Don’t Make These 5 Mistakes When Commuting By Bike

[@gcntech]

What mistake did you commit when you started commuting?🚴❌

[@grumbazor]

Using a backpack instead a rack during summer

[@pistonburner6448]

Isn't a flashing light illegal in Britain? If it isn't already just like it is in most countries, it should be: horrible idea!

[@bikecommuter24]

Wearing jeans to work got wet and stiff, tights work much better, I now keep extra work pants and shirts at work to change into when I get there. Doing a daily pre ride check or every so often it helps a lot, tires, bars, brake pads, seat post, don't need to break out the torque wrenches but a quick look over might save some aggravation later on.

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Not using gloves because i injured my hand quite badly not using gloves,now I wear them all the time.

[@Groegselmaschupp]

use blinking lights front and back in the city. i know it’s forbidden, but living is more important to me.

[@rkhayden]

The best bike for commuting is whatever bike you have. If you've only got, and can only afford, one bike, better to use that for commuting than not commute by bike at all. For winter commuting, I'd recommend something reflective on your hands or arms, so that hand signals are more visible at night.

[@better.better]

anytime of the year really if you're going to be riding in the dark. they're hard to find, but gloves with reflective fingertips so you can give all kinds of hand signals.

[@better.better]

and actually LEARN the hand signals!

[@grumbazor]

dynamo hub is the best choice. Very low resistance and ALWAYS porper light without charging, forgetting or get your lights stolen. HIgh vis and/or reflective hand bands or bracelets are important to. If you want to turn at night no one will see that you raised your arm. reflective gloves, straps, bands, whatever on your hands and/or arms is essential when riding in the dark.

[@BirdmanDeuce26]

Not exploring other route options to your destination - on a bike, you have _much_ greater diversity of options than a car/bus does, so if things get hairy on your usual route, knowing additional detour routes goes a long way towards peace of mind

[@marlowek1936]

Absolutely this. I have found ways to avoid some really dangerous intersections and traffic by simply exploring on my free time.

[@emanuele8226]

Very good point

[@better.better]

until you don't, lol, bridges for example. there's two Bridges to take, but only one of them is ever going to make sense, and that also might be the one that's the most terrifying on a bike

[@alasdairmccafferty3352]

Indeed. A slightly longer route can be much safer. I will add an extra few minutes to a journey just to avoid dodgy junctions or roundabouts.

[@robintropper660]

When I lived in Montreal, I found cycling better than the bus + metro, even in the early snowfall. I would carry a violin, viola, French horn, English horn, my oboe and lunch & books from my appartment to McGill University in heavy traffic: it was my truck! ... Today, I still tend to go overboard, carrying too much mechanical equipment I end-up not using, and with advancing age, that makes it more tiresome (the weight).

[@StratoJohn]

When I was cycle commuting to work, I was lucky in the sense that it was a 4km ride. Not only was it a short ride but I also cycled it flat out to and from work every day. I genuinely believe this helped my cycling fitness!

[@alfredosalesjr.5548]

Thank you for a very nice reminder. If we forget one of those the main thing is to take care always❤️🚴👍

[@fuzzi1002]

A feast for bike thieves, a beautiful bike. My 2 commuter bikes are rusty, scratched and really not pretty, but they run all the better for it.😊

[@pedromendonca5964]

I had my first puncture today. Fortunately, I had seen many videos before, so I got myself a repair kit under the saddle and managed to change the tube on the side of the road.

[@MTBScotland]

doesn't matter what bike you commute on. I've done it on a fold up ebike, road bike, FS and HT mountain bike.

[@charliecook6909]

Same here , theres not a wrong bike , not going ride a road bike if I do an off road commute so the mtb would be the right bike 👌Cycled home on my raleigh grifter one evening 😂

[@lawrencekelly5038]

Schwalbe Marathon Plus's. In comparison to your posh tyres, they're horrible and heavy feeling, but the main thing for me is that after 3 punctures in 8 commutes on GP 4 Seasons, I'm now at a stage where I've had 1 puncture in almost a decade of commuting on them. On my 30-ish minute commute they're about 30 seconds slower than my 'fast' tyres, and you need a lot of those 30 seconds to make up the time I've saved not having to be sat in a bus stop to shelter from the rain while putting a spare tube in. As commuter tyres, nothing beats a marathon plus.

