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Well here goes. This blog goes out to all you commuters out there and yes I do commute to work on the bike now and again.
This is my list of essential products that I think are a must have in my apparel.First up is a good ruck sack. One that sits comfortable on the back with some padding and support in the right places, I reckon they also need plenty of pockets to store essentials for the bike as well as yourself. I found the dhb Luggit Slice 30L Rucksack.
Big enough to fit a pair of shoes in with your clothes as well as a nice sleeve to fit a laptop, and a front compartment easily accessible to fit your pump spare tube and a set of Allen keys. I found the straps comfortable and very adjustable to fit anyone. With too hand side mesh pockets for drinks bottles and a nice elasticated front flap that you can place your waterproof. With side webbing that you can then compress the whole bag to make it nice and as small as possible. Also we all get caught out on the commute at some time with rain, its basic. The best bit is the built in pull out rain cover that fits over the whole rucksack.
Another essential product is a good waterproof. My pick for this is not a full on bike waterproof but the dhb Sync Waterproof Jacket, the reason i think this is an essential for the commuter is that its practical works great on and off the bike and looks great at the same time. The long cut on the back covers your rear while riding but doesn’t look silly while wearing it out and about, the hood is spot on too granted it can rustle in the wind but what jacket doesn’t, with 3 pockets to store your phone, wallet, iPod and whatever they remain out of the rain. The handy drawstrings are also great to stop the cold wind getting in and help keep you nice and snug.
Another one of my essential items is a set of mudguards. No one likes the rain especially when it’s thrown up off your tires while riding to work, it just gets you dirty before work and no one likes that. My choice of mudguards is the Crud Road Racer Mk2 Mudguard Set, the reason for this choice is that they are so easy to fit to any bike and they work brilliantly.
The do just what you want and aren’t massively bulky and look good. They are fixed by 2 little brackets on each guard and 2 cable ties. They are so easy to put on and take off after the brackets are fitted it’s just a matter of 2 plastic bolts and cutting a cable tie.
My last essential item is a good mini pump, if you’re like me and leave just enough time to get to where you’re going and the puncture gods aren’t on your side. There’s nothing worse than your pump not working. My choice of pump as a commuter or as a general rider is the Lezyne Alloy Drive CFH Pump with CO2 Cartridge, the reason I have picked this pump is because you can also use a c02 canister to top up the pressure. When I puncture I tend to use the pump to get the bulk of air in the tyre and then use the c02 can to top up the pressure to allow you to get on your way as easily and as quickly as possible.
Ciao for now
I wonder if you’ve actually thought about these recommendations.
The waterproofs you recommend are murky green and dark blue – simply dreadful choices for commutes on busy, rainy, dark roads when it’s important to be visible to the many, many cars that invariably feature on most peoples’ daily commute. You consciously picked a ‘non-cycling’ waterproof. Why on earth?
The Crud MK2 mudguards are infamously NOT ‘easy to fit’. Look at almost any review! They take a load of fiddling to get right, the instructions don’t make sense, and even the youtube tutorial is 40 minutes long! I have them on my bike. They’re great once on, but ‘easy to fit’ is simply incorrect. Even the guy in my local LBS recommends that you give yourself an hour to fit. That’s not opinion; that’s consensus. Have you ever actually tried to fit them, I wonder…
“There’s nothing worse than your pump not working” … what!?! How often does THAT happen? Co2 pumps are completely unnecessary for non-race situations.
Inclined to agree with the above. Number 1 priority when commuting during the autumn/winter/spring should be being seen. For anyone who is too fashionable to wear fluoro, I’d point out you won’t look to great in a morgue sheet either.
With a proper jacket and a rucksack it looks like you will be a very hot cyclist on your commute; although the mudguards and the pump look spot on- I don’t seem to be able to get that final push of pressure from my mini-pump leaving me prone to getting a classic snake-bite puncture if I roll over any ironworks to complete my journey- so the CO2 looks sensible.
On jackets -do you really need something combined. Personally I leave a hoody at work and cycle with the minimum -if it’s dry in the morning then I chance it with my Mavic race jacket stuffed in the back pocket, if it’s wet I wear my spring-autumn commuting waterproof, for arctic conditions I have a proper winter cycling jacket, but that only gets used a couple of months per year.
My commuting advice: buy your kit in the end of season sales ready for next year and slowly accumulate the right kit for the conditions.
Also agree. High vis is the only way in city traffic. The more the better.
This jacket is excellent. Warm, waterproof, visible and quality http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-night-vision-waterproof-jacket/
Reasons I have picked the items in my blog are because I use them and all play a part in my commute.
The c02 pump. The last thing i want to be doing when I’m on my commute or out training is pumping up a tyre with a little hand pump the c02 canister just makes things easier, especially when your wet, cold and in a rush.
The jacket. I use it both on and off the bike. The reason I chose it is so I don’t have to carry another jacket to use off the bike. Yes it’s not hi viz but I always use a rear light on my commute. I wear a hi viz vest now and again but the rucksack I suggested, that I use for commuting has a built in rain cover that is hi viz. See the link and look at the pictures. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-luggit-slice-30l-rucksack/.
The mudguards may not be to everyone’s liking but they are practical. Every bike is different and they may not cater to all different bikes but they work for me and most people I know use them. The reason I said they are “easy to fit” is because I had no problem fitting them to my felt. I think they took me 10 minutes max but some bikes have different wheel clearances and they may then be a struggle. Sorry I have miss lead you but I’m only going on past and personal experience.
yet another ridiculous blog post from wiggle’s marketing department aimed at doing nothing more than promoting preferred brands.
I’d have no problem with that, except that as the first commenter points out the products are entirely inappropriate.