What gear do I need for commuting?

[postman]

Have a word with Magnatom .A suit of armour might come in handy .And a change of underpants .Judging by his recent bad luck .

 

[J4CKO]

Decent lights, spare batteries, tubes, tyre levers, pump ?

 

[HJ]

Need a bit of help guys and gals as am about to start commuting to work. Having not cycled, and then it was mainly on a road bike, for a couple of years I have the following gear generally:

• SS Road jerseys
• Couple of DH Jerseys
• Bib Shorts
• Ron Hill bikesters
• Padded undershorts
• Waterproof/windproof jackets
• Shoes for SPD's

can anyone give me guidance as to whether this is suitable and will suffice for commuting? Feels like I have adequate stuff for riding in very warm weather and very cold weather but not sure what the standard fare is for commuters in terms of base layers/fleeces/outer layers etc?

Links to appropriate items would be a massive help if poss.

Cheers

Paul

All you actually need is a bike, some lights for the winter months and well that is it. Don't believe every thing the shops tell you, they are just trying to sell you stuff. You only need technical clothing if you are doing sport, commuting is transport! If you want a link to real cycle commuting clothing try this one or this one, you really don't need anything special to ride a bike...

 

[gaz]

I'm assuming bibshorts is the underlayer - it's rare to wear anything under bibshorts. No problem if, for example, it was biblongs over the top, and it was the padded shorts underneath that got changed daily.

aaah i see, i read bibshorts as bibtights. my mistake and eeeeeeew

 

[MacB]

All you actually need is a bike, some lights for the winter months and well that is it. Don't believe every thing the shops tell you, they are just trying to sell you stuff. You only need technical clothing if you are doing sport, commuting is transport! If you want a link to real cycle commuting clothing try this one or this one, you really don't need anything special to ride a bike...

Don't listen to him, without £100's of punds worth of kit you'll cycle too slowly. It could add a whole 5 minutes to your daily commute times

Actually I'd agree totally with HJ if the commute is short. But if it's long, or you choose to extend it for exercise, then some kit is helpful. What you need is down to you but certainly you can do it with no kit investment at all. The only thing to watch for is the saddle/bum interface, if that goes wrong then it can all get pretty painful.

 

[Tynan]

I try to wash kit every other day

but not always, there is a definite hum that even I notice on day three

op is on about clothing surely, stop it with the pump, chain tools and all that, we'll be here all day that way

 

[Paulq]

Commute is about 12 miles each way, all road and mainly flat (ish). Am just gonna go for it and see how it goes I think.

 

[chap]

Commute is about 12 miles each way, all road and mainly flat (ish). Am just gonna go for it and see how it goes I think.

In order of importance (most to least)

1. Lights
2. Carry a spare set of batteries (just in case)
3. A puncture repair kit (handy)
4. Face towel and bar of soap (shower)
5. Saddle bag (for the above)

Don't forget your bike