[@jasonobrien4975]

Nightmare to put on though, I got my bike shop to do it😂

[@agent0066]

Even just standard marathons are invincible unless you like riding through glass and thorns all day.

[@philiphumphrey1548]

Use puncture resistant tyres like Schwalbe Marathons. They may be a bit slower and heavier, but the last thing you need is a puncture in the wet on the way to work.

[@gcntech]

Solid point

[@NelsonSherry]

I don't cary a spare tube. I run tubeless, and my current commute is only 3.5 miles. So, if I ever get a flat, I can readily walk to work or back home.

[@dn3andy]

Pair of latex gloves and kitchen roll in the tools / spares will also help a lot when fixing punctures, nothing worse than filthy hands after changing a rear tube!

[@bubblesezblonde]

Well done Felix!

[@martinskapa6025]

My favourite hack is to always pull out the rain cover on my backpack. It is bright yellow with reflection stripes. My previous rain cover was orange. Almost every cycling backpack has it and then it is much easier to be seen. It is probably a little more aero than without the cover as well 😊.

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Awesome video,I commute to work and I find riding a classic steel frame bike with shiny stainless spokes and silver rims helps with my visibility a lot,I use a a rear light most of the times to.💯👌🏻🚴‍♂️

[@xiaoliuwu8539]

I don't see anything wrong with commuting with fancy road bikes as long as one has a safe place to store them. I don't have time to ride as much as I would like to do commuting is a great opportunity to ride the bike.

[@itaybruck9671]

I agree. I also commute on my lovely Road bike. I store it at my office. No worries that it might be stolen.

[@emanuele8226]

@@itaybruck9671 that's going to put thousands of kilometers/miles on your lovely road bike every year which means soon you will be having a not-so-lovely bike with worn chain, cassette, bottom bracket bearings and in little more time also chainwheels, shifters (hard to replace after a few years since production) and headset bearings. Cheers

[@a1white]

@@emanuele8226exactly. High end bikes have expensive groupsets and components. If your bike has Dura-ace expect to many times the price for your service every 6 months than you would with say, Tiagra.

[@brouwerlaurens]

@@emanuele8226 isn't that what it is made for? I ride my lovely rode bike to work, enjoy the bike a lot so why not enjoy it while combining riding and commuting?

[@LieshaCichol]

Assuming you have colleagues who understand cycling. Just wait till some bonehead try to mess around with your $12K bike and say "come on, it's only a bicycle" afterwards.

[@PatJuhNL]

Still commuting on my 2019 Cube SL Road Flatbar. Running 35mm semi-slick gravel tyres with muduards. Always running my lights since I've been hit by a car. My commute is only 10 minutes so I don't need such a fancy bike as you do, I'd rather spend that cash on my weekend bike ;). Ps: Keep your brakes in check since you'll be braking much more often than on your weekend bike too.

[@mkh123]

Most issues I'm observing when commuting, are more basic things: saddle set way too low, noisy chains, using too high gears, wearing too much clothing.

[@better.better]

riding opposite to traffic or without considering traffic at all...

[@oplkfdhgk]

1:07 i used to ride flat bar until the bike paths became too busy for that in my opinion.. now i ride dropbar just so i can fit on the bike path with other bikes more easily.

[@stefanwagener]

You might cut your flat bar ... they got wider and wider over time and mostly became a problem in parking racks for me where every bike has these 80cm wide handle bars and blocking the left and right parking spot as well

[@oplkfdhgk]

@@stefanwagener yes that's true. the issue is that the way you hold flat bar means it's gotta be wider than dropbar to get same geometry. it's not by much but i think dropbar is more optimal.

[@drooghead]

The beauty of flat bars is that they can be cut to size. You don't need wide flat bars anywhere but the off-road tracks because you definitely shouldn't use wide bars in traffic.

[@LieshaCichol]

Living in northwest of North America where winter is pretty much like that of UK winter (rains so much that locals joke about sharing passing lane of roadwith salmon), my automatic requirement for commuting bikes are fenders and rain gear stashed away in my bag. And being panier person, rack.

