Waterproofs, backpacks & lights

[paulmac]

Im hopefully going to start commuting to work within the next 2-3 weeks, and looking at the weather im going to need to buy myself some descent waterproofs for this. Can anyone recommend me some to get which arent mega expensive, obviously the lighter the better but then they have got to be warm i guess for the cold weather we will get and then visibility is another thing to think about. Also i need to get a bag for putting my dinner and gym kit in along with pump, lock repair kit etc, ive seen a 45L rucksack in tesco which has the air back system and feels comfy on and has a rain cover too with a little compartment to put it away in which i thought was cool. Is a 45L bag too big for commuting or would you sya that was fine? Last of all whats the best light set to get? again dont want to spend an absolute fortune but enough so i keep safe in the darker mornings & nights when im riding back and too from work.

 

[Danny251]

Watch out for cheap waterproofs as they make you sweat a lot and can feel more uncomfortable than getting soaked.
Lycra shorts/tights are a good idea as they dry quickly. I do use a waterproof jacket that's a bit like boil in the bag when it's raining heavily, but when it is freezing outside this keeps you warm.

If it's dry outside I will wear a breathable jersey only and this is really helpful when dealing with sweat.

What bike do you have? Instead of carrying a bag on your back you could look into getting a pannier rack and pannier bags. Obviously you don't want to spend too much money just now so it's maybe something to think about. A rucksack will be OK to start off with but me personally I hate having a backpack on and much prefer my panniers.

I have this light set and it is great at night and isn't too dear. http://www.evanscycl...ht-set-ec019847

 

[Theseus]

Waterproofs: to start with, get something cheap from your local bike shop (LBS) that will be light and waterproof. Don't worry about warmth, that comes from cycling and using layers of clothing underneath.

Backpack: Personally I don't like them, I use a seatpost mounted pack or panniers. Let the bike take the strain, not your lumber.

Lights: CatEye do a reasonable range of sets, but you are best to take a look at what is available and in your budet. I kid you not when I say you can spend over $400 on a front light alone if you are wanting the biggest and brightest.

 

[gaz]

I used waterproofs in my first year of commuting. Not worth it in my opinion. Get some gold mufuards to keep the dirt off and ten just wear enough cycling clothing to keep you warm. Cycling clothing dries a lot quicker than a normal t-shirt or trousers.

I personally don't like to use a back pack, even with an air cooling system you back will sweat. Look at panniers or a big saddle bag.

You should have 4 lights minimum. 2x front 2x read. They are for backup reasons incase the batteries die. + 1 on flash and 1 on steady gives you the best of both worlds. Depending on where you are cycling you may need to get bright lights to see with. These will be more expensive.

 

[paulmac]

I have got a Felt QX75 hybrid bike. Not overly keen on panniers tbh, i know what you mean like i think i will be ok with a bag on my back tho. Yeah i agree about the waterproofs they have to be breathable ones, nothing worse than cheap ones like you used to get from the army & navy (crossbow i think) where u get more wet from sweating than you would have from the rain itself haha

 

[clarion]

Panniers ftw.

I actually use a Carradice saddlebag most of the time, and occasionally a pannier if I need to take a load of clothes in, or I'm going shopping on the way home.

I couldn't even imagine using a backpack, as I'm asthmatic, and it'd be bad for my breathing. It's bad for your breathing, too.

For rain protection, I wear lycra, which dries fast enough. It rarely rains for the whole of a commute - hell, it rarely rains! My ride is about 12 miles each way - about an hour - so getting a bit wet isn't tragic. At work I often shower anyway (I always wash when changing), and I have somewhere I can dry my clothes (the boiler room in winter - there has to be an advantage to being the boss). Getting home wet is no biggie either.

At work, I keep a spare pair of cycling socks JIC, but I've only ever needed them once. I have a stack of old newspapers for stuffing my shoes, and for soaking up the water from mitts and socks. Works pretty well.

Lights are an issue. Mostly commuting, you need to be seen, so a bright flasher at the front is good. I used to use Cateye EL-135s, but I've moved on a bit now, and use a Hope Vision 1. Bit over the top for a back up, as it used to be my main seeing light, now superseded by a hub dynamo and Cyo, which is just about perfect.

At the rear, I use a Smart 1/2 watt flashing most of the time (I'm using it so I don't get lost in low sun right now, since most London drivers don't let the fact that they can't see what's in front of them inhibit their speeding). As it gets darker, I set that to constant, and set a Fibreflare to flash. That attracts a lot of attention.

I understand there is research to show that it is best to have a steady light for other road users to assess your distance, but a flashing one gets attention. I use at least two lights - often three, including a Knog Frog front & back - at each end.

