Hello, all. I just discovered this forum today and am really thankful for the wealth of info for newbie biker/commuters like myself. Even though I haven't actually started bike commuting yet, I'm looking forward to leaving the car in the garage as much as possible. I'm still pimping my ride and getting my road legs.

My wife and I (25 years this summer) bought mountain bikes 10 years ago, when choices were fewer. (Matching Fuji Nevada's, even though we are normally way too cool to buy "matching things".) We realized pretty soon that we both spent a lot more time on pavement than in mud. The fat tires were too hard to ride and the bike frames just didn't fit us very well, anyway. So they stayed mostly in the basement.

But with renewed interest in living a more sustainable lifestyle, I recently bought a hybrid/crosstraining/city bike with thinner road tires and much taller frame (I'm a little over 6' when I stand up straight). It's a Specialized Sirrus from Bike Source here in the KC area. Their sales staff seems to be very attentive to proper fit and matching the bike style to the rider. Great ride! Now the wife is shopping for hers at the same store - hope to close the deal this afternoon.

Anyway, I'll be looking for good advise on bags, bike-commuter issues, etc.

Keep pedaling,

Bill

Welcome to BF.

A little bag under the seat with spare tube, tire ilevers, patch kit, CO2 or minipump & bungee cord. For panniers a rack like this is good https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products the shape of the rear strut stops the bags swinging into the spokes when you make a sudden swerve. The Topeak road morph is the best pump to carry with you but it wont fit in the little bag under the seat. Even if you dont plan to ride in the rain, fenders are good because you never know when people are going wash their cars or the town is going to clean the streets. I keep my lock on the rack at work and only carry a lightweight lock on the bike for emergencies. Practice the commute at weekends when traffic is light so you know how long it will take and learn alternative routes. Good luck.

Thanks, everyone. We're having an unusually nice spring here in Kansas City. My wife got a cross training bike with drop bars and loves it. Just need more time to ride!

Keep pedaling!

Hello Bill, sometimes it's hard to make the time, but it's always worth the effort .

Welcome to BF!

East Hill