Kit for commuting

[barongreenback]

So I've finally got my @rse in gear and have decided to commute into work 2 or 3 times a week, approx. 12 miles into Birmingham. I have a Specialized Sirrus hybrid bike, a helmet and not a lot else! So here's my shopping list so far:

- Waterproof hi vis jacket
- Better front and rear lights
- Waterproof backpack and/or hump cover
- Full finger gloves

What else should I be looking at to get me through the cold, dark and wet Winter months? As you can see, I really chose a good time of year to start!!!

 

[gaz]

some sort of cycling tights to keep your legs warm won't need them for a while though.

 

[S_t_e_v_e]

• Airzhound
• Helmet Cam
• Toolkit

 

[ianrauk]

2 Buffs.
One as neck wear and one as headwear.
Nice and toasty.
You can also use the neck one as a mouth/nose cover for especially cold mornings.

 

[Dayvo]

Winter longs (tights) or leggings under bib shorts/baggies.

Merino wool undershirt.

Warm gloves to be worn under mittens.

Overshoes and good warm socks.

 

[neffi]

completely OT but are you the same barongreenback that frequents DW? If so, it's a small world, ;-)

 

[marcw]

another vote for Buffs, keeping your face warm makes all the difference. Waterproof socks, sealskinz, are useful.

 

[upandover]

I love my buff in winter, wonderful.

Good padded shorts/trousers keep the essentials warm in very cold weather, and I've found water/shower proof shoe covers great for warm feet, and to avoid wet shoes for the way home.

In extra cold weather I like a windproof hat under my helmet, or a cap when it's raining, which for me at least means layers on my boy as well.

My favourite bit of dark-riding kit for my black country commute though is the torch strapped to my helmet, which I use on middle size roundabouts to make sure people coming from my left have seen me. It may not be necessary, but makes me feel safer.

Steve

 

[TheBoyBilly]

I've found it best not to skimp on winter gear (although by all means look for discounted kit in sales etc)
I wear Altura Winter Cruisers which are lovely and warm, an Endura close-fitting undershirt which wicks moisture and a Gore waterproof jacket (I bought this for half-price in a sale but would now happily pay the full price) I also have an Altura Night Vision Jacket and over-trousers, plus overshoes. That lot together would cost somewhere in the region of £350 at full price but you have to consider that most of it will last 3, 4 or even maybe 5 seasons. Alternating the jackets as and when the weather demands will get the best longevity out of the Gore jacket or instance. As for gloves, I use Specialized winter gloves with a seperate thermal lining which are excellent. Don't forget though to have a hot drink (tea or coffee are not necessarily ideal) before venturing out into the cold and try to leave putting on your jacket until the last possible moment so you are not working up too much of a sweat. There's nothing worse than being hot and sticky before you've even set off.
Lights - many espouse the virtue of Hope Vision but I would recommend an Exposure Joystick2 with a RedEye Micro add-on for the helmet mount plus decent (e.g. CatEye or Blackburn) front and rear lights for the bike.

I've probably scared you off with the expense of all this but I bought my winter gear steadily over time. You can get by on much less (except for decent lights)

Good luck

Bill

 

[adscrim]

If you have the pennies available I'd recommend getting a wind proof top in addition to a water proof jacket. A lot of the wind proof tops will keep you dry in a light shower but most importantly, they have less of a boil in the bag effect. I have an endura windchill gillet and wind proof arm warmers which will be getting used for all but the coldest and wettest days - I expect to be wearing this combo for 80-90% of my winter commute (I also have an altura pocket rocket which lives in my commuting bag during the week, should the weather turn - I'm contemplating investing in some rain legsfor the same reason).

 

[barongreenback]

Thanks all. I'm going to be very poor by the end of this - so much for fuel savings!

 

[Tynan]

you don;t need all that if you're prepared to ride hard enough to raise a sweat, a gillet and some layers will do you, a full top is almost always too warm

but good gloves for winter and some overshoes are nice, although overshoes presumes you're using clipless pedals

decent lights for winter, a buff is a good buy, one is enough ffs, someone doesn;t know how to wear one if they need two

pump and puncture repair kit and perhaps a multitool, all cheap enough barring perhaps the gillet and the gloves

you don;t actually need anyting beyond pump and repair kit, you appreciate things more doing without them for starters

 

[barongreenback]

I fully intend to raise a sweat and during my running days it had to be well below zero to force me into a pair of tights.

 

[cyberknight]

you don;t actually need anything beyond pump and repair kit, you appreciate things more doing without them for starters

So true ! the amount of stuff i carry compared to when i started out is probably double !, i do appreciate it though if i come out after night shift at 5 am and need to an emergency repair or it is peeing it down

Build it up over time and look into aldi/lidl/ebay to build up your stuff .

 

[barongreenback]

Ok, so here's my list:

- Waterproof jacket
- Shorts (one waterproof 3/4 length)
- Enough lights/reflective to make me look like a Vegas casino on New Years Eve
- Waterproof backpack
- Mini pump/spare tube/repair kit (incidentally, anyone use those co2 cylinders? they look handy for a quick repair)

And that's about it. Anything that's glaringly obvious I've missed? I use clipless pedals so hoping to pick up some overshoes from Aldi next week.