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I go with an undersaddle-bag with tools/tube etc, and use an Ortlieb commuter bag ( https://www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/commuter-bag-two-urban+F70664) which has a laptop sleeve and lots of pockets for phone, wallet etc. I leave work trousers etc in the office and just take in what is required day-to-day. We have showers so I take a clean towel every now and then, and just use a standard pannier on the other side to the commuter bag when I need more capacity.
Another upvote for schwalbe marathons and full length mudguards. Not had a puncture in 4 years of commuting (that's tomorrow screwed...).
When you get into the routine it becomes second nature and no hassle. Apart from the day when you forget to take clean clothes in and end up sitting in meetings in your bibs...
I don't think I'd run mudguards all year round for commuting.
For tyres, I don't think I'd go with ultra puncture proof ones. Too slow rolling. But as soon as you start getting punctures, replace them.
Other useful hacks are keeping a small set of spares/tools at work. Tubes/cables/batteries/half reasonable set of allen keys.
Oh, and at least a spare set of cycling socks/gloves in the office too. Makes it much more pleasant if you get soaked going in.
Oh and consider Putoline chain wax. Far more durable than normal lube and your components will last a long longer. Yes, more trouble to apply but for most of the time your bike is maintenance free which for me is a big plus for a commuter.
Leave whatever footwear you need for work, at work.
Even the best mudguards don't keep your shoes clean/dry in bad weather so make sure you always have appropriate/dry footwear at work.
I'm firmly in the "travel light" category and don't have a shower/changing facilities at work so ride very slowly to work so I'm not a sweaty mess. Generally, if the weather forecast is good, I'll try to skip using a jacket but I leave a cheap waterproof cycling jacket in the office in case I ride in without a jacket and then the weather goes downhill during the day...
I'm lucky to have two workplaces with interesting commutes and good facilities at both locations (locked swipe card access and good changing rooms with lockers).
One is 30km pretty flat with 2/3rds gravel and some single-track options.
The other is closer to 40km, 1000m climb (some nasty 20% stuff too) but all asphalt.
I use an MTB regardless and carry all the stuff I would normally (plus epic amounts of lunch). EDC Pump, dynaplugs, tube, snake bandage, TP in my Henty backpack or Cotic framebag.
I love it though, aim to do it once or twice a week, the flat route in particular is so peaceful. Roos and trees and me.
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This is my solution to the loose phone, keys etc:
works well with Ortlieb panniers.
lots to absorb here, but seems like common themes running throughout.
Today was day 3 of the commute and thus far, no issues and really enjoying it. As folks have said, sets me up for the day and gives me something to look forward to at the end.
I like the looks of the tool 'bottles'. I dont carry a drink, so can use the existing cage or if needs be get a second. I assume its probably better to get a larger, more efficient pump than a stumpy one that might fit in the bottle (assuming they even exist).
Or on the flip side, i do have a spare one-up EDC tool, so could combine this with a one-up pump (assuming they can still fit in the handle), then put a tube and levers elsewhere?
So many options!
Work shoes stay at work, so thats one less thing to carry. Thankfully i get away with working in jeans & t-shirt, so i dont have too much to carry, clothes wise.
I am also learning the art of pedalling at a sensible pace, keeping the heart rate between 130-140, which appears to allow me to have sufficient pace that i can get to work on time and not be soaking wet with sweat.
And also learning that my average speed over the first half is lower that the second half, due to navigating roads etc, so i can claw back 'lost' average speed on the second half of the journey.
although i could be totally overthinking it.... 😀 😀
keeping the heart rate between 130-140,
That’s not a commute, that’s a work out! 😉
Today was day 3 of the commute and thus far,
You've really picked a plum week to start! It's not quite so much fun in the middle of December. 😱
We'll revisit this again in 6 months time to properly discuss lights and reflective/waterproof gear. 👍
That’s not a commute, that’s a work out! 😉
It can be both. Since you mentioned it, I checked and my HR is around 120-130bpm average for my commutes. But on Monday I was running VERY late for my kid's parents' evening so I was absolutely gunning it home. HR was above 170 for large parts of the ride! I made it in time, just. Despite my heroic efforts, my wife was still not impressed. Weird.
Great day today. I came in the long way through some woods on the outskirts of town. Lovely.
My commute is 25 miles each way, including @matt_outandabout 's high/low route choice, for the same reasons. Usually do it once or twice a week, and take about an hour and a half. I'm lucky as scotrail provide a get-out of the ride home if needed.
Multitool, glueless patches & CO2 is in a saddle bag. From experience, I can fill two road tyre's with enough air to get home from one cartridge - they hold alot less than an MTB.
I keep a tube strapped to the frame of each bike (then I always have the right size for the bike I'm on), and a bag under the top-tube for phones & keys. A towel & change of clothes live in the office.
