winter commuting kit & tips thread

[vorsprung]

You forgot the 'imho' at the end of that statement...

I've been riding with a rucksack (originally a North Face on the MTB, now a Deuter Race EXP Air on the roadie) and I'm perfectly happy with it. It's even handier in Winter, as I get to pop a Creative Reflectives cover over it and attach another rear light to its LED loop!

Each to their own; rucksack, saddlebag, panniers or trailer - it's all a mattter of personal preference.

Everything on here is imho

I've ridden with a rucksack/backpack and with a saddlebag

With a rucksack the stuff you are carrying is at a higher centre of gravity. This messes up the bikes steering

Also if you are out of the saddle the weight has to be directly born down your legs and moved with the rest of your body weight which makes pedaling less effective

You can compensate for this but it is just more stress on your body and you are more likely to get neck ache and similar problems

The bike is a metal frame on wheels. It's job is to carry stuff about. So add a saddlebag and make it do it.

Backpack vs saddlebag isn't a matter of preference. Saddlebags are better in nearly all circumstances

 

[zigzag]

for my short commute (8km each way) i prefer a rucksack as it is more versatile and convenient to put the stuff in/out and carry off the bike. i don't think a laptop would as happy in a saddlebag as it is in a "suspended" rucksack. no sweaty back on short rides either and handling is neutral as the rucksack moves in sync with my centre of gravity, if that makes sense.

 

[hennbell]

As a winter cyclist in Canada 2 of the most important bits of kit are lobster claw gloves and shoe covers. The shoe covers dont work well with road clip-less pedals. The winter I deal with is very cold and windy but rain is not an issue.

 

[Radman]

Did anyone mention overshoes, invaluable in the rain i find.

As for the light question from Downward try this light from

deal extreme a few more pounds than you you wanted to pay
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ssc-p7-3-mode-900-lumen-led-headlamp-bike-light-set-4-18650-50947

 

[Wobbly Wheels]

Head & Face - I have a baseball cap to keep rain water off my specs and a couple of buffs I picked up in TK Maxx. The buffs are great, you can wear them as a beany or cover your face like a rioter. They can go under your helmet straps and you can even wear two.

Sorry, probably being totally stupid, but what is a buff?? I thought it was a colour, normally something to do with filing folders.

 

[vorsprung]

Sorry, probably being totally stupid, but what is a buff?? I thought it was a colour, normally something to do with filing folders.

It's a neck gaiter and multipurpose headwear garment. A tube of material, it can be twisted, folded or ruckled into a hat, a bandana, headscarf or simply worn around the neck

There are lightweight, wickable, light coloured ones available for sunny places where they keep the sun off the head
Or there are heavy duty ones with a bit of fleece in them for colder situations

 

[al78]

for my short commute (8km each way) i prefer a rucksack as it is more versatile and convenient to put the stuff in/out and carry off the bike. i don't think a laptop would as happy in a saddlebag as it is in a "suspended" rucksack. no sweaty back on short rides either and handling is neutral as the rucksack moves in sync with my centre of gravity, if that makes sense.

When I went on holiday at the end of July I had to take my laptop with me for work reasons. It survived a 36 mile ride in a pannier and a 72 mile ride a week later with no ill effects at all.

 

[Brahan]

Everything on here is imho

I've ridden with a rucksack/backpack and with a saddlebag

With a rucksack the stuff you are carrying is at a higher centre of gravity. This messes up the bikes steering

Also if you are out of the saddle the weight has to be directly born down your legs and moved with the rest of your body weight which makes pedaling less effective

You can compensate for this but it is just more stress on your body and you are more likely to get neck ache and similar problems

The bike is a metal frame on wheels. It's job is to carry stuff about. So add a saddlebag and make it do it.

Backpack vs saddlebag isn't a matter of preference. Saddlebags are better in nearly all circumstances

What utter tosh. Of course it's a matter of preference. I've used both extensively and can confirm that using a rucksack is much better for me than panniers. Quicker, easier and more versatile.  Hence they are my preference. As for messing with my steering, well I can't say I've ever noticed any difference.