Hello,

I am just starting to commute on my Schwinn Voyageur 7, and would like other, more experienced commuters opinions on racks/panniers, fenders/skirt gaurds etc.

I am having my local Performance Bike put on my Transit TD1 rack tomorrow on Lola (that is my bike's name). I will be using this in combination with my Koki Bagatelle Cycling Panniers (one on each side when needed, at other times simply one), as well as using my Koki Budgie Handlebar Tote Bag. What I would ike to know is how difficult it is riding with full panniers? Mine will hold a variety of things (i.e. MacBook, files, books etc. for school/work and the occasional groceries, change of shoes, clothes (occasionally) etc. among other things). I have cerebral palsy, and bicycling is one of the things I can do with relative comfort in terms of workout, but I love the idea of commuting, which is the whole reason why I was given Lola for my birthday last year. I got in quite a few rides with her last year, and a couple when I placed a basket that I have purchased on her handlebars, but I have quicky come to realize that while I like the aesthetics of baskets, I do not like to feel of them attached to my bike.

As for fenders, I would iike to know others opinions on them. I like the idea of them, as well as the looks (sort of), but I am worried that they may be unnecessary, and cumbersome for me with my disability. I am trying to make things as easy as possible on myself without sacrificing comfort, style, and a lot of cash, since I am a graduate student on a tight budget. Also, how is riding a bicycle with/without fenders in a dress or a skirt? I do not believe in sacrificing style while commuting, and have a closet full of great clothes that I would like to keep that way. I am willing to add a rear fender(maybe a shorty?), but have to make my decision quickly, because they are installing my rack tomorrow.

Thank you for all of your help!

Fenders will help keep road spray from getting on you and the rest of your bike. They won't really help keeping a skirt out of your spokes. Since I'm a guy I can't speak from personal experience just from what I've observed. I see women with shorter dresses and skirts ride bikes without skirt guards all the time. My guess is that trying it with a longer skirt is asking for trouble. I don't see how a skirt guard could hurt.

Hi there LiteraryChic,

Since you're fashion conscious, you will most definitely need fenders. A small rack will prove to be quite convenient, as well. Also by using either a Traverse shoulder backpack, or perhaps even a standard backpack, in conjunction with your new panniers, you'll have more than enough space for all of your college materials, clothing, and food items.

For grocery shopping, I would advise you to either purchase small bottles or cartons of fluid items, such as milk and juice. Nothing more than quart size. Do not attempt to carry groceries along with school supplies. Be very careful not to load anything unbalanced or anything that will tend to overload your bicycle. If ever you feel that the bike is unstable, just stop and rearrange things, and don't attempt to ever repeat anything similar in the future. Plan your trips very methodically, everyday. Try to establish a riding buddy, whenever you attempt to commute distances of five miles or more.

Be very careful when transporting fliuds in containers that aren't filled to capacity. Also, let a friend or close associate know about your commute route and expected times of arrival. Always carry your cell phone and keep 911 on speed dial, just in case of an emergency. Wear a helmet, gloves, and a reflective vest or jacket. Have either a bell or Airzound installed. Make sure that you have a bright headlight and a rear reflector.

metta

Cfiber

I would suggest that you wear tights while cycling and change into a dress or skirt, once you've arrived at your destination.

Jeez CF, you sound like her mom.

I will respectfully disagree in a few regards. I don't think you need to make this overly complicated. Bells and lights are good things to have. A cell phone is not a bad idea either. However, you don't really need to wear tights, or any type of cycling specific clothing. You might find that type of clothing more comfortable on longer more strenuous rides, but for a few miles at a moderate pace, regular clothes are fine as long as it's not really hot or cold.

Whether or not you ride with a buddy is up to you. If you feel safe without one there is no need. There's also no need to methodically plan your trips. What fun is that? Same with letting people know about your route and estimated arrival times. If you feel safer doing those things then by all means, but I don't think it's really necessary. I don't know how much the fact that you have cerebral palsy impacts these decisions, but you're an adult and you can decide for yourself what you need to do for your own safety.

Riding with full panniers might take a slight adjustment but with the loads you're talking about I don't think it will be a big deal. It might be a little more unstable at really low speeds. It might be more prone to tip over if just supported by a kickstand.

A step-thru Nexus 7 speed is a good choice for daily commuting over small-medium distance.
Make sure you have the most puncture-proof tyres you can find. If the stock tyres prove OK, wait till they are worn out before replacing with Schwalbe Marathon PLUS.
Ideally, bikes should come with rack, fenders, lights all nicely integrated so you can forget about them.

Most everyday commuters use a single pannier bag and balance doesn't seem to be an issue. 2 bags can be a handful to carry but your have shoulder straps.

Fenders are a good idea and essential if riding in everyday clothing on wet roads. SKS chromoplastic are the ones to get, they are better and stronger than anything else and the front has a safety release system which has saved my from embarrassment or worse. All fenders need careful mounting, the stays need to be trimmed and rounded for safety. I prefer a ziptie to the metal hardware at the lower rear fitting. A good Local Bike shop (LBS) should be expert in fitting fenders. Shorty fenders are useless, get full length.

