The 'Essentials'

bossman13

Hi all

This may have been posted before, and if so apologies and can someone provide a relevant link please.

Being new to this commuting lark (and cycling in general), i would be interested to know what peoples thoughts are on the 'essentials' that are required for commuting a good sized journey each day. As a starting point, i have recently bought a couple of jerseys and cycle shorts, MTB slicks, spare tubes, pump, all-in-1 toolkit and a BIG waterbottle! I already have some decent(ish) lights too.

This seesm to do me for now but mindful the autumn/winter is arriving fast and feel much less prepared than many of the riders that shoot past me every morning.

I need something more to spend my train fare on! views?

BentMikey

Cyclecraft by John Franklin.

JustRidecp

What Mikey said.

redddraggon

I've found lightly tinted lensed glasses to be very handy. I found little stones and flys were hitting my face, but didn't bother until a large fly flew into my eye, and caused me a lack of vision in the eye. I got a pair of the really cheap yellow tint lensed glasses off wiggle.

http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx? ... Sunglasses

BentMikey

Ooh yes, good catch, redddraggon! Much more important than helmets, IMO.

Hairy Jock

A road bike :twisted:

mazcp

Surgical rubber gloves to wear when fixing punctures.
When you've finished the job, your hands will be lovely and clean...well, as clean as they were before the puncture.

lost-time

Clip on mudguards? I use one that fits up in the steer tube of the forks on my MTB. When the main guard is unclipped off the bike you wouldn't know the mounting bracket is there. I also use a rear crud guard.

Yep, clear, light tinted, photochromic specs are a must.

PrettyBoyTim

mazcp wrote:

Surgical rubber gloves to wear when fixing punctures.
When you've finished the job, your hands will be lovely and clean...well, as clean as they were before the puncture.

What a good idea! I wish I'd thought of that before getting my hands filthy changing a tyre last night...

lowe

Have you got tyre levers on your multitool? In the winter I find it useful to carry spare batteries for my lights or a spare front light when I use my rechargeable one.

I also carry either a lightweight windproof or arm warmers in case the weather change or I have to stop to fix a puncture - it is amazing how quickly you can cool down.

bossman13

lowe wrote:

Have you got tyre levers on your multitool? In the winter I find it useful to carry spare batteries for my lights or a spare front light when I use my rechargeable one.

I also carry either a lightweight windproof or arm warmers in case the weather change or I have to stop to fix a puncture - it is amazing how quickly you can cool down.

yes got a couple of tyre levers but they dont look great so might get a couple extra. windproof, gloves (surgical + cycling gloves??), glasses and muddies are all added to the shopping list.

oh...and the book of course

what generally is the best item of clothing to keep warm in. the mornings are starting to get a little colder and i'm often pretty cold in just the jersey when i set out in the mornings..

cupofteacp

chain splitter

domtyler

Don't dress for the first five minutes. If you are still cold after you have warmed up then you need more clothing, otherwise you will just get far too hot and sweaty.
________
Herbalaire Vaporizer

smiorgan

bossman13 wrote:

what generally is the best item of clothing to keep warm in. the mornings are starting to get a little colder and i'm often pretty cold in just the jersey when i set out in the mornings..

Another jersey or a base layer under the jersey. Pile them on according to the weather.

Arm warmers, knee warmers, + bib knickers or 3/4 length baggies for cooler weather, keep knees warm.

Overshoes for the wet and cold (and clipless pedals and shoes, in all weathers).

Windproof gilet to take the bite out of the cold weather but still let you sweat.

Buff or skullcap for under your helmet, or any kind of hat if you don't wear one. I say any kind, a stetson probably isn't the best choice.

Windproof gloves.

ddraver

the park tools plastic ones (pretty blue) are strong and light and will be all you need unless your using downhill tyres or something

sbullett

Second advice on overshoes, essential during the winter or even on a wet spring/autumn day - I've gone for neoprene which make your feet sweaty but keep them warm.

Other very useful thing is a Topeak Tri-bag - waterproof bag big enough for mobile phone, keys, cash etc - fits on stem and top tube so it's directly in front of you when you're riding:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... in%20Cover

Agree with DomTyler's advice about clothing - don't overdo it when you first set off, wait until the first hill and work out if you are warm enough! I spent the first 3 months commuting stopping half way up the first hill to take layers off until I sussed the right amount of clothes.

Enjoy the commute