[@gerald1964]

A secondary light mounted on the downtube pointing down will illuminate the bike thus increasing visibility of the bicycle at night.

[@edwardojr2838]

Im a tow truck driver that rides to work. I ride with flat pedals and steel toe boots. My uniform has reflective stripes on the pants and button up shirt. Great for night time riding home. As well as my flashing lights. I prefer to use a white flashing light in the rear. Its more unusual and because of that, ppl notice it better.

[@pistonburner6448]

White flashing light is illegal in most countries. And stupid as hell. Don't invent your own traffic rules, you're not equipped for it.

[@rogersimmons8788]

I can't see the point of reflective material on your pants. Surely it's covered by your trousers.

[@dashd0t]

hahahahahah so funny and hilarious

[@TobiasDettinger]

True that. My working clothes are also high vis because i regulary visit big construction sites. With this clothes im visible at long distances and also are reflective.

[@boy638]

Yes please don't use white light for the rear. It's illegal in many places for a reason. You're making every motorist out there thinking you're riding towards them, other cyclists included. Please don't be that guy. Just stick with flashing red.

[@rdawson808]

I wonder who this video is aimed at. The investment is a huge barrier to new commuters. In my experience, the best bike is a used hybrid or older mt bike that will fit a rear rack and (if necessary where you live) fenders. Our local co-op will sell you one for well less than 200 USD. Ride in whatever clothes you have that are comfortable and appropriate. And there is no such thing as too many lights.

[@LeifWarner]

Best for utility around town bike, sure - not necessarily the most fun to ride.

[@oplkfdhgk]

i don't really like those neon green high vis things so i got some black reflective stickers instead. it's pretty good.

[@oplkfdhgk]

oh and got some spoke reflectors too.

[@tillmannlunde5456]

Not only watch a Video, but also practice it in warm and bright conditions. For me, ease of removeability is one key criteria for tires.

[@pauldavidson1866]

I had to deal with a puncture in the snow a couple of years ago, numb fingers made it really hard! So glad I knew what I was doing, even if I could hardly do it!

[@manfrommontreal]

Hahahahahaha 😂 I commute on an early 80ies Steel Road Bike with 23 mm tires pumped to 7 bar 🎉 Down tube shifters and crappie rimbrakes! Win win 😅

[@alexandermostowfi9884]

I commuted on a Ridley Xbow (CX bike) - super strong and great on busy potholed roads. Way faster than my XC mtb running road tyres which is what i started commuting on.

[@ahnilatedahnilated7703]

I just ordered some high visibility bands. One of my road bikes has reflective tires and those help great from the side but not so hot from the back.

[@JohnBarratt-z9m]

Visibility is key to safe commuting. If you can chose tyres, go for ones with the reflective side walls. Make a huge difference.

[@augustlandmesser1520]

But with time they get dirty and less reflective. Also a good idea are those reflective stripes that you can stick pretty much everywhere on the frame.

[@arnoldmuller1703]

Dynamo hub is a very good thing on the commuting bike, I also can confirm your other points, except that for some it can make sense to use their race bike, especially if you use commuting not only for getting from home to work place (and back) but also for proper training sessions. Best thing then is if you have the possibility to shower at your workplace then.

[@zippityzach]

Commuting is the main way I get riding in most of the time and allows me to keep up with the big dogs on the weekend. All of this is spot on. I will reecho what others have addded: making sure you know several options to get to your destination and the pros and cons of each. Another missed opportunity is cameras. I think biking during the morning commute means front and rear cameras are essential. 98% of the motoring public dont know the law in regards to how they are supposed to interact with cyclists so having any incidents on video is essential in protecting ones self after something happens. I use Unit1 Aura Helmet, front and rear lights, cycliq front and rear cameras and as an added measure, ride with pepper spray that has a UV marking fluid for later identification.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

Get somebody with a 3d printer to print a hi Viz GCN sign to attach on to your bike. No, it's not illegal to have a flashing rear bicycle light, as long as it meets certain requirements: Flash rate: The light must flash between 60 and 240 times per minute (1-4 flashes per second) Luminous intensity: The light must emit at least 4 candela Steady mode: If the light has a steady mode, it must meet BS 61023

[@stephenprice4739]

What make are those mudguards please.

[@migrantfamily]

The one you missed is emergency fuel. After that one time bonking in the middle of nowhere after a twelve hour shift, I made sure I was always stocked up on raisins and nuts as well as fresh batteries for my lights. If you’re ever going to or from work in the dark hours (for me, it’s frequently both trips) you need a light to see by, not just to be seen. If that light dies and you’re on a three digit road between two villages, that’s a bad situation indeed. Also, always be prepared for rain. Spending the first six hours of your shift in wet or damp clothes isn’t fun, neither is putting on wet or damp clothes before going home. But I say the number one mistake is to not carry emergency fuel.

[@gcntech]

thank you for providing additional information! I’m sure it will be useful to many viewers.

[@fuzzi1002]

A dynamo hub ist the way to go....

[@migrantfamily]

@ back in the day when I did twelve hour shifts and had 11 miles (just short of 18km in the civilised world) to work, I would have loved a dynamo hub. Unfortunately, the best bike I could afford at Halfords’ didn’t come with one, and I couldn’t spare the money to buy a new front wheel. Rechargeable batteries made more financial sense. But the dynamo hub can’t recharge the rider.

[@zodgzod]

I have found that if I take my best bike, I am too competitive on my commute - have to be first to the lights and first off from them. I even check my Strava position on each segment. Much more relaxed when I use the more relaxed bike with big tyres and mudguards.

[@forksarefree]

My biggest mistake when I started commute cycling was that my bike was about 4 sizes too small. Couldn't afford a new bike and im 191 cm tall, so I always made do with the largest frame I could find. Getting the 2XL I needed was a game changer!

[@YTOnlineReviews]

Very informative. thanks for shearing with us.

[@jimscharrer5964]

The safest route is not always the shortest. Lights are more effective on the helmet than on the handlebars, especially if you need to fix a flat or drop a chain in the dark. Your bike follows your eyes

[@troiwhalen7961]

A coworker used to ride to and from work, 9 km each way on a unicycle ! Use what you have and are comfortable with.

[@nampord]

Best option is to work in the home office, then get out in the morning on your favorite loop and call it a commute to the office. Still all the considerations on spares and visibility apply.

[@ivanjerganoff280]

Years of experience lead me to use a single speed steel 700c track frame with 32c tires. 😂😂😂 For all season commute and errands. Btw i have a 650b flatbar gravel for weekend and long rides.

[@shoham00]

If you live in a place with real winter (Canada..), studded tires and a disposable bike (as the drivetrain at least will corrode away due to road salt). And various bits of warm clothing.

[@itaybruck9671]

You forgot to advise about using a bike radar with rare light. It is very helpful and important. Probably because Wahoo who support you don't make one... I reccomend using the Garmin Varia. Excellent radar

[@meanredspider]

Great video - I’ve just started commuting again after a break (used to do a 50km round trip in the Scottish Highlands year round). Firstly, I’ve found a safe quiet route (36km RT) which is 90% off the road (not so easy near Edinburgh). Then bought the right bike (on a cycle to work scheme) for the route - which includes a disused railway line - though this is not essential but a good motivator. Chose a gravel bike (better tyres and guards for the route) but with flat bars for comfort and because I think motorists dislike drop-bar riders more (zero evidence for this!). Also went for e-assist as there are lots of long hills and brutally wind-exposed sections and I want no excuses. I actually ride at the same HR as I did on the conventional bike - it just takes me 8-10 minutes less time. Tubeless set-up (after a puncture in the first week and the tyres were tubeless-ready which made fixing a puncture with tubes much harder). Good lights (including back-ups). Pannier to avoid a sweaty back. Neoprene overshoes.

[@gcntech]

It sounds like you have a great bike and, more importantly, a solid plan for your daily commute. We wish you good luck and take care on the road!

[@meanredspider]

@ thanks - yup, I used to commute to school by bike in the 1970s so I’m pretty experienced. Roads were less hostile back then. I’ve commuted in Cambridge, Amsterdam, Inverness, Malmesbury (Wilts), and Edinburgh. When bike commuting is good it’s fantastic.

[@My_ironman_journey]

I agree with all of that, and follow it all except ankle reflection, but reckon I’ll buy one now…

[@jonasvieth]

Biggest mistake is definitely not to commute by bike in the first place. #askgcntech I like the puncture proof Schwalbe Marathon tires even if they are heavy AF cause I really don’t fancy changing an inner tube in the middle of a pitch black forest. There is only one thing that concerns me. The manufacturer recommends running the tires between 3.5 and 6 bar (50-85psi) which is quite a lot for a 40mm gravel tire. Why is it so high? Does a sidewall with a wire (sorry I can’t find the english word) need more pressure to sit in the hooks compared to a folding sidewall? As per silcas tire pressure calculator suggestion and personal preference I would like to run them at 3bar (43.5psi). Is that a margin I can expand the range to or should I go for a narrower tire where the min. pressure is good for me?

[@JHBEM]

What are the mudguards on your bike? They look like they both fit well and also good length.

[@davetaciturn]

have you found out yet?

[@JHBEM]

@@davetaciturn - not yet...

[@sovettify]

Canyon DEFEND Fast Fenders

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

Agree with all of these. I don't do any of them, but see them on almost everyone else.

[@yarly3180]

1:02 -> that's not a relaxed geometry for commuting 😉

[@colingregory7464]

I have always used something along the lines of a 1.5" slick, the only time it has ever given me trouble is when I stray into the gravel at the edge that has been swept off the middle. My major mistake was one I always object when I travel Too Much Stuff that I almost never need ! (Until I do need it !)

[@daviddrzewicki1254]

I commuted to college on a mountain bike with solid tires that I bought from walmart. I never got flats, but replaced my entire drive train multiple times because I never checked for chain stretching. I was very slow too, ~7mph average. Don't know if it was me or the solid tires.

[@jazmanbrewer6081]

A high vis back pack rain cover is a must

[@MrCyclist]

Your first bit of advise wrong. You use the wrong bike. The best bike is one with mudguards and a rear rack for a pannier. You need to carry some clothes for changing weather and some place to store some groceries on your way home.

[@philiphumphrey1548]

I find my fold up bike is very good for commuting short journeys and shopping. The smaller 20" wheels take up less room and allow a lot more space to put a big bag/box/basket on the pannier rack. And there's more room to fit a basket on the front.

[@jromtb]

6th mistake - using racing gravel bike with racing geo and expensive stuff for commuting!

[@johanengblom]

Wrong, its all about racing, you race against yourself everyday or the bus or grandma on a wheelchair 200 meters in front of you. 😂

[@jromtb]

@@johanengblom 🤣

[@PanjiAditya90]

As long as it's properly fitted, I think anyone can use any bike they want to commute. What's more important is to be safe, be visible, and learn basic road etiquette.

[@NelsonSherry]

The right bike for me over the years has been most all of the bikes you say you shouldn't use. A gravel bike is all good and lovely for only some commuting. My current commute has the option of single track. In the winter, on the snow, it's a fat bike. In the summer, on the rooty rocky single-track, a full sus is best. If I choose to ride pavement or smooth gravel, I can take my fixie or my gravel bike, or my folding bike if my wife is picking me up with the car after work. In the past, with a 20 mile road commute, summer was best on a road bike or time-trial bike. In winter, either a road bike with fenders or a gravel bike with fenders. I have an adult colleague that rides an old schwinn stingray to work because he loves doing it.

[@marriedwithwatches]

I like those fenders. They almost blend in and disappear. Could you tell us exactly what fenders you're using on that bike?

[@stevenhowes530]

I have 6 lights on my bike (plus a lit hi-vis vest) Unless I'm riding for more than 2 hours at least 2 lights should last my commute(about 45min). Overkill? oh for sure, but if I get hit my a car I don't want it because I looked like I was a ninja out riding.

[@fuzzi1002]

Dynamo hub?

[@stevenhowes530]

@@fuzzi1002 Nope. all rechargable. Kind of a pain sometimes, but I don't usually forget to charge them.

