carlos danger

my recommendations might seem silly but sooner or later if you commute alot you will need to do this.

I just wanted to give the OP as heads up. for some it down matter for some it does.

carlos danger

get marathon supremes
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-rea...n-supreme.html
best road tire ever produced.

SylvainG

About 50% more expensive than the GP 4000S II and a slightly higher roller resistance. Might be an option though if I keep getting flat on my Conti.

carlos danger

they are very good at not getting flats that is!

Big Pond

You’ll figure it out on the road. Odds are the only upgrade you’ll need is fitness and your road awareness (keeping yourself safe from cars). Don’t believe the noise. Bikes have been good enough since there have been bikes, it’s the riders that need work.

2wheelride

Do you know of any particularly good lights for commuting in the dark?

noglider 

Do the Mr Tuffys affect how the tires feel on the road?

noglider 

See the electronics and lighting section. There is endless discussion there. If you want battery powered, NiteRider and Cygolite are two very good brands. Cygolite are made in the USA.

If you want dynamo powered lights, there are a few wheels or hubs you can get, and they make life so much nicer, as you never have to charge your lights. You just roll. Busch & Müller make the best dynamo powered headlights. They bolt onto your bike, so you don't have to take them when you lock your bike.

SylvainG

Not that I could feel.

daoswald

Commute essentials (for me):

• Tires that aren't likely to flat on my commute -- I go with 28mm, having moved up from 23s and 25s in the past.
• A rack and a pannier -- I carry a laptop, and don't want to put anything on my back.
• A bottle cage -- Water is nice.
• A beefy lock.
• A minimal toolkit: tire levers, wrenches, tube patches, spare tube, and either a pump or co2.
• Lights front and rear if there's any chance you'll get stuck at the office late. (A really bright one in front)

TiHabanero

Everyone has a favorite tire for commuting, just like everyone has a favorite lube for the chain. As tires wear out you get the chance to replace them with tires of your choice and will experience what tire you like best and works best for your riding needs. There is no single tire that is better than the rest as everyone's riding environment is different. I have commuted El Cheapo tires that never got flats, but wore out very quickly. Continental Ultra Sports are good cheapo tires that seem to wear well for me. I weigh in at t 230 pounds, and the rear tire gets rotated to the front at 1000 miles. About 2500 miles to a set is what I get.

FYI: Tires do not need to be replaced as a set nor do they need to match. Anyone who tells you it is best to ride a matched set is selling a lie.

Schwalabe Marathons are well respected in the touring market, and it is hard to go wrong with them. My current long distance commuter/touring rig has Continental City Ride tires on it. Been on them for 4 years without a single flat. Not bad in my book. They still have a ton of tread left, too. Not as fast as the Ultra Sport, but they are wearing much better and are likely to see 4-5 thousand miles before replacement. A touch slippery in the rain, but who is hammering corners in the rain on a commuter bike anyway?

daoswald

You will get as many opinions on that question as there are answers.

What I have:
Front: Light & Motion Urban 900

Rear: Cyglolite HotShot 150.

Both are USB rechargeable. Both are the brightest I've ever had mounted on my bikes. They both last long enough to outlast my night rides with plenty of breathing room. They're light and mount easily.

But there are a lot of good models out there. Just consider: ease of mounting, battery life, brightness, weatherproofing, size/weight, ease of recharge, lower-output settings for longer battery life where absolute brightness isn't needed.

Don't waste your money with cheap lights if you commute.

SylvainG

To add to what feature @daoswald said, get a light that won't blind incoming traffic. My CatEye 800 has a mode called 'HyperConstant' where the light is constantly on but also blink at an higher intensity. Attracts attention and allows you to see at the same time Depending on how long your ride is, you might also want a light where the batteries can be swapped.

wphamilton

I use something like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QQX3C4 ($18-$25 generic light) for commuting headlight. A couple are over 4 years ago, two are two years, one of the four has burned out. Bright and reliable for commuting purposes.