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Sh*t, I am missing about half of those, that must mean I am not even a beginner yet?!?
I will have to stop riding in london immediately.
Revised list
Beginner guide to what you ACTUALLY need to ride fixed in london- A working fixed gear bike
2. A working body with the ability to ride a bike - Be in London
That's me fucked then...sells bike, wanders off to join a macrame school instead.
To the OP, well done on making the effort of putting your post together.
Oh, and for bike books, I've found the Haines manual on bikes to be incredibly comprehensive for a basics books for all styles of bikes.
- A working fixed gear bike
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Running bags are designed to resist bounce, but not big changes in direction. They are also designed to sit nicely on your back when standing, not leaning over in a cycling position.
.Again though.....running bags aren't designed to carry big loads...if a running bag was carrying the same weight as a messenger bag is capable of (which it can't) it would bounce when leaned over on a bike.
As i said....two different things completely. -
But I won't be taking a big load - couldnt resist saying that :)
A pump and shit is very light. Why would you carry shoes to work? I would leave them there.
Shopping, yes, you are right - it wouldn't work, but I live so near to a shop I don't need to do it. Which I suppose proves there is never 'one' solution for all. I will adapt the main post. Note part of the reason I called them what I did and favoured the others is that I havent been able to find the reason for their existence - or good things about them - by insulting them I have encouraged a response quicker! :)
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But I won't be taking a big load - couldnt resist saying that :)
A pump and shit is very light. Why would you carry shoes to work? I would leave them there.
Shopping, yes, you are right - it wouldn't work, but I live so near to a shop I don't need to do it. Which I suppose proves there is never 'one' solution for all. Note part of the reason I called them what I did is that I havent been able to find the reason for their existence - or good things about them -
All you're doing is proving my point even more Paul....your bag is fine for you because you never take anything big enough to need anything bigger than a runners backpack.
Most people i know do. Not everyone has the luxury of having cheap shops close to them.
A good messenger bag IS one solution for all....not carrying much? compress it down...pull the suspension straps tight so it's hugging your body....no problems...but buy a bike off the forum and have to pick it up on your way home from work....let out the compression straps.....carry the whole bloody thing...frame, wheels, everything.Ever wondered why most peoples messenger bags look like they live in them? (and i'm not just talking about working messengers) It's because most people use their messenger bags for EVERYTHING....commuting, shopping, going on holiday...they become an essential part of their lifestyle.
The reason you've never found a good reason for their existence is because you've never needed to carry more than the bare minimum whilst riding your bike.
Fine if that's the case....but a hell of a lot of cyclists i know use bikes for everything...including moving house.
Stick that in your running backpack and smoke it!
Amen!
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As you're an expert, recommend me a cheap one (and other newbies) to try please. :)
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If you want cheap...you're missing the point.
Cheap bags don't work as well...weaker fabrics,less waterproof,no back padding,poor main straps,poor design...poor ride experience.
Buy a good bag and you won't need to buy another for a very long time.I'd rather recommend using any old bag until you can afford a good one.
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At what price does 'good' start?
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Again though.....running bags aren't designed to carry big loads...if a running bag was carrying the same weight as a messenger bag is capable of (which it can't) it would bounce when leaned over on a bike.
As i said....two different things completely.Just trying to illustrate that the two bags are designed to resist different types of movement.
Decent running bags are incredibly well designed. TBH I feel its a waste of clever engineering cycling with them. Mine has a certain amount of elasticity built into the straps which is great for absorbing bounce from the running motion, but would be a PITA on a bike (especially with any weight in it).
My bike rucksack (MTN bike bag) cleverly has the connecting strap (the one that connects the shoulder straps) lower than usual (just under the ribs), to allow arm movement when cycling. This means that the weight is poorly supported when you stand up straight, which would be a PITA when running.
Horses for courses.
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My bike rucksack (MTN bike bag) cleverly has the connecting strap (the one that connects the shoulder straps) lower than usual (just under the ribs), to allow arm movement when cycling.
If a backpack for cycling is only going to have one sternum strap then higher is better. This means that when you lean forward on the bike and your arms and shoulders move inwards, it's the sternum strap keeping the main straps away from your shoulder joint/arms rather than your shoulder joint/arms themselves stopping the straps sliding off.
But every bagmaker has their own theory on design...so long as you're happy and comfortable, that's good enough for me. ;)
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If a backpack for cycling is only going to have one sternum strap then higher is better. This means that when you lean forward on the bike and your arms and shoulders move inwards, it's the sternum strap keeping the main straps away from your shoulder joint/arms rather than your shoulder joint/arms themselves stopping the straps sliding off.
But every bagmaker has their own theory on design...so long as you're happy and comfortable, that's good enough for me. ;)
Seems to work well, but then I dont think the bag is designed for heavy loads, more of trail riding bag.
What I really want is one of these.
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I dropped off two heavy loads this morning.
No bag required.
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I dropped off two heavy loads this morning.
No bag required.
The bags required if you're on the move ;)
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Inner Tubes - since repairing a puncture on the move is a stupid idea
Not wanting to be too picky, what with all that has been said so far...but with my 2p this is not true!
A repair kit takes up less space than a tube, and the fact is there's no guarantee you won't puncture again before you get home and fix the first one...with a repair kit you can nearly always get back on the road withing 5-6 minutes. Obviously if it's pissing down with rain then repairing a flat at the side of the road ain't too fun, so also carry a small sachet of HTFU for those rare moments. Or just buy decent tyres, keep them no lower than 110psi and don't ride through glass.
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The bags required if you're on the move ;)
No.
I wear loose shorts commuting. -
can you explain why you need spare batteries and a charger, especially with something like a mid range cateye which has a runtime of a few 100 hours, when it begins to dim you can replace the batteries at home, if you start carrying about things for such eventaulities surely you need a spare tyre just in case!?
also it seems like pretty good common sense to carry a pack of patches as well as a spare tube or ideally two
a pack of patches is pretty small so its not a massive inconvenience, but also the chances are that if you get a puncture on the way to work its not always possible to take the time to preperly check the tyre for whatever gave you the puncture thus increasing the chances that you will get another puncture later, so having working spare tube later will prove invaluable.
anyway, a good list but it could do with a bit of an edit given that there has been a lot of good advice inspired by it.
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Paul-michel - like scott says you do get what you pay for, but in my experience crumpler bags are very capable commuter bages.mine might not be fully water proof but my suit has never got wet, it doesnt have the lovely x strap like scotts but it sits nice and securely on my back even when i get out of the saddle up through greenwich park or over shooters hill, the padding isnt removable but it doesnt seem to smell too badly and i can get most of a weeks shopping into it without any uncomfort, and i've worn it on several long rides with the forum carrying quite large loads (i think cambridge last year was bbout 7 hours in the saddle and at one point i was carrying about 6 liters of water plus a lock and some spare clothes.i would recomend messenger style bags much more than a running back pack as would a lot of other people, and if you choose not to listen then thats your choice!
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Keep the sensible comments coming and thanks again. I will update in due course.
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on my winter bike I have a pretty small saddle bag.
Stll enough room for all the bike bits that I like to carry.Inner tube
puncture repair kit
tyre levers
Mini toolkit
spoke wrenchI also have two rear lights mounted should one get damaged, and two front lights (1 to be seen with, 1 uber powerful to see on dark country roads) running off the same Li-ion battery pack. Of course I always carry the all important mini pump.
In the winter I like to be prepared ;)
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About
Beginners Guide to riding Fixed/Single Speed in London
Posted by
@Paul-Michel
I've got 'Zinn and the art of road bike maintainance' and really like it. I've built my bike + wheels using it.
Try riding a bike, they have far superior climbing abilities then bags ;)
Seriously though as a cyclist/ runner I'll keep my running bag for running and my bike bag for cycling.
Running bags are designed to resist bounce, but not big changes in direction. They are also designed to sit nicely on your back when standing, not leaning over in a cycling position.
Cycling bags would pressumably bounce a bit if you ran with them, but withstand sharp movements better. My bike rucksack is designed to match the curve of your back while in the leaning position.
As for messenger bags. I dont own one, as (most of time) I have no need to access the contents of my bag untill I reach my destination. But it strikes me as a tricky thing, to produce a bag you can easily access, yet will behave itself while your're cycling. So I think they are probably worth spending a bit extra on.