[@stefanwagener]

While I love riding my road/gravel bike for fun and also add fenders and battery lights e.g. on bikepacking trips, it is an absolute no-go for me for commuting: 1. Safety: flat bar provides quicker and firmer access to full braking power. On drop bar you typically need to shift your body and especially arm position first before you can brake at maximum power. For city commuting at busy times with many potential critical traffic situations a drop bar is far too dangerous. 2. Comfort: trekking bike with suspension and bigger tires makes commuting more pleasant especially when you don't take the commute always as a sport event but having your mind thinking about business and don't want to pay attention to every single pothole and the several bumps at intersections (in cities) 3. Convenience: fenders, dynamo, high puncture protection tires and thick butyl tubes, chain protection/cover, rack and panniers with rain poncho inside, heavy lock are a must have for me ... especially when you ride year round and not only occasionally at nice weather. Reasons are: for commuting I don't want to waste time with frequent pumping up tires, charging and thinking about charging batteries, getting dirty and changing (normal) clothes, and to repair a tire at -10°C or heavy rain. 4. Flexibility: finishing working time doesn't always mean heading straight back home. Unplanned business dinner, supermarket shopping ... can mean you didn't think about bringing your lights, lock, a bag, ... Again I love my road/gravel bike, but for commuting it is a high risk factor and a pain in the ...

[@augustlandmesser1520]

High puncture resistant tires like Schwalbe Marathon Plus are golden rule.

[@DoNuT_1985]

Pedals? I love cleats but I'm lazy to change shoes when commuting, so I have hybrid pedals, one side flat, the other SPD for my old MTB shoes that I use for gravel riding. By the way, Deore XT seem to be the only ones in the Shimano range including reflectors, if that's required in your jurisdiction.

[@regsmith5972]

I don't like cleats and having to use specialist shoes, so use old style cycle clips worn loose. It's easier to get your feet out in traffic and less slippy than even those large MTB pedles in muddy conditions. They also locate your feet properly.

[@sepg5084]

When commuting by bike, the biggest mistake is not using a commuter bike. Right tool for the right job, commute with a commuter bike.

[@jamesbranston5098]

What is a commuter bike?

[@fabric5000]

What fenders are those?

[@origmarm]

Also really want to know. I have SKS RaceBlades on my Canyon but these look better

[@dtsybulskyi]

I believe these are Canyon own mudguards made for this model.

[@origmarm]

@@dtsybulskyi TY! - didn't spot that these were a thing now. Seems they are very specific on certain models/similar which is a shame as it's a big downside not to have these in some markets for e.g. the Endurace

[@sn0tkore]

Worth noting that standard clipless pedals are technically illegal when riding in the dark. Will you get pulled over? Probably not. But it does highlight having reflectors on or close to your feet is important.

[@yonglingng5640]

Shimano do make reflectors for their clipless pedals, both SPD and SPD-SL. (sold separately)

[@EwanShawcroft]

The best commuting purchase I ever made was a bike with internal hub gears and a carbon belt drive - no oil to worry about getting on your clothes, no chain to rust and minimal maintenance. Not worrying about indexing gears, B tension screws, high/low limits... Heaven!

[@alasdairmccafferty3352]

Agree. I have a marin presidio with a belt drive and a dynamo for lights. awesome. except the brakes are crap!

[@rule3036]

Need to sell some more Gravel bikes! The cycling illuminati have spoken to GCN.

[@billcodey1430]

Commuting? Tannus tire inserts or better yet - solid tires.

[@mrflaxtv81]

Yo Alfred! Great vid. What make are those chunky boy mudguards? They're ace! Love you bye ❤👋

[@thepuffinbirdprotocol]

Nice Bike and I also like the tires. Anyone who knows what model/brand they are?

[@overcookit1433]

One thing to the tire pressure calculator: it is just for orientation, you have to test yourself what is the perfect tire pressure. For me, it suggests around 8 bar/116 psi for a 21.5mm front tire and 7 bar/101 psi for a 23mm rear tire, but actually I use 101psi for the front tire and 87 psi for the rear tire, and it is perfect. I tried more, but now it feels uncomfortable, and I become slower. Not to mention the days I put 137 psi in the front tire and 118 in the rear tire...

