How to Choose Commuter Bike Gear

• The Bike
• The Clothes
• The Essentials
• The Extras
• Summary

The high price of gas. Global warming. Health and fitness. Fun. There are a lot of good reasons for considering bike commuting as an alternative to your car or even mass transit. To get started, you'll want to consider the bike itself plus a variety of gear options that range from essential to convenient. Here are the things our bike experts put at the top of their list.

The Bike

Know Your Priorities

There's no one kind of bike that's best for commuting. It depends on the terrain, the road conditions, the distance, your personal preference and aesthetics. (Hey, we all like to look good, even sweating.) If you're considering buying a bike for commuting, here are some things to consider:

• Road bike—PROS: Lightweight; narrow tires for reduced rolling resistance; fast; suitable for any length of commute. CONS: Road tires tend to be more susceptible to flats; stiff ride is energy-efficient but not as relaxed and comfortable as some alternatives; not suitable if your commute involves riding on unpaved trails or singletrack.
• Mountain bike—PROS: Wider tires for a stable, well-balanced ride; flat handlebars for more comfortable, upright riding position that's more visible in traffic; tires are generally more resistant to flats than road tires; adapts easily to any road or off-road commuting conditions. CONS: Heavier, with greater rolling resistance than road bikes (this is more of a factor on long commutes).
• Commuter/urban bike—PROS: Based on mountain-bike geometry for a relaxed, upright riding position; alloy frame to minimize weight and maximize energy efficiency; often includes rear rack for panniers or a rack trunk. CONS: Not as rugged as a mountain bike, so if you want to do some weekend off-roading, you may need a second bike; not as sleek and light as a road bike, so if you dream of racing in your off hours, you'll want a second ride.

The Clothes

Plan on Getting Wet

Successful, enjoyable bike commuting is all about being prepared. For anything. Especially weather. An investment in a good waterproof, breathable jacket and pants and neoprene booties make the ride to and from work a whole lot more comfortable (and healthier). So unless you live in the Mojave or another perennially dry place, carry your weather protection, just in case.

It's Good to Be Comfortable

You don't have to be decked out like a competition racer to ride your bike to work. But if the commute is longer than 3-4 miles, investing in some cycling shorts with chamois padding can make the ride a lot more pleasant. Shorts are available in both the sleek, body-hugging road-racing style or the looser, laid back mountain-bike style. A moisture-wicking top is also a good choice. It will help keep you cool and dry when it's warm. And it's equally adept at keeping you dry and warm when it's cool.

Protect Your Head

Never get on your bike without first strapping on a helmet. Even the most experienced rider can take an unexpected spill. Your helmet can be the difference between a few scrapes and bruises and serious, even life-threatening, injuries.

Hands and Feet

Cycling gloves are not a fashion statement. The padded palms absorb road vibration, reducing hand and arm fatigue. They also protect your hands from serious abrasion in the event of a fall. In warm weather, fingerless gloves are a great option. As the weather cools, switch to full-finger styles, including waterproof versions when needed.

The type of shoes you select depends on the kind of bike you're riding, and whether it has clipless pedals, toe clips or platform pedals. Shoes that are designed for cycling have rigid or semi-rigid soles. This ensures that the energy of your leg stroke drives cleanly through the pedal. (Soft-soled shoes diffuse that energy, contributing to foot and leg fatigue.) Neoprene booties that slip over your shoes provide valuable protection during wet weather.

The Essentials

Tire Repair Gear

If you ride long enough, you're going to have a flat tire. So go prepared. Always carry the following on every ride:

• Tire irons
• Spare inner tube
• A tube patch kit.

Tip: Our bike experts recommend glue patch kits (as opposed to glueless). They'll take a little longer, since you have to wait about 5 minutes for the glue to dry. But the patch will generally be more reliable and durable.

Get detailed instructions on how to fix a flat tire.

Pump or CO₂?

Along with the tire-repair gear described above, you'll need something to inflate that flat tire. Here are your options:

• Pump—PROS: Simple; reliable (especially those that are designed like a compact, folding floor-model pump). CONS: Heavier and bulkier than CO₂ cylinders; some models will not inflate high-pressure road tires, and some that do require hundreds of pump strokes (several minutes of work).
• CO₂ cylinders—PROS: Compact; lightweight; able to inflate both low- and high-pressure tires. CONS: If your cylinder runs out and you don't have a backup, you're in for a long walk.

Packs and Panniers

Unless your commute is only a couple of easy miles and your work environment is casual, you're going to need to carry a change of clothes, maybe a towel, and any work-related materials that come and go with you. That means a backpack, a handlebar bag or panniers. Here are some things to consider when deciding what solution is best for you:

• Backpack—PROS: Maximum capacity; the best choice if you ride more than one bike (it goes right with you without any hardware); least stressful on bike and riding mechanics; available in hydration models. CONS: Can increase your sweating, though some styles are designed to minimize this; messenger-style packs don't always stay behind you, causing shifting weight.
• Handlebar bag and rack trunks—PROS: Easily accessible; they keep back and shoulders free from any weight. CONS: Much smaller capacity; handlebar bags can obstruct other accessories, such as a light, bike computer or GPS unit.
• Panniers—PROS: Keep back and shoulders free from any weight. CONS: Smaller capacity than backpacks; added weight on rear wheel that already carries bulk of rider weight (this additional weight can increase the risk of mechanical breakdown unless the rear wheel is specially built to withstand extra stress); can impede the backward arch of your pedal stroke; combination of rear rack and pannier bags increase wind drag while riding.

Lights and Reflectors

The quality and power of your headlight may be determined by the length of your commute and the riding conditions. If you ride just a short distance along brightly lit streets, some of the more economical lights may serve your needs. But if you travel a greater distance, and on roads or trails where lighting is poor or variable, then a high-quality halogen system is well worth the investment.

In addition to front, back and side reflectors, put a reflective band on your helmet and wear reflective clothing. The more visible you are in low-light conditions, the safer you'll be.

Locks

Unless your workplace provides secure storage for your bicycle, carry a lock. If your bike is easily accessible, choose a high-quality lock that's difficult to pick or cut.

Fenders

Along with waterproof outerwear (jacket and pants), fenders are a must for anyone commuting in wet weather. The alternative is to get to work with a dirty wet stripe up your back. Choose the kind that fully covers the tires. You and your bike will stay cleaner and drier.

The Extras

Customize Your Ride

Once you've got the basics covered, you can add any number of nice options, including a bike computer to turn your commute into a training ride. An underseat pack or saddlebag can provide extra storage-or just enough if you're traveling ultralight. Below are links to a wide range of accessories designed to make your commute safer, more comfortable and more fun.

Summary

1. Ask yourself some questions: Why are you commuting by bike? How long is the commute? What's your budget? The answers can help determine which bike, clothes and accessories are right for you.
2. Be prepared for rain. Unless you live in the desert, always carry waterproof, breathable layers.
3. Be ready for flats. Always carry a spare inner tube, a patch kit and a pump or CO₂ cylinder.
4. Always wear a bicycle helmet when you ride.

Contributors: Peter Kane and Eric Korndorffer, REI Redmond (WA) cycling specialists.