Turning MTB into a commuter...

[hondafanatic]

Hi folks,

I've been cycling into work on sunny days for a while now. I'd like to move from the fair weather commuter to an everyday commuter...

I've bought a second set of wheels with slicks on (bloody hell what a difference), however, I'd like some advice on clip-on mudguards if anyone has any experience/preference?

I was also thinking about a bike bag that clips onto a frame that is clipped onto the seat post...I'd like to ba able to pack some waterproof trousers and top just incase the weather turns nasty...but i don't want a rucksack or courier bag as they make me sweaty...

Any other advice/tips on staying dry would be appreciated as well...

cheers
David

[ewenm]

You: I assume you have showers at work as you've been commuting already. I wouldn't worry about legs getting wet in bad weather, but a decent Gore-Tex (other breathable materials are available) jacket will make a big difference to your wet journeys. Get one from a cycling shop as it'll be shaped for when you're on the bike (long sleeves and a longer back).
Bike: Slicks are good. Look at Crudguards - useful offroad mudguards. Again, go to a bike shop for the frame that fits to the seatpost for carrying stuff. Lots of sizes available.

[Mr Flambes]

For the rack / bag, have a look at the Topeak collection, simple click on / off mechanism:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/m/Cycle/7/Topeak/

I was looking at the same thing recently, but was put off by 2 things:

1) They are not recommended for Carbon Seatposts
2) There is mention <somewhere> that they can reverberate up and down if you are going over a bumpy road surface. can't imagine it's too much of a problem if you're not putting too much in there though.

[hondafanatic]

Hi,

Thanks for the prompt replies...

No showers at work but i cycle in light trousers and a polo shirt so i'm ok by the time I get to work...except with a rucksack etc.

I'll check out the gaurds as recommended..

And thanks for the seatpost info as i have carbon post!

Anyone tried a handlebar bag?

[mk1fan]

Handlebar bags are good but the additional weight lightens the steering and needs to be gotten used too.

You don't say what your bike is or how long / type of commute you're doing. So it is hard to advise on mud guards etc. The best would be full mud guards but this doesn't seem to be an option. In reality anything else will just reduce the amount you'll get covered in rather than prevent you getting soggy. Additionally two partially packed pannier bags (one either side of a pannier rack) are better than one fully loaded bag on one side of a pannier rack or a seatpost rack

I don't have showers at work, I use the disabled loo instead and have a 'wes' bath with a flannel.

Is there any reason why you couldn't get a specific commuter? You could build up a very cheap single speed with full mudguards and a proper pannier rack from bits of e-bay / STW classifieds. I sold my Roadster S2 for £200 and that would be (and was) ideal for a dedicated commuter.

[Mekon]

SKS do full length clip on mudguards.

[hondafanatic]

mk1fan said:

Handlebar bags are good but the additional weight lightens the steering and needs to be gotten used too.

You don't say what your bike is or how long / type of commute you're doing. So it is hard to advise on mud guards etc. The best would be full mud guards but this doesn't seem to be an option. In reality anything else will just reduce the amount you'll get covered in rather than prevent you getting soggy. Additionally two partially packed pannier bags (one either side of a pannier rack) are better than one fully loaded bag on one side of a pannier rack or a seatpost rack

I don't have showers at work, I use the disabled loo instead and have a 'wes' bath with a flannel.

Is there any reason why you couldn't get a specific commuter? You could build up a very cheap single speed with full mudguards and a proper pannier rack from bits of e-bay / STW classifieds. I sold my Roadster S2 for £200 and that would be (and was) ideal for a dedicated commuter.

I've no eyelets for panniers so they're out...the commute is only 5 miles along the canal (so no need for a helmet!!! I'm only joking!!! See previous post for details)...The handle bar bag would only have a waterproof top and trousers, so not massively heavy.

I've just been for a wonder round town and looked at the various mudguards I could find. To be honest, so far the quality is a bit shoddy and the front guards particularly seem too short, simply Zip tied onto the downtube. I've seen some 'split' guards online that seem more suitable as they are longer.

I'll continue to research and post what I settle with.

As regards another bike...that would be one of the many quick ways to a divorce...turning one of my bikes into a commuter is a great deal more subtle.

