What else do I need for my commute?
 

I started commuting back in 2008 after a trip to Japan. I stopped in 2009 and 2010 for various reasons but now I'm back. Here's my ride. I'd like to know what else I might need?

Bike: 2007 Trek 7000 Hybrid Bike
Bontrager Rear Bicycle Rack
Bontrager Interchange Grocery Bag Pannier
Cygolite Hi-Flux II 150 Lumen Light - bought used on Craigslist and it is the older model that has the water-bottle battery that lasts 6 hours on high.
Serfas SL-200 - 1 W light. Pretty bright but narrow. Use it as a backup
Trek Ion 6 that is attached to my helmet as a "see me" light.
3 blinkies. One is a 1W bright blinky that is in alternate flashing mode. The 2nd is on my seat pack and is steady. The 3rd is a cheap Bell blinky that sits low on the bike and I use it as a 2nd backup (seat pack is really my backup but I use it anyways)
Seat Pack Bellwether Aqua-No Rain Jacket - great windbreaker and breathable too.
Helmet

I commute about 13 miles each way to school. I usually have 20lbs of books and school stuff in the pannier. I carry 7lbs on my back via laptop messenger bag. The commute is early in the morning (6:30am and 8:00pm). The route is very hilly and traffic is usually low on the streets I go. Here in Louisville, KY there are several bike lanes and designated bike routes for saftey. Biggest worry are two 1.5mi stretches of mean hills on major 5 lane roads.

Total trip time for my 1st ride was 1hr in the morning and 1hr20min going home because my legs got so tired I felt like I was riding through sand.

I plan on adding another pannier for my laptop. Part of my trip is through a park that is PITCH BLACK at night and so I want something with at least 300 lumens.

What else do I need? Fenders? Definatly a new seat but the only brand my LBSs carry is Bontrager. How I wish for a road bike. But the streets have plenty of cracks and bumps in them.

And exhausted as I was getting home last night, it was worth every minute of it.

Well, you carry more than I do on my commute to classes but I only travel about half the distance you do. I do suggest two panniers though. For one, I prefer to have the weight balanced (not that I notice it too much when the weight isn't); and two, I just like symmetry. I would always rather have two half full panniers than one packed pannier.

I would highly recommend getting as bright a light as you can get your hands on. Before I moved I rode a lot through pitch black back roads I was sure happy to have a super bright light. Now I commute through pretty dense city the whole way so I have downgraded my light; there isn't a section of road that doesn't have street lights around here.

My suggestions: two panniers, bright light.

If I had a chain tool with me last week, I wouldn't have ended up walking :(
Some folks also carry a spare masterlink.

I carry these.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...MasterLink.jpg

I have a short commute but I carry as much on my bike as I would in the trunk of a car. I also ride an Xtracycle so I can carry all I want. Today it was two teenage boys, not very far though. They weighed a ton.
Your commute is so long you might want to go to a Cateye light. They have one that is solar powered and is supposed to be great. Depending on your climate you might want to add some packable rain pants, you just throw on over your jeans. Wind proof, water proof.
Glad your making the commitment to commuting. Welcome back.

Another pannier and some fenders will help things out. But most of all keep riding, you'll figure out what you need as you go ;-). It generally ends up being different for everyone.

A 300 Lumen light is great, but I get by on really dark roads with a 100. My only point - use what makes the most sense for you and your needs.

Tire levers if you don't have them already, but I don't think you 'need' anything else.

Sounds like you've got more than what you "need" already. Those CO2 canisters won't do you any good without an inflator though I assume you forgot to include that in your list. Also, a tire lever is a necessity for me. But I am riding on 19-yr-old wheels which are really hard to change tires on.

Not need, but a change I would make is to replace the panniers with a good backpack. Mine is too big for me, but it sounds like it would be ideal for you.

Look at the Deuter Futura pro 32 or 42 packs. REI carries them

CO2 cartridges are fun I guess, but a big hulking pump strapped to your frame would improve your 'Fred' status.

Being prepared for anything is so important! This thread has made me think a lot. Always good to be ready for possibilities.
Just purchased a chain tool yesterday which I will definitely add to my kit.

it is definitely worth it. i suggest eating well, sleeping well, and resting those muscles as much as possible. it's actually the rest time that allows your muscles to recover and rebuild, that's where you gain muscle, strength and endurance. don't let it catch up with you, you will be glad you got the rest you need next time you get on the bike. before you know it, you won't be as tired after a ride. but you will always need that rest...