Hi all,

I'm probably going to start biking to work in the next week. I need some ideas for what to throw in my pack. I usually carry plenty of items in for driving to work but now my mission, and job, has changed. The environment here in Phoenix is, as you can guess, hot. So I need to keep that in consideration. Weight is also a problem. I'm going probably 10 miles, each way. I'll need to have a change of clothing for work also, so space is limited also.

Ideas? Anyone doing this already? Hints?

Thanks,

DLR

Make sure you have spare inner tubes and basic bike tools. I sucks to break down and have to carry or push a lame bike.

Don't carry spare inner tubes, just a patch kit. You can pick up a few bike-specific multi-tools at a shop (usually hex wrenches, or regular wrenches of various sizes). You can either carry a pump or a CO2 cartridge-type pump (uses the same CO2 as a BB gun). It DOES suck to push a lame bike.

Good bike lock (duh). Bike gloves: the handles will be HOT, and it helps decrease vibration (and hand numbness after a while). Water (probably a camel back) since it'll be HOT. Make sure you've got good reflectors, or better yet, lights. I've almost gotten killed more times than I want to admit. A good bike helmet.

If possible, why not just take some clothes to the worksite at the beginning of the week, and just pick up them up on the weekend? Saves you carrying clothes.

Personally, I'd drop anything EDC that isn't used at least once weekly. For me, that means I wouldn't carry a multitool, PSK, FAK, or the like. Wallet, cellphone, spare cash. Maybe a flashlight, if you ride home after dark.

I recommend carrying spare inner tubes. Fold one on itself, wrap it with a rubber band and put it in a ziplock bag with a little talcum powder. It's much quicker to put in a new tube than to search for, find and patch a hole on the roadside, especially if it's raining, getting dark or you're short on time. The "weight penalty" is small. I carry two tubes, but then I cover some glass-strewn roads in my city. I carry an old Tyvek envelope strips to use as a tire boot.

I agree about lights to see the road and also to make you more easily seen. If you have a white handlebar- or helmet-mounted light (or even a Photon light), you'll appreciate it when you have to make low-light, roadside repairs.

Plenty of good bicycle commuting sites online. See Paul Dorn's, e.g., at http://www.runmuki.com/commute/

I like MDinana's suggestion to take spare set of clothes/shoes to leave at work if possible.

Personally, I carry water and bags on the bicycle rather than on my back (gets too hot), but some prefer backpacks and Camelbaks. I use an old Carradice saddlebag to carry a few tools/tubes, rain jacket, lock, Clif bar. Oh, and my bike has fenders.

In Tucson you have to have lights so make sure your bike has those.

I agree with bringing clothes at the beginning of the week and bringing them home on Friday.

I fill my tubes with Slime. It really helps when running over thorns or any of the countless other things that give you a leak. It won't help for blow outs but most of the time it is just what you need.


Chad

What are you using for a pack?

I haven't seen anyone mention these, but saddlebags or those wire things that go on the back like a saddlebag, and a FAK that is at least set up for abrasions and small cuts, and has a good pair of tweezers.

Also, a pair of ANSI speced glasses. It only takes one golden stone to make you DLR-the-One-Eyed, and a lot of Rx and polarized lenses still aren't up to it.

Don't know how well it would work in Phoenix and it depends on the bike but if the seat has rails to adjust the distance from the handlebars a spare innertube can be nicely ziptied up there with little concern of it falling off. But I would definately second the spare tube, besides it can always be filled with water as a canteen as long as you don't Slime the thing. (not sure if they use anything inside or not so I don't know if its safe, just saw it on survirorman)

And I definately second the lights (flashing red on back if possible) and a helmet.

Yeah, I forgot about Slime. Good stuff. I think some stores also sell plastic-type inserts that go between the tire and the inner tube. They help with preventing punctures as well.

Good man DLR.

I started riding my bike to work (10 miles one way) last year. I drive in on Monday and home on Friday. Other than that its the bike. Part of my drive is through some deep woods so I have all of the above mentioned stuff plus my basic survival kit in the Camelbak that I carry.

I dont carry a tube or patch kit. I just use the tubes that have the sealant in them. Might start carrying a tube though.

I have had days where I got more than one leak in my tire at once(construction site on my commute) after getting multiple holes I decided to carry an extra tube; it weighs nothing compared to carrying your bike.
Sometimes the hole in your tire is not alone; it is easier to change the tube get home and patch the other tube while drinking beer instead of patching it on the side of the road.

