Cycling to work - kit ideas

elyobelyob

verybigchris wrote: »

Just a word of warning ... I'd never advise leaving a lock out in the open. It just gives thieves as much time as they need to work out how to open it while there's nobody around - I've heard tales of several bikes being pinched this way.

Really? Never heard of it. If it's a decent lock *without* a cylindrical key you should have no problem (Everyone knows about the BIC pen and old Kryptonite trick ?? [1]). Normally they just "bring their elephant". i.e. car jacks, bolt cutters, battery powered circular saw ... that sort of thing ...

Video on security ... http://quickrelease.tv/?p=327

[1] If not, it's on youtube, and Kryptonite replaced my lock for free.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

NafUk wrote: »

Lights Cateye -Cateye EL530 and LD1100, £64, http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ra/cycle/7/129/?gclid=CJut_OeF0aACFRqX2Aod8Ejdzg

Ripoff. The Cateyes are regularly outperformed. My choice for rear light would be this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Smart-Superflash-0-5W-Nichia-Light/dp/B001JGFI74

I have three (for different bikes), they're awesome.

As for a front light, well I run a Hope Vision 2 but that's probably a bit out of the OP's range

misscryptic

My additions:
I have both rear lights. The Cateye TL LD1100 is a very good light as you get side visibility, and it's bright with varying patterns, it is pricier but I think worth the money. I bought it after cycling behind a friend who has it on a dark country road and being impressed. The Smart is very bright for it's size, and a great light for the price, but you don't get any side visibility.
I have a 'Knog frog' white light (about £6) on my helmet. Is very useful as a headtorch when unlocking bike in dark, and helps to draw attention to a cyclist when in flashing mode, especially as it is higher up.
If you are going to fix punctures I'd pack a pair of disposable thin plastic gloves, very useful.
The dry socks is a top tip.
Panniers are great. If you intend to go any type of touring you can get an adaptor to fix your rear light to the back of your pannier rack, so it is not obscured by luggage.
You may want waterproof gloves, depending on how you cope with having cold wet hands.
I'd wear the reflective, people do see you more quickly even in the day, and it's worth it if it reduces your risk.

Happy cycling!

Gordon861

catflea wrote: »

I wasn't aware there was a debate over helmets - care to provide a summise?

I used to cycle 20 miles each way to work for about 8 years. During that time, the only time I hit my head when I came off was when I was wearing a helmet.

Some helmets make you sweat so much that they are uncombfortable and damage your concentration. It's all down to personal choice.

dgibby

I second the "disposable latex gloves" is a definate for the kit or the free glove at petrol pumps. If chain comes off or you need to do quick rear tyre fix, get those gloves on. Oily greasy hands are no fun when you get to station!

catflea

elyobelyob wrote: »

I wasn't suggesting your Trek was a cheap bike. It's more expensive than the road bike I did Lands End to John O 'Groats on!

Out of interest, what was your method of transport to get to station before?

I see the purchase of equipment as a positive thing, and getting quality long lasting even better. More efficient the pump, the less late for work etc.

Cycling the last three miles on a half pumped up tyre is no fun. On a road bike you *have* to have a high pressure.

Even if you do 5 miles a day each way, 5 days a week, pretend 4 weeks in a month, for 6 months .. that's 1200 miles a year. A good amount of cycling.

Never said you thought my bike was a BSO its just its been raised a few times, so thought I'd make it a bit clearer - not directed at you! :beer:

Current method of transport? Rover 114GTA

The point re equiptment is that I am doing this primarily to save money - theres no point at all in blowing a fortune only to realise that its wound up costing more than taking the car - although I do see your point about good quality kit and agree that with the pressures in road bike tyres (I'm looking at 116psi) a decent pump is essential. To minimise the requirement for such a pump though I am investing in puncture resistant tyres (although, they are clearly not a miracle cure!)

elyobelyob

catflea wrote: »

Never said you thought my bike was a BSO its just its been raised a few times, so thought I'd make it a bit clearer - not directed at you! :beer:

Current method of transport? Rover 114GTA

I presume you aren't selling the car then ... <6 years without owning a car and proud>

Hopefully you aren't just including fuel as your saving.

My immediate savings include my local station is about £9 a day parking .... I could order a decent pump in three days of parking! I could buy a new bike with two months of parking ... etc

Add that onto the savings by not getting the train ...

catflea

Pretty much the only thing that I wouldn't be paying by leaving the car at home is the fuel, and a few pence per mile in maintainance. I park for free down the road from the station......... What else do you think I should include?

The car is definatly not being sold (partially because its worthless, and partially because living in the backside end of nowhere a car is pretty much essential to get anywhere worthwhile or with a load) Also, in the event of engineering works etc its pretty much impossible for me to get to work other than by driving

And not getting the train isn't really an option - I dont fancy a 70 mile each way ride and its on £5.70 a day at the moment - £12 at the absolute tops if I can't find an offer.

515

Hi,

just my tuppence-worth

I commute 14miles each way on a road bike and I take.....

spare inner tube
puncture repair kit (Park glueless patches)
mini-pump
multitool
tyre levers
mobile phone with In Case Emergency number entered
cash for phone
tenner for cab fare(just in case)
Kevlar lined tyres
best lights I can afford (that Smart one is excellent)

I always wear full-on roadie gear but regular quick drying sportswear will be fine - I would recommend quality cycling shorts however - Polaris/Altura/Endura/ etc which can be worn under regular shorts. A close-fitting lightweight windproof will be worth it's weight in gold.

At work I use baby wipes (I don't mind smelling like a newborn!) and deodorant. One day a week I use the train and take in a week's worth of underwear, shirts, food etc. Wearing a rucksack on a bike will make you overheat rapidly and will put a lot of strain on your lower back. Chiropracters are expensive - take the car once a week!

Keeping your tyres pumped up to recommended pressure will prevent most flats, too.

I've gone from 15st to 12st 6. It took about 9 months and I eat more now than I ever did then...........

Best of luck!

custardy

515 wrote: »

Hi,

just my tuppence-worth

I commute 14miles each way on a road bike and I take.....

spare inner tube
puncture repair kit (Park glueless patches)
mini-pump
multitool
tyre levers
mobile phone with In Case Emergency number entered
cash for phone
tenner for cab fare(just in case)
Kevlar lined tyres
best lights I can afford (that Smart one is excellent)

I always wear full-on roadie gear but regular quick drying sportswear will be fine - I would recommend quality cycling shorts however - Polaris/Altura/Endura/ etc which can be worn under regular shorts. A close-fitting lightweight windproof will be worth it's weight in gold.

At work I use baby wipes (I don't mind smelling like a newborn!) and deodorant. One day a week I use the train and take in a week's worth of underwear, shirts, food etc. Wearing a rucksack on a bike will make you overheat rapidly and will put a lot of strain on your lower back. Chiropracters are expensive - take the car once a week!

Keeping your tyres pumped up to recommended pressure will prevent most flats, too.

I've gone from 15st to 12st 6. It took about 9 months and I eat more now than I ever did then...........

Best of luck!

money for a cab is a good call
once had a chain snap (damn shimano pins) and catch on the rear mech
sheared rear mech and bent hanger
so totally unrideable
another handy thing to carry is a few cable ties
handy for makeshift repairs even used them for a snapped lace once