Best accessories for new bike commuter

[davepartridge]

I have been lurking for a while and this is my first post. I will shortly start a new job where I am intending to start commuting by bike and this community has already proved very helpful.

My journey is just under 5 miles each way, with a mixture of urban roads, country roads and cycle paths, and a couple of sustained or steep hills. I'm 6 foot 1, just under 13 stone, and 34. Living in Essex, I've visited Woosh and am likely to buy either a Faro or Camino as I think they suit my needs. If anyone had any comments then I'd be happy to receive them.

What I'm now looking at is what accessories I should look to buy. Presumably I should get some decent lights as some of my journey is unlit, some good reflective clothing etc., but any advice from any seasoned commuters on essential kit would be appreciated. I have a birthday coming up in a few weeks' time and this is a good excuse to put some decent kit on my birthday list (rather than have people complain that my list is the usual combination of socks and chocolate!).

Thank you!

Dave

 

[TobyAnscombe]

• Gloves - I'm a big fan of sealskinz Dragon Eye https://www.sealskinz.com/gloves/dragon-eye-gloves.htm
• Jacket - Proviz https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/cycling or similar; Currently rocking a https://www.decathlon.co.uk/st-500-jacket-id_8553872.html as its cheap and good
• I've a pair of Gortex trainers (Merrel) that keep my feet mostly dry
• I tend to wear a base layer + tee and then change in the office
• Decent helmet that's comfy and with a peak
• Lights - I like the Cateye 1300 Volt for my trips (cycle through the roads in and around Epping Forest so B roads with lots of overhanging trees) with a Lezyne Strip light on the rear

 

[oyster]

Although very much a minority view, I wear neoprene wellies in poor weather. Cheap ones (Aldi, about £20, sold for fishing) have been fine for me. Keeps the bottoms of trousers dry and protects from splahes and spray. If overtrousers have been needed, the overlap is an impregnable seal.

(Ordinary wellies would be horrible - it is the soft, pliable nature of neoprene which makes them work.)

 

[LeighPing]

 

[RobF]

You are starting commuting in the better weather, so your immediate needs may be very few.

Good lights are always worth having, but will you use them before the clocks change in the autumn?

Do you have luggage covered?

You may want to carry stuff year round, so panniers or a rack bag would be a good idea for your birthday list.

Commuting is hard use on all bicycle components and accessories.

No point in buying cheap stuff that won't last.

There are a handful of quality luggage makers, but the simplest recommendation is get something with Ortlieb written on it.

Their stuff is genuinely waterproof, which very few bags are.

You can google the obvious, but their relatively compact Sport Roller panniers have enough room for most commuters, but are not too big.

If you only need to deploy one, put it on the off side of the bike.

This gives you a bit more road presence from behind.

Ortlieb Sport Roller Classic QL2.1 25L Pannier Pair - Buy Online

 

[D C]

Welcome Dave,
don't forget the boring bits.
A good puncture outfit and the ability to use it!
A decent quality pump, a spare tube and tyre levers.
Tools to fit every nut and bolt on the bike.
A roll of strong gaffer type tape and some sturdy cable clips can often come in very useful.
Dave.

 

[Emanresu]

I'll vouch for the Ortlieb. I have two sets of 70l which I alternative between trips. Nothing gets wet even on the wettest days.

But this leads me to a question and I hope the OP doesn't mind me jumping in. My new Specialized TL doesn't have the fixing point for the panniers' bike rack. I've been pointed to the Thule Pack N Pedal but can't see any reviews of it. Any comments on it or alternatives.

Thule Tour Rack | Thule | United Kingdom

-

www.thule.com

 

[sjpt]

I used to use ordinary wellies for a similar commute when it was wet. (Mine was probably a little hillier but nothing huge.) Make a huge difference with waterproof trousers over them you know you won't get water dribbling in. I found Merino lined walking socks make them perfectly comfortable for the relatively short journey; I don't know how much better neoprene boots would have been. One difficulty was finding a good way to keep them trouser ends out of the gears, regular clips or straps aren't big enough.

It was the reason I first bought a mobile phone; but I guess you can take that for granted these days (even if you can't take reception for granted).

 

[Nealh]

For cold weather riding a cold face & ears can be unpleasant, I wear a multi use buff.
For lights USB chargeable, for my town/commute bike I have them wired/switched to work off of the bikes battery.

 

[Nealh]

Hi viz is common place and sometimes blends in with pedestrian and other use so I wear a cycle wind/rain jacket of a lighter bright blue colour, something that stands out and is different.

 

[Nealh]

I should say my wired lights aren't of the wired USB type .

 

[sjpt]

For cold weather riding a cold face & ears can be unpleasant, I wear a multi use buff.

Big silk scarf folded into a triangle. Put it on first, over the ears and down the back a bit, then helmet, then coat. Helmet before coat makes sure scarf doesn't slip, and coat last makes sure the back of your neck won't get uncovered.

 

[RobF]

I'll vouch for the Ortlieb. I have two sets of 70l which I alternative between trips. Nothing gets wet even on the wettest days.

But this leads me to a question and I hope the OP doesn't mind me jumping in. My new Specialized TL doesn't have the fixing point for the panniers' bike rack. I've been pointed to the Thule Pack N Pedal but can't see any reviews of it. Any comments on it or alternatives.

Thule Tour Rack | Thule | United Kingdom

-

www.thule.com

The Thule rack is a quality item, but is more a platform rack than a pannier one, so may only suit a trunk bag.

I'm not familiar with your bike, but there is universal advice for a bike without mounts.

There are racks which use an elongated quick release skewer for the legs - not sure if there are any that cover through axles yet.

The other alternative is P clips, putting the rack leg where the clip's bolt is.

Achieving a strong enough grip on the bike's tubing may be difficult, so it may be a light duty solution.

As regards the top mounting, you can get a seat post collar that has rack mounts machined into it.

A money no object solution would be a Tailfin, which does now support through axles.

Carbon Rack

The Tailfin Carbon Rack range is the pinnacle in no-compromise, ultralight luggage carrying systems. For riders who want to go fast and light.

www.tailfin.cc

P clips which claim to suit pannier racks:

Tortec Unisex's P-Clips Rack, Black, 16mm : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Tortec Unisex's P-Clips Rack, Black, 16mm. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Seatpost collar:

M-Wave Unisex's RACKY Seat Clamp, Black : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop M-Wave Unisex's RACKY Seat Clamp, Black. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Kit for quick release skewer mounting:

Get Your Wiggle On | Cycle, Run & Outdoor Shop | Wiggle

Prepare to get your Wiggle on. We have the awesome gear you need to cycle, run, hike & swim from the world's leading sports brands. No excuses, LET'S GO!

www.wiggle.co.uk

 

[Jonah]

Planet X is a good place for decent priced stuff. Carnac Waterproof Crab Hand Winter Gloves are very good. They often have great value deals on.

 

[Fishy]

Best thing I bought for my bike, was a mirror, wouldn't be without one, let's you know what's going on behind you without constantly craning your neck round.

 

[davepartridge]

Thank you for your advice everyone - this is all so helpful!

 

[Nealh]

My Thule rear rack has side panniers, you buy the side drop/rack bar frames as an extra add on.

 

[trevor brooker]

Best thing I bought for my bike, was a mirror, wouldn't be without one, let's you know what's going on behind you without constantly craning your neck round.

I use the mirror that attaches to your eyeglasses - it does not suffer from vibration (unlike those attached to the bike) & you can change the viewing angle by moving your head.
I always wear glasses when cycling to keep bits out of my eyes.