Cycle CommutingUpdated 6 months ago
For many of us, the idea of ditching the car and riding to work has been a bit of a pipe dream. It can take a lot of willpower to get up every day, rain or shine to climb on your bike and make your commute.
You've done all the reading, you know the health benefits, you've checked there's somewhere to store your bike and gear at work and you're ready. What do you need to do now?
In this article we're going to lay out the essentials, things you've thought of and things you've not. We'll give some handy hints and tips that will make the slog a little bit easier.
Let's start with the bike, realistically any bike will do but some will be more up to the task than others. We'll break this down into a few categories.
Road bikes - If you have a long ride and you can get the speed up there's not much better out there. With higher gearing and a lighter bike, you'll get there faster but at the cost of versatility, comfort and manoeuvrability.
Gravel bikes - With a more relaxed feel and larger tyres, these can be a great option when you need to go on mixed paths and roads at all times of the year. Typically geared a little lower to make the climbs and slow stuff easier.
Hybrid bike - Hybrids are a much more relaxed fit, generally with a more upright riding position, usually with flat bars and low gearing, these can be great for riding around town
Touring - Touring bikes are made for longevity and durability. With a multitude of carrying options, you can mount most of the contents of your house to the bike. Perfect if you need to carry a lot of stuff.
E-Bikes - E-bikes come in all of the categories we've just mentioned but with the added advantage of an electric motor. These are a great option if you've not quite got the power to get up some of those climbs and will keep you fresh for your day and much less sweaty.
Our top picks:
Road: Merida Scultura Endurance 400 2025, Genesis Equilibrium Disc, The road bike collection
Gravel: Genesis Flyer, Genesis CDA 20, Genesis Croix De Fer 20, The Gravel Bike Collection
Hybrid: Merida Speeder 500, Marin Presidio 2, Genesis Broadway, The Hybrid Bike Collection
E-bikes: Merida eSpresso City 700 EQ, Kona Dew HD Electric Bike, Mondraker Prime X, Merida eSpeeder 400 EQ, The Electric Bike Collection
Pedals
PedalsClipless or flats, both have their place. If you want both that's also an option. These innovative pedals have a flat side and a clip side so you can use them both ways.
Shimano Deore XT PD-T8000 Trekking Pedals - Dual SPD/Flat
Luggage, Panniers, Bags and carriers.
There are a few essentials you'll need for your day such as food, spare clothes, a laptop, chargers, and washing gear.
How much you need to carry will dictate what you need to mount on the bike.
Panniers can be fitted to any bike with the mounting points, you can then fit specially made bags to it to safely carry your luggage.
We'd recommend these:
M-Part Ridge Rear Pannier Rack for Disc Brakes
Topeak Super Tourist DX Uni - Disc 2.0
Ideally paired with some bags like these:
Thule Shield Commuter Pannier Bags
Topeak Trunkbag RX DXP With Pannier
Bar bags and frame bags
These are great options if you don't need to take a lot, they can stay on the bike or be easily removed to take with you.
We recommend these:
PRO Discover Compact Frame Bag
Camelbak M.U.L.E. 12 Handlebar Pack
Backpacks
If you don't like the idea of carrying everything on the bike or you want to be quick and sleek you can use a dedicated commuter bag, designed to help you be seen and to keep your gear dry and secure.
We recommend these:
Thule Paramount Commuter Backpack 27 Litre
Ideally paired with:
Mudguards
An essential item if you're riding all year round, it'll stop you from getting sprayed up your back and keep much of the road water off your face.
M-Part Commute Full Length Mudguards 700 x 55mm
SKS Bluemels Cable Line Mudguard set - 28"
Locks and security
If you live in a city or don't have a decent indoor space to store your bike, having a good lock is essential. It might not always keep the most determined thief from your mode of transport but it will make it harder and if you get the right thing will appease your insurance provider. We can break them down into three categories. Just keep in mind that the heavier-duty and more secure locks will be much heavier and more cumbersome than the lighter ones.
Heavy Duty locks
Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Lock
Kryptonite P-Evolution Mini-5 - With Flexframe U Bracket Sold Secure Gold
Medium
Hiplok Original V1.5 Wearable Chain Lock
Lightweight
Hiplok Spin Wearable Bike Chain Lock
Clothing
Having the right clothing will change your commute from a sufferfest to a happy sunshine bike ride and can be the difference between sticking with it and going back to burning fossil fuels.
We always go for lighter easy-to-wear layering. Trying to avoid big coats and larger single layers that you can't take off or change.
Outer layer: in the summer we'd go for a bright or hivis gillet or t-shirt. In the autumn and spring a softshell or windproof and in the depths of Winter a 2.5 or 3-layer waterproof. Most good jackets will have vents or zips to keep you cool and will pack down nice and small so you can store it.
Endura Hummvee Waterproof Jacket
Endura Women's Windchill Jacket II
Mid layer: Not a problem when it's warm, in the winter you'll probably want an insulated layer. We like a Gillet or a softshell that can double as our outer layer if we get too hot.
Endura MT500 Freezing Point Gilet
Endura Pro SL PrimaLoft Jacket II
Base layer: A tech t-shirt or jersey, needs to keep sweat from the body, keeping you comfy and most importantly looking good.
Endura BaaBaa Blend L/S Baselayer
Endura Women's BaaBaa Blend L/S Baselayer
Legs: in the summer we'd normally go for a pair of shorts, in the winter you can't beat a set of waterproof trousers. Pair them with a set of bibs or undershorts with a good chamois to keep you comfy. These are available as tights or shorts depending on how cold you get.
Endura Women's Hummvee Short with Liner
Endura Hummvee Chino Short with Liner Short
100% Hydromatic Waterproof MTB Pants
Gloves: something bright to make sure motorists can see your creative hand signals. We'd get a summer and winter option.
Shoes and socks
Shimano EX7 (EX700) Gore-Tex Cycling Shoes
Shimano EX3W (EX300W) Women's Gravel Cycling Shoes
Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore-Tex SPD Shoes
Lights and visibility
You might think you look like a Christmas tree but if you reach your destination without getting hit by a car then it's worth it.
There are a myriad of options but we like a good rear light, a helmet-mounted front and a bar-mounted front. You can pair that with a helmet-mounted rear light so they can tell you're a human and squeeze out some empathy!
Cateye AMPP 1100 Front Bike Light
Cateye VIZ 450 Rear Bike Light
Cateye AMPP 200 / Viz 100 Bike Light Set
Puncture resistant tyres
Most bikes come with good tyres but standing on the side of the road, late for work and getting stared at by passers-by can quickly change the fun to angst. These aren't the most supple tyres but will keep all but the biggest objects from letting your air out.
Continental Gatorskin HardShell Tyre
Vittoria Randonneur Rigid City/Commuter tyre
Bike mounted cameras
For some people having a camera on your person can help dissuade angry drivers from pulling any silly manoeuvres. We've got a few options from GoPro and you can find them here.
TOOO Cycling DVR80 - Rear Camera Light Combo
Cycle to work
If you have it then use it, we take most of the major schemes. You can find more information here.
We have a dedicated bike sales team here at Biketart, if you have any questions or need any help let us know.