New commuter, new bike, what gear?

diabhail

I bought a lowishaverage priced hybrid bike for my commute to work (€300ish) from the small bike shop in Fairview near the pedestrian bridge. Yes I know the advice is to spend a bit more, but since there was no guarantee that I would actually follow through and regularly cycle I was not willing to spend the "extra" money. Bike is commuter spec with mudguards and a good bike rack that takes my rucksack!

Anyway 3 weeks later I am cycling to work 3 or 4 days a week. My journey is 14 km each way and I am beginning to really enjoy the trip.

So I now need a little advice. Bit by bit I think I need some more bits of gear. First of all I would like some cycling shoes as my normal shoes are getting scuffed and/or wet. I have normal pedals but I guess to future proof myself should I buy shoes that have the clips in the soles to give the option to add in those clip thingys in the future?

I think I also should get some shorts with the padded rear area.

So far I have not hit rain (ok I lied, I don't cycle if it is raining) but a decent quality jacket would seem to make sense.

I have trawled the threads but find most of the threads are about gear for people doing 50km+ and not for the casual cyclist/commuter.

I have found the links to the various recommended online sites for buying gear, but the amount of items is overwhelming and it is hard to focus in on something.

Anyway - I guess what I am looking is for is a priority list of sensible gear I should get.

Shoes?
Shorts?
Jacket?


Also: Should I carry a pump?
I have no idea how to change a tyre should I get a puncture - but is there something I should buy to help get me by?


Thanks!

seamus

diabhail wrote: »

So I now need a little advice. Bit by bit I think I need some more bits of gear. First of all I would like some cycling shoes as my normal shoes are getting scuffed and/or wet. I have normal pedals but I guess to future proof myself should I buy shoes that have the clips in the soles to give the option to add in those clip thingys in the future?

It's really up to yourself. You'll need shoes designed mainly for mountain biking because road shoes have little or no grip on them and will be useless on normal pedals. Something like these would do. In reality though, there's no need to buy them now. Buy a cheap pair of runners (boots for the winter) from Dunnes and use them only for cycling.

So far I have not hit rain (ok I lied, I don't cycle if it is raining) but a decent quality jacket would seem to make sense.

Yep. Not actually as important in the summer - the air temp will be quite high anyway and the exercise will ensure that your body is warm, so getting wet isn't an issue. You'd only wear raingear in the summer if you were wearing clothes that you needed to protect. Wear a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of shorts and you'll care not about rain.

In terms of what's important to buy, I'd put overshoes top of that list. Regardless of what type of footwear you have, getting a pair of soaked shoes to dry out before you have to get back on the bike again is impossible. In the winter, having soaked feet is no fun at all. Overshoes are an absolute essential and they save you a ridiculous amount of hassle.

After that, a good pair of shorts and a pair of gloves. Short-finger for the summer, nice and padded for the winter.

Also: Should I carry a pump?
I have no idea how to change a tyre should I get a puncture - but is there something I should buy to help get me by?

If you don't know how to repair a puncture or even replace a tube, then carrying a pump is a waste of time. Have a read through this: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/flats.html

Practice removing/replacing the tube at home. Then carrying a pump, tyre levers and a spare tube with you. Fixing punctures at the side of the road takes far longer than it should and its horrible. Simply swapping out the tubes is the way to go.

SerialComplaint

Good advice above. Think safety, get a helmet if you haven't already got one. For winter, plan ahead to get good lights and a high-vis jacket (maybe Altura Night Vision or similar)

SteM

I was in the same sort of position back in December.

I picked up a pair of these
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9356
really comfortable and have vents to keep you cool and a clip in liner with a padded ass. I haven't used the liner since the warm weather came in but it'll come in handy in the winter I think.

I also picked up one of these
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11427
which folds up really small and is light. It's not waterproof but is shower proof.

These with a cheap moisture wicking tshirt and a cheap pair of trainers has been fine for me for me since March.

Don't forget a helmet too.

BostonB

Gloves for wet/Cold day. Make sure they are waterproof and wind proof. A lot aren't. Rain jacket if its really wet. For light showers I don't bother. Its too hot. Runners with shoe covers. These are brillant. Led lights with bright flashers. Don't scrimp on these. Tube/repair kit. Though I've puncture proof tyres so I've only ever had one. Practise changing both tubes. Only takes 5 mins to change a tube. Track pump with gauge to make it easier to get your tyres up to pressure. With a decent saddle, especially if its got some gel I don't bother with the padded shorts. I've winter leggings altura which are fantastic on a cold/wet day.

That said I've realised it doesn't rain as much or as heavy anything like I thought it did. Even on a wet day you can usually wait 20 mins and miss the rain.

Terry,

A helmet is essential.

Húrin

I don't agree that a helmet is essential. That's a whole other thread, but it would be mad to prioritise it at #1.

I don't think you need clip-in cycling shoes. You're just commuting, not racing! In fact a problem that could present itself is an inability to unclip fast enough to put your foot on the ground when waiting at traffic lights, resulting in an embarrassing and dirty fall!

As others say, you've got to get lights (by law) and a high-vis jacket is useful for night cycling. The other piece of gear I would get is a pannier rack and a pair of bags to go with it. It is so much nicer than carrying your stuff in a backpack.

As for raincoats, it is possible to get supercool ones designed for cyclists, but I just wear my normal raincoat and rain trousers and it does fine. No need to get loads of fancy "gear" just cos you took up cycling. Unless you really want to!

Mind you I'm somewhat in the cycle chic school of thought on bike commuting.