I bike commute in an urban area with good public transportation. I bike because I prefer it. My commute is just shy of 8 miles each way. I think safety is key and not unrelated to maintenance. Next is staying clean--fenders and chain-guards help in this department. I think a lot of worry goes into showers, but this is an overstated concern. Allowing enough time, wipes and perhaps a change of clothes is fine for me. I think comfort is also important. I bike year round, though I avoid any significant precipitation. I do not carry many tools, if I break down it is easy to get home on the train.

Commuting to college
 

I have read the first third of this thread, but I still wanted specific advice on my questions.
I want to commute to university throughout this school year, which, being in Michigan will constitute a fair amount of wet/snowy weather. The commute is an easy 2.5 miles, mostly on a road with a bike lane, and then small stretches of parking lot and bike paths.

My current bike is a 2005/6 Specialized Rockhopper comp, with tires that are knobby on the outside and slick on the inside, and front fork suspension. I like the way the bike rides for the commute.

My questions:
1) Once I get a good lock for the bike, should I worry about this kind of bike being stolen on a college campus? Maybe I should get a different bike?
2) I am going to get full fenders, but how do I know if the fenders will fit the bike/tires? I read elsewhere that if the tires are wider than 2" then they will rub on 60mm fenders. When I tried to measure my tire width, they appeared to be more than 2" wide, but maybe I'm not measuring from the right place.
3) Would I need to get different tires for winter?
4) All of the padding in my current helmet is disintegrating, including the part that attaches from the back of the helmet to the chin strap. Can I replace this, or do I need a new helmet?

Thanks!

1. Any decent bike is a target for thieves. Lock it up.
2. Look on the side of the tire, it should say something like "26 x 2.15" or something. The second number is how wide they are. I have a set of Axiom Reflex Bladerunners on my MTB, they're plenty wide enough for 2" tires.
3. Only if you're planning on riding in snow.
4. I'd buy a new helmet if you're not comfortable with it. They're not that expensive, and hey, then you've got a spare helmet for emergencies.

I suppose it would depend on your current level of fitness. When I began bike commuting earlier this year, I just started riding. You could ease into it by riding on MWF the first week or so, but that would mean you only get to ride 3 times a week. YMMV, but I hate driving to work now. I get so much pleasure from riding my bike, I miss it when I don't.

I would suggest you just ride everyday. All that will happen is you might be a little sore the first week. After a week or two, your body should have adapted and you will be fine.

Be safe and have fun :)

I'm a newbie to BikeForums but have been lurking for quite some time. :P

I've recently gotten into commuting by bike... I performed my first test run of my route on Saturday and things went really smooth. I have some questions though regarding some situations that arose while riding on Saturday and today.

1.) Triggering a red light
According to a "How to" video I saw on YouTube if you're the only one at a red light waiting to turn left, you can "trigger" the light by placing your wheel on top of the wires that are on the ground in the road. But all the intersections I've come across don't have these "wires" for whatever reason. What should I do? I've been just making a complete stop and check for traffic before proceeding with my left turn.

2.) Taking a lane
Today I was riding to the right as I was supposed to, but up ahead I had to proceed straight through a traffic light with a center lane that went straight with two turning lanes on either side. I checked for traffic behind me (none) and proceeding to get in the center of the through lane. All the sudden, this car comes blazing up behind me and honks his horn at me. I move to the left a little to let him pass. Was I doing anything wrong?

Your advice and tips would be appreciated!

It depends on what state you are in, but in most states you did exactly as you were supposed to. You are to be in the lane that you intend to use, not always to the far right. No other vehicle on the road would stay in the right turning lane if they intended to go straight, so neither should you!

And as far as that honking driver, if you must get over to let someone pass, it would probably be best to move to the right rather than left, since the common passing side is the left side of the vehicle you are passing.

And welcome to the forums!

Thanks for that! And yeah, I meant to say I moved to the right, not the left. My bad! Tomorrow is my first REAL commute and I'm looking forward to it. I just can't wait until I become comfortable with the route and am knowledgeable of what to do in certain situations... it'll come in handy!

4) All of the padding in my current helmet is disintegrating, including the part that attaches from the back of the helmet to the chin strap. Can I replace this, or do I need a new helmet?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

If your helmet is doing this you should just buy a new one this one sounds like based on what you described it needs to go to the trash. It sounds i rough shape. I am not the helmet police or anything, but its recommended that people buy new ones every 2 years. I don't know how many people really follow this or if its necessary, but that foam is supposed to have a pretty short half life or whatever. For me its easy to just replace them because my health insurance gives me $25 to buy a helmet so I just get one every 2 years and give one of my old ones to someone that doesn't have any cash to get one. Short story--buy a new helmet. =)

Really? My helmet is from ~1998 :P

What insurance company does that? I'm wondering if mine does that. I'll have to look into that.

I rode a regular bicycle to work 2 or 3 days in a row once. I took the bike trail, which resulted in a 25+ mile trip one way. Of course, I was sore for a whole week. Anyway, I don't think electric bikes are allowed on the trail I took, but it sure would be nice if they were.

2 days a week for a month
then 3 days a week for a month
then 4 days a week for a month
At that point I doubt you will be sore anymore. The body adapts to the demands we place on it. Ask it to sit at a desk and then the couch all day, it gets good at that. Ask it to pedal a bicycle 50 miles everyday, it will get better at that.

I'm not trying to be flip or dismiss your point. If you never ride a bike and then ride one 50 miles a day 3 days in a row, you will be extremely sore. I'm actually really impressed you were able to ride to work the second day, yet alone the third! When I started bike commuting, my butt hurt the first 2 weeks from bouncing against the saddle. Months later, the only soreness I ever experience are my muscles when I push to try and beat my best commute times.

Most of the time I wish my commute was longer, but I also know the snow is coming soon. I'm sure in January my 6.5 mile commute will be plenty :) I'm kind of jealous that you have a 25 mile commute in Florida. Except in the Summer it might be too hot :P

"Early Morning"/5:00A.M.

Hopefully, this is the right place to post.

I searched a couple weeks ago for some threads on early morning/night a couple weeks ago and found some popular lights...

PlanetBike Superflash - Rear
MagicShine 900 or 1400 - Front
________ - Helmet/Headlight
________ - Vest
more...

I'll be leaving around 5:00A.M. at the latest to arrive at work before 6:00A.M. It's about 10 miles; I'll find out if I need more or less time. Anyways, it's pitch black.

If anyone knows the most popular lights or most popular other items/tools/clothing that will help keep me noticed. Please post.

I'll be mostly riding in the bike lane near a popular lake and going out of my way to cut through a fairly large park (safer) to get to my job.

Seems pretty safe, I just want to make sure I stand out.

Also, help me find a great/popular helmet!

(I'm more worried about safety than money, so just let me know whatever.)

Lighting is an often debated issue. This isn't the be all end all of lights, but a buddy recently passed along this link. The light works well and is fairly inexpensive compared to similar offerings out there.
http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...roducts_id=180
I don't buy into all the debate about rear blinkies. I just agree you should have 1 or 2. I bought a $10 recently after I lost my old one. Since my old one was 10+ years old, the new one is shockingly brighter! If you're worried about it being visible enough, get 2! LOL It will still end up cheaper or about the same as one of the "in" lights. ;) Just make sure it will attach to your bike securely so you don't lose it :P

Can't help with the helmet. Mine is 12 years old. hehe

As far as clothes go, to be seen, where something reflective. Most folks wear a safety vest. I just have an obnoxiously bright yellow jersey I wear :P

Edit: I just realized the light I linked to is a MagicShine LOL. oh well, it's a good one

Just wanted to say thanks for all the free advice, I've been lurking here for a while getting my commuting set-up going on a low budget. After week two I can see how it gets addicting.

Awesome! I'm going on my third month, and no regrets. I can't imagine how I would have had the nerve to start without threads like this one!

I don't know how many cities have something like this, but Minneapolis has a program where if you use a bike as your main commute they will actually coupons to take the bus or a cab for days when there is bad weather or you get a flat tire or something.

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicy...d-ridehome.asp
This is a link to our program. I just thought this is a pretty good backup plan and a valuable program for bike commuters!

clothing checklist
 

Lot of good advice in these posts. I keep this checklist so I don't have to relearn each year what to wear for my 13 mi round trip.
Tee shirt only > 55 deg F
Jacket over tee shirt
Jacket over long sleeve shirt < 44 deg F

Shorts > 44 deg F
Bike pants < 44 deg F

Bike gloves fingerless > 50 deg F
Thin leather gloves w fingers
Fleece lined leather gloves < 38 deg F

Ear muffs < 44 deg F
Safety glasses & Helmet Always
Helmet mirror Always
Shower cap over helmet < 44 deg & Rain

I feel blessed with secure outside rack parking in a location concealed from passing traffic but visible to others at work. I keep lock, cable & a seat baggie on the rack, but only about 3 of our 12 to 18 bikes are locked. A trustworthy group. Someone earlier mentioned "stealth" bikes, which is great advice. My 1st post. :)

I've had a lot of fun over at mapmyride playing with various routes and using their "elevation view" tool to see where the route goes up and downhill. I've been able to find some routes that changed the grade even if the overall altitude change was not alterable.

BIKE/BUS/BIKE AGAIN
-A College Commuter Inquiry

I have been commuting for a short time. I commute to work (6 mi to work and 5 mi home) and I have commuted to school (11 mi one way). I was thinking of riding my bike to the park and ride, so I can get a quick lift over to school via bus, since everyone at my college gets to ride the bus for free, and then on the way home I would just commute the 11 miles.

I have a Peugeot 12 Speed with 700x28 tires, but no rack. I was thinking of alternatives of carrying my supplies, because the two times I did commute the 22 miles I was wearing a back pack, it was a bad idea. I was thinking about getting a Chrome Mini Metro and a Carradice Barley Saddle Bag to carry my things on the way home. Does any one have any suggestions about these two bags and traveling long distances? I would make sure to keep the messenger bag light. I just want to commute in my normal clothes from home to the bus stop and then the bus depot to school. I wish I could go the whole way without sweating but I probably wouldn't get anywhere.

Good Lord that's a response! I ride about the same every day but got alot out of this! thanks!

Check out this post on a commuters "essential tool kit.": http://www.montaguebikes.com/folding...it-essentials/
It's a nice guide for what you should carry with you when commuting.

I have read the first third of this thread, but I still wanted specific advice on my questions.

What are you questions? The only thing I saw was about real clunkers on this thread.

Slow down in congested areas. Now if only I would take my own advice!

Excellent first post, thanks for sharing that. Although common sense, it is a good guide for having an idea of temp/ranges of comfort