 

[jagman.2003]

I use a cheaper lightweight jacket. Lusso I think. It is really only shower proof but briethes well & folds up pretty small. Hardly need to use it on commutes so far. I have got a thicker better jacket but find I overheat even in the coldest weather in that. I personally go for high-viz stuff to make sure I'm definitely seen. Have some cheap milano over trousers for winter. I've always used panniers for commuting. I started with some cheap 25L ones. These were great for carrying everything I could think of. But I've been trying to cut back on what I carry. So have just changed to some smaller karrimor ones. I don't cummute everyday so take spare clothes etc. in on other days & try & keep as much at work as possible. I would agree with the advice above for lights. Depending on whether you want to be seen only or need to see as well. I always try to run at least two rear lights, one constant - one flashing. I quite like my smart lights for that.

 

[wiggydiggy]

..........Waterproofs......... Is a 45L ............. best light set..............

Waterproofs I have a Polaris (Halfords) jacket, theres probably less sweaty alternatives out there but I can change/shower at work so I dont mind. DOnt bother for legs - either lycra tights winter or shorts summer.

Lights I use Smart Lunar 10's, there are brighter lights but for a tenner ATM on Planet X they are the best value I think

Backpack I have a 30litre, nothing special for cooling etc but its only full on mondays/fridays (take several shirts monday, return on friday) with the rest of the week its just a big lunchbox! I also leave shoes, a jacket and a couple of other bits and pieces at the office so I carry less

I'd only say I'd like to ditch the backpack completely, I keep meaning to invest in a decent sized carradice but keep putting it off......

 

[Chrismawa]

I use a rucksack as I don't like the look of Panniers and they weigh the bike down, plus I need to take things into the office with me so makes sense. I use a 25ltr rucksack and that fits in my work gear, bait and plenty of room for cycle equipmemnt. So the 45ltr rucksack should give you epic amounts of room for your gear.

 

[007fair]

I am waiting on Finances to improve before getting a carradice or topeak saddle bag
In the mean time the cool air back pack has been fine I have to take a Laptop and some clothes, food tools So there is reasonable weight in it As long as its tight round the waist so as to take the weight from the shoulders I find it ok And thats after a 33 mile commute Better with a saddle bag I assume but its doable And alot cheaper

 

[007fair]

Why do I always miss out punctuation marks?? .....

 

[Jezston]

I ride with a backpack, but then my commuting bike can't take a rack and panniers. Been meaning to get a carradice saddlebag for a while but keep umming and ah-ing.

I long to lose the backpack, though. With anything more than jeans and a tshirt in it it is uncomfortable, and when it's hot my back sweats a great deal. Riding without it is a liberating experience.

Backpacks with separating webbing aren't really any better for avoiding sweatyback in my experience.

Cheap waterproofs - i.e. any single item under £50 are totally useless. You will get wetter from being hot and sweaty than from the rain. Like other's have said, in light rain just wear decent cycling gear - good stuff holds off the water a bit, and keeps you warm even when it's started to soak through. In heavy rain you can get waterproofs that will keep you cosy and dry without overheating but you have to spend SERIOUS money - like £100-150 just for a jacket. And you'll need the full gamut - jacket, trousers, overshoes, gloves - or that water gets in and you'll feel horrible.

You could get away with slighter cheaper waterproofs as long as you don't mind just tootling about without using too much energy and getting too hot. If you want to go fast, then pay hard or get wet.

 

[fossyant]

Check out Decathlon.

I use their race cape waterproof in the summer - yes it's a bit sweatty but what the hell, I'll get sweatty anyway. Very waterproof and less than £15.

If you want overtrousers, then Aldi will have a sale on late sept - these are OK and I use them in heavy rain - mainly to acompany my overshoes to keep the shoes dry. Boil in bag though.

If you have cycling shoes, get some good overshoes - these are useful in the winter for keeping out cold, and rain. The BBB Hardwear with aqua shield work great.

Rucksacks/panniers personal preference. I perfer a rucksack as there is no weight on the bike, but I use panniers now as I've got a shoulder injury. The panniers weigh more than the bike when fully loaded.

 

[clarion]

I take my Carradice into the office with me, as I have a shoulder strap on it.

I forgot to mention that I do carry a waterproof at all times - Motane Featherlight Velo. It's not going to keep out the worst rain forever, and it's no good over bare skin if you're wearing a shortsleeve shirt. But it is enough for my purposes, and it wraps up so small (about the size of a tennis ball) that it can always be in my bag without causing an issue.

 

[bristol-dave]

Like yourself, im not so keen on panniers etc.. i got a high viz ruck sack from e bay . not sure what ltr capacity it is but size wise its 42x28x15 cm £12.95 plus 1.95 p&p . luv mine .