andyfraser
Über Member
- Location
- Bristol
I don't mind so much if it's raining on the way home. If I get wet everything goes on the radiator or in the wash and I soon warm up. I do only have a 6 mile commute each way though.
Top commuting tips
- Thread starter Ed Gibbes
- Start date
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mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
+1 - or hang the lock(s) on the bike somehow, but don't trust the mountings supplied with most D-locks. Rummaging through the bag for the lock is annoying.
I think http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/zefal-sealant-spray is worthwhile as long as you're not running high-pressure narrow tyres.
For completeness, I think my basic racktop kit is: 2 locks, tyre levers, patches, spare tube (shrink-wrapped, not boxed), micro floor pump, sealant spray, Ritchey CPR-9 multitool, Park CT-5 mini chain tool, 6" adjustable wrench, quick links, cable ties, wet wipes, spare lights (dynamo ones are bolted on), snack, fold-up rucksack. Depending on season and ride type, it may also include rainlegs, waterproof, mini sun-block, mini deodorant and handwarmer.
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Sunblock. Where do you live ?
Turbo Rider
Just can't reMember
- Location
- A compounded speck of dust
Carry a phone with you. Practice changing tyres. Learn to fix puntures. Don't inhale the rubber glue...unless that's your thing. Pump your tyres once a week. Wash your bike regularly. Oil your chain regularly. Dont inhale the oil...unless that's your thing. Install rear mudguard. Make sure your lights work. If you need to go poopoo, go BEFORE you leave. Remember to eat properly. Remember that it's ok to look like a tw*t in lycra and you really should embrace it. Learn to shrug off the words of anyone you know who doesn't cycle, as they will have a story about a time in their life when a cyclist did this or that...it's important to be able to hold the 'drifting off into a dreamworld without letting on' expression and it's completely up to you what you dream of.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Norfolk, hence waterproofs AND sunblock!Sunblock. Where do you live ?
Easytigers
Guru
Check for bits of debris in the small splits etc in tyres so they don't work through...only takes 2 mins per day but can save you a lot of time on the road!!!
jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
Travel light?
Credit card is all you need.
Credit card is all you need.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
I keep a pair in the panniers all year round , aldi "commuter " overshoes pack down small enough to make it worth keeping them to hand just in case.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Plus mobile phone and the number of a taxi van firm, else it's a long walk home when you get an unrepairable.
steve292
Guru
- Location
- Weston-super-mare, north somerset
Consider a CTC or BC membership.
3 spare tubes & a decent pump, c02 inflator is optional, but I would always carry the pump, tyre levers
lights, carry small back ups as well as your main ones.
small roll of tape 3 or 4 small zip ties & a multi tool.
If I can't fix it at the roadside with that lot, its out with the phone & credit card.
Put a decent local cab firm in the contacts on your phone.
3 spare tubes & a decent pump, c02 inflator is optional, but I would always carry the pump, tyre levers
lights, carry small back ups as well as your main ones.
small roll of tape 3 or 4 small zip ties & a multi tool.
If I can't fix it at the roadside with that lot, its out with the phone & credit card.
Put a decent local cab firm in the contacts on your phone.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Consider a CTC or BC membership.
3 spare tubes & a decent pump, c02 inflator is optional, but I would always carry the pump, tyre levers
lights, carry small back ups as well as your main ones.
small roll of tape 3 or 4 small zip ties & a multi tool.
If I can't fix it at the roadside with that lot, its out with the phone & credit card.
Put a decent local PUB so you can wait there for a lift.
400bhp
Guru
Man, are some of you going to work or going walkabout.
tyre levers, multi tool, 1 spare inner, pump, latex gloves, phone, wallet, keys, works pass, days wear of duds and socks. Job done. Leave all other shat (suit, shoes, shirts, washing stuff) at work. Wear rucksack once a week to work to change shirts over.
tyre levers, multi tool, 1 spare inner, pump, latex gloves, phone, wallet, keys, works pass, days wear of duds and socks. Job done. Leave all other shat (suit, shoes, shirts, washing stuff) at work. Wear rucksack once a week to work to change shirts over.
KneesUp
Guru
Pah! That sounds like a long list to me. I take allen keys sometimes if I've adjusted something the night before. Otherwise I take no tools. I have got an old frame pump at work.Man, are some of you going to work or going walkabout.
tyre levers, multi tool, 1 spare inner, pump, latex gloves, phone, wallet, keys, works pass, days wear of duds and socks. Job done. Leave all other shat (suit, shoes, shirts, washing stuff) at work. Wear rucksack once a week to work to change shirts over.
My commute is only a couple of miles though, so assuming I get even part of the way home I would only have to walk 2 miles.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Yeah, I carry enough to fix or bodge everything short of a buckled wheel, but the shortest route for me is 4.5miles, so an annoying hour and a bit of walking.
MickeyBlueEyes
Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat.
- Location
- Derbyshire
Just do it. A mate of mine bought loads and loads of kit to get commuting, he did it a handful if times. Having all the gear is pointless if you don't use it. Get out there every day. Buy clothes to deal with poor conditions. When it rains, ride. When its windy, ride. You will soon appreciate that the human body can withstand so much more than a wet and windy commute. When you're not riding, think of what your next ride will be like and get your kit ready. Clean and check your tyres regularly. The 5 minutes you spend doing this could save you 15/20 minutes on the road. Keep your bike clean, it deserves it.