Cheers for the help
David

[prand]

On my old MTB conversion for commuting, I took the rear & front derallieur, and the gear changers on the handlebars off, and replaced them with a single speed tensioner, rear cog and a new chain (http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Tensioners.html ). I then added cheapo clip on mudguards from Halfords and some Schwalbe City Jet slicks from www.wiggle.com.

For pootling around town and to the office the bike is perfect. The single speed setup simplifies the whole bike and riding experience, and saves a lot of maintenance and tweaking. The chain is on the big ring with a 13 tooth (I think) rear cog, and I only really spin out over 20-22 mph which is about as fast as I want to go on the the flat anyway.

[hondafanatic]

prand said:

On my old MTB conversion for commuting, I took the rear & front derallieur, and the gear changers on the handlebars off, and replaced them with a single speed tensioner, rear cog and a new chain (http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Tensioners.html ). I then added cheapo clip on mudguards from Halfords and some Schwalbe City Jet slicks from www.wiggle.com.

For pootling around town and to the office the bike is perfect. The single speed setup simplifies the whole bike and riding experience, and saves a lot of maintenance and tweaking. The chain is on the big ring with a 13 tooth (I think) rear cog, and I only really spin out over 20-22 mph which is about as fast as I want to go on the the flat anyway.

I was looking at Kona single speed for commuting only the other day, but as mentioned, I'd need to hide it! Something about the simpleness and ridge forks appeals massively.

[Mekon]

hondafanatic said:

I've no eyelets for panniers so they're out...

Cheers for the help
David

P-clamps are your friends

[prand]

hondafanatic said:

prand said:

On my old MTB conversion for commuting, I took the rear & front derallieur, and the gear changers on the handlebars off, and replaced them with a single speed tensioner, rear cog and a new chain (http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Tensioners.html ). I then added cheapo clip on mudguards from Halfords and some Schwalbe City Jet slicks from www.wiggle.com.

For pootling around town and to the office the bike is perfect. The single speed setup simplifies the whole bike and riding experience, and saves a lot of maintenance and tweaking. The chain is on the big ring with a 13 tooth (I think) rear cog, and I only really spin out over 20-22 mph which is about as fast as I want to go on the the flat anyway.

I was looking at Kona single speed for commuting only the other day, but as mentioned, I'd need to hide it! Something about the simpleness and ridge forks appeals massively.

Convert an old bike then - everyone's a winner!

[hondafanatic]

Mekon said:

hondafanatic said:

I've no eyelets for panniers so they're out...

Cheers for the help
David

P-clamps are your friends

Ah Ha!...brilliant find...I'd buy you a beer except I don't know you!

Ta for that...

[Gad-Westy]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I'm in a similar boat so didn't want to start a new one. I've changed tyres to some of those sort slick middle grippy outer ones which has helped a lot but what I really need now is a saddle that doesn't kill my arse.

Any recommendations? Don't mind spending a few £'s if its worth it.

[mk1fan]

Saddle is a personal thing. Of course there's always a graining perod with every saddle.

[Gad-Westy]

mk1fan said:

Saddle is a personal thing. Of course there's always a graining perod with every saddle.

Cheers, just wonderring if there are certain brands I should look out for more than anything. Will trawl some bike shops tonight.

[prand]

I think Charge and WTB are recommended. However they're often recommended by people who cycle a lot and have already broken their arse in, so you may well experience some "discomfort" as you get used to the new saddle anyway.

[GHW]

Another vote for WTB here. I've got a very very old (and slightly bent) WTB saddle on my commuter, and it's still miles more comfortable than the year-old SDG saddle on my mountain bike.

[mk1fan]

Have a look at SDG, Specialised and Sella Itali too.

Edited by mk1fan on Wednesday 23 July 14:25

[PH5121]

I have two bikes with WTB saddles, both of which are comfortable.

[Mr Flambes]

I've just put a Charge Spoon saddle on my Focus and it's really like a spoon cupping your ahem, particulars. Very comfy indeed!
May struggle to find the cro-mo version as it's so popular, I had to stump up for the titanium rails one.
Other swear by Specialized Toupe, some swear by having no saddle at all and sticking the seat pin straight up their dark matter generator. That's not me though.