New cycling commuter

Karl Benz

Hi everyone
My names ben and I'm newish to the world of cycling.
I've been cycling to work every week since June, it's a 10 mile round trip
I bought a s/h bike to begin with ( a halfords special I'm afraid the TDF )
It's done me ok so far but it looks like they don't get much respect here lol
I've been looking in for a while now and thought I'd join up today
As it seems a good mix of info and banter

jimmypippa

Hi, been commuting since 2008, just over 5000 miles a year on average.

I'd suggest you get some decent light if you haven't done so already if you are going to keep on through the winter.

Karl Benz

Yep got some lights , only cheapy led type , 2 on the front and 2 on the rear

Going to ask for a better quality front light for Christmas

I also have reflective jacket and straps

CiB

Karl Benz wrote:

Yep got some lights , only cheapy led type , 2 on the front and 2 on the rear

Going to ask for a better quality front light for Christmas

I also have reflective jacket and straps

Not wishing to sound facetious (and failing badly) but I wouldn't wait for some arbitrary Christian festival that coincides with the end of the nights getting longer before you get some decent lights. If I may: get some decent lights.

Nothing wrong with the bike - as long it moves forward when you pedal it it'll do the job. Plough on through this winter with it and look into something nicer next spring, maybe using the cycle to work (C2W) scheme.

daddy0

Hi Ben

After a long break I took up cycling again about a year ago. Currently I'm doing about 1000km a month. Here are things I've learnt which might help you:

Buy quality, else you're wasting your money.
No matter what you spend on the bike you're going to have to be prepared to buy new tyres, inner tubes, brake pads, cables, chains and even cassettes and wheels regularly. This is especially true if you commute and if you ride in wet weather. Don't skimp on these items, especially brake pads (get Koolstop or SwissStop, DON'T get Clarkes). Also - have spares ready, stock up when you see things on special offer.
Don't go for the lightest wheels you can afford, there is a reason they're cheap!
Keep your chain clean and oiled. Buy wet lube such as this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/finish-line-cross-country-wet-lube-120ml/rp-prod1041
Learn how to maintain your own bike, YouTube is a great learning tool. Don't trust Halfords, horror stories...
Buy your own tools - again, buy quality ones and you'll only ever have to buy one set.
If you decide to get a better bike keep the TDF as a wet weather bike.

Buy the right clothes. Don't wear too much when you ride as you'll overheat. Shops such as TK Maxx are worth visiting to see if they have things like base layers going cheap. I got a very nice K-Swiss gillet from TK Maxx for about £10 for example. Sports Direct is very cheap if you're on a very tight budget, but a lot of what they sell is low quality, so don't expect it to last - I started with mostly SD clothing, and less than a year later its all fallen to bits. Decathlon is a better place to shop on a budget. Get one (or more) of these:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/insulat-3-ls-jersey-white-red-id_8216556.html
Wash your sports clothing with something like this:
http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/groceries/index.jsp?bmUID=1382361316731

These are the best water bottles:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/camelbak-podium-710ml-water-bottle/

Get this lock:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Onguard-Pitbull-Mini-Lock-Shackle/dp/B00EFQBYZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382361892&sr=8-1&keywords=onguard+14mm
Or this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnum-ONGUARD-Pitbull-Security-LK8005/dp/B00AW8YPHO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382361999&sr=8-2&keywords=onguard+14mm

Here are some decent lights:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moon-meteor-comet-light-set/
Or just the front on its own:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moon-meteor-front-light/
A bit expensive, but worth it - the front can light up a pitch black country lane well enough to travel at speed. I also used it for the Dunwich Dynamo, and it lasted a whole night on one charge (mostly on lowest beam setting, but did turn it up for any fast descents). I have a Lezyne Super Drive as well, but the Moon is better IMO - its cheaper too.

If you're going to spend over £50 and want a free set of glasses then PM me for a introductory code at Wiggle

Also worth mentioning, I found signing up to Strava a great motivation. But don't get carried away trying to get KOMs on dangerous downhill segments, its the climbs that will impress. If you want to ride more then look into joining a local cycle club.

Seeing as you're relatively new to cycling and commuting you might enjoy and maybe learn a thing or two from cycle Gaz's Silly Cyclists YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sillycyclists

Sorry about the essay!
All the best
James.

jimmypippa

I have the moon Meteor and can second Daddy0's comment - I actually also use it as my main torch (it fits in a shirt pocket, and is USB rechargable).

I also reason that front lights are the most important, because in the dark most cars have lights, and *should* see you from behind if they are paying attention.

