anyone cycle to work?

p1tse

p1tse

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i've got a bike that i've had for years and probably only used it a handful of times for fun

now thinking of cycling to work with each way circa 5 miles.

it's nothing special, moutain bike with front suspension, so not light in anyway, but will do for mix of road, track, paths.

question is what else do i need or people recommend for:
- lights
- clothing, wet weather, visibility, warmth
- shoes/trainers
- how to carry my suit and towel etc.?

how long should 5 miles take with no big up or down hills
 
well I have an Atura jacket which is waterproof ,light and warm and for wet days wear waterproof leggings, also a viz vest is a must .I just wear ordinery trainers and use a backpack to carry work clothes. I travel 3 miles there and back with a big hill and it takes me 15-20 min. A good bike lock is a must.
 
Get high viz clothing and good lights. Leds are good but don't think that a poxy little flashing led on the front is any good. I get fed up with having to avoid poorly dressed/lit cyclists at this time of year. A chap I did some work for had a great helmet with front and rear mounted leds, really made him stand out in the dark.
 
Carrying your suit? May sound daft but why don't you put it to boss that you have a locker room with an iron and ironing board? Leave your suit in work apart from when it needs dry cleaning, shirt in your back pack and iron it when you get in. That's what we have, no showers though unfortunately. But the gym is only the other side of the car park, we all use that!
 
I do nine miles each way, one day a week (at the moment). Takes about 45 minutes. You should manage it easily in half an hour.
I leave my work stuff in the office the night before. Are there any showers at your work? You will be a sweaty mess when you get there, initially at least!
 
p1tse said:
question is what else do i need or people recommend for:
Click to expand...

spare inner tube, tyre levers, wheel nut spanner
forget a pump - too much sweat ! - and buy a CO2 cartridge inflator
 
Mike Jackson said:
don't think that a poxy little flashing led on the front is any good.
Click to expand...

:agree:
Especially this time of year, make sure you get a front light that will actually provide some visibility and not just to make you visible to car drivers, especially if any of your route is unlit! Unless the force is strong in you :lol:

Some padded cycle shorts will be a good plan as well. It may not hurt on the way in, but the prospect of getting back on the bike at the end of the will be less appealing without them :'(
 
thanks

actually i have padded cycle shorts somewhere, good shout.

anyone recommend any online cycle accessory stores?

also i'm considering not to use a backpack and use a rack with a bag, any recommendations.
as for the rack, should i choose one off the seat post or a specific one?

so recommendations on:
- rack
- bag
- lights
- a light weight jacket acting as a high vis, weather and wind proof would be good
 
p1tse said:
thanks

actually i have padded cycle shorts somewhere, good shout.

anyone recommend any online cycle accessory stores?

also i'm considering not to use a backpack and use a rack with a bag, any recommendations.
as for the rack, should i choose one off the seat post or a specific one?

so recommendations on:
- rack
- bag
- lights
- a light weight jacket acting as a high vis, weather and wind proof would be good
Click to expand...


Have alook here for panniers. Karrimor is the one I would reccomend. I used to cycle to work every day for 25 years, get a waterproof liner!!!
 
wontolla said:
, get a waterproof liner!!!
Click to expand...

I used to wrap everything in a bin liner - cheap - replaceable

check the new lighting regs ..........
i think flashing red rear LED lights are not legal by themselves
and you must show a steady red light - minimum

flashing white LEDs stand out, but get a BRIGHT white front as well

Catseyes from Halfords do a good range
 
ive spotted a tendancy for people to have flashing LED lights on the back, now i dont mean the ON, OFF, ON, OFF sort of flashing i mean 5 LEDS flashing alternately so at any one time you either have either 1 or 0 LEDS lit, which does not make you at all visible to other road users, flashing does tend to get noticed well, although personally as a motorist i find it easier to spot and locate solid lights. as for fronts you need somethng that puts out a beam of light, otherwise you wont be immediately seen by motorists.


there is a bloke who rides down our road every day, he has about 6 lights on the front of his bike, a mix of LEDS and bulbs but jesus you notice him so it obviously works
 
p1tse said:
thanks

actually i have padded cycle shorts somewhere, good shout.

anyone recommend any online cycle accessory stores?

also i'm considering not to use a backpack and use a rack with a bag, any recommendations.
as for the rack, should i choose one off the seat post or a specific one?

so recommendations on:
- rack
- bag
- lights
- a light weight jacket acting as a high vis, weather and wind proof would be good
Click to expand...

I would like to recommend Wiggle (.co.uk), they have a fantastic online store for all your cycling needs. Great service too!!
 
wontolla said:
Have alook here for panniers. Karrimor is the one I would reccomend. I used to cycle to work every day for 25 years, get a waterproof liner!!!
Click to expand...


so that's what they are called lol Panniers
thanks

is the recommeded waterproof liner inbuilt or like a cover to go over the pannier?
 
thanks to the other input

when i used to go hiking i would put my spare clothes in a bin liner, so good shout

will check out the other recommendations.

i've heard of catseyes so nice easy to brand to find
 
any thoughts on racks?

i can see that a seat post would be easiest to fit etc. but then i guess it would flex more when in use and be a little unbalanced?

there's a whole of choice. just want a pannier and rack to fit to my back for work clothes, towel and toiletries
 
One other thing to consider is changing the tyres, if you have tyres with off road treads they can be heavy going on roads. Change them for smoother town tyres for an easier ride.
 
