[Closed] Commute kit recommendations pls?

Mudguards, pure luxury.
I would go for cheap shimano spd pedals but spend a bit more on shoes.
Would you consider an alfine type hub? Many owners swear by them, lower maintenance.
If you leave the lock at work overnight it wont really matter if its heavy.
Schwalbe marathon tyres.
I use altura arran panniers, one will swallow a medium sized backpack with ease.
Front dyno hub with one of the german approved headlights, always on when riding, fit and forget.

schwalbe marathons are an absolute must.

But can I ask why flatbars? I have them on my commuter, and am looking to change to drops. After 5 years on flatbars, I simply itch for more positions for my hands, and a slightly more racey profile.

[url= https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sirrus-sport-disc-2016-hybrid-bike-EV244806 ]Specialized Sirrus?[/url]

[url= https://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=type&product_id=47 ]Carradice Carradry?[/url] Although you can get cheaper.

[url= http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/PETIXC/time-atac-xc-pedals ]Time ATAC?[/url]Double-sided entry and you can walk in the shoes.

bike: ive got a Saracen Studio 74...700c wheels, disc brakes, 27sp, pannier rack mounts...£539 it cost me and has served me well for the last 2 years
EDIT: you can now pick up a new one for £340
pannier: never used them so i cant recommend
bike lock: i use an Abus Granite Junior plus when i lock it at work
clothing: i wear lycra shorts under my baggies...baggies cost me £10 from decathlon and are quite good
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/300-mountain-bike-cycling-shorts-black-id_8354176.html

i'd recommend the Tenn waterproof trousers
http://tenn-outdoors.co.uk/collections/mountain-mens-trousers-pants/products/mens-driven-trousers
i've got he shorts version of these and theyre good
the jacket also looks quite good...the cheap and cheerful waterproof softshells from aldi are worth a look
shoes/pedals: shimano xc30 have served me well as have the shimano M520 spd pedals

Bike: Boardman hybrid? I know one or two who have them as their winter/hack bike.

Pannier: For that amount of kit (can't you leave any at work?) How about a Carradice SQR bag? I've done a week's B&B style touring with one. https://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=category&category_id=29 clip on and off the bike in seconds.

Shoes/pedals: get cheap SPD pedals then head to your LBS for some lightweight shoes, I'd go for a pair with velcro fastening. Also add in the cost of a pair of overshoes for the wet days.

Id second the Tenn trousers too, can be had now and again on Amazon for 25 quid.

Leave as much gear at work as you can, take in on Monday and home on Friday. Jackets can be much lighter as the last longer as not getting caked in mud. Montane Soft-shell with a hood and vent zips my favourite. Get a loud bell. Marathons took 3 years to wear out but are heavy and dead feeling. I changed to maxxis something can feel the lower rolling resistance but still pretty tough. Tried foam grips and esi but they get flattened quick, using oury non lock on now. I'd like bar ends but can't bring myself to stoop so low.

Mudguards, pure luxury.

On a commuter ... absolutely essential. Might not seem so at this time of the year, but having commuting through the winter I wouldn't be without.

Leave as much gear at work as you can, take in on Monday and home on Friday

Good advice. How about driving in on Monday with a full set of clothes for the week and just bringing dirty laundry home in the evenings, or if you're close enough and have access drop everything off Sunday evening.

That heavy lock can stay locked to the cycle rack at work!

Mudguards, pure luxury.

I wouldn't say 'pure luxury' more like necessity if you're riding year round in all weathers.

schwalbe marathons are an absolute must.

I'd disagree as I've managed fine in 10 years of 20 mile each way commuting without them. I use Continental gp 4season and put some tubeless sealant in the tubes.

I carry very little to and from work, just lunch in my back pocket but I normally drive at least once every couple of weeks so can do a clothes change over then.

Lock is left at work, as are shoes and wash kit.

