Top 5 Upgrades For Commuting By Bike | Cycling To Work Hacks

Riding your bike to work or school can be a fantastic way to cycle more, and it's good for the environment as well as for you. Here at GCN we know a thing or two about riding our bikes to the office in all weathers and have a few tips to help you have a better ride.

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Have you got any good commuter tips? Share them in the comments below

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[gcn]

Got any upgrades for commuting? Share them with us in the comments below

[mathewadams]

1.Pack a ziplock baggie in your emergency kit to put electronics in if you get caught in the rain.
2. Leave a pair of shoes at work so you never have to haul an extra set if you ride clipless.
3. The shortest way isnt always the best way. Plan your daily route to avoid busy streets. You might have to add a few miles, but its better than being killed by some driver who hasnt had their coffee yet.

[jakeharris]

I’m extremely new to Road cycling. Take me back 4 weeks ago...I knew nothing. Now, thanks to GCN I am obsessed and I will never look back. I treat GCN like Netflix now.. Thank you so much!!!

[samtheman]

If your commute is longer than a 20 minute easy ride, GET PANNIERS.
I cannot stress this enough. Your back will not get sweaty in the summer, and you will not have the weight tiring your back out.

When I switched to panniers after years of using a messenger, it literally changed my life.

[matteo.ceriotti]

Show some realistic commuters' bikes. I can't think of many commuting on an Aeroad Dura-ace.

[ahamos]

Four suggestions:
1. I drive to the office once or twice a week, and use those trips to replace "office clothes" and snacks, so I can commute in with just lunch and a laptop.
2. Most of the lights in the video are tragically under-powered. I have a pair of multi-LED units with external battery packs that put out 1000+ lumens on the bright setting, which is about what a car headlight does. Not friendly on the urban cycle-path, but CRUCIAL on my dark country roads in the winter. The battery packs are interchangeable and I keep one charged in my pannier just in case. You cannot have too much light.
3. I covered the seat-stays with reflective tape for added nighttime visibility.
4. Anything that you do not BOLT to solid mounting points on your frame will etch away the paint.

[JB]

Getting my first road bike tomorrow cant wait 😁

[ockipoki]

Really liking these recent, interspersed, more accessible videos for non-club standard cyclists.
GCN still feels like a group of Pro's but reaching out to those of us mere mortals that maybe just commute, Sunday ride or do a bit of touring.
Keep up the great work team 👍

[robertkraft]

I agree with some of the sentiments. Actually show setting up a commuter -specific bike, discuss why better lights are needed for rush hour traffic, and more utilitarian clothing/gear (versus) all the road race kit. And secure those backpack straps... nothing is more annoying than flapping straps.

[raff]

I would add a loud Bell on the bike when in the city for the mindless pedestrians on their phones.
I would also recommend that if you do use a light that the angle be down and away from eye level to prevent blinding oncoming traffic, pedestrian, cars or other cyclists.

[DeanPattrick]

Commute 22Km to work here in Helsinki. Few tips: mudguards, puncture proof tyres for summer and studded tyres for winter, dynamo is a must, hi-vis as much as possible, panniers over rucksack and finally some decent clothing. Oh and a lock.!

[AdamSolomon]

Gotta go full Fred. Panniers & a rack. Full coverage fenders/mudguards. Bright primary light & a smaller secondary light in front & at least one red blinky in back. Tires with reflective sidewalls are a plus. I leave clothing at work & do a once a week swap of clean clothing for laundry. If the weather is unpredictable where you live, have the clothing for it. Here in New England we can have three seasons in one day. In the end though, bike commuting is fun. It's consistently one of the best parts of my day, certainly better than sitting in a car dealing with stop & go traffic.

[DaleGPS]

I have toured and commuted without waterproof panniers. I use food freezer bags to store my clothes and items that need to remain dry in my bags. It is also a great way to organize your gear. I put a full set of clothing in one bag for the next day.

[minky]

Pre-pandemic I would daily commute pretty much year round from NJ into NYC - 40 miles round trip. Bike locked up in public bike stands on street outside office. I would use my beater bike - originally a 97 LeMond Tourmalet - but rebuilt and repainted several times - switched to friction shifters in the down tube for simplicity. Easily 8k plus miles a year and would never think twice about getting to work any other way.

[superhell]

My 2 € cents:
1. Get the damn single speed if you can, for the lightness, ease of the maintenance and reliability.
2. Even sturdier aluminium rims for attacking the kerbs and potholes.
3. U-lock holder for the frame.
4. Waterproof: overtrousers, hardshell and gloves. Either on you or stored in the backpack.
5. Don't ride your sporty bike.
6. Good bell. People in the morning daze need extra help to look around.
7. Narrow bar, potentially even flat bars with MTB grips that keep the friction in the wet.

[joansmith]

A good place to start is an upright city bike, not a hybrid or racer. You will be much safer in an upright riding position that will allow you to easily be aware of your surroundings. And if you do crash, you won't be going head-first into something. Check out what the Dutch do. They are super experienced city riders, and they don't bother wearing helmets.

[mattburkey]

Been bike commuting for 7 years now! I tried a pannier that could transform into a backpack and it was not great at either. Sticking with panniers on a rack.

[CoderShare]

Best commuter for me is always the hardtail. Bunny hopping everything in sight is the best way to get to work.

[markjaap]

Thank you, GCN. As a daily commuter for years now I can confirm all of your tips. The only thing I miss in your list are disc brakes. When commuting you ride far more often in wet conditions than in training rides, where you may adjust your riding time more to the weather forecast. And disc brakes were one of the most valuable upgrades I did. And you're right: safety and comfort are more important for commuting. This is, why I finally got an gravel bike. They nearly have all your upgrades united in one bike.

[aghorn]

Suggest GCN look into commuter bikes and do a video about what makes them commuter bikes.