Your rear rack has a bracket for a light, this is the best location for mounting a rear light.
If you wear flouncy skirts then you really NEED a skirt guard. They weight nothing and look colourful so what's not to like.

When you get a chance you might want to poke around this blog. https://letsgorideabike.com/blog/

Written by two ladies, one in Nashville and one in Chicago, that pretty much rise year round.

Yes, fenders are essential if you live anywhere it rains and plan on using your bike to get around. They're also part of a sophisticated and stylish commuter bike's look. Ask about color options from the shop; there should be a couple beyond black and silver which you may find appealing.

Oh, and go full coverage, not shorties; you and your gear will stay much cleaner.

I must admit, I do feel quite sympathetic about the OP's physical situation and I would just absolutely hate to have any type of cycling lead her into harms way, if complicated by her condition. It would appear as though bicycling is not new to the OP, but commute cycling is completely new. Certainly, cycling with the additon of supplies stuffed into panniers for extra weight, will most assuredly be a new experience to her, and could prove to be quite a daunting task.

After the OP mentioned CP, I immediately felt extremely empathetic and concerned. Quite possibly more than I should have, but who knows?

We can only hope that as the adult that she is, she will make decisions that serve her best interests with respect to both health and safety.

When I mentioned tights, I didn't necessarily mean to imply cycling specific attire. However, I did mean something tight fitting over her legs. Tight jeans, leggings, or pants would suffice just as well. The point being that long dresses, skirts, and loose fitting leg coverings could possibly become entangled somehow, without a skirt guard.

Also, I think it's important for most people with any type of physical disability to have a go-to person, just in case of any potential physical complication which might rise to the level of an emergency. It might very well be wise for the OP to have someone accompany her for the first few commutes, in order for her to gain the experience needed for the level of confidence and skill required to have more successful future commutes.

BTW- All commutes should be cafefully planned, modified, and refined, until they have become the best commute schemes possible.

I don't know how many times I've altered my commute plans and routes.

Chiming in on the skirt question, and I rode in a skirt for years in the days when I had a step through bike, but I've stopped now, with the exception of short ride on a Bixi bike (Toronto rental) from time to time. Short or narrow skirts are asking for trouble (to put it bluntly they offer far too much information to others on your commute), and with a wider skirt there's a risk that bits of fabric get caught in the brakes or the spokes. I ripped one silk skirt that way, and got big black streaks on another one. Dress guards are common in Europe -- I had ugly plastic ones that didn't work that well. Friends had things like this which looked much cooler. I don't know how easy they would be to fit to the Voyageur.

So I'd vote for tights, or 3/4 length yoga pants for the ride, and throw a skirt on when you get to school. You could even take a wrap round skirt that you can put on over the tights.

Go for fenders. They make a world of difference to the comfort of your ride when it rains.

Thanks Steve. I actually love that blog, and it has been helpful so far.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! On another note, has anyone hear of Woody's Fenders? I was looking at them earlier (orginally found them on Etsy) they are gorgeous, but I do not know how practical they would be. Any thoughts?

Thanks for your concern, as well as your advice. With my CP I am able to walk, run (to an extent), do yoga, horseback ride, kickbox etc. I just have to be careful when doing certain activities, and the only thing that I am truly worried about when commuting is the balance with the panniers, as well as getting my dresses/skirts stuck in my wheel.

Thank you again!

As much as I like the looks of wooden fenders the flat ones do not work. The tire throws the water up in the fender and the wind pushes it right out the side on flat fenders. If you like style go for some hammered chrome. The closer the fender fits the tire the better it works.

If the OP had seen some of us, she have realized fashion isn't our forte. The pannier balance question is much easier to answer, they really don't affect your balance much at all assuming you've loaded them in a way that things don't slide around too much. If you can balance the bike without them, you shouldn't have any trouble balancing with them. I rode motorcycles with hard luggage for many years, and even the increased weight and speeds associated with motorcycling didn't affect my balance. Panniers will affect your speed due to the wind drag, but headwinds are going to slow you down anyway.

The important thing is to go out and try it, you'll quickly figure out what works for you.

That's a good point JD. I may have to forgo them in favor of something else. I am not looking to spend too much more money on accessories for Lola, so the next thing (and last for a little while) will be lights.

Definitely will do! Thanks!

I realized when I first came acros the forum that fashion isn't a forte for a lot of commuters on here, but for some it is, so I thought I would just try to get the opinions of both sides. Thanks for the info on the panniers.

On the skirt question: I wear a skirt or dress several times a week, and have never even heard of a dress guard. I wear biking or running shorts under my skirt and tuck the ends of the skirt into the legs of the shorts when I'm riding to keep them out of my spokes. (This only works with shorts that fit snugly.) Sometimes, if my skirt is very full, I tie the skirt into a knot at about mid-thigh (or use a rubber band to make a knot), again with shorts on underneath. I take the shorts off at work. I like this solution more than riding in just the shorts and putting the skirt on at work because if I'm running late, I appear to be professionally dressed even if I haven't had a chance to ditch the shorts.