I always carry a spare tire (in case of side wall blow outs) and 2 inner tubes (Continental). I also carry a Topeak Power 16DX tool.

Ortlieb makes a nice waterproof 2.7 litre saddle bag which has a roll closure. Also tape a couple of spare spokes to the underside of the left hand rear wheel stay. Are you using a road or mountain bike? If you are using a mountain bike mostly on roads, get rid of the mountain tires and go for 26 inch road versions instead. If you can fit pannier racks (Ortlieb panniers would be my first choice) this would be far more comfortable than carrying any backpack, especially in the desert heat. Water bottles on the bike would be preferable unless riding in heavy traffic. Good cycle sunglasses such as Bolle are essential. Clipless pedals and shoes are also essential for 20 mile round trips also.

When I used to ride my bike a lot I had more than one dog try to eat my foot (or other valuable body parts), so I put an aluminum baseball bat across my handlebars with sticky back velcro. Kinda like polo, I rolled more than one yapping critter on my rides...

I used to ride to work every day. I'd suggest not wearing a pack. It's hot and it throws your balance off. Get a rack and a rack bag and/or paniers.

I strongly second the suggestion of carrying a spare tube rolled up in a baggie with talcum powder. It saves a ton of time. The talcum powder makes it tremendously easier to get the tire back on. A good frame pump is a must. And a patch kit, for when you get your second flat.

Also carry any screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. that your bike needs. I never carried a multitool. They were heavier than the individual tools. You'll definitely need composite tire irons (the metal ones suck). I found 2 to be enough.

I carried a mini FAK with some bandaids, Neosporine and a bandana. Cuts and scrapes will be common. Carry some quarters, a spare $20, a credit card, and ID.

Someone mentioned lights. I found those flashing LED tail lights to be the bomb. They help drivers see you, which is safety rule #1. I never did find a really good headlight. Hopefully technology has improved.

I also did the deal where I brought in a week's worth of clothes and kept them in my filing cabinet. It was really nice when my wife worked at the same company. She could carry the heavy stuff in the car.

Kevin B.

Wow, thanks for the info folks!

I haven't thought a bunch about all of this yet so thanks for the ideas. I'm doing daily 20-45 minute rides in different conditions right now. It's just now starting to really heat up here in PHX so I'm trying to acclimate myself to the environment and the bike. I'm not sure how my body will respond to it just yet, so I'm taking it slow. Also tuning up the bike when I can. I'm going to have to use a pack, for now anyway. I like the drive at the begining of the week/end of the week idea. There is a shower (And swimming pool!) at work so showering/cooling off isn't an issue.

Thanks again all!

DLR

BTW, I ALWAYS wear eye protection when on the bike, but thanks for the reminder.

I have a question about glasses. If the lenses are polycarbonate, is it sufficient or should it really be ANSI specced? I've acquired the Flexor goggles from Guard-Dog they were cheaper then the Wiley-X SG-1 and I like the folding feature. Are they good, they are supposed to be tested at 100mph impact.

Nice thread. It comes just in time with our transit system strike in Montréal (from the maintenance workers) and there's a controversy about it right now. Anyway it kind of revived the idea of getting equipped for bike commuting. I'm new to it. But here is a site with good tips about a FAK aimed at mountain bikers.

Frankie

They need to be ANSI Z78 spec at a minimum, IMO. They list a 100mph impact for that particular item- that's great, what was the projectile? Was it a pea, or pea stone?

I just looked up the standard:

Requirement: Spectacles shall be capable of resisting impact from a 6.35 mm (1/4 in) diameter steel ball traveling at a velocity of 45.7 mps (150 fps). For sample size of 20, no failure may occur.

That is a piece of gravel being tossed by a car at non-highway speeds. Or a slingshot's ball.

I would say that if they don't have the ANSI spec on them, and it should be marked on the goggles themself, it doesn't meet the requirement or the manufacturer hasn't bothered to get it certified. The cost of getting the product tested is small compared to the number of customers who will look at it, not see the ANSI spec and pass on it, that I can't imagine NOT getting the testing done.

Polycarbonate means any thickness. An inch of polycarb is able to stop a decent rifle round, but it is chemically identical to my Nalgene bottles which won't stop a bullet, and to my glasses, which are ANSIed. It's like saying steel- 4 inches of steel stop a LOT more than say, .4 inches. And it isn't a linear relationship.

Thanks IronRaven. I will be looking for the ANSI spec when I go shopping for sunglasses. I don't know if 40 bucks sunglasses have the ANSI spec though and I have a real hard time finding well fitting ones which have the correct curve. And having to spend a hundred bucks on each and every items that I need such as a Tilley hat and Bollé or Oakley glasses kind of ends up as being rather expensive. But it may be actually economical in the long run since it will last longer.

