuff and a set of clean clothes. I used to throw my panniers on the bike. After a while, I ditched them because I have to use public transportation to end my commute, and they were a hassle to load and unload. I just bought a huge Timbuk2 messenger (big enough to hold a case of beer :) ), and that's been great since.

commute [kəˈmjuːt]
vb
1. (intr) to travel some distance regularly between one's home and one's place of work

There are three things that are commonly recommended:

1. Lights
2. Fenders
3. Rear Rack.

After that a bell or horn and a mirror.

Having said that I have none of the above on my bike currently except for lights. ;)
The fenders are going to go back on pretty soon though. The wet fall weather has arrived.

I have learned that no two commutes and no two commuters are alike so I don't have any canned recommendations. But if people have a specific problem they're trying to solve I'll probably have a suggestion.

I say keep it as simple as possible. If you are just starting out then all you need is a bicycle that is in a good working condition, a pump, spare tubes and tire leavers. Everything else is just extras that make your cycling experience more pleasent/safe.

So much depends on your work environment.
I have a bike friendly work place. This can be a big advantage and limit the amount of stuff you have to deal with. I live in the tropics... well sort of. South Louisiana. This limits the range of clothes you need.

By bike friendly I mean:
It's okay to be sweaty,wet, etc.
Bike is safely stored indoors.
Shower is available.
Flexible hours.

What do I need?

#1
http://handlebarhelper.com/images/thumb.jpg

I carefully manage the files on this thumb drive. If it can't go on the drive it doesn't go to home/work. I won't carry a laptop on my bike, just no fun for me.

#2
http://handlebarhelper.com/images/full.jpg

A fun bike. Keeps me motivated to leave the car parked.

2a. Small bag with McGyver tool, patch kit, tire spoons, new tube
2b. Pump
2c. Lights. I have a no hassle light. It's a must for me as the days get shorter

Have fun setting up your commuter. I hope you enjoy it and your commute. Commuting via bike has been a life changing experience for me!

You do need a daylight visible tail light if you are in traffic. Knowing how to use a mirror is pretty helpful too.

In order, helmet, pump, Park glueless patches, 2 tire irons, mini tool, water bottles with water (duh), ID both state and insurance, spare tube, spare tire? yep, if your riding into remote areas like I do, mini folding pliers, cash, superglue (can fix things including cuts), computer, fiber spokes...all this and more depends on how far you ride or intend to ride. If your only riding 6 or so miles from home you only need the first 4 items, but you go towards 10 you may need a mini tool, go past 13 you will need water, go...well ok you get the idea, the further you go the more your going to need, tourers carry a lot of stuff in case of breakdown.

And a few minutes to cool off and clean up once you get to your destination.

No, but it does help a lot of us here!:innocent::thumb:

Just a bike, really. Anything beyond that depends on your specific commute.

If your bike has fenders, it might benefit you to remove them, though.

Where did this definition come from? Merriam Webster online offers, "3: to travel back and forth regularly (as between a suburb and a city) " Sadly, one of their example sentences is, "She commutes 400 miles a week." I'm guessing she didn't do that on a bike (though I realize a couple of people here sometimes do).

It seems to me that anyone on this board who has been commuting by bike for more than a month over-complicates this question.

I started commuting with a cheap bike, a helmet and a cable lock. I've been buying "essential" accessories pretty steadily ever since, but I could still do it with those three.

Now, because I've been commuting more than a month, I must over-complicate this.

Near essentials, that I would buy right away:

1. Spare tubes, tire levers and a good portable pump (because eventually you'll get a flat)
2. A patch kit (because it'll save money on tubes)
3. A floor pump (because pumping up tires with a mini pump is no fun)

When you go to buy a portable pump, do not base your decision on price or size. If you buy a cheap pump, I can almost guarantee that you will eventually spend the money on a better pump. Likewise with a small pump. Buy a Topeak Road Morph (or Turbo Morph) now and get it over with.

There are a lot of other things that I wouldn't want to do without, but I think everything else (including whether or not to get a mini-tool) is a matter of personal preference and/or the conditions under which you ride. You can buy them as you discover you need them.

When it comes to pumps for the bike, like a mini, don't believe the manufactures max rated PSI rating either, their off by at least a fourth, thus a pump rated for 100 will go no further then 75. The Topeak Morph is a good pump as is the Lezyne, I thing the Topeak is cheaper in cost. Don't buy the smallest pump you can find either because those you'll be lucky to get to 60! Get a mid size pump like the ones listed.

If your commuting, depending on how far, you should carry whatever you need to take care of most repairs and problems on the road. Why I suggested a spare tire, an ultralight racing folding tire fits into a expandable wedge seat bag, I've seen people destroy tires including myself and if I had been without a spare tire I would have been very late for work or stuck 50 miles from home.

I don't think I could add anything to the list that hasn't already been covered here, except maybe a secure place to lock your bike when you get to your destination. Well, as secure as possible anyway. :rolleyes:

What's that gadget on your rear wheel, bbeasley? I'm guessing it's a generator for your front light. Nice ride, BTW. :thumb:

Take-A-Look mirror.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/commute

"Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work." (from BF Commuting subforum)

Yeah, what is that thing?

I think a cell phone is probably #1 after an actual bike. It is a universal solution should anything bad happen