http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Cycle Commuting 101 aka Ross Has Got A Job en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:21:04 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-18223 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:27:31 +0000 Arellcat 18223@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For year-round commuting comfort, you could try something like:</p> <p>Endura MT500 shorts (padded)<br /> Protective 3/4s (padded)<br /> Endura Multi-tights (unpadded)<br /> Endura Thermolite tights (unpadded)</p> <p>This way you have at least 14 possible wicking and/or insulative permutations for spring, summer, autumn and winter. Go for the Multi-tights and the shorts if nothing else. On top, a Helly Hansen long-sleeve top and a wicking t-shirt (try the hillwalking shops like Tiso) should cover most temperatures.</p> <p>As for lights, Dave here uses the eyeball-searingly bright (and therefore invisible) Ay-Ups I think, but for city commuting I use the Cateye EL-135, plus my (antique) high power lights as and when I need them. A couple of pairs of yellow reflective ankle bands will help in the dark and when it's foggy.</p> <p>And as for a rack, ideally go for Blackburn, Tortec or Tubus. None is cheap, but all will last you years and years. Even my old Bor Yeuh Blackburn-copy is 10 or 15 years old now and a bit bent and very scraped, but still ticking. But make sure you take your bike and a pannier into the shop, so that you can find out which will suit you best. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-18212 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:58:31 +0000 cb 18212@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The other thread on the go at the moment about the current cold snap has reminded me about another useful commuting tip - knowing what the tempearture is before setting out.</p> <p>I have a thermometer in the kitchen with the temperature probe sitting on the outside window ledge.</p> <p>With a bit of experience you get to know exactly how many layers you should have on before you set out. I commute in my work clothes so try to avoid getting too hot! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17577 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 11:03:40 +0000 ruggtomcat 17577@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah I agree with Kaputnik, get you clothing choices right before you look at gadgets, for the cost of a GPS and a mega-light you could get fully kitted out in merino base layers and wind proof tights.</p> <p>I also recommend Scotchlight, its visibility without batteries and the Altura nightvision for example is well worth the money. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17576 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 10:57:52 +0000 gembo 17576@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The tyres on the Tricross might get you through the winter without too many punctures on a ten mile round commute. I wore out the back one over a winter on a 20 mile round commute. Rack and double panniers take their toll. A Blackburn rack is a good piece of kit, if not flashy. I have one on my tricross. It needed a fair few washers on each side. Tricross most definitely designed for mudguards as previously posted- essential. When the tyres wear out and the punctures start regularly, switch to Scwalbe MArathon Plus if you absolutely, never,ever want a puncture (well once in blue moon). Otherwise cheaper and faster option Continental Gatorskins.</p> <p>Our bikeshed at work was totally chock a block this week. A Flying Scot from the front of the building came round to the shed but there was a fixie I had never seen (could be the fixie guy has two now his winter fixie and his summer fixie which would be funny, or he has a fixie friend) two other tourers I had never seen before. Both with gatorskins. MAybe wiggle has them on a deal?</p> <p>Quite a few breaches of etiquette in the shed. I have a very long cable lock on a combination so no need for key(£25 from The Bike Chain) so I can put the front wheel into the slot and loop round onto the frame. However most regular D-locks would only fix the front wheel, so with the quick release wheels of the modern age any organised theives could make off with the bikes. THus the most popular bays in the shed are right at the edge and the slots don't get used rather the uprights of the shed. Or people put their bikes across three slots which is shocking Moneypenny. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17566 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 23:41:59 +0000 kaputnik 17566@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Congratulations on the job Ross and welcome to the commuting club. I'd pretty much echo everything above. You'll soon find out (the hard way!) if you need warmer gloves etc. I'd recommend getting a buff. It's a fairly cheap and handy piece of gear that can be used to keep various parts of your face and/ or head warm, can be stuffed in a pocket etc. And you can also start collecting them and then proudly announce you've got more and better buffs than Anth and myself.</p> <p>As for waterproof trousers I think they are love or loathe but you will find out. Personally I've never found the need for them, but it's personal preference. My attitude is that you're going to get wet no matter what and a decent set of tights will keep the worst of the water out and act like a wetsuit to keep you warm-ish.</p> <p>As for how to carry your gear, start with a rucsac if you've already got one (minimum outlay). If you find out you don't like it, it's causing sweaty back syndrome or - as I find - restricting the movement of your head to look behind - you can consider panniers or a courier-style bag. I use both, depending on how much I have to carry to work on any given day.</p> <p>Both are made from waterproof material, I never saw the point in buying non-waterproof ones only to have to then buy and fit waterproof covers that you have to remove to get into the things. The covers also can't cover the whole thing - straps and clips have to poke out - so water will always find its way in.</p> <p>There's a lot to be said for vests. Merino if you're up for the investment, you'll find them warmer if they get damp and they'll (you can get a good icebreaker one for 50 bucks, great for all sorts of activities) feel nicer on your skin and they'll go a LOT further inbetween washes (so you'll need to buy fewer).</p> <p>Always carry spare batteries.</p> <p>I highly recommend not buying the cheapest pump around. I'm a bit of a salesman for Lezyne Road Drive pumps. If you need to rely on a pump to easily get a tyre up past 100 PSI and to be able to work the thing with freezing cold hands, in the rain and not have to hold the adapter onto the valve, and not have it rip the neck off the valve, then it's well worth the £30. Everyone that I've let play with it is heartily impressed and I find myself jumping to the front of the queue to help with a cry of "I'll pump" when there's a puncture on an ERC run.</p> <p>Oh, and always stop to check if a cyclist in mechanical distress is OK and needs any help :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17563 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 23:20:56 +0000 kaputnik 17563@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I've lost track of this area of 'technology', but I believe that sites such as MapMyRide can upload directly from most(?) GPS devices and do all sorts of things with the data. </em></p> <p>Indeed it does. Friendly for most formats, GPX, KML, CSV etc. I've had no problems interfacing it with a Garmin GPS. Wish I could say the same for interfacing a Garmin GPS with MapSource </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17559 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 22:08:30 +0000 Claggy Cog 17559@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Congratulations on the job!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17537 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:50:04 +0000 chdot 17537@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I don't recall that any properly explained whether the data can be exported to anything other than their proprietary software"</p> <p>I've lost track of this area of 'technology', but I believe that sites such as <a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/">MapMyRide</a> can upload directly from most(?) GPS devices and do all sorts of things with the data. </p> <p>Personally I've never been into 'fitness'/performance and just used GPS things to record routes for uploading to MMR and <a href="http://www.everytrail.com/">EveryTrail</a>. </p> <p>Now with apps it's so much simpler and you can even get cadence add-ons. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17536 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:49:29 +0000 Morningsider 17536@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From experience I would say the minimum you need is:</p> <p>Spare inner tubes<br /> Easy to use pump (get one that can easily pump to a decent pressure)<br /> Tyre levers<br /> Multi-tool<br /> Lights - your CatEyes should do<br /> Decent gloves</p> <p>Also, mudguards - keeps you dry and stops you from covering fellow commuters in spray. I can vouch for the full lenth SKS guards as being light, tough and effective.</p> <p>I would argue against fancy lights, GPS etc. as you may get heartily tired of removing and attaching these each day to prevent them getting nicked and they do seem a bit excessive for commuting.</p> <p>You might want to invest in good waterproof trousers and jacket. No need to break the bank - Altura produce some good stuff for not too much (e.g. Nevis jacket). Unless you cycle like a demon I doubt you will need a shower after a couple of miles so you probably won't need other cycle specific clothing, for communting at least.</p> <p>I pefer to use a rucsac to panniers as it is much more convenient to carry off the bike, although I try and just use my seat wedge bag if possible to prevent sweaty back. Still, I know lots who would disagree. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17533 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:37:12 +0000 wingpig 17533@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I vaguely looked at cycle computers offering downloadability recently and there are more than I thought there were, though I don't recall that any properly explained whether the data can be exported to anything other than their proprietary software. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17530 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:22:38 +0000 chdot 17530@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I just like the idea of spreadsheets of data from my cycling to analyse"</p> <p>Well obviously <em>I</em> would say get an iPhone... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17529 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:19:22 +0000 rosscbrown 17529@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've got a 2010 Tricross Sport - I think it has the standard fixings for a rack.</p> <p>Stepdoh: Thanks for reminding me. Was getting a little carried away with the toys there - I'll be sure to get some tools and consumables for road side repair.</p> <p>chdot: I'm a bit of a data geek. I don't really need GPS to find my way in Edinburgh (Well, I say that now...). I just like the idea of spreadsheets of data from my cycling to analyse. Or and charts. :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17527 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:15:44 +0000 steveo 17527@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If i were you i'd walk that, but i like a nice walk in the morning.</p> <p>For extending your route, i'd be inclined to pootle to work you should be able to manage a 2 miles with out needing a shower (presumably you can shower at home ;)) then do a nice long 10 mile run home. You'd get more benefit from a ten mile run than two five milers and you don't have to worry about being late in the morning nor smelling in the evening.</p> <p>Any half decent light set will be fine for town wouldn't spend more than £30 for a town light set.</p> <p>Unlight road lights, you could make your own its good fun and much cheaper or hit up crc i wouldn't spend more than £100 if you're not throwing your self down a mountain with them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17525 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:09:42 +0000 rosscbrown 17525@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The shortest route looks to be around 1.6 miles however time and weather permitting I'd like to take something of a detour and cover around 5 miles each way.</p> <p>I spotted some covered bike parking at the office and the hiring manager told me that a number of people cycle in each morning - but I don't know what, if any, facilities they have. The company seems fairly informal and accommodating though. No need for formal attire.</p> <p>Right now I have a set of CatEye lights - they are fairly good for being seen. I often cycle to my parents' house which is six miles down an unlit road so some lights to see with are on my shopping list.</p> <p>A single set of AyUps come in at £180 - expensive but not overly excessive. I really like the NiteRider Minewt 700 Dual light set, but at £300 they are a little beyond my price range. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17523 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:00:36 +0000 chdot 17523@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have a scan of <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/search.php?search=commuting" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/search.php?search=commuting</a></p> <p>"Thinking about a GPS cycle computer too - just the essentials for commuting really"</p> <p>Um, how many different routes to work do you want to try?</p> <p><a href="http://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net" rel="nofollow">http://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net</a></p> <p>Have you got a 'phone smart enough to run the web? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17522 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:58:17 +0000 Stepdoh 17522@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Before you buy the gps it's the boring triumvirate of Repair Kit, Tyre Levers, Pump. As particularly at the moment there are a legion of hawthorn bushes just waiting to claw at your tubes.</p> <p>Possibly bus/walk it the first day so you can scope out the facilities, parking/showers/place to hang wet kit. And just remember shoes, as clip clopping about the office is a really bad look :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17521 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:51:19 +0000 wingpig 17521@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Whence and whither? What parking/clothes-storage/cleansing facilities at the workplace? Are you required to wear stupid uncomfortable office-clothing? If so, does the distance/effort required make commuting in office-wear possible, particularly if there's nowhere for things to be stored overnight there?</p> <p>I'd always tend towards readily-available-battery-powered stuff for commuting as they can be quickly replaced at almost any shop to make you legally able to ride the roads home if your cells die as you leave on a winter evening. The only people I've heard mention AyUps are the off-road-bike-snobs in the office bike snob club. They would seem fine for trundling through dark woodland but don't appear to have a dip setting for not irritating people on off-road paths (a small group of them, kitted out for night riding on the Pentlands, passed me yesterday evening on the WoL path). Apparently less expensive than they used to be now that they have a UK distributor.</p> <p>What lugs do you have for rack-fitting? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1774#post-17520 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:40:32 +0000 rosscbrown 17520@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Howdy all,</p> <p>Can any body give me a brief introduction to cycle commuting - what things do I need to know. I've finally found a job (temporary contract, but still) so I'll be taking the bike to work each morning.</p> <p>Also, seeing that I'm soon to be employed, it's open season on bike accessories. Thinking about some Ayup lights - any comments on that? And a new rack - I have a seat-post type thing and while I like it quite a bit; it is not too good for heavier loads.</p> <p>Any other accessories I should consider - you know, so I can commute safely? Thinking about a GPS cycle computer too - just the essentials for commuting really :P Nothing to do with my love of gadgets. Honest! </p>