please go easy on me, im still pretty new lol.
ive been using this refurbished bike very inconsistently only for short rides for a few months now, but im planning on using it for my commute for my workstudy job that starts on the 14th.
looking at posts here, ive realized that my bike is very, very bare compared to what gear proper commuters have. all i have are a couple of lights on the front and back.
in the past it's been so rough to ride with my entire backpack on my back. i know i need a bag that sits on my bike, but it would also need to be rainproof and convertible so i can take it with me to my workplace. is there any possibility of getting something like that for under $30, or is that naive thinking? im a college student with absolutely minimal money, hence why im starting a workstudy job. i think i can afford to spend only that small amount on my bike.
if that is an unreasonable budget, i might need some tips on making riding with a backpack more bearable. i need to carry my water for the day (a 1L bottle), my lunch, and sometimes extra clothes if it's rainy.
another question, too- when i came to this college, i was told that there was an indoor bike garage available… which was a complete lie, it turns out. i was then told to keep it in the laundry room, but one of the custodians complained and the RA made me move it outside. i cover it and lock it, but is there anything else i should be doing for upkeep? im in Oregon, so it gets pretty wet and humid.
thanks in advance. i checked the rules and im pretty sure this type of post is allowed, so sorry if it's not!
by devilsshark
7 Comments
A basic rear rack or a front basket, and if money is right you can use black garbage bag as a waterproof solution for the mean time.
So I don’t see eyelets on your frame, so your choices of rack are a little limited.
Get on FB Marketplace/Gumtree/Craigslist and get searching for local parts.
I’d also prioritise trying to find some mudguards. A got 50-75% of the mess and wetness you pick up on a damp day is coming from your own tyres. Full length is ideal, but even a basic seat post mudflap cuts down on the mess a lot
hey now, “should” is a great way to blow through cash. i started off commuting on a mongoose to college ~7 yrs ago, and (when that got stolen) a schwinn cruiser to work ~2 yrs ago.
a rigid-frame mtb like that can be pretty comfy for commuting, but you’re options for racks get kinda limited since the arent mounting points. something like [this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/366194625135?_skw=pannier+rack+no+mount&itmmeta=01KK12N8DS7QMWREQ9MRHPRR1D&hash=item5542e68a6f%3Ag%3AZkcAAOSwPJFoKuHd&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xDJemWZGL36sUeANiUu%2FICtH51LRPPy8lAZeu7fPXdSy7wldBjTRwNb8YoLthuKLgedbjAWYK2dTUVLM5wvb7BnAwXq2ywzNcSbb1OsKesETtk6mK90Efj0OH1%2BPUOYpjJvi7wBB%2BckA7H2CUUEEGXjcq7%2Ff9yeXZBbwDw9%2Be3Jf%2BZKYh5a3%2B4rFJ%2BvEg2QrsMBcJCNHrIIcm0W4rcplT%2F6a8Wdcbuml%2FWlcXnN%2BIJGMAx2GJKEUQ5zFI76VMwVFL0%3D%7Ctkp%3ABlBMUIaH1aKYZw&keyword=pannier+rack+no+mount&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true) is probably what youre looking for, but it has limitations. i would be hesitant to put more than 10kg on it, and this kinda rack gets kinda finicky over time.
i wouldn’t worry about getting panniers to boot right away. there are a lot of styles / options and its easy to end up getting the wrong thing for the right price. I’d watch secondhand on fb or at a community bikeworks/co-op if youre city has one, but in the immediate, bungee cords with some trash bags in the rain will help.
if it has to live outside, please check the chain regularly. rust is generally more likely, but giving the chain a weekly wipedown and lube will go a long way to keep it and the more expensive parts on your bike from wearing out early. usually people recommend dry lube because it collects less dirt, but wet lube is really meant for the weather.
A rack, either [front](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011564092002.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.14.27b033ff2lilAr&algo_pvid=3e0101e7-8157-48cc-9779-69fec6d5e253&algo_exp_id=3e0101e7-8157-48cc-9779-69fec6d5e253-13&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2252%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21AUD%2171.22%2116.15%21%21%21340.76%2177.29%21%402101e2b017727866340376266ee00e%2112000055934180377%21sea%21AU%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3A827c0ec1%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895%3BpisId%3A5000000197843401&curPageLogUid=2NRJLGjvUd14&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005011564092002%7C_p_origin_prod%3A) or [rear](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008734674519.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.6.604ed2c9n3kz3d&algo_pvid=06084659-751a-4a56-9e97-64864ef3f831&algo_exp_id=06084659-751a-4a56-9e97-64864ef3f831-5&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%22512%22%2C%22spu_best_type%22%3A%22price%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21AUD%2188.26%2127.94%21%21%21422.28%21133.65%21%40210328db17727866923864918ecda2%2112000046477462565%21sea%21AU%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3A827c0ec1%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895%3BpisId%3A5000000198344602&curPageLogUid=uH4tcpJyteby&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005008734674519%7C_p_origin_prod%3A), and a basket of some sort ziptied to it.
A cheap, remoteless dropper post, like the [ones on aliexpress](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008406313456.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.a62e261cbeLskm&algo_pvid=b618e47e-577c-41a7-8bde-6640682386a0&algo_exp_id=b618e47e-577c-41a7-8bde-6640682386a0-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%223443%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22orig_sl_item_id%22%3A%221005008406313456%22%2C%22orig_item_id%22%3A%221005007425581449%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21AUD%21109.11%2150.19%21%21%21522.06%21240.15%21%40210325a917727864169413435eb519%2112000044908658756%21sea%21AU%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3A827c0ec1%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=4CpS1CtOO1Ne&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005008406313456%7C_p_origin_prod%3A1005007425581449) makes stopping at lights and whatnot much more convenient.
[one of those bottle cages that take 1.25L soft drink bottles](https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/325272515256) are very convenient. No need for a specialised bottle.
Fenders
Once you have a rear rack, a milk crate or kitty litter pannier (diy made from buckets) are cheap options to carry your backpack.
Disposable shower caps make decent seat covers for parking in the rain.Â
As for upkeep, bikes are pretty robust. Being outside won’t hurt it. Regularly cleaning and lubing the chain will help. Wet weather lubes tend to be messy though. Plenty of people get away with neglecting basic maintenance like this and just deal worn out components later. I neglected my bike in college and it still got me through all 4 years.Â
Get on it and ride it
You had some good advices, I would add that you can install plastic mudguards with zip ties (look for ass savers) or just make your own, its easy. What could make a difference is a good puncture-proof rear tire and don’t forget to keep them inflated as well as lubing the chain regurlarly. You can find a rear rack that attaches to your seat post.