Some great recs and advice here, thanks.
I don't know what the situation with storage/lockers is at the moment and I'm keen to keep my workspace tidy so I'm not sure about keeping kit at work (although it would be ideal obv).
I have a roady type bike with drops, but I'd be happier with brake levers I can use sat upright (in traffic etc) hence the flats. Be good for family rides too. I quite like the Whyte ones but the decent one (with cart bearings etc) is a grand so looking around.

You can use the brake levers on a road bike when you're sitting up too, you don't need to be on the drops to use them.

I take my road bike but use flat pedals as cant be arsed with all the clipping in/out with all the stoppages

I'd never use clips in the city centre for that reason. I only use my road bike for commuting now so no need to keep changing the pedals.

I keep a couple of office pants at work and get them dry cleaned whenever they get mingin. Just take a fresh shirt, folded up, in my rucksack on the bike every day

rucksack has pump, shirt, phone, wallet, keys, chain tool, waterproof socks if needed, overshoes if needed

frame bag has multi tool, spare tube and latex gloves (for handling a grimy chain)

keep lock at work. don't bother showering

[b]Mudguards[/b] are a must - 90% of the time it's not raining, but you're getting wet as the roads are still wet from the previous shower. You can get by without them but, it ruins your bike and your clothes.

[b]Panniers [/b]- After asking on here, I use a combination of Ortlieb Front Rollers (but mounted on the rear rack) as I didn't want a big floppy bag most of the time and a Thule Pack N Pedal (as it's take a massive 17" notebook).

[b]Lights[/b] - USB Rechargeable (so you can charge them anywhere) front and rear blinky lights for all weathers, and something brighter for the winter.

[b]Pump [/b]- A good quality pump hat isn't stored on the frame.

[b]Tyres [/b]- I'd go for tubeless over Marathons any day. Marathons are VERY heavy. I've ran Vittoria Voyager 37mm tyres for almost 12000 miles without a puncture. Something with a reflective sidewall (like Schwalbe/Vittoria) is very useful in winter.

[b]Clothing[/b] - Endura Singletrack shorts are pretty nice to commute it, but 3/4bibs are better for mixed weather as they dry VERY fast. If your commute is short (less than 10 miles) I'd consider a waterprrof gillet for 3/4 of the year rather than a full waterproof jacket. Top - to your choice, but I'd buy something light and then layer according to the temperature.

[b]Locks[/b] - Small chain lock (8mm links) IF you need to carry one and a D-Lock left at work with vaseline in the lock barrels.

bike: ive got a Saracen Studio 74

Hey! So do I. Maybe we're brothers!

I keep a couple of office pants at work and get them dry cleaned whenever they get mingin

Pants as in underpants or pants as in 'american trousers', for the former I put clean ones on daily rather than wearing until crusty!

Do consider a drop bar bike, I use a Boardman CX, disc brakes for when it's wet and can also get used for other things at the weekend. Mudguards are handy

I've fitted a rack (can be removed in seconds) and use a Carradice Bike Bureau that I got cheap on ebay. Bombproof, holds an amazing amount of stuff and looks fine off the bike as well for the days I drive

As others have said, leave lock at work

Why no lycra? I'm old and fat but still wear it, it's just more convenient. I've a selection of long and short sleeve base layers, fleeces and a soft shell jacket that can be combined as conditions dictate. If it's properly raining I either drive or accept that I'm going to get wet either from above or from sweat. Haven't found a cheap waterproof yet that's breathable

Shoes are ok in the summer but a pair of winter boots makes all the difference when it's cold and wet

Bike: You could consider a Planet X Kaffenback flat bar build; stick bar ends on it. I use a similar On-one rigid 29er. For this sort of use, mtb gears will prove cheaper, more reliable and repairable in the long run than road kit. Discs are a life-saver.
Pannier: Altura. Or Ortleib, if you want ultimate reliability, at a price.
Lock: Go hefty and park it.
Clothing: Again, consider Aldi, IF it fits you. Edinburgh Bike Co-op own brand stuff is well worth considering; they know their market and the stuff is always good value.
Pedals: Shimano M520 and a basic race styled shoe to fit your feet. Ad in £20 for overshoes and you're sorted.

mtb gears will prove cheaper, more reliable and repairable in the long run than road kit

Not sure I get that, no idea about cheaper but why would an mtb rear mech be any more reliable or repairable than a road one?

I'd agree with discs, got them on my new commuter and in the rain they really are a revelation.

Shoes are ok in the summer but a pair of winter boots makes all the difference when it's cold and wet

+1 for the winter boots. Only just stopped using mine regularly.

CX, disc brakes

again, a big +1 here. A CX will give extra versitility when choosing route -- canal tow paths, bridleways, farm and forest tracks etc and just generally handle sh*tty country lanes better

+1 all the above on getting panniers and mudguards, both essential.

On the pedals/shoes, I prefer to commute in clips and spd shoes, then change shoes at work. Means I'm always in clean/dry shoes at work, and when shoes are just in use at work (left under my desk), they last longer too.

Spare underwear/socks/shirt for emergencies stashed at work. You'll forget something one day, or get unexpectedly soaked through.

As others have said mudguards are essential for uk commuting.
Unless you have a silly long commute I'd seriously consider wind rather than waterproof outers and a pacamac type thing for the rare occasions it gets biblical. Unless you're splashing out on something very breathable then over the year you'll end up wetter from sweat than from the odd time the weather actually justifies waterproofs.

Shoes are open to debate, if you commute once or twice a week then consider some nice waterproof ones, if it's daily then during the wetter months waterproof ones will struggle to dry between use, so quick drying shoes with overshoes.

I'm fortunate enough to stash clothes at work and keep bike safely inside (and a shower) so just carry basics on my bike, pump on cage mount thingy, tools in saddle pack. Bumbags are very useful things, minimal sweaty back, just the right size for tools, pump, wallet, phone, and with a couple of velcro loops you could attach a D lock - they're just deeply, deeply uncool.

Spare brake pads, aaa batteries and puncture repair at work, I have a spare tube aswell when I'm organised.

Re: leaving clothes at work.

I leave a pair of pants (undies) and socks at work but take a pair of each in each day anyway. If I forget then I'm not having to go commando 🙄

I also leave a pair of trousers and a pair of shoes at work so those don't need to be carried each day.

My commuter is a Genesis Croix de Fer with disk brakes. I added mudguards and have a 4 litre Ortlieb saddle bag which takes work clothing, waterproof and a pump with ease. Toolkit and spare inner go in a tool bottle.

Lights: USB rechargeable (unless you work at RyanAir), again leave a charging cable at work so you can't forget it though most such lights are mini-USB so there's usually some cables about these days. The ideal is a dynamo setup but this will probably mean a rebuild of your front wheel.

I like the Altura night vision stuff for winter commuting. The evo waterproof jacket can often be found reduced to ~£60. Maybe too warm for a wet summer though.

Consider pedals that are SPD on one side and flat on the other.

I just have cheap panniers from Edinburgh Bike coop. Carry everything I need and have lasted years. Use plastic bags if very wet.

Puncture resistant tyres are amazing. Marathon plus or the Continental gatorskin. Marathon winters are amazing if you're on icy roads.

Mudguards are a necessity - keep your feet so much drier.

I justpicked up a Scott Sub 20 for decent money. Full mudguards as standard, hydro discs, flat bars, deore running gear.

Isnt going to win any beauty contests but its fuctional. (Even less so as I stuck a set of nukeproof warhead bars on it)

Personally I cant get away with panniers, every set I have tried catch my heels.
I tend to not worry too much about what I wear, Its only 35 mins each way. Im currently in T-shirt and shorts, though if its raining when I leave Ill use a coat. Cheap flouro water resistant aldi type thing.

Tool wise I carry a multi, tube and pump. If its anything that cant sort Im walking. All in mid sized rucksack. (20L evoc)

D lock is left at work because it weighs a ton.

marathons suck.

They manage to turn any bike in to an energy sapping horror to ride.