[@speedsociety9177]

wow I haven't ridden anything below 28mm on my road bike in years, 23mm is so uncomfortable in comparision! In fact for commuting I prefer my gravel bikes with 40mm and 3bar pressure, very comfy and still quick!

[@adam__smith]

Having a helmet-mounted front light in addition to one on the handlebars has saved my skin a number of times.

[@Gufolicious]

you got flaps on the mudguards, can you give a link which ones those are, i really want to buy them?

[@ioanc2]

How about protecting the trouser sleeves from chain oil grime? I would prefer not to need to wear special biking-only trousers if I want to use my bike, I need a bit more freedom to take my bike any time, not have to plan ahead for it by dressing in special trousers.

[@StebrasNotHorses]

I don't do hi-vis/refletix anymore. It gave me a false sense of security. I ride much more cautiously when I KNOW drivers can't see me.

[@권용대-b5v]

Honestly I don’t see a single reason to ride a gravel bike for commuting in a city. Any bike works, but I think this is the area where steel bikes with classic style really shine. You can match literally any fashion to steel bikes, even three-piece suits.

[@uncle_toobs]

first commute to work after winter i forgot to pack a spare tube and got a flat tyre thankfully on the way home and you bet i smashed that rim all the way home!

[@gcntech]

Nooo 😂

[@TobiasDettinger]

I see people with chains that are screaming and are litterally red of rust. I see the same people with no lights at all. I see the same people have no helmet and wear black clothing all around. I hate thoose people.

[@better.better]

I mean those are just people who don't know. nobody's ever told them and they probably would put WD-40 or motor oil on it to lubricate if you told them it needed it

[@Raymond-Farts]

Why do you really even care? Seems to me you have the problem judging other people. Maybe you should talk to a Priest. How would you feel if people acted towards you that way? If a person wants to ride without a helmet I don't care. I know people that ride and smoke cigarettes. I don't give a damn. It's our differences that make life interesting otherwise what would life be like. I get pissed when other cyclists try to push their opinions on me about how I should cycle. You don't like what I do go ride with someone else.

[@Przemo-c]

It's kind of ridiculous to suggest any of the bikes mentioned are not suitable and recommending another one not really fit for the purpose but is your preference. I commuted for nearly 30 years on full sus mtb, flat bar urban bikes, allroad ebike , old cx bike and none of those are made for commuting but all worked well. Ride what you enjoy but if you want to be pedantic get a dutch step through simple bike.

[@migrantfamily]

What bike is appropriate is obviously dependent on each person’s circumstances. That said, I’ve done loads of commuting on suboptimal gear and still enjoyed it. One such suboptimal price of gear was a step-through Dutch style complete with basket that belonged to my wife, because my bike had a flat that I hadn’t had time to fix.

[@Przemo-c]

@@migrantfamily That's fair... if you're just outside the city and you have a nice surface a race bike might be the thing to use. If it's not the best a gravel one might be the best or if there's a trail shortcut MTB might be the choice but in the city Dutch bikes are pretty great from utilitarian perspective and that's what I was thinking about when I made the comment. Obviously the commutes might be different. There's also a case for maybe not the most utilitarian choice but most fun choice that may affect the route or just simply because you enjoy the bike :-)

[@migrantfamily]

@ whatever bike makes you look forward to the ride is probably the right one. That said, for most of my life I haven’t had the luxury of several bikes to choose from so I had to make do with what I had.

[@ChristopherGross-l8d]

@gnctech What mudguards is that bike running?

[@sovettify]

Canyon DEFEND Fast Fenders

[@emanuele8226]

Correct bike for commuting: a bicycle that is not broken, with a standard curved "city" handlebar, with long fenders. Preferably 28 to 35mm tyres, properly inflated. Wrong bike for commuting: bikes that are designed for sport or competition (mtb, road bike, gravel/cyclocross bike), anything with expensive transmission parts (they will wear out every year or so), bike with no fenders, or good looking ineffective fenders, expensive bike, broken malfunctioning bike (very common)

[@MPH-iq5md]

Maintenance! Noisy chain, inconsistent gear shifting, slack brakes etc are going to take the edge off that commute!

[@Bandyrobs1]

Be respectful to other road users and be aware that others may not be! Anticipate what others might do on the road and assume that no one can see you!

