Paragon of City commuting gear

[chap]

One often hears about those with 'all gear, no idea' and there are plenty of examples around the dusty streets of London. Therefore, I would be interested to hear your ideas on what gear is deemed the most adept for city commuting. It would be interesting to see if we could reach a consensus of opinion.

To kick things of, here is my opinion:

• A sturdy work-horse of a bike:
  • Durability
  • Low-maintenance
  • Mudguards.
  • Hub gears (if any) - for faultless transmittion and quick starts at traffic lights
  • Luggage carrying facilities on the bike: basket, panniers, back rack (although I do not have one)
  • Reliable lights (hub dynamo, magnetic, or multiple battery powered lights)
  • Blinkies (LED lights which will blink - ideally at different speeds)
• Portable waterproofs e.g. lightweight jacket, tasteful cape
• Gloves (quite waterproof and warm)
• Lightweight but sturdy helmet (optional - although I say yes)

So ideally a 'Dutch' classic style bike, or a well made folder would fit the bill.

 

[thomas]

If I was cycling around London it would mainly depend on where I could lock it up. A folding bike, unless I can put it somewhere where it won't get stolen.

Otherwise, a nice light weight bike so I can scalp everyone and make up time between lights

Yes to the last three bullet points though

 

[BentMikey]

My idea of a good commuting setup is quite different to yours, but that's because I have different priorities.

 

[chap]

If I was cycling around London it would mainly depend on where I could lock it up. A folding bike, unless I can put it somewhere where it won't get stolen.

Otherwise, a nice light weight bike so I can scalp everyone and make up time between lights

Yes to the last three bullet points though

That is a point, some bikes do have integrated locking, which provides a visual and a secondary defence in some cases (especially if it is a heavier model e.g. Pashley.)

The folder is ideal for me due to space, and flexibility (I took the train, the bus, and still cycled about 20 miles yesterday.) However, for commutes (assuming its under 20 miles round-trip) a good old classic (or hybrid) is an excellent option.

Relating from another post, my interest in magnetic-induction and hub-dynamos is deepening, I am going to fit some Reelight SL500's onto my old Raleigh (i.e British) so I needn't bother with batteries again. It is used in the city, so is more for being seen and revealing the path, than bright illumination of everything; for that, there are Hope Vision one's and Ixon lights .

 

[Tynan]

2800mah AAs run in my lights for over a month and that's for two hours a day

I lock mine up at home and at work, nowhere else so no call to carry a lock'

Personally I like to enjoy my commute, if I'm doing something for te hours a week I want somethig to ride that's good fun and good at the job

the brighter the light the more you're seen, in heavy London traffic there's so much light around that regular commuter lights are quite easily lost sometimes

 

[thomas]

That is a point, some bikes do have integrated locking, which provides a visual and a secondary defence in some cases (especially if it is a heavier model e.g. Pashley.)

The folder is ideal for me due to space, and flexibility (I took the train, the bus, and still cycled about 20 miles yesterday.) However, for commutes (assuming its under 20 miles round-trip) a good old classic (or hybrid) is an excellent option.

naaah. I've done 13 and 15 mile commutes (each way), so not really that much more than a 20mile round tripe...not in cities, but it's taught me enough that I wouldn't want to use a heavier bike that necessary. Road bike for sure.

I wouldn't enjoy it as much I don't think.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

A battered old touring bike with good quality dynamo lights and a rear rack. You can commute any distance in comfort, it's not as vulnerable to theft as a road bike and you can tour on it at weekends.

 

[beanzontoast]

Good puncture resistant tyres would be up near the top of the list for me. I'd add spoke reflectors. Rear rack and pannier. Plus a really comfy seat.

 

[gouldina]

Good puncture resistant tyres would be up near the top of the list for me. I'd add spoke reflectors. Rear rack and pannier. Plus a really comfy seat.

I would agree with that. Also for me:

* Mudguards
* Breathable waterproof jacket
* Good cool backpack - I use the Deuter aircool ones that lift the bag off your back.
* Decent lock
* A buff for the cold weather - seriously, they're perfect for cycling, just the right level of heating. I wear two in super-cold weather in ninja style - one over the face/ears, one on the head.
* Decent gloves.
* Small pump for accidents.
* spare tube and repair kit.
* Allen keys and mini mole grips

 

[biking_fox]

and quick starts at traffic lights

FAIL. I've got hub gear, and the one thing it doesn't do is accelerate quickly. STI is much faster.

I think you meant so that you can always be in the correct gear when pulling away from the lights, which is certainly easier with a hub, though not difficult to remember with derailler.

I think the minimum specification for a commuter is something durable/reliable with lights. All else is optional/luxaries.

 

[swee'pea99]

Super-lightweight old fixie, blinking lights, good gloves, er...that's it.

 

[beanzontoast]

... and following on from my recent post about the amount of time I spend maintaining my bike, a setup that needs minimum maintenance would get my vote as being most suitable for commuting use too.

 

[HJ]

Hey who cares what you ride, so long as you do...

 

[andyfromotley]

a smile and a pleasant demeanour usually suffices. Nice weather helps. Bike? Doesnt matter much, as long as it goes.

 

[chap]

a smile and a pleasant demeanour usually suffices. Nice weather helps. Bike? Doesnt matter much, as long as it goes.

Now why didn't I write that.