The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
HereBeMonsters said:
Change to some decent brake pads first of all!
Swissstops are pretty much the gold standard. If you calliers are cheap its an easy and cheap upgrade to a set of 105 callipers. Road brakes can me marginal in the wet, particularly if your rims are covered in grime which is inevitable in the winter if not cleaned regularly. Rocksteadyeddie said:
HereBeMonsters said:
Change to some decent brake pads first of all!
Swissstops are pretty much the gold standard. If you calliers are cheap its an easy and cheap upgrade to a set of 105 callipers. Road brakes can me marginal in the wet, particularly if your rims are covered in grime which is inevitable in the winter if not cleaned regularly. stu67 said:
Couldnt agree more, just wanted to see what standard the supplied offering was up too, (not much) No traffic though so no big dramas.
I did the same and then realised as I coming down some long, steep descents on the Ventura last weekend that the lack of braking was alarming. Replaced them with 105 calipers but the standard Shimano pads are useless too, just waiting for some Koolstop pads now.
GarryDK said:
S10GTA said:
Got a bit soggy on the way in this morning. It's now a race against time to get all dry before the return leg.
I managed to get to work before that crazy down pour! I was only going the 2 miles to the station, but my jeans are wetter than if they had just come out of the wash, my shoes are squelchier than a fat man's asscrack on a hot day and even my shirt is wet - water came in through the vent holes on my jacket.
The roads in most places had around half an inch of standing water on them. Cars had stopped as they couldn't see. Then as soon as I got to the station, it stopped. Lovely and sunny here in Winch.
HereBeMonsters said:
GarryDK said:
S10GTA said:
Got a bit soggy on the way in this morning. It's now a race against time to get all dry before the return leg.
I managed to get to work before that crazy down pour! I was only going the 2 miles to the station, but my jeans are wetter than if they had just come out of the wash, my shoes are squelchier than a fat man's asscrack on a hot day and even my shirt is wet - water came in through the vent holes on my jacket.
The roads in most places had around half an inch of standing water on them. Cars had stopped as they couldn't see. Then as soon as I got to the station, it stopped. Lovely and sunny here in Winch.
Newbie to the thread and to commuting to work by bike.
I ride regularly at the moment, mix of road and off-road on my mountain bike - done about 1200 miles this year so far.
I'm moving to a new place and looking to cycle to work.
My previous cycle commuting a few years back was only 2 miles each way on river/canal towpaths + with secure indoor bike parking - dead easy stuff!
I work in an office so will have a few things to carry in my backpack, but nothing heavy.
It'll be about 10-15 miles depending on route, mainly B and A roads + some bike paths in town.
Plan to cycle daily, all weathers on my old mountain bike which currently has hybrid tyres + drive/train once a week so I can bring fresh shirts/do life admin type stuff!
My question is what to expect, what gear I'll need and any advice from regular commuters really!
I currently have a helmet, 2x decent cycle shorts, 3x cycle shirts, 3x cycling gloves (fingerless thru to thick sealskins), 2x pairs of ronhill pants, waterproof over trousers + decent waterproof jacket + a decent repair kit/spare inner tubes etc + a good quality bike lock + 2 bike bottles.
I think I'll also need a decent waterproof bag cover, maybe more pairs of shorts + to invest in some better quality lights + a more reflective/decent quality jacket.
Is there anything else I'll need?
What do people do about breakfast (a hot topic on this thread I know!)
I'm used to cycling for fun only these days, so going back to commuting might be a shock to the system - do you ride differently when going to work in rush hour?
I ride regularly at the moment, mix of road and off-road on my mountain bike - done about 1200 miles this year so far.
I'm moving to a new place and looking to cycle to work.
My previous cycle commuting a few years back was only 2 miles each way on river/canal towpaths + with secure indoor bike parking - dead easy stuff!
I work in an office so will have a few things to carry in my backpack, but nothing heavy.
It'll be about 10-15 miles depending on route, mainly B and A roads + some bike paths in town.
Plan to cycle daily, all weathers on my old mountain bike which currently has hybrid tyres + drive/train once a week so I can bring fresh shirts/do life admin type stuff!
My question is what to expect, what gear I'll need and any advice from regular commuters really!
I currently have a helmet, 2x decent cycle shorts, 3x cycle shirts, 3x cycling gloves (fingerless thru to thick sealskins), 2x pairs of ronhill pants, waterproof over trousers + decent waterproof jacket + a decent repair kit/spare inner tubes etc + a good quality bike lock + 2 bike bottles.
I think I'll also need a decent waterproof bag cover, maybe more pairs of shorts + to invest in some better quality lights + a more reflective/decent quality jacket.
Is there anything else I'll need?
What do people do about breakfast (a hot topic on this thread I know!)
I'm used to cycling for fun only these days, so going back to commuting might be a shock to the system - do you ride differently when going to work in rush hour?
My system is:
Suit with 2 pairs of trousers left at office, so I can get trousers alternately dry cleaned. Also stored at office - overcoat, shoes, belt, umbrella, towel, and toiletries. When I drive in I bring 6 shirts, socks, undies and a fresh towel, and take home the used clothes that I've accumulated.
Doing the above means I've no need to use a rucksack.
In the winter mudguards are your friend.
Suit with 2 pairs of trousers left at office, so I can get trousers alternately dry cleaned. Also stored at office - overcoat, shoes, belt, umbrella, towel, and toiletries. When I drive in I bring 6 shirts, socks, undies and a fresh towel, and take home the used clothes that I've accumulated.
Doing the above means I've no need to use a rucksack.
In the winter mudguards are your friend.
Since the other option is to get a bus, I rucksack stuff in and out once or twice a week.
I use a Lomo dry bag rucksack, which was about £25 but seems to be watertight. Being prepared and taking 5 shirts once a week has transformed my mornings too. No more ironing each morning for me!
Luckily I have a locker and shower at work, I doubt I would take a job without those now.
I use a Lomo dry bag rucksack, which was about £25 but seems to be watertight. Being prepared and taking 5 shirts once a week has transformed my mornings too. No more ironing each morning for me!
Luckily I have a locker and shower at work, I doubt I would take a job without those now.
I do the commute thing slightly differently. I don't usually wear a suit which makes life easier. I leave a pair of shoes at work, and take a pair of trousers, shirt, etc both ways. The skill is all in the "fold" - which is more like a roll - so creasing is minimal. I don't wear a rucksack but have a Topeak MTX rack and bag. The rack clips on to the sit post, and avoids all that horrible sweaty back business.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff