Top 5 Upgrades For Commuting By Bike | Cycling To Work Hacks
Top 5 Upgrades For Commuting By Bike | Cycling To Work Hacks
Riding your bike to work or school can be a fantastic way to cycle more, and it’s good for the environment as well as for you. Here at GCN we know a thing or two about riding our bikes to the office in all weathers and have a few tips to help you have a better ride.
Subscribe to GCN Race Pass now, 100% Racing, By Fans, For Fans.
https://gcn.eu/Racepass
Check out the GCN App:
https://gcn.eu/app
Introducing our brand new GCN Castelli Pro Training Kit – Shop Now https://gcn.eu/409
Subscribe to GCN: http://gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
Register your interest in the GCN Club: https://gcn.eu/408
#Cycling #GCN #RoadBike
Have you got any good commuter tips? Share them in the comments below
Sign up to the GCN newsletter https://gcn.eu/3K7
Join our Facebook community: http://gcn.eu/FBCommunity
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
If you’d like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here’s the link – https://gcn.eu/407
Watch more on GCN…
📹 More Commuting Tips https://gcn.eu/40a
Music – licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Anxious (Instrumental Version) – Cartice
Not Missing You (Instrumental Version) – Ebba
These Old Habits (Instrumental Version) – Rain Jewels
Feel the Tide (Instrumental Version) – Sugar Blizz
All I Need Is You (Instrumental Version) – Gamma Skies
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/
The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is the largest and fastest-growing online cycling channel in the world, bringing together a global community of road cyclists to celebrate everything that’s great about the world of cycling.
Our videos bring fans compelling daily content including expert tutorials, techniques, training, racing, cutting-edge bike tech, unparalleled behind the scenes event coverage, humour, entertainment, and more.
Presented by ex-pro riders, GCN offers a uniquely qualified insight into the world of cycling, and most importantly it’s fuelled by our passionate and enthusiastic fans – everyone who makes up the GCN community. We also bring you the latest and greatest tech to your attention, showcase the best places in the world to ride and get exclusive access to events and races.
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside #cycling
Thanks to our sponsors:
Castelli Clothing https://gcn.eu/Castelli
Giro Helmets https://gcn.eu/Giro
Pinarello Bikes https://gcn.eu/Pinarello
fi’zi:k Shoes & Saddles: http://gcn.eu/fizikshoes and http://gcn.eu/fiziksaddles
Mavic Wheels: https://gcn.eu/Mavic
Enervit Nutrition: https://gcn.eu/Enervit
Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon
Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli
Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision
Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool
Elite Bottles: https://gcn.eu/EliteBottles
Whoop Fitness: https://gcn.eu/Whoop
Komoot: https://gcn.eu/komoot
GCN Japan: https://gcn.eu/subscribe-gcn-japan
GCN Italia: https://gcn.eu/GCN-Italia
Suscribirse a GCN en Español: http://gcn.eu/Suscribirse
The GCN Club – http://gcn.eu/club
YouTube Channel – http://gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook – http://gcn.eu/gcnFb
Instagram – http://gcn.eu/GCNInsta
Twitter – http://gcn.eu/gcnTW
GMBN Tech – http://gmbn.tech/subscribe
GCN Tech – http://gcntech.co/subscribe
EMBN – http://embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below!
A few actual recommendations would have been good, bit of extra sponsorship for the channel too!
We use Saddle Bags (30-40lbs) instead of Panniers (50lbs). Should not exceed those amounts.
Mud guards were on bikes when you bought them. They were to prevent rocks, assault and mud. They stoped to lighten the bikes.
A pair of panniers can also be used to carry a lot of groceries, if you’re interested in grocery shopping by bike. I can pretty much get a week’s worth of groceries, depending on the grocery list (a case of coke won’t really fly).
I’ll strongly second your suggestion about lights – far too many commuters here do not use lights; maybe they’re suicidal?
Unfortunately this only enhances the difference between European cycling vs. U.S. cycling, While some who live in urban centers like NYC, Chicago, and Los Angeles may be able to commute to the office on a bike, cycling over 20 miles on interstates dominated by cars and commercial semis is a bit impractical.
I need to move 😟
: )
LOL – “commoot”.
I’ve just bought a Topeak trunk bag and rack, and the bag has built in panniars
Those guys know nothing about commuting and the street…
1) wear merino t shirts
2) ride a gravel
5:41, tron bike, bye. BRB need to watch
First off, to me “commuting” is just getting to work. I ride to work most days. 14 mile round trip. It’s in London and I reckon that distance is fairly common. So, I am absolutely mystified by those who pull up beside me decked out for a 180km grand tour stage. What the actual!? Why!? Why do we need to change, shower, etc. All those people in the early 20th century didn’t go the pit or the factory in bib shorts and aero sunglasses. You’re just going to work mate. I wear on the bike what I wear at my desk. Even in the rain. There’s a basic principle here: you get wet, you dry. Simples. That said, I wish that cycling clothing manufacturers would bring out a range of adapted clothing that had, say, a shirt with a waterproof tail that goes over your bum; trousers with a built in tie on your right leg to stop flapping into the chain and a stiff shoe that looks like a shoe. And before anyone shouts Rapha, I would jut point out that I’m not a city broker or an oligarch. I’m afraid GCN’s definition of commuting doesn’t cut it. I’m not an ex-pro or well trained amateur. I’m just a bloke on a bike. Sorry guys, I learned nothing from this one. PS another commuting bugbear: what’s the benefit of cleats if you have to stop at lights every 200m? And I would hope you do.