Frankie

BTW I just bought a $27 wrap-around type of sporty sunglasses from MEC and wore it for a while on the sidewalk. But the image was slightly distorted especially when I looked down at the sidewalk and after a while I felt slightly dizzy. I think I'm going to get a refund and invest in high quality sunglasses, unless the curve of the model is not that accentuated.

I've heard the justification for high prices from companies such as Oakley is that they use a completely different method, that they mold the lens instead of bending it, or something like that.

If you are paying a hundred bucks for a Tilley you are getting screwed. Bought one for my wife, in high priced California, a month or so ago, about $70 including tax. But no matter what you pay, the lifetime guarantee makes a Tilley a great bargan...

Frankie, they're just carpentry and shooting glasses. If you don't need prescription, you can get good for $30US, tinted or not. And not just brown tint- amber, vermillion, green, find something you like and get an untinted pair to.

I may go with a pair of good old cool looking Wayfarer, how about that?

I used to ride every day for school in LA. Definitely second the panniers and rack, you can do errands and grocery shopping with them. I like handlebar mirrors, less fiddly and geeky than helmet mirrors.
ALso second the flashing LED lights, red for the rear, white for the front. I like the cateye ones that form a beam, aim them for car driver height, they're to let them see you, not for you to see the ground. For that, a car foglight hooked to a sealed lead acid battery works well. Anything less doesn't throw a beam far enough for you to be able to avoid stuff in the road.
Also reflectorize the bike and your helmet, I hate the fluorescent yellow stickers at the bike store so i used white scotchlite from the autoparts store. It blends with the silver on the bike and helmet.
For repairs, a multitool, spare tube, patch kit and small pump, used a lot. Carried a spare brake cable, but never used. Bungie cords and 550 cord for tying stuff to the rack. ALso carried bandaids, 4x4 gauze, disinfectant and tape, these were used. Also wear gloves, the one time i didn't i spilled and messed up my palm pretty good.
If it's possible that you'll be out in the rain or before or after rain, fenders and a set of lightweight rain pants and jacket. You really need fenders otherwise the crap on the road will paint a stripe on you front and back.

Helmet, sunscreen, water.

I bike to work every day and I have been doing it for the past 10 years.
So from experience:
Spare inner tubes. You wanna try to find a puncture in the dark, by the light of a torch, in the rain? Be my guest....
Patch kit. Fix the punctured tube at work/home.
Brake cable.
Spare links for the chain. If the chain breaks, your in D.S.
Small adjustable wrench.
Bike Multitool.
Head torch.
Pump. Get a decent quality one.
Wear a reflective vest. If you have a bag, make sure it's a nice bright colour. Cammo is a no-no. Put a reflective band around it. You cannot be too conspicuous.
There are tyres on the market that are puncture proof. I use the "Armadillo" brand. High density rubber with a Kevlar inlay. They guarantee no punctures for one year. My experience seems to bear that out.

When you set out in the morning, take your time. Give yourself time to warm up. Use your gears. Look around. Be aware. Assume that every other D.H. ON THE ROAD'S MISSION IN LIFE IS TO TURN YOU INTO A ROAD KILL! Everyone else on the road has a safety cage wrapped round them. You don't. Any hint of trouble, get your ass up onto the sidewalk.
Other than that, enjoy yourself. I do.

Leigh has good advice...

Aside from spare tube, tools, water, etc... my MAIN concern as an occasional bike rider, is be to BE SEEN.
As Leigh said, if you don't want to be just another squashed hedgehog, use everything you can to BE SEEN :
- reflective tape on satchels, on bike, on pack, on helmet,
- reflective vest (mine is an old vest, used by airport staff),
- lights : flashing red LED on bike's rear, + another LED flasher (Photon III, Pelican mini-flasher, etc..) attached by a safety pin on your back ; white LED flasher on the front of the bike, headlamp on your helmet... + Inova T2, just in case + spare batteries.

As a car driver, I have seen (at the very last moment ...!!) too many cyclists whitout any light, riding in the dark.. That's just suicidal...

If you are run over, despite all this signalling, then your widow will be able to sue, not for accident, but for deliberate murder !!

How about these ?

http://www.airfreetires.com/

No flat tires means no delay, no sweat, no spares, no worry.

Anyone tried them ?

You could try Slime brand leak stopper or a 'puncture-proof' inner tube liner.