5 Must Haves For Commuting On A Retro or Modern Bike

5 Must Haves For Commuting On A Retro or Modern Bike
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[@jonathanbenn2241]

35+ years commuting. Stopped having bags of any kind on my back. Use a Shimano Tokyo backpack, bunged to my rack.

[@jayziac]

Yes, 2nd this. I have a laptop backpack, bungeed (& ski strapped) to my rear rack. No fancy expensive panniers needed.

[@turboseize]

Full fenders, racks and panniers. Fenders make a huge difference if you are riding anywhere where either the air or the ground might get moist; racks allow to carry a lot of stuff including, but not limited to panniers. Panniers make a huge difference in regards of sweat: commuting with a backpack will necessitate a change of clothes at your destination. Not having a backpack on your pack and actually getting air flow there is a huge relief. The last thing I missed in this video was lights. Car drivers are either malevolent or ignorant; don't give them an easy excuse.

[@pissman69]

I just slap my unreasonably expensive earphones in full volume and hope I don't die. if I do at least there will be a cool soundtrack in the background

[@Tia_makes_stuff]

I missed some rubber gloves in the tool pocket for the case you have to work on the chain

[@aaronbruckelmeyer]

You should try some shokz bone conducting headphones. Best of both worlds. Listen to what you like, keep ears open for hearing the environment around you.

[@mojojojo6852]

Your videos are like a fresh breath of air. Uplifting and nourishing.

[@kevinfeeney5309]

I've slowly amassed individual tool kits for each of my most ridden bikes. And the only do-all bag is a handlebar bag. It has my Audter battery powered tire inflator and some extra bits, like snacks (biltong and some fruit strips). For locks I just use 2, or even 3....all u-locks. And make sure to use the modified Sheldon Brown method of locking to a secure structure. For luggage I use all kinds of different stuff. Chrome Metropolis...(sadly no longer made)... a couple convertible pannier/backpacks. Two Wheel Gear and a Mammoth Empire roll top (similar closure to your Chrome Barrage). I also have a Green Guru pannier "sling" type bag... conforms to just about any luggage you might need to carry. For tires, especially commuting.. I pretty much only use Gatorskins....more specifically Hardshells. They're thicker and have a different rubber compound for longevity. (Kinda moot for my fixed gears though...lmao) As for music/navigation/phone calls....I just use a single true wireless earbud in my right ear with sound set to mono output and volume just loud enough to hear whatever is coming thru said earbud but low enough to hear my surroundings.

[@chinoboiiiii]

Love your content mate! Shout outs from here in the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@andyamos8594]

I used a backpack for years, but its a bit hot in summer, in Madrid. I discovered seatpost mounted bike racks (Elops 500 from Decathlon) and haven't looked back. I actually have a seatpost with and without. If its a city "will need to lock up" I take the rack. If its a quick ride for fresh air, on goes the normal seatpost. 😁

[@johnbrann75]

I have all the stuff you mentioned for on the road repairs but four sets of them, one for each of my bikes. Becuase I will ultimately forget to transfer the kit and require it on my ride. I don't ride canti's but have in the past, good tip on the 10mm wrench.

[@Cobwobbler]

I keep my tools in a ziplock back, and leave an adjustable spanner in the Commuter pannier. For an added bit of security I've zip tied a vibration alarm to my Kryptonite lock. So I've always got my alarm on whatever bike I'm on. Tires, Schwabael Land cruisers. 26" X2 good on and off road.

[@jackandrew3579]

Dude you need to try some SHOKZ bone conduction headphones they are amazing for ridding in, because they don’t go in your ear you can hear everything around you but also hear your music clearly! Honestly best purchase I ever made 🤙🏼

[@tim8971]

I agree, best purchase I’ve ever made.

[@loud479]

Ayo was expecting every other part of this but wasn't expecting up to have the same speaker 👏👏👏❤ Also the UE BOOM fits in a bottle cage 🤌

[@hohnline]

Great points! I'm surprised you don't mention rain gear (fenders, jackets, pants, shoe covers). I thought it rains all the time in London😅?

[@KEIRINSTREETS]

Chrome is for sure up there. I always go back to my Bravo night! And got the Kadet on the daily.

[@71kylew]

I recommend bone conduction headphones. You can listen to music and still hear what is going on around you.

[@Destide]

Schwabe marathon plus are my go-to commuter pooter. Pretty indestructible, hold their shape, a low psi comfortable for a 15mph avg commute of mixed road and gravel. My music go to is a cheap pair of conductive headphones can hear everything around me and my music.

[@juanmanuelromeo3038]

I liked it, i use same kind of stuff in my every day commuting in Buenos Aires

[@taiwoonwoon8275]

Nice one! Another good item is mud guards, esp if ur spot is rainy

[@HiplokBikeLocks]

Great video!

[@RogerRabbitt]

For earbuds i use google pixel buds with the transparency mode on and its really good. You get wind noise for sure but at least i can still hear

[@3kek717]

Nice commuting philosophy: approved !

[@micahspilker9322]

On the music point I recommend bone conductive headphones. Sound quality isn’t the greatest for audiophile snobs but definitely works great to jam to tunes but still be aware of your surroundings. I’ve used aftershokz for years. They also work in conjunction with earplugs for loud environments.

[@MonkeyShred]

😂😂😂 those punctures were just pure fluke. I swear nothing went through the tyre. Like you said, they’re thick! They were in a weird place too so I think I just got super unlucky and picked up two shit tubes. The canal was funny though. They’re definitely not the tyres to take down slick canal paths 😂 Before anyone asks, no I didn’t catch it on video, but it was close. A quick foot down saved me from a swim.

