I plan to add fenders and a back rack. What else do you think would improve my commuting experience? I think perhaps I can add something to the handlebar to make it more comfortable?
by Academic_Evidence641
I plan to add fenders and a back rack. What else do you think would improve my commuting experience? I think perhaps I can add something to the handlebar to make it more comfortable?
by Academic_Evidence641
15 Comments
Fenders and a rack
You could try some slick road tires to improve rolling resistance. And for the handlebars, some sort of Ergon grip like the GP3 could probably help.
Front and rear lights for when it gets dark, and if it gets particularly cold in the winter, you may also want handlebar mitts.
A better lock. That one could be cut with safety scissors
Agree about Ergo grips. Bell to let pedestrians know that you’re about to pass them. Otherwise previous comments mostly covered it. I prefer gloves to mitts attached to the bars. That way you can change them up depending on weather without detaching and reattaching.
Ditch the flat bar!! I used to commute with a straight mtb bar and my wrists got so jammed up. Switched over to a Jones h bar and my wrists love me for it.
Stripper pole.
You can try “Inner bar ends” they will give additional hand position with brake access.
Bars with more backsweep tend to be more comfortable, something like 20°-30° is better for commuting and bikepacking.
Add some uglification to make it look like something someone would not want to steal.
For example multi-colour bits of tape wrapped around cables and the frame, tape on the seat to make it look broken. Maybe some sprays of paint from a rattle-can in an ugly colour, like silver or rust for example.
Make the thieves look at other bikes in the rack as more attractive.
Depending on where you’ll leave the bike during work, a high quality u-lock (or 2).
Definitely front and rear lights, fenders and a back rack with a pannier to hold your stuff.
A butterfly handlebar. Ugly as sin, but it’s the most comfortable I’ve ever tried.
Emergency kit to store a spare tube, multitool, patches, a few zip ties, irons and a mini pump
By the time you change the tires, gearing, add fenders, rack, you may be better off just looking on marketplace for a used commuter. Have both if you have the space or just change to a hybrid if you want just one bike,.
https://preview.redd.it/z1srmpts2vzg1.jpeg?width=1890&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ba453189266b91f2052b8fc6a06eb9ae8de00c1c
Maybe change the handlebars to a more comfortable shape? I would suggest big bar ends for different hand positions when you need to. Mudguards certainly help when commuting. And a suspension seatpost is a big upgrade to a hard-tail.
After 14 years on my Giant Roam 1 the frame is stock and everything else has been upgraded for comfort and practicality. Schwalbe puncture protection tyres lower the risk of having a flat tyre to fix in the rain. The AirZound 120db horn for around £20 helps to keep you safe when that taxi wants to left-hook you without indicating. With all the weight I carry I also upgraded to Hope disc brakes & rotors.
Oh, and I’d suggest swapping those fully hard-plastic pedals for ones with metal pins. Those plastic pins don’t really grip on to your shoes and you’ll notice a big difference.
Keep on riding!
Slicks and an ass saver