I run marathons during the winter and love summer tyre time every year its brilliant to get back on the summer tyres.

mudguards and panniers are essential for any decent length commute.

Decent clothes last longer - there is obviously a cut off , if your commuting often and your clothes are getting washed more it destroys it. Aldi stuff regardless of fit didnt last long at all ..

I use some shimano pedals with cage on one side and spd on the other. Use my old spd mtb shoes for commuting and can wear vans to the pub or shops. I've bought a bar bag for lunch and things to replace the daily use of a backpack. Lots nicer having nothing on the back.

marathons suck.

They manage to turn any bike in to an energy sapping horror to ride.

I agree with you in terms of their ride, but do you have any suggestions for alternatives?

Summer or winter, I ride the streets through Cardiff University which are absolutely covered in broken glass: a former pint glass here; a broken bottle there. On the Contis I had before (can't remember which, exactly), I was literally repairing a puncture ever few days. Since switching to Schwalbe MPs, I have not had an issue in more than two years. Not. A. Single. Puncture. in a few 1000 miles of commute.

Yes, they roll like blocks of wood. But they get me there and back.

Please help by indicating a product that can do likewise but without deadening the ride.

You can use the brake levers on a road bike when you're sitting up too, you don't need to be on the drops to use them.

Why no lycra?

The route is >10 miles each way and mainly cyclepath.
[img] [/img]

I do like the CDF.

You can actuate the brakes on road bikes when riding "on the hoods" as well as when riding "on the drops".

How do you do this? Can you change gear too?

you pull them .

I even have a set of sissy levers on my flats of my drops which let me brake from bolt upright when riding in traffic.

[img] [/img]

so i can brake from every normal hand position on my bars.

How do you do this? Can you change gear too?

Yes indeed. I would expect that that's the way most riders ride most of the time. Just extend your index finger downward to shift one way, and your thumb down to shift the other.

How do you do this? Can you change gear to

The saddle of the hood fits in to the fleshy bit between thumb and forefinger. Braking is then just a matter of pulling on the levers, changing gear (when using STI at least) is a matter of finger or finger/thumb depending on what level of gear you have. If you have Di2 then it's just a tap of the finger on the appropriate lever for up or down.

How do you do this? Can you change gear too?

Are you joking?

No. I've only ever used my defy on the trainer. Roadying isn't something I have ever done for enjoyment.

Rims that can take Schrader valves.
You'll run out of tubes/glue/patience at some point - you can buy Schrader tubes anywhere.

The Edinburgh Bike Co-Op waterproof panniers are quality for the money.
Daughter has had hers for 10 years now, bit batterered, still fine in everyday use.
Every bit as good as the Ortliebs I use now.

Dynamo lights:
Recent convert after all the praise on here.

You would not believe how good they are.
Nothing like the flickery, unreliable mess of old.
Like having a car headlight on your bike.
Not having to faff with batteries and stash a charger at work is priceless.

I've only ever used my [b]defy[/b] on the trainer.

Wait wait - You already have a Giant Defy? Why don't you just ride that to work?

Rusty Spanner - Member
Rims that can take Schrader valves.
You'll run out of tubes/glue/patience at some point - you can buy Schrader tubes anywhere.

I don't think I've been anywhere (that sells cycling paraphernalia) in the last 15 years that didn't have a Presta tube for 700c...It's by far and away the most common standard...

Wait wait - You already have a Giant Defy? Why don't you just ride that to work?

No. I've only ever used my defy on the trainer. Roadying isn't something I have ever done for enjoyment.

Ah right, fair enough. Extend finger to shift, curl finger to brake.

Because it lives on the trainer silly
No, I wanted something a bit more commuter, take a proper rack and guards, slightly less bendy-overy.

Fair enough. I don't mean this to be as rude as it might sound, but in my opinion you're overthinking it, being prepared to drop £1000 on a short, straightforward ride to work when you already have a good bike that will do the job.

[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12796018 ]You can get p clips which will enable you to fit any rack you like to your Defy[/url]

slightly less bendy-overy

Raise/change the stem?