[@grumpyken9151]

I never carried a spoke wrench, but I would say learning to bunny hop correctly is necessary to urban riding and commuting so you don't beat up the wheels too badly

[@thomasmikkelsen518]

Just a little tip: Sam Pilgrim tested a speaker that mounts to your helmet and makes the sound come from the helmet itself!!?? Haven't tried it myself but he seemed quite surprised how well it worked, he could hear what was happening around him while the sound didn't seem too anoying to others!! Just thought it could be the best of both worlds ;) Thanks for the video :)

[@the_nondrive_side]

I take off all the weird bolts and odd size hex bolts and throw them in the trash. see my golden arrow A105 short cage... with the metric hex bolts pulled from a tourney tx.. holding the guide and tension pulleys the blue anodized tension pulley in said RD... simple swap servicable anywhere. I used the 5 sided axle bolts and made my own tool that has the regular hex but also the tiny one for MRX comp to secure them to the bars and pretty well anything new I add in. I think they're all metric? I took the chain tool off long ago and use the folded trick with quiklinks or I remove the guide pulley and open the cage to take up slack.. the cantilever brakes with the weird mixed wrench is a hard one for me

[@AndrogyneMichinaga]

I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus to avoid punctures. They resist piercing and pinch punctures.

[@burrito_bobby]

Nice video 🤙🏼

[@tevemullins8156]

That zip tie lock keeps a honest person honest.

[@sandy_knight]

The one thing I can't commute without is gloves. Specifically mountain bike gloves with knuckle protection to protect my hands from wing mirrors when drivers close pass you. 😜

[@robandrews9165]

Saw your bike on ride London and had one of those locks on 😊

[@borderlands6606]

My kink is metal tyre levers. Plastic ones are useless on tight tyres. I file mine if they have any corners, and have never had a puncture caused by the levers. In Walkman days I had a cassette on the go, but clear ears is the way forward.

[@LOZUPONEJ]

If I’m out on a public trail I always keep extra tools and such. I’ve saved others from being stranded.

[@sale2168]

Raingear is very important too

[@MarshallLundberg]

Bose makes a speaker similar to the one you have. I’ve been goin back and forth between it and an old school corded headphones. Thanks for not helping in my decision making process 😭

[@mstrshkbrnnn1999]

Just in time!

[@Dosdal]

Chrome bags are shit for sweaty backs ! I got a deuter with a kage keeping the back free

[@moodycxnt]

I use one earphone in the left ear, so I can hear the traffic on the right.

[@delticrobo]

Are there any links for the bike bags? Thanks

[@dyrik]

for headphones just get a pair of kph40's. So killer.

[@rodolfoo3015]

In terms of tires i love the Mitas Cityhopper, never knew of the brand but they are amazing, cheap and good looking. For 10€ each you cant get better.

[@JMJM75257]

I'm in a city and I'd recommend on the cheap side continental ride tour or getting more pricey the contact urban. I don't like the cityhopper personally, they feel on the slow side to me

[@rodolfoo3015]

@@JMJM75257 the city hopper is a thicker tire, it will be slower but for absorbing bumps here in Lisbon is amazing.

[@JMJM75257]

@@rodolfoo3015 Fair they do have a good perf/cost ratio.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

A Gaadi inner tubes allow you fix a puncture without taking the wheel off

[@easytinker3709]

Tossing it out there…Mission Workshop bags. Pricier than Chrome, but bombproof and comfy 👍🏻comfortable and affordability, Chrome wins😃

[@olid512]

Try Bluetooth bone induction headphones.

[@Wiz3k]

Im commuting on wtb thickslicks and I had 4 flats from punctures in 2 months. Each time I was able to find the tiny glas pieces buried deep in the rubber. I can NOT recommend them at all

[@koyapol]

1:31 "which is a tool kit" lmao

[@kenlang6672]

Serfas Drifters...My go to 26" city tire. They're comfy but able to repel a horrific variety of pointy things.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

“Horrific variety of pointy things” 😂 amazing!!

[@kevinfeeney5309]

Hmm, maybe I'll try a set of those... I don't really have a commuting 26er... only one I have is a Bianchi Milano 7spd Nexus....I'm using Panaracer Tour guards on it. The thicker 5mm ones...the ones similar to Schwalbe Marathon Plus... but half the cost.

[@thelazyreconnoiter583]

For whatever reason, Chrome’s slings and messenger bags just don’t quite fit me right. I have 2 Crome backpacks and a pair of their work boots that are great, though. I use a Tom Bihn Cafe Bag for a messenger bag and love it. The Cafe Bag fit’s right it the small of your back and stays in place really well.

[@kevinfeeney5309]

I do love their Metropolis messenger bag and their newer Kursk 2.0 Pros. Haven't had any issues with the shank snapping like in their OG Kursks. Kinda want to try that Tom Binh bag but I've gotten to the point of letting the bike carry the weight instead of me... lmao

[@EriebyCycle]

I’d argue for a basket.

[@uniquepieces2474]

👍

[@Koofumhead]

I heard a tale about a cyclist who was in a collision with a van. The prosecution of the van driver was as good as dropped after evidence revealed she had likely been listening to music on her phone via headphones. She survived, but her life was drastically different. My point is, the way many motorists view cyclists, don't be surprised if you are charged with cycling without due care because of headphones use.

[@oheso]

I liked this video but I'm too drunk to comment.

[@zq3yp]

It’s 2023 adding time stamps is necessary when you make a list. Not watching this now.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Yeah, I wouldn’t watch it either.

[@jamesdarge]

Seriously?!

[@stuartmooreis]

@@2NDLIFEBIKES I've watched it, but I'm going to put it back to the start and definitely not watch it again. Does that count ;)