Commuter journeys taken by bike can vary wildly, from short urban journeys to long countryside rides, and everything in between and around. For long rides, a lot of commuters choose to use road cycling kit and bikes. For other commuters, riding hybrid bikes, there’s an increasing amount of specifically designed kit available.
Cycle commute journeys tend to be fairly short, and will be stop-start as the rider navigates urban and suburban roads, traffic, and traffic junctions. The rider position on the bike is generally the most upright of all the three types of riding. Visibility on the road is a big concern for a lot of cycle commuters, and versatility and style is another.
Helmets
- Ventilation isn’t as big a consideration, so shell or skate style helmets are often used.
- Some commuter helmets designed for commuters have inbuilt lights, which increases visibility in traffic. There’s also a variety of high-viz helmets available.
Clothing
- A lot of commuter kit is about layering weather protective clothing over everyday clothes, so loose fitting waterproof jackets and trousers are popular.
- Commuter kit is often loose fit, but cut with a feminine shape.
- Standing out and being visible in traffic is a priority for a lot of cycle commuters, so high-vis colours and reflective patches are features of a lot of commuter kit, like these highly reflective jackets.
- Other commuters like versatile kit that looks like normal clothing off the bike, is suitable for work or the pub, but performs well on the bike. This will tend to have stretch in the fabric, water resistance, and include merino wool. Rapha, Giro New Road and Vulpine are well known for producing products of this kind.
Accessories
Gloves
- Full finger gloves are the popular choice, and in particular waterproof or insulated gloves for winter riding.
- They’ll also usually feature wiretap technology so they can be used with mobile phones and touchscreens.
Shoes and Pedals
- Every and any type of shoe gets used for commuting, and wide commuter pedals give a steady platform for riding in traffic.
- Being able to unclip quickly if needed is a priority, so pedals with cleats that release easily are popular. Pedals like the Shimano ClickR pedals are specifically designed for commuters.
- Touring shoes are popular with commuters who like to clip in, as they have a recessed cleat so they can be walked in like normal shoes. There are also shoes coming out designed for commuters with these features, that are designed to look like normal shoes so you can get away with them at work, like the Giro Civilia shoes.
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