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. You must have more disposable cash than me!

What about a Croix de Fer? The 20 is around the £1k mark.

If the commute isn't long then don't worry too much about SPD pedals. Flats are more versatile.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. You must have more disposable cash than me!

If you really need shoe options then shimano do a pedal that I'd clip one side and flat the other, but mtb SPD's are the best

One spare tube and sticky patches will see you right. Carry a proper pump not co2 cartridges, you'll have to stop in the cold and rain and the dark, you will fu¢k up the cartridge inflation and then you have to walk home because you didn't buy a pocket rocket.

Aldi clothes are ok but variable quality.

Ride your defy ; start now, don't wait for a new bike because you need to do a full summer of riding to get you into the swing of it and get ready for winter which isn't as bad as you think

Shoes, coat, full emergency outfit, towel all at work. First aid stuff that you hope you never need.

How long is your commute and how hilly?
For anything that is relatively flat and less than 10 miles I personally would use a fixie. They are simple and fun to ride. I would go with drop bars every time.

[url= http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/urban/cross-utility/day-one-10 ]Genesis Day One[/url]

Re. pedals Time Atacs are the best all rounders imo.

For clothing I would go with dayglo visible as someday some half asleep cager will try to kill you.

If you leave a lock at work make sure it is somewhere that a thief cannot come and practice meddling with it under cover of darkness.

I'd use the defy, get some mudguards on it and a Carradice sqr bag (I have the slim, it'splenty big enough).

Pedals I'd go for some shimano m520s and whatever MTB shoes you fancy.

Hey! So do I. Maybe we're brothers!

maybe 😉 ...mines the orange MK1 model...is yours the same?

OP another thing i would recommend especially if you're riding in the dark is spoke reflectors to make you more visible from side on traffic

so your bike kind of looks like this...a bit harder to miss
[img] [/img]

^^that ones for you SaxonRider!! 😀

Let me wheel out my standard photo...

Basic requirements (for my commute)
Mudguards
Rack
D lock
Proper horn
Good, rechargeable lights, with back ups front and rear
Reliable highly puncture-resistant tyres

[URL= http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/1B9303E1-C4C3-4C07-83F0-99DCB90ADFBF.jp g" target="_blank">http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/1B9303E1-C4C3-4C07-83F0-99DCB90ADFBF.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Some other options that make it nicer for my commute and general use
Rack pack that slides straight on (with pannier side pockets)
Rucksack/pannier combo for laptop if I need it
Hydro brakes
Drops
Spd/flat pedal combo
Bottle cage
Reflective spokes

To be honest, I've been using my brompton recently as I've hurt my neck and the drops on my commuter irritate it. It's surprisingly good!

I pretty much take my pants/t shirts for the week in a light backpack on Monday.

Then no need for a backpack rest of week, panniers are pants tbh...lighter makes a far nicer commute.

You can sling an alpkit drybag on the handlebers if you want to carry sandwiches nice cheap and waterproof(which is good).

I use flats on Spec Roubaix with normal tyres - cyclepath here is pretty clean and tbh after years of going with super heavy tough tyres found the normal roady ones are fine - about 2 punctures a year.

I carry a few tubes and tools in a plastic waterbottle.

I do 10 miles each way but sometimes do 20in and 10out in the summer carrying the kitchen sink on your bike just makes life miserable.

I'd use the defy and take it from there...

I rode mtb with slicks and sometimes a pannierfor 9 years and wont be going back.

Dlock in work

popping to the shops on the way home must be fun.

popping to the shops on the way home must be fun.

I've never felt the need, in 10 years of commuting by bike, to pop into the shops. For me commuting by bike is about carrying the minimum I need not carry stuff like a lock and rack/pannier just in case I need a loaf.

I guess it depends on your commute, if you're having a short spin through town then yeh doing the shopping might be a consideration, not for me though.