In NewYork, you have drive WITH the traffic and o bay all the same laws as a car.
I’ve just got a job 35km from home, should be eh……fun 🤣
Why are you talking about commuting and using a Canyon race bike? That is silly. Why not a real commuter bike? Come on GCN!
The best way is through trial and error. In time you’ll figure it out.
Thank you this one is really informative, wrote down so many terms I’ve never heard of, an actually showing some of the gear was great help. Some vids at gcn don’t show the products, or show it in passing. I don’t like vague winter commute videos like "pedal harder to stay warm" I’m cold even in summer. So again thanks for extra details.
If making a video about commuting tips, why would you not talk about commuting bikes – bikes specially designed for commuting. It is like talking about mountain biking but not mentioning or showing mountain bikes.
I work part time 3 days. I bike commute all three days 14 miles round trip very hilly . I have a cheap bike but it does the job. Light backpack,I bring enough clothes for all 3 days on my first day of work and on my last day of work I bring everything back home. Works good for me. I also pack a small cooler which I strap to my back rack for lunch. I use quad lock mount for phone. I have a loud old fashion squeeze Horne on my handlebars for anything gets in my way. Lol. I takes me about the same time as when I used to drive a car
So-called full length fenders do not come down behind the wheel low enough to shield the lower legs and feet from front wheel spray. One solution is to use a rear fender up front, cutting some length off the front and rotating the fender back so that the back end of the fender or its mudflap if it has one, is about 10cm from the ground.
A beat up looking bike with smooth running components is the best bike for commuting
Life Changing
riding in a business suit in the rain on your commute?
I’m planning a route to my school from my home. It’s the first time I will be commuting by cycling. Tbf I would’ve started earlier but I live in Los Angeles and if you’ve ever been here you would know the drivers are… assholes. What finally swayed my judgement was the knowledge that it would take 2 hours to travel a mere 6 miles home on the bus. These comments and this video is extremely helpful. I’ve found a route that takes me along the beach (parallel to PCH/Santa Monica). I’m looking forward to being able to commute by cycling. Thank you, everyone, for all your help and insight on commuting by cycling I’m sure this knowledge will not go to waste when my school finally does go back to in-person (hopefully in the coming months).
You talk about commute but you use a road bike and road gear. You talk about getting faster, but commuting is more about pace and avoid hard effort. What about the sweating going to work?
Best upgrade: buy a cheap second hand bike for about £100 (the price of two tyres) maybe a single speed with a chain guard for low maintenance. You’ll worry less about it getting damaged or stolen and replacing the parts will be cheaper (especially with winter wear and tear). It will handle gravelly bike paths easier too. Ride it and enjoy the ride without trying to smash out Strava segments. Save the Cervelo for Sunday fun.
My city bike is an Achielle city bike with duomatic internal drivetrain, and a coaster brake. Pretty much maintenance free with almost nothing to break or adjust. If your legs are strong, you won’t need more than two gears for relatively flat city riding.
My commute is 35km roundtrip, only a quarter is on roads, the rest is on a gravel bike path in the Laurentian mountains. Should talk about different road types and conditions. I go from nice to crappy roads, to gravel path. And Hills, ohhhh those hills !!! 😉
9:04 I have scoliosis, I’ve just ordered a bike and I’m wondering what are some things I should buy – this advice is helpful, a panier sounds better than a backpack for me!
Best upgrade is to buy a cheaper bike that does not look fancy and then use two different types of locks of high quality (U lock and chain). A cheaper bike is also easier and cost effective to maintain because you will wear out the parts much faster riding in all sorts of condition. You can then invest the real money on your favorite bike.
I only ride with a backpack on monday morning and friday evening, and keep the clothes in my locker in the office.
This channel is great for recreational riders, but it’s tone deaf to the needs of bicycle computers.
Flat bar bikes are safer in city traffic, hydraulic disc brakes provide the best control to respond to your fast changing traffic
How about, like me, e-bike commuting…..
Exhaling CO2 is an emission lol
A hiking head torch is a great bit of kit – they usually have a red flashing setting so can be used as a backup front or rear light, and it makes fixing punctures in the dark soo much nicer. Also, I love my Carradice bag if I’m not carrying enough for panniers – lighter, much more convenient than bikepacking setups and obviously cool as.
Is the tires any good?
For year-round commuters:
1) Use bikes that don’t make you poor when it comes to spare parts (wear parts), because the wear and tear of constant stop and go is great.
2) I have a summer and a winter bike to meet the different demands, and the wear and tear is distributed over 2 bikes.
3) Fenders may not be cool but they are very practical.
4) Spare clothes at the workplace are not bad.
5) A commuter bike doesn’t have to look good but it has to run well.
6) For shopping on the way home, a luggage rack is a good idea.
Nice vid