my bike is a 2006/7 i think giant rincon (spelling), mountain bike with front suspension forks

i know a lighter bike would be better, but that's what i have.

changing tyres would be good. is there something for the mountain bike which is like 50/50, as i will be doing some tracks on route
 
wiggle.co.uk that Dalton recommends have a good selection of tyres, the MTB Road link has the best set for your needs I think. They are a bit pricey compared to the likes of jjbsports.com but have a better selection. If you have a jjb sports / halfords nearby go have a look and see the treads in real life.
 
p1tse said:
changing tyres would be good. is there something for the mountain bike which is like 50/50, as i will be doing some tracks on route
Click to expand...

some tyres have a kevlon[?] band inside which makes them almost puncture-free ...... dont forget a CO2 tyre inflator........:thumbs:
 
p1tse said:
any thoughts on racks?
Click to expand...

http://www.onyourbike.co.uk/Pannier-Racks-Rear

The Raleigh with the dog-leg stays, splash-guard and mounting plate for lamp or reflector looks the best for you. You could probably find one on a junked bike at a tip. Here's something similar: http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=6482&categoryID=84

The more expensive pannier carriers are better triangulated, so stronger and more rigid. The original manufacturer of this type is Blackburn, from the USA.

If you're out all day in the rain it's great to have really good panniers like Ortlieb, but poly bags inside something cheaper works fine for shorter distances. Rear-facing Reflexite panels will make you far more visible than your own lights, though pedal reflectors probably actually signal "Bike".
 
excellent

thanks
 
Bit of a thread revival!

I am starting my cycling commute from tomorrow. I have ridden in a few times recently, but aim to make it daily now the weather is improving.

Have just ordered a set of full mudguards for my bike as the clip on jobbies I currently have just don't cut it.

Looking forward to getting fitter and saving some cash!!

:thumbs:

Question to p1tse (OP) - how are you finding the daily commute?
 
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just started a new place so waiting for things to settle, weather and too hope get fitter and save money
 
As far as I know it is illegal to only have flashing lights on the front or rear of your bike you can have them but you must have a non flashing light and stick to the roads as you can get into trouble for riding on the path.
 
update:
as i brought my bike good few years and hardly used, hoping to use it for commute
save a bit of car running cost money along with some exercise which i don't do at the mo.

picked up a long sleeve high wick stretch material top, which i'll have over a base layer.

are windproof tops any good?

i wouldn't mind picking up something small and lightwight which would be windprood and water/showerproof for those moments.

think i'll just pick up a helmet from halfrauds for ease.

seen a pannier, avenir 100% waterproof (apparently), 23 litre, which looks big enough for work cloths etc.
 
I've found Lidl to be excellent for cheap cycle kit.

I've picked up a mesh top, a waterproof jacket and some winter gloves recently for £20!
 
p1tse said:
update:
as i brought my bike good few years and hardly used, hoping to use it for commute
save a bit of car running cost money along with some exercise which i don't do at the mo.

picked up a long sleeve high wick stretch material top, which i'll have over a base layer.

are windproof tops any good?

i wouldn't mind picking up something small and lightwight which would be windprood and water/showerproof for those moments.

think i'll just pick up a helmet from halfrauds for ease.

seen a pannier, avenir 100% waterproof (apparently), 23 litre, which looks big enough for work cloths etc.
Click to expand...

Bit of an update from me too!

I have been cycling to work (4 days a week) since the start of April. Still finding it hard going at the moment, but slowly getting easier.

When the weather is nice and if I am not too tired after work, I take the 'scenic' route home, which is a nice 15 mile ride.

I recommend DHB clothing - which can be purchased from Wiggle. They currently have a couple of base layers at 50% off. These are excellent quality and keep you nice and warm in the mornings/ evenings.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Earnley_Zip_Neck_Long_Sleeve_Base_Layer/5360036248/

:thumbs:
 
High Viz vest from Halfords - you need them when you drive in most European countries now and they are great for cycling. Small, fold up easy, quick to put on & take off.
 
simmosn said:
I've found Lidl to be excellent for cheap cycle kit.

I've picked up a mesh top, a waterproof jacket and some winter gloves recently for £20!
Click to expand...

worth a look i guess

was going to go to go outdoors to have a look at some cheaper bargins
 
Suvv said:
High Viz vest from Halfords - you need them when you drive in most European countries now and they are great for cycling. Small, fold up easy, quick to put on & take off.
Click to expand...

thanks

think i may have one somewhere lying around
 
Dalton said:
Bit of an update from me too!

I have been cycling to work (4 days a week) since the start of April. Still finding it hard going at the moment, but slowly getting easier.

When the weather is nice and if I am not too tired after work, I take the 'scenic' route home, which is a nice 15 mile ride.

I recommend DHB clothing - which can be purchased from Wiggle. They currently have a couple of base layers at 50% off. These are excellent quality and keep you nice and warm in the mornings/ evenings.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Earnley_Zip_Neck_Long_Sleeve_Base_Layer/5360036248/

:thumbs:
Click to expand...

good work

do you use a ruck sack or panniers?

i see people cycle with a single pannier but does it make it unbalanced?
 
Dalton said:
I have that very bag, it is awesome! Perfect for commuting. Holds plenty of gear, has loads of features and most importantly is comfortable on your back!

Buy it - you won't regret it.

:)
Click to expand...

thanks

very tempted, but i keep thinking a pannier would be better as less weight on back/bottom and rucksack would be less stable as swinging off back etc.
 
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