Comments on: Essential Gear for a Bike Commute http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/ personal finance that makes cents Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:22:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Don http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-140415 Don Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:37:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-140415 You will also need something to pump up the tube with. Something like <a href="http://commuter-bicycle-gear.com/pedros-prestige-bicycle-pump/" rel="nofollow">Predro's Prestige Bicycle Pump</a> would do. You will also need something to pump up the tube with. Something like Predro’s Prestige Bicycle Pump would do.

]]> By: Mark Stosberg http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-105771 Mark Stosberg Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:34:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-105771 While any bike may work, a city bike has a number of advantages for shorter distance commuting, making them the most popular choice in some of the most bike-friendly cities on the planet: Amsterdam and Copenhagen come to mind. Features often include: - Internal gears, so they are rain-resistant and low maintenance. - Internal brakes, so they are rain-resistant and low-maintenance - Enclosed chain, so it is rain-resistant and low-maintenance, as well as completely removing the possibility of grease on your clothing. - Built-in generator powering built-in lights, so they always work... no need to worry about batteries running low. - Built-in lock. Fenders, reflectors and a bell are also standard, as is a comfortable, up-right riding position. I explain more in this <a href="http://progressivewaynecounty.org/blog/mark_stosberg/2007/10/recreation_vs_transportation_bikes_quiz_and_photos" rel="nofollow">transportation bike quiz</a>, and I also have <a href="http://progressivewaynecounty.org/blog/mark_stosberg/2006/09/stories_and_tips_from_a_car_free_life" rel="nofollow">more bike commuting tips</a> While any bike may work, a city bike has a number of advantages for shorter distance commuting, making them the most popular choice in some of the most bike-friendly cities on the planet: Amsterdam and Copenhagen come to mind. Features often include:

- Internal gears, so they are rain-resistant and low maintenance.

- Internal brakes, so they are rain-resistant and low-maintenance

- Enclosed chain, so it is rain-resistant and low-maintenance, as well as completely removing the possibility of grease on your clothing.

- Built-in generator powering built-in lights, so they always work… no need to worry about batteries running low.

- Built-in lock.

Fenders, reflectors and a bell are also standard, as is a comfortable, up-right riding position.

I explain more in this transportation bike quiz, and I also have more bike commuting tips

]]> By: Louise http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-89761 Louise Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:52:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-89761 I'd add the following: chapstick/lipbalm: windy days can really dry out your lips small tube of sunscreen: you do wear sunscreen every day when outside, right? At least put it on your nose! spare padded riding gloves: I have one traditional pair with the open fingertips and one winter pair with closed fingers. If it is cold and wet, having a dry pair of gloves to change into halfway through the ride really helps keep your hands warm. Bonus: I've found these cheap at thrift shops. spare socks: in bad weather, your socks are likely to get wet and dirty. Changing into clean, dry socks at your destination instantly warms you up and unlike changing the rest of your clothes can be done even if you have no place with privacy. fleece headband: like a sweat band, but made of warm fuzzy fleece. Keeps your ears warm but allows heat to escape from your head through your helmet while riding. I find I'm usually plenty warm from the exercise of biking, but my ears get cold from the wind. Also, headband doesn't significantly change the way the helmet fits. I’d add the following:

chapstick/lipbalm: windy days can really dry out your lips

small tube of sunscreen: you do wear sunscreen every day when outside, right? At least put it on your nose!

spare padded riding gloves: I have one traditional pair with the open fingertips and one winter pair with closed fingers. If it is cold and wet, having a dry pair of gloves to change into halfway through the ride really helps keep your hands warm. Bonus: I’ve found these cheap at thrift shops.

spare socks: in bad weather, your socks are likely to get wet and dirty. Changing into clean, dry socks at your destination instantly warms you up and unlike changing the rest of your clothes can be done even if you have no place with privacy.

fleece headband: like a sweat band, but made of warm fuzzy fleece. Keeps your ears warm but allows heat to escape from your head through your helmet while riding. I find I’m usually plenty warm from the exercise of biking, but my ears get cold from the wind. Also, headband doesn’t significantly change the way the helmet fits.

]]> By: John Stoner http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-87468 John Stoner Fri, 25 May 2007 18:52:45 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-87468 Brian is right--though I recommend a balaclava over a scarf: you don't want something wrapped around your neck to get caught in your spokes. That would be bad. I love winter biking, though it is a bit more involved. Your list of equipment is great. I've never used a bike cover. One thing I'd add, if you really wanna go car free: get a second bike. Get a decent second-hand bike, give it a tune-up, and you'll have a nice reliable setup. Brian is right–though I recommend a balaclava over a scarf: you don’t want something wrapped around your neck to get caught in your spokes. That would be bad. I love winter biking, though it is a bit more involved.

Your list of equipment is great. I’ve never used a bike cover. One thing I’d add, if you really wanna go car free: get a second bike. Get a decent second-hand bike, give it a tune-up, and you’ll have a nice reliable setup.

]]> By: Brian http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-85551 Brian Tue, 08 May 2007 12:25:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/05/22/essential-gear-for-a-bike-commute/#comment-85551 There's no need to stop cycling during the winter. When your trousers are tucked into your socks and your gloves and scarf are on, the only part of you exposed is your face. Sometimes you'll want to wrap your scarf over your cheeks and mouth but this can be less comfortable than cycling with your face bare. Waterproofs are necessary to keep your trousers dry but you'd be surprised at how infrequently it actually rains. You should also get a speedometer with an odometer. It's nice to see the kilometres going up and up. There’s no need to stop cycling during the winter. When your trousers are tucked into your socks and your gloves and scarf are on, the only part of you exposed is your face. Sometimes you’ll want to wrap your scarf over your cheeks and mouth but this can be less comfortable than cycling with your face bare. Waterproofs are necessary to keep your trousers dry but you’d be surprised at how infrequently it actually rains.

You should also get a speedometer with an odometer. It’s nice to see the kilometres going up and up.

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