I haven't done it yet this year due to COVID, then hurting my back on a BMX enforcing 2 months off the bike. I've got an e-bike arranged for next week (thanks to Donnie at Synergy 🚲) to ease me back into it, and I can't wait, but my wallet hopes I don't like the e-bike too much 😂
I don’t think I’d run mudguards all year round for commuting.
If you get a decent set then there really is no downside to them. And they make riding in the occasional summer downpour less miserable.
So many options!
Don't overcomplicate it.
Seriously, just get blackburn frame pump.
Fiddly hidden multitools and tiny pumps sound like the absolute worst idea ever when combined with cold hands and late for meeting on a drizzly January morning. You want a nice chunky easy to use tool, tyre levers, and a frame pump.
That’s not a commute, that’s a work out! 😉
I do mine fairly flat out on the fixie so any small hills are attacked by default.
To end up with BO you need both bacteria and sweat for them to live in. If you shower before setting off and use a deodorant you won't get smelly on the bike however sweaty you get, there isn't time. Just time your efforts so you're not still sweating when you put your clean clothes on at work.
That does depend on your work though. I'm lucky that I work in a portacabin on site so with the windows and doors wide open it's a nice cool temperature today. When I used to work in a corporate office with its horrible recycled air and constant 21C the only solution was a freezing cold shower otherwise I'd just not cool down and sit there sweating all morning even though my commute was only 3 miles!
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first time back bike commuting this year. I drive halfway and then green lane it into the office. the main roads into totnes are horrible. takes about an hour.
despite the sun, it was bloody cold in some of the shaded valleys this morning.
Welcome to commuter club!
My setup:
saddle bag
2 tubes
crank bros 17 multi tool (chain tool & spoke keys inc)
puncture kit with spare quick links inside
tyre lever
spare disk pads
duck tape
pump on a bottle cage mount (lezyne, alloy drive medium)
shower proof & overshoes strapped into bottle cages
full mudguards
bell
phone/wallet/keys in jersey/jacket pockets.
Pack any bike attached toolbags carefully, constant rattle or soakings can cause problems (threaded valves sawing through tubes, multitools seizing up etc) Using a bumbag prevents rattle issues and allows you to easily swap bikes but at the cost of a sweaty midriff.
Tubeless or marathon/similar tyres are a good shout, but Ive struggled with tubeless on my CX and land cruisers are a heavy, dead ride with not much offroad grip. I find puncture rates acceptable if I use decent tyres. The folding version of tyres (usually conti) tend to be better materials all round and fewer flats, wired version = punctures galore.
On days like this where temps fluctuate a lot, arm warmers and gillets are great, add remove on the fly and stash in jersey pockets. Over relatively short commutes I prefer quick drying shoes over "waterproof" so mid-weight shoes, with the overshoes option when its chucking it down.
I prefer to carry as little as possible, so use train once a week to drop off clothes for the week, but not an option for some.
I don’t think I’d run mudguards all year round for commuting.
If you get a decent set then there really is no downside to them. And they make riding in the occasional summer downpour less miserable.
I usually take my mudguards off and change to more off-road compatible tyres (for the longer off-road routes that summer permits) in ~April and change back in ~October. I would also consider full guards an absolute requirement in winter, but in summer I'm happy to take my chances. Off-roading is quieter without guards, and there's something satisfying about seeing a spinning tyre under you. Just me?
It's tempting to make the change this week but the long-range forecast has snow next week so I don't want to jump the gun.
That’s not a commute, that’s a work out! 😉
Let's face it, commuter racing is fun. I passed a guy on his road bike a few weeks ago, on a gentle rise. Exchanged hellos, etc, and wouldn't have been annoyed if he'd re-passed me, but he sat on my back wheel, so I had to give it some beans. We had a 4 mile 2 man TT, with me on the front into the wind all the way, trying not to show that I was putting any effort in. 300W average for that part of the commute and tired legs the next day. 😀
Ha - me too this afternoon. From Connah's Quay college to about half way up the route 5 to Chester. He won, but I was on my panniered up commute bike and he was on a carbon race whip.
Got to give it a shot though eh? 😃
20 miles each way. Have done it 5 days a week but mostly 3/4 now. Don't take any more than I would on a regular ride during the summer but I carry a bit more kit in the winter. I take a folded-up space blanket (a square about 5 cm a side and weighs nothing) after I crashed once and whacked my hip. Luckily it was just outside work but it was proper cold and I wondered what state I'd been in had it happened on a back road in the dark miles away from anywhere at just over zero degrees.
Always a pump but CO2 as well in the winter to potentially minimise time spent standing on the side of the road if the fairy visits. Almost never happens, and I reckon I've had one in maybe five years if not more - tubeless on the gravel bike and decent winter tyres pumped fairly hard on the road bike.
Put a spare pair of socks, shorts and gloves in work in case you get soaked on the way in. Jersey and base might dry on their own, but putting the other bits back on wet in the evening is no fun...