However if they are turning out of a side road, and you are on the main road, then they are relying on your front light to see you

Daddy0,

What was the washing product? The link didn't work for me and that is one area where I do struggle.

Karl Benz

Thanks for the info daddyo

I've been picking kit up over the months, I've just got some wet weather gear , and base layers , a soft shell jacket I think there called , winter gloves , etc ....

Not needed all go it yet , as it's just been mostly wet but mild .

On the way home was petty bad tonight as it was very windy and I almost got blown into traffic


I'm a car mechanic by trade so have plenty of tools , but I see there's a few specialist ones I'll need too

There's no cycle to work scheme I'm afraid at work

But there are 2 others who cycle and gave me info .

But there mostly only fair weather commuters and say I'm a bit mad for cycling in all weathers

tilt

Nothing wrong with the Carerra TDF, decent bit of kit for the money.

I'd second getting better lights, you really can't put a price on being visible. I've got a Moon on the front of my bike and it's a great light. I'd also suggest getting mudguards if you haven't already, they make commuting on wet roads a lot more enjoyable.

daddy0

The washing stuff is called Halo Sports Wash. I think Wiggle and other cycle shops sell it, but the supermarkets are cheaper - Sainsburys sometimes do two for one. I wash my gear on a 30 synthetic wash which is quick and does the trick. Having said that the other day I went out in the wet and my white decathlon thermolite top got a bit stained from the road mud, neither Halo nor Ariel have managed to get the stain out yet - going to have to try a stain remover.

I second the mudguards for commuting. I have a clip on guard I can swap between my bikes easily, but it normally stays on the hybrid which I use for wet commuting. If I were you I'd get some guards that cover the wheel all the way round, at least for winter. The only reason I haven't is because I don't have far to commute, but one day I will get a wet weather road bike and put full guards on it. If you want to have dry feet then get some overshoes, they will keep your feet warm on the freezing days too.

The Moon Meteor is great - I went out with it on last night and I swear that (when you're also going fast) cars think you're on a motorbike as they seem to give you more space and wait for you rather than turning out of side junctions unsafely. Well worth the money. BTW - mine broke a short while ago, but as it was only 11 months old Wiggle replaced it. It broke because my brother borrowed it, but when trying to get it off the bike after a wet ride he opened the usb cover and water got in. So make sure you don't get it too wet.

The Rookie

Nothing wrong with a TdF nor any other Carrera (noting that my MTB is a Kraken and the commuter a Gryphon....well that's the frame anyway, nothing else is original on either!), Halfords can be a bit hit or miss though, as can any other large chain!

wod1

Also back up the TDF, perfectly decent communting bike, approaching the second winter using it, commute every day without fail as we are only a one car family.

I did get Exposure lights for xmas, nearly cost as much as my bike to keep visable and to see on unlit roads throught the winter.

Aldi cycling clothing has also been very good.

andyh01

Hi welcome just a quick one re the lights if you looking for a 1/2 decent set go for these http://www.stonehengecycles.com/
Same brand just brighter - front light is 500 lumen and rear is max 70 lumen for the same mony £85 delivered I have a set and they are good. I think there is also an offer with one of the cycling mags when yiou subscribe to 12 months get the light set for around £60 I think.

Enjoy
Andy

voodooman

Mudguards are a must - SKS longboards on my Ridley and they really do the trick.

All my commuting stuff is pretty much Aldi or Decathlon. I use it til it falls apart then replace.

Put Durano plus tyres on to stop punctures, decent pads (see above) and wash / lube the bike every friday night.

Haven't got massive lights as only 1 mile on busy roads and I take it v steady there. Was going to get a TDF, but not big enough, so that's the reason for the Ridley (plus they sometimes have a massive discount on CRC).

Dan

jimmypippa

Cheers Daddy0

Karl Benz

Just to update I've got a better light now for the front which has made the ride feel much safer.
Plus it's dark on both the morning and evenings now.
I've still got the led lamps I've cabled tied to my helmet and the other to my bag.


To the rear I've got 2 lights in case one ever fails


Think I'll be getting a battery charger though as now I will going though batteries for the next few months



Got some more base layers this week too, so I don't have to continually have the washing machine on

Karl Benz

Next up are mud guard/s


And clip on shoes


I've just been using my trainers so far as the bike came with the spd clips and flats on the other side

rubertoe

Karl,

What you need to do is look out and for Aldi/Lidl cycle stuff, the have them 2/3 times a year and it is excellent and cheap.