[@gcntech]

good question

[@peaceofsheet_]

Where did u buy your fenders, give us linksssss

[@Fugitive_8]

The 3 biggest mistakes to city riders Is: 1. Not stopping when needed to, In order to look “good” and “professional” either they never stop when needed to and just find the most random spots to or end up causing traffic or crashes sometimes 2. Fixed gear riders, no problem with Fixies just with Fixie user’s ego 3. Just use any bike, If youre out city biking you dont need to use the bike used on the video, you dont need a race level road bike no need to use a course level gravel or a trail rated full suspension use any bike youd like just dont be overkill, using a Pinarello Dogma to go to the grocery’s at a kilometer away? Wont make yourself look good just looks like a fool

[@robertkeyte8144]

Hi yah , can I ask what make are those mudguards

[@ltrtg13]

The other day. I saw soneone something worse than any of these. On my way to work about 6.20 am. I just about saw someone wearing dark clothes, riding with no lights. Riding along a major dual carrageway. I must have confused the car driver behind me. When I moved over the the other lane and the back again. For no apparent reason. Thankfully. there was a decent size gap. when the other car got to the idiot on the bike they moved over as well. That's not even the worst. I've seen someone ridind a bicycle on the A38M out of Birmingham. I've also seen someone riding a bicycle on the link between the M42 South on to the M6 North. Those 2 idiots. I stopped in a safe place and phoned the police.

[@augustlandmesser1520]

Yeah, those Batmans on bikes are the worst.

[@JCleggy]

Good thing I’m commuting with that bike …and those mud guards 😂

[@gcntech]

Great minds think alike!

[@origmarm]

Which mudguards are they?

[@JCleggy]

@@origmarm canyon

[@origmarm]

@@JCleggy TY! Interesting that they don't bother for a lot of their range but looks like the Grail and some of the ON range get them

[@elindred]

The main mistake I see city cyclists make is not stopping when they need to, putting themselves and others at risk and giving the rest of us a bad name. More cyclists need to practice their standing start and downshifting in anticipation of a stop, so that coming to a stop is no big deal and they can confidently get back up to speed comfortably and quickly.

[@winterwatson6437]

☁️📣👴

[@DANCINGWITHTHEFAILS]

Boooo man yells at cloud, more news at 9

[@ghjgjihjgjyrdrgydsgr137]

Yeah. Cycling doesn't give us the divine right to cycle through red lights into the flow of traffic or pedestrians, it just goes to show some people can't be trusted with even a little unaccountability.

[@PP-cm4re]

Yep. And these cyclists that do run red lights will then bitch and moan about getting no respect from other road users.

[@LeifWarner]

I might care more about cyclists coming to a full stop when cars consistently obey stop signs and when use turn signals.

[@Cycle.every.day.]

Filler vid to get sponsors in shot

[@TiexinGuo]

Controversial. Wrong bike: Many car lovers commute in 911s and Lambos. It's not a mistake; it's a personal choice. Always use bike lights: If you never commute in the dark, why always use bike lights? It's not a mistake either. Last but not least, you'd probably be better off just calling a taxi home when you have a puncture rather than carrying a spare (and a mini pump, for that matter) in your backpack for a year and using it zero time.

[@bjm2762]

#askgcntech: a bit more information would be useful on which type of tyre treads dependant on surface travelled. Ta

[@mattarmstrong771]

Cannot believe the amount of riders I see with no lights on the bikes in the dark

[@chrisankcorn5713]

Too high tyre pressures may loosen your fillings but will also loosen your ear wax so it’s not all bad.

[@marcuspedala]

There's no such thing as a "wrong bike". If it's a bike, it's the right choice.

[@cruachan1191]

Don't use a Pinarello to commute? I feel Si might want a word with Cuthbert about this video.....

[@EM-wd2vg]

What mudguards are those???

[@johanengblom]

The most important part of commuting is to always try to beat your personal best time to work! 😂

[@yathungcurthoys8290]

Cycled home today from the City of London and saw so many cyclists in all black with no lights. I don’t think there is a right bike for commuting as long as you are comfortable!

[@ConacoR]

So THATs hey my fillings keep falling out 😂😂