I've tried a few things and now seem to have settled on a road bike (Trek Domane) with mudguards, rack, SPDs and gatorskins (23mm at the moment - 25s fit but not with the mudguards I got - they did fit with my old guards but when I got a new set after the old ones cracked I ended up having to fit narrower tyres).

I carry tubes etc but my commute is short enough to push the bike either the rest of the way home or to work if I really need to (approx 5 mile commute so I'm never much more than a couple of miles from one end or the other of it, and there are bike shops en route to replenish supplies).

The bike has bottle cages but I only really use them if I'm doing an extended commute (or if it's performing its alternative role as my winter bike).

Normal gears and rim brakes. I did have an alfine hubbed disk braked commuter at one point, but although it didn't require much maintenance, when it did it was a lot more faffy than this set up.

I guess i could just get the wife to get the mid week milk as she rides home.

or i could ride home then jump in the car and drive back to town.

or i could accept that my commuter/tourer has racks on and that my pannier plus small cable lock weighs next to nothing. Sure i wont get any STAAAAAVVAAAAS on my 15 mile ride out of the city but ride heavy race light. Its worked for me for many a year - i dont do training.

[img] [/img]

nice and warm bike shed under the stairs 😀

[i]or i could accept that my commuter/tourer has racks on and that my pannier plus small cable lock weighs next to nothing. Sure i wont get any STAAAAAVVAAAAS on my 15 mile ride out of the city but ride heavy race light. Its worked for me for many a year - i dont do training.[/i]

That's fine, it works for you. I ride a heavy commuter too, I juts don't need to do any shopping on the way home, not everyone does

I regularly do the shopping on the way home, saves me time from having to jump in the car and do a big shop. Only have to do that every few weeks now

Probably stop in the shop a couple of times a week to get a few bits, having a bike makes that dead handy. I'm about 90% of the way home by the time I stop to get supplies

The rack pack with fold out panniers is really useful, I also carry a fold up rucksack for anything that doesn't fit inside

On monday I used my ex-commuter (a Surly LHT which had been demoted to shopping duties) on the commute again, it was great! slower uphill but really nice to be sat up and enjoy the sunny morning. Rode in trainers, baggy shorts and a hoody, rather than cycle shorts, jersey and fluro. Over my 10mile commute it only took 50min rather than 40min it normally does. As an extra bonus I had 2 empty panniers for the ride home so took advantage to stock up on some ace Pies for dinner, which I cant normally do with my current, pannier-less, commuter.

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7606/27016042126_08a94ef61c_n.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7606/27016042126_08a94ef61c_n.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://flic.kr/p/Hajh6L ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/dickyelsdon/ ]Richard Elsdon[/url], on Flickr

Basically anything will suffice as a commuter, sure there are better ways to do things and im more guilty than most for buying specific kit for certain jobs/rides but dont forget to enjoy your commute, if you're just focussing on gritting your teeth then you may as well be in the car (unless you like that sort of thing).

EDIT:

Doing the big shop by bike is great fun too!
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/26775040080_f9124e2e6e_n.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/26775040080_f9124e2e6e_n.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://flic.kr/p/GN25A5 ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/dickyelsdon/ ]Richard Elsdon[/url], on Flickr

😀

I've got a folding bike trailer If I'm planning on carrying anything interesting......works with all my bikes and takes about 5 seconds to attach. Bought it cheap in a sale on a whim but turned out to be a great thing to have.

I have a 13 mile commute each way my set up is:

Pinnacle Lithium (flat barred/ deore hydros and gear)

I swapped it to 1*10 as I worked out exactly what gears I need and I didn't need the weight or faff of a double at the front.

Mudguards, even if it isn't raining there is still usually damp and crap on the country roads I use.

Pannier rack with ortilob pannier bags (a total must!!!)

My clothing is lidl long bib tights which are windproof, cheap as chips and I will be getting more when then pop up again!

Marathon + 28mm tyres with gloop filled inner tubes, after one puncture in the rain I will take a bit of energy loss for the reliability of them!

I might get bar ends as I would like a couple of extra hand positions