Beginning to commute by bike

Birdsong

hi all, I have got the go ahead to get a bike etc via my employers as was introduced in the budget.
I need to get the bike and a hi - vis jacket, I have a helmet,what else would you regular commuting cyclists recommened i get. While i have the opportunity i would like to get as much as possible. Many thanks

beans

Tubes, tire-levers, puncture-kit and a suitable pump - if you keep the pressure in the tires and watch what you cycle through, you will avoid punctures for the most part, but when they do happen you'll need to be able to fix them.

A decent lock. I own something like this which has served me well.

A red rear and white front LED light, if you'll be cycling in the hours of darkness.

Some kind of lube for your chain. I have used a DuPont Teflon spray, but ask in the shop and you can't go wrong.

A multi-tool containing allen-keys and screwdrivers, unless you intend to let the shop change your brake-pads and do small adjustments as they become necessary. It's far easier to scan the web for the know-how to do these yourself - I'm not especially handy, and I picked things up as I went along.

Enjoy it - I've been commuting via bike all-year-round since 2002, and I love it

branners69

You might add a set of panniers so you dont need a bag on your back!

Best of luck & enjoy!

Birdsong

many thanks, hadn't even thought of a lock & the panniers are a great idea, definatly don't want a bag on my back. Thanks again

72hundred

Birdsong wrote: »

many thanks, hadn't even thought of a lock & the panniers are a great idea, definatly don't want a bag on my back. Thanks again

Orbitel front panniers are very good. I use them on my back rack.

markpb

beans wrote: »

A red rear and white front LED light, if you'll be cycling in the hours of darkness.

You should buy lights even if you don't think you'll be cycling at night. You never know when you'll be caught out because you're coming home late or in fog or rain. Always carry spare batteries for all your lights, they'll always die when you least expect it.

fixieboy

Birdsong wrote: »

hi all, I have got the go ahead to get a bike etc via my employers as was introduced in the budget.
I need to get the bike and a hi - vis jacket, I have a helmet,what else would you regular commuting cyclists recommened i get. While i have the opportunity i would like to get as much as possible. Many thanks

If you're not used to cycling in then I'd suggest a few runs in and out of town at times other than 8am on a Monday morning.....twice in the last two weeks I've seen cyclists ko'd on my way in through Fairview...always assume that you're invisible too and don't bother getting angry at motorists and engaging in the ridiculous posturing at traffic lights as if they have "wronged" you..total waste of time and you're likely to injure yourself in the attempt to catch up!

g5fd6ow0hseima

Ko'd whereabouts in Fairview? I found the junction for the malahide an akward one alright. Im getting a helmet soon

fixieboy

Deacon Savory Sleeper wrote: »

Ko'd whereabouts in Fairview? I found the junction for the malahide an akward one alright. Im getting a helmet soon

One just before the rail bridge passed the firestation in Fairview and then another one on Thursday opposite Staffords funeral home...busses and bikes and taxis in the same lane...great idea ey?

g5fd6ow0hseima

Aye, the busses dont give much room, little more than a foot sometimes, even when the outside lane leaves them with more room. Its pathetic the lack of bicycle lanes in this city, you could have it for hal a mile, then your in the buslane for the other half.

petethedrummer

branners69 wrote: »

You might add a set of panniers so you dont need a bag on your back!

I personally prefer to carry my bag on my back as long as it's not too heavy. I find the bike is more manoeuvreable with out the extra weight. Feels safer to me.

Húrin

I'm amazed that someone thinks of a helmet before the infinitely more important set of lights that one needs.

Don't worry about bus drivers, they tend to be considerate. Actually I think the less you fear drivers in general, the less likely you are to get "knocked"* off your bike by them. Keep away from all trucks though.

I would also endorse the suggestion to get pannier bags and a rack for them if you have not already got one on the back. Ortlieb have been mentioned and they are supposed to be excellent, but they are priced accordingly. Since you're not doing serious touring, you could take a pick from among the cheaper bags if money is an object for you as it would be for me.

It's great to hear someone actually starting to cycle as a result of this scheme, rather than existing cyclists just using it for a cheap upgrade!

For a lock I would advise using a D-lock. However, the cable lock recommended by beans looks good. Whatever you do, don't rely on a cheap lock. They tend to be easy to cut through.


*I say this because casual investigations have revealed to me that many cyclists who complain about this have not been hit by motorists, but rather simply 'frightened' by them into losing control of the bike. Which shows the importance of bike handling skills.

72hundred

petethedrummer wrote: »

I personally prefer to carry my bag on my back as long as it's not too heavy. I find the bike is more manoeuvreable with out the extra weight. Feels safer to me.

Yeah my panniers often rub off bumpers and stuff as I pass. Backpacks are better for getting around the tight spots. Although panniers are lower for CoG.... :pac:

NeilMcEoigheann

i use one of these
its waterproof and really durable plus you don't get a sweaty back,
i would recommend tyres with puncture protection, schwalbe make them for all occasions.

DualFrontDiscs

markpb wrote: »

You should buy lights even if you don't think you'll be cycling at night. You never know when you'll be caught out because you're coming home late or in fog or rain. Always carry spare batteries for all your lights, they'll always die when you least expect it.

http://www.reelight.com/ no need for batteries. Very good.

DFD

DirkVoodoo

Neil (and others),

I'm curious about messenger bags. I use a standard jansport rucksack for the most part, but I occasionally carry a gear bag on my back, nothing fancy just a standard kit bag with shoulder strap.

The last time I used it the bag kepy sliding off my back around to the front where it would hit of my knee and unbalance me.

Does this happen with those messenger bags? I could use the extra space and I don't like the weight being over the back wheel of the bike when I use panniers, it makes it very twitchy.

Chris Peak

Those gear bags are a fkn nightmare when cycling. I've seen two of them break with fairly disastrous results.

The messenger bags have a second strap which comes around the front and stops them sliding around too much.
They do move around if you put tonnes of stuff in it though.

Have you tried to buy one from Cyclone couriers near / on Golden Lane? They used to sell them a few years ago.

DirkVoodoo

Ahh, I see. Nope, dunno the place, I have become quite reliant on the internet for cycling related purchases :rolleyes: