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Cycling to school

  • 11-09-2014 10:07pm
    #1
    mhiggy09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 513 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,I wanted to start cycling to school soon but have a few questions. I have a heavy bag often and was wondering should I get a pannier type thing or will bag on back do.

    What should I wear? Will I just wear my uniform or will I bring clothes in and change.

    It's a 10k journey which I can cycle in 25-30mins. There's a bike rack at school but not sure if it's a safe place to lock my bike, the school is in a small town so I'm not sure if it's ok.Btw I have a road bike and a mtn bike.


Comments

  • #2
    victorcarrera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,059 ✭✭✭victorcarrera


    What weight is the bag likely to be?
    The two sets of panniers I have would not last long with more than 5Kg on either side and in fact I broke the hooks when I chanced putting 10Kg in one.
    I would be inclined to carry half on my back and half on a carrier rack thats if you have eyelets on the frame for a rear rack. You need to think of waterproofing and change of clothes for the wet weather too. A locker at school would help a lot.
    You will sweat more on the mountain bike but you will sweat less as you get fitter and the weather gets colder.


  • #3
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    I agree with the above post about putting heavier objects like book on top of a rack instead of in a pannier bag on the side.

    This looks like the type of rack to get (money permitting). http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/topeak-super-tourist-dx-rack/rp-prod32817
    and I suggest about three of these (I have them) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/s?q=oxford+bungee+xtra+elasticated+strap

    With a rack you can also have pannier bag(s) attached on the side for lighter things like clothes or snacks. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/brand-x-pannier-bag/rp-prod13690

    Edit: I think this bag is designed to go with the rack above so would probably fit to the rack exactly.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/topeak-mtx-trunk-bag-dx/rp-prod28705


  • #4
    mhiggy09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 513 ✭✭✭mhiggy09


    I do a good bit of cycling and don't sweat a whole lot unless its really warm.
    I have a locker at school and could get another one for helmet and clothes if I have to .

    Bag weight wise in not sure but probably around 6kg normaly but somtimes more.

    What about safety wise I'm kinda worried some one might steal/break/vandalise my bike.

    Would the toppeak rack go on road bike? And if I does does it look ok on it. Would my bag fit on it?
    Also will a get lights for the bike as when cycling home it will be getting dark, I have a built in rear light in my helmet but not sure will it do.


  • #5
    diomed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,744 ✭✭✭diomed


    mhiggy09 wrote: »
    What about safety wise I'm kinda worried some one might steal/break/vandalise my bike.
    Would the toppeak rack go on road bike? And if I does does it look ok on it. Would my bag fit on it?
    Also will a get lights for the bike as when cycling home it will be getting dark, I have a built in rear light in my helmet but not sure will it do.
    If someone wants to vandalise a bike they will if the bike is in a public place. The only way to prevent that imo is to have it indoors. If you could get someone to keep the bike in a house/garage that would be best. I assume a school will have an open shed only.

    Good quality locks are expensive and heavy. If possible leave the locks at school / house as you probably don't need to lock the bike at home.
    I have two Kryptonites ..... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/kryptonite-evolution-s4-u-lock/rp-prod84245 ..... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/kryptonite-fahgettaboudit-mini-lock/rp-prod18394

    Will the Topeak rack fit? I don't know as I can't see your bike. You will have to do some research yourself.
    This is the Topeak website page. ..... http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/SuperTouristDXTubularRack
    It says it fits 700c wheels which is the standard road bike size.
    But will it fit your bike? Has your bike got rack mounting holes? (on the frame just above the wheel axle, and on the frame below the seat.)
    See this image http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Bicycle_rack.JPG

    If you are cycling on an unlit country road your light will probably need to do two things: (1) light the road so you can see; (2) light the bike so car drivers can see you
    (1) lighting the road is expensive. You will need more powerful lights. Many cyclists buy a new front wheel with a dynamo hub, and the cost could be a few hundred Euro (2) a cheap light on the bike would be ok if you are travelling on street lit by lampposts, but would be useless on unlit country roads.
    See here for a recent discussion of dynamos ..... http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057219008


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