All of the gear you don't need on your urban commuter bike (and a few things you do)
All of the gear you don't need on your urban commuter bike (and a few things you do)
One of the great things about using a bicycle as a mode of transportation is its simplicity. But sometimes it feels like the bike world is always trying to complicate that simplicity — with new technology, new gear and new features designed to make your bike faster, lighter or stronger. And while this tech can be amazing (and you should absolutely use anything you need to make the bike a bigger part of your life), sometimes I feel like the excitement over new tech overshadows the pleasures of cycling’s simplicity.
So this video is to remind you that, while tech and gear can be great, you may not need all of it to have a happy bike life.
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I’ve been riding Priority bikes for a number of years. I love their low-maintenance, belt-drive design, and they offer good quality at a decent price. They signed on as a sponsor for my YouTube channel several years after I started riding them.
My daily summertime bike is the zippy and fun Priority Eight: https://alnk.to/1XWoxFO
With its fenders, hub dynamo lights and durable Enviolo internal hub gearing system, I’ve happily ridden the Priority Continuum Onyx through many Canadian winters: https://alnk.to/gKS5Jlw
Abus Bike Locks. If you’re riding in a city, you need a good-quality bike lock, and you can’t do much better than Abus and their diverse lineup of locks: https://www.abus.com/
My book Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling: https://amzn.to/42EBzO6
Here is some of the gear I’m currently using. Some of these are affiliate links.
Bike Lights: I love dynamo lights that are built into a bike and powered by your pedalling or the wheel’s movement, but if you need aftermarket lights, Lumos offers a number of great options. Their Firefly lights are simple and bright: https://collabs.shop/3uodbz
Helmet: If I’m riding for sports, such as mountain biking or road bike, I like Lumos helmets because they are comfortable and well-built, and you can also easily attach lights to stay as visible as possible on roads: https://collabs.shop/prkigy
Bell: I love the sound and quality of the Japanese-made Crane Bells: https://www.cranebellusa.com/
Saddle: Yes, they can be pricey, but I’ve joined the ranks of people who think the extra cost for the quality of a Brooks Saddle is worth it, in both durability and comfort: https://www.brooksengland.com/
Panniers: My everyday workhorse pannier is Two Wheel Gear’s Pannier Backpack Convertible 2.0: https://twowheelgear.com/collections/pannier-backpacks?srsltid=AfmBOop6XPOZUjmjf4-Nr1MVwSivDO7igNWhL6Y3PzWOzkqtraTAS-D5
Pedals: I’ve not experienced high-performance pedals adding much extra value to my daily riding experience, but these light-up pedals from Redshift are bright, keep me visible at night and grab lots of attention: https://redshiftsports.com?aff=40
Phone mount: I use Peak Design’s mobile system, including the Universal Bar Mount on my handlebars every day, which I also bring it with me when I travel for bike rentals and bike-share bicycles: https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/5749368/1664050/18669
Buff: Keeps your face, neck and head warm in the winter, and keeps the sun off in the summer: https://peak-design.pxf.io/c/5749368/1664050/18669
Sunglasses: If you’re going to wear sunglasses, why not use a pair that has built-in mirrors so you can see behind you while you ride?: https://collabs.shop/f9hvof
Don’t forget to register your bike with an online database.
My favourite is 529 Garage https://project529.com/garage
Bike Index is also good: https://bikeindex.org/
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#cycling #bike #commuting
0:00 Introduction
1:01 Suspension
2:35 Dropper posts
3:06 Cycling shoes that clip into your pedals
4:16 Disc brakes (in some situations!)
5:29 Carbon-fibre frames
6:57 Too many gears
7:34 Knobby tires
7:58 Cycling-specific clothing
8:36 A few things I like that you might need…
8:44 A rack
9:31 Pannier bags or a basket
9:51 A kickstand
10:24 Fenders
10:38 The right accessories
Puncture repair kit, yellow high viz vest, leather gardening gloves to stop road rash, helmet to avoid rest of your life in a wheelchair being fed though a straw, safety glasses/googles to avoid blindness from flying gravel from car tyres
My daily commuter for years was a mountain bike with the tires swapped out to semi-smooth tires and the suspension fork "locked out". I wasn’t getting any KOM’s on my way to work, but it worked just fine for getting around.
i like your approach and share it: making life more simple. Spend the time and hassle saved on important things.
I will say, you clearly have never gone on poorly maintained roads if you think suspension is not neccesary. I sometimes gotta go to germany to pick up something at the store and the road quality there is abysmal. Whenever I think of buying a fizzy drink, it’s flat once I get home on my suspension-less bike.
How about lights with a simple on- off switch rather than scrolling through 7 different flash modes? If you really like cycling you’re end ip with 3 bikes
Shopping/commute
Off road
Road.
Why didn’t you include an emergency repair kit. I fit mine under the seat and I can usually get back on the road without having to call an Uber. Things lile patches, away to remove the tire, small tool kit, a tiny pump to inflate the tire.
What city are you commuting in? I live in Seattle and feel like having front suspension is helpful. There are lots of big potholes and stuff. That being said, I haven’t tried riding here without front suspension so maybe it’s just fine.
It’s interesting living in a bicycle heavy culture and seeing your recommended bicycle equipment basically just being the standard bike you can buy here. Minus the chain guard hehe.
I took my fenders off. Too noisy and I’d rather have a change of (nicer) pants in my panier.
you missed the helmet !! 🙂
great video nontheless. Thanks for making this!!
rearview mirror
For me the clip in pedals were a safety feature. I crashed because my foot was caught in a pedal with a cage and the wronge shoes.
and you do not need two wheels, yes, you can do wheely and that it!
People need banana holder 😁
Great content, some good ideas there that I plan to pursue.
Curious, are you in Victoria? I see that your segment on riding on snow was done in Calgary as you crossed 9th ave in front of the Husky towers. However on another shot you’re right by a mountain. Was that Chase or Hope? Love the crafted background shots, it greatly adds to the production value and you sure picked some great ones.
Disk brakes are an essential convenience because the more traditional brakes are hard to adjust and they get out of adjustment regularly. Also disk brakes don’t really make your bike more expensive. If you’re riding in the city, get a Dutch style bike. They are much more comfortable than other bikes because you’re sitting straight instead of leaning forward. Also you see better and see higher which is key when riding in city traffic. This is a much more important advice than other advice in this video. Also you should have lights on a city bike and they should be on even during the day.
Speeds: what if you live in a hilly city?
If you live in a flat city you only need a Dutch bike
In civilised countries a bell is a legal requirement
I miss the days before yuppies ruined biking and made it into a conspicuous consumption fashion statement.
Your idea of a city really is quiet of in my opinion
8:19 when I was a kid, bike clothes was just for pro racers. Us normal folk just bought an extra seat and switched it out to be comfortable
One time when my dance class got out, it was pouring!!!, i still rode home. Probably a mistake. It was raining so hard my watch broke. After that, I got fenders.
Goodluck without bibs…
Another one I like is a chain guard. Removes the chance of showing up to work with oil stained trousers
Most important thing on a bicycle to me is Alloy Wheel Rims.
In early 70s had a cheap bike with awful heavy steel rims. Mid 70s got proper road bike.. It was day and night
just a small shout out to say how much this video encouraged me to finally jump over my own shadow, and treat myself to a super simple single-speed city bike, adding a rear rack and pannier bag, and just go out and enjoy the freedom of and rediscover the pleasure of cycling
شكرا جزيلا لك على المساعدة القيمة
Cycle your way. I’ll cycle my way. Stop trying to convert me to your way.
people complain about power loss because of suspension on Ebikes as well and on Ebike suspension hop leads to tire slip and added wear
get bigger tires itty bitty 1.5 inch slicks can be uncomfortable so get a 2.25inch fast rolling road tire and you will have way more comfort
I put SPD… pedals on number 1 if its all about commuting and riding in an urban environment, especially when riding in the dark and all year also in winter, clip pedals and the shoes have only disadvantages. A time when I made my commutes 55 km to work and back I was happy with my Carbon bike because of the lightweight benefits, and because I was able to put my bike inside at work, so it had never been in danger beeing stolen or damaged outside while waiting for me. Your Specialized can be a funbike for all year with light fenders and flat pedals.
Very helpful tips, especially for a beginner like me, thank you!
Fixies and single speeds with good tire clearance are affordable and fun
Something else that isn’t directly related to the bike but is as much related as the shorts you said not to get is a HELMET
I noticed a patch repair kit wasn’t included. That’s a necessity for me.
Do you have any advice for simplifying the lives of other urban commuter cyclists? Share it here!
Chuckled when you said flags/streamers lol
Disk brakes can save you from smashing into a pedestrian when biking on a sidewalk because there is no cycling path and the road is to dangerous or you’re cycling with your kids
8:00 I want to see you in Lycra
you are right I am going to flame you for the brakes being able to stop fast is crucial when the morons in cars try to run you over or people walk in front of you for whatever stupid reason
disc brakes are valid upgrade on any bike
Helmet!!
Good vid.
I’ll add, Folding Allen key set, spare tube, tyre levers, CO2 inflation pump
I keep the tube and tyre levers in a dummy drink bottle container.
As a future commuter, I plan to take this advice to heart. Except for the brakes, V brakes suck
Bikes have become like vehicles…overengineered, complicated, finicky, troublesome to maintain and expensive…to purchase and repair.
And why aren’t more bikes built with "step through" frames? For older folks, swinging one’s leg above the seat just to mount, is a pain and sometimes, almost impossible.
It depends on what you like as a bike rider. I’ve met MTB bikers who ride their downhill bike as a daily driver. I’ve met roadies who ride their high road bikes as daily drivers.
It’s like with cars. Some guys will only own and drive sports cars, Porsche 911s and 356s, Honda S2000s and NSXs, Rotary powered Mazda RX7s and the later Miata’s despite their limitations in carrying space.
Then, there are the people who are content to drive mundane four-door cars, sedans, SUVs and trucks.
Wtf this video is in German for me and there is no option to revers it. YT is annoying
You mentioned some good points, but the main point is to use a helmet and safety equipment. Be sure to use them, even in urban environments and short distances. I live in Lahijan, Iran, and I have always loved cycling.
In the Netherlands you absolutely need disk brakes with the rain, humidity and everything. Hydraulic for sure to minimize maintenence.
This video is perfect for those of us who like to ride, but don’t have a fortune to spend and aren’t immersed in bike culture and its unique, uh, vibe that one might only occasionally experience with say, certain bike shop staff or certain riders on busy roads, etc. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the subtle winks/nods to said culture 😁
I forget Americans need to be told everything
no i need my 3×7 gear set in the city too. hills exist.
Hi, just joined this channel… I plan on buying a Huffy cruiser with fenders and racks etc, but they come with just the one speed. I saw mention of a 3 speed internal gears back wheel? Can a bike shop install that on a Huffy?