Carry what you need to fix a flat and fix your skin after a fall. Find your safe route... accept the hand waves from people who are trying to let you go ahead at the intersection and keep a sense of humor for the occasional jerk.

Most of all.... make yourself VISIBLE ... Reflector strips, Reflector side walls, Lights front and rear... Make that phrase "but I didn't see him..." a thing that will never stand up in court.

Learn to change a tire.... really... just learn to change the thing without a moment of hesitation.

-3bikes

Hey all,

I've been wanting to get into cycling for awhile now, though keep in mind the last bike I owned was some 150 dollar mountain bike from Target. Now that I'm settled in and going to school, I'm looking to buy a bike..

So I began the whole research process and tried to understand what was right for me, and I'm curious as to what you think about my situation, given that I'm a newbie to the whole thing.

Needs: Light commuting to subway station, occasionally ride hills in San Francisco, then road biking on the weekends. I just want to get fit, so races and whatnot aren't in my interest level at the moment.

I rode a few bikes at LBS this past week, and found the Tricross Sport fit me pretty well in terms of comfort and has touring options that I like (space for rack, etc.) for my commute.

So: I've found a '09 Tricross Sport that seems to be relatively well maintained (the owner works at a bike shop, but needs cash) that I can get for $950.00. I haven't seen it yet, so I'm going to go tomorrow and check it out, but I'm curious as to what you all think regarding this, and whether the bike is a good value, and appropriate for me.

Obviously, I'm missing out on the professional fit and the 1-5 year maintenance warranties that all the LBS around here are missing, but I'm trying to figure out if having those things are worth the ~$1400 for buying it new? Do I need those sort of plans/support from a LBS as a new cycler?

Appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Even though I'm new to bike commuting I have a small piece of advice. Wear eye protection. I got whipped across the face last week by a tree branch. Dont want to think what would have happened if I didnt have my sun glasses on.

First of all, as others have said, the number 1 rule is do what works for you, and every setup is individual.

That said, in my opinion many of the posts here make commuting by bike seem waaaay too complicated. If I was seeing this while deciding if I should switch to bike commuting I would be intimidated and overwhelmed by all the stuff to buy! Racks, bags, vests, mirrors, eyewear...yikes!

All you need is a bike that you like to ride. Step 1. Get on bike. Step 2. Point toward work. Step 3. Pedal. For most people, I suspect the ride will be short (less than 5 miles). You don't need a hydration system if you're not riding long enough to get dehydrated. If you're going to change clothes when you get to work, fenders may not matter.

There are a lot of great tips in this thread. But don't feel like you need to study any of it before getting started. I've commuted by rail and bike, and I've had way more problems/delays/reroutes by rail. Start riding, and add equipment if you feel like you need it.

I commute thousands of miles a year with a very basic setup. Entry level road bike with durable Shimano 105. A medium Timbuk2 waterproof bag (I would buy a Large if I could do it over), with office clothes, a patch kit and pump, clothes, helmet mount front light, clip on rear light. Xtras that are nice: a back-up bike to ride while working on your main one, some an extra set of clothes at work in case you forget to pack something.


Ride on!

Does anyone have an opinion of C02 tire pumps. I carry one that also has multi tool but also have a frame mounted hand pump. I like the ideas that many of you have posted-certainly will use some of your ideas
mark

Go out and do it.

I only ride 4 miles each way but it is road ,grass and curb .Then I go to Lake Hefner and ride a little on the weekends my main short term goal is to make at least 40 miles per week . I rode to the Lake today and had a great ride and man there were a lot of people there today. One even better note I found a 20 dollar bill on the ground on the way home ... Logged 17 miles today because Gustav is threatening to dampen my ride ...

Does anyone have an opinion of C02 tire pumps. I carry one that also has multi tool but also have a frame mounted hand pump. I like the ideas that many of you have posted-certainly will use some of your ideas
mark.


I have been using CO2 inflators for years. A good frame pump will work just as good and inflate more than one tire.

Pro:
Fast
Small

Cons:
Cost
One tire per cartridge

I'm a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy so I usually carry both. If I'm on the way to work and am running late, I'll use the CO2. It's much faster. On the other hand, if I have time, I'd rather save the cartridge and pump by hand. It's the same reason I carry both a tube and a patch kit.

C02 vs. hand pump
 

I prefer the C02. I have carried both for years, but when I got a new bike I left the frame pump off. With good Kevlar lined hard-case tires I haven't had to use either on my own bike, just to help out other stranded bikers that had neither.

Hi everybody. I'm a new commuter to work, then possibly beyond. I live in San Antonio, TX. Or as I like to call it, the land of no bike paths and huge trucks. I am adapting and finding new ways to get around and getting much better at hills (yay). Which brings me to my question. I have one area that is uphill, no shoulder and the road in under construction at the very top of the hill. Where the construction is, the right lane is closed. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to merge back in with the traffic without having to stop. I suppose I could go through the zone, but I worry that people are going even faster on the back half, and it could be more dangerous. Right now I use hand signals, and waiting until there is a gap. Any thoughts would be great!


Oh btw, I have been lurking for a while and have been using all the tips that you guys have given. Y'all are awesome!

...and more specifically that no reasonable person sitting on a jury will believe.


Eventually every rider is probably going to get hit. You don't want there to be any doubt in the jury's mind or insurance company with whom the fault rests. It's also why I ride with a handlebar video camera running during my commutes.

Proactively, I also had my wife snap pictures of what I look like at night and during the day from a driver's perspective.

Please post the brand of camera that you use, and information on how you mounted it.

I like your idea of getting your picture taken... I'm going to do that too!

I've only just started commuting places on my bike, mainly because I can't afford a good lock yet and I live near Trenton, NJ. The only places I go currently are places that allow me to roll my bike inside (MA/7-11 after 2 AM) but hopefully after my next pay check and subsequent birthday money I can start commuting to more places more frequently.

The only problem: I can't commute to work! I have a paper route as a temp job and BELIEVE me I pay 80 dollars a week in gas and have to get my car's oil changed once a month + tranny fluid. I only make 270/wk before tax so this kind of sucks...a lot.

The problem is these routes are larger since most people have done away with bike routes and have moved to motor distribution. This means most routes average 200 newspapers, and on weekends it can be disgustingly heavy. From just trying to carry 20 standard Saturday papers at once, I have bruises all up and down my neck from the weight of the bag.

Save for the weekends, since they tend to run so large and heavy, would it be possible to fit multiple rolled up and bagged newspapers into adequately sized panniers? The problem would be easy access while riding so I wouldn't have to stop and throw and re-load every few houses... but if anyone else does this or has an idea, please let me know so I can make the change from motor to pedal distributor ;P

So next up is my helmet and gloves and lock but I still need lights.. Turnin 21 in 9 days so hopefully by now everyone knows what to get me lmao.. here's hoping!

I'm going to estimate that my panniers could hold about 8 rolled newspapers each. Reaching them in a pannier shouldn't be a problem while riding, it would just take some practice. The best would be a grocery style pannier with no flap over the top. That would be easiest to grab out of, and it would hold more papers too.

I could also wear carrier bags bandolier style over both shoulders, lol. A front basket might not be a bad idea either. What do you think?

Could I take panniers on and off depending on the purpose of my ride? Grocery panniers for one circumstance and other types for hauling other goods or equipment?

Just an FYI...

As an option I sometimes pack the trunk of my car with clothes, and other necessities - I then drive it to work in the beginning of the week and then leave it at work. I use it as a locker, and at times as a bike rack (I have a roof rack - it can also swallow 1 bike since it's a hatchback). Come Friday, I drive it home just in case I need it for family trips during the weekend.

Yes, most of the panniers out there are easy to put on and take off. You must expand on what you mean by "equipment".

- If you want the ultimate rack - www.xtracycle.com
- See the Utility forum
- Checkout these pics

http://www.flickr.com/groups/xtracycle/pool/

Sorry I shouldn't have used the term equipment. I won't be hauling anything huge that I can forsee in the near future, but thank you for the link, the Xtracycle looks VERY useful. "Art Supplies", "School Supplies" and "Wargame Miniatures" is more in the cards than anything.

Basically an 18x24 portfolio with drawing pads and such inside, or depending on the time/place/class an 11x17 or 8x10 portfolio w/ supplies and a tool box or small case with relevant supplies inside. Textbooks would also need to be transported and I'd like to use the panniers to carry them to take some of the weight off my back.

Miniature wargames = just a soft "army case". Like this:

http://www.boardgames.ca/productimag...ase_detail.jpg

Fragile stuff. I presume I'd be able to just affix that to a rack with bungee cords, though.

Okay, so I have been commuting soley by bike for about 3 months now. My commute is a short one, work is only 1.5 miles away. But I also ride my bike everywhere else as well. I currently have a Specialized Hardrock Sport 08 model that I just bought new. I also bought some road tires for it to make it roll smoother, but about once a week I go mountain biking...hence the mountain bike.

The point is that winter is coming up and I don't want road grime and salt to ruin my nice new bike, so I am looking to build a commuter, or buy one for a cheap price. I am thinking of going with a single speed, how do you feel about that?

If everything works out alright I can build one for free through this program at the college I attend. If you volunteer 10 hours of your time into helping fix other peoples bikes, or the ones they rent to the students then you get to build your own, out of their stock, or what you bring in for free. I plan on doing that.

Thanks.

Hello Everyone! I'm going to start biking to work more often. Its about 5 miles one way, about 4 miles of which is on the concrete bike path that runs along the beach here in the Beach Cities of Los Angeles. Of course I do have the option of doing the whole commute on the surface streets as well. I've ridden my aluminum Schwinn single-speed cruiser a few times but its not really efficient for this commute on a regular basis. I'm looking at my options, and am thinking of the Trek Soho 8-speed with the new belt-drive chain but can't find ant feedback on it. Yes, that's probably serious overkill for my ride, but I don't mind. Any feedback from anyone on that bike? Any other recommendations? I kinda like the Gary Fisher Simple City 8 as well. Thanks in advance for any recommendations you can provide.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/soho/soho/
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/simple-city-8M

I think this is one of those things thats like a saddle.... personal preference man! I have used both and prefer a good pump anytime. but that is me. it may well apeal to you to have a small inflator and cartridge to do the job for you. Bright side:) there is no wrong answer here as with most gear for comuting:thumb: aside from the basics; if it works go with it forget what othes say just ride the bike :thumb:

Trying to parse out your scenario...

You need to merge left into car traffic due to construction? Do this gradually by taking the lane and stay there. I usually align myself dead center to the car in front of me so that traffic behind me knows my intention and doesn't try to sneak past.

Yes, use hand signals, but don't expect the people in the cars to understand them.

Yes, absolutely. Friday is my short day at work, so I usually drive in with clean towel and whatever I don't want to pack and carry in for the next week. This also gives my knees and lungs a chance not to die entirely. Highly recommended.

I really don't understand this at all. To let you know what page I'm on, I ride my Singlespeed through all urban traffic and roads for 12.5 miles one way into work 4 days a week all year round. I am in St Louis, MO - so that is a temp range of 103° (not including road surface).

How is a singlespeed not 'efficient' for a 5 mile commute in Cali? Please explain.

I didn't say all single-speeds are inefficient, I said my single-speed beach cruiser was inefficient for my commute on a regular basis. Guess the bike is geared too low, my legs go 'round 'n 'round real fast but my speed doesn't get any faster. I've done the same commute on a 20-something speed Fuji and and made better time with far less effort. Can't think of a better definition for efficient than making better time w/less effort.

Thanks for the advice. Luckily they took down the construction cones, which made people slow down around me (odd). So I keep going straight and they (usually) slow down to get into the right hand turn lane. Every once in a while there is someone in a huge hurry to get past me. I may start carrying rocks to throw.... Maybe:innocent:

After watching joey bike's videos I have to ask...isn't it very dangerous to run red lights and pass cars on the right side, especially on a one way street that is very tight. I mean you could get doored right?

take the lane on the construction zones.

Works for me.

My kids have held the local bi-weekly paper route on our street for 15 years, delivering to about 40 customers by wagon. I tried to deliver a few myself from my bike, with a newspaper bag around my neck -- I thought it was very dangerous. Forty papers in a pannier -- I don't know about that -- each Sunday paper with ads weighs about a pound -- that's forty pounds. I can't imagine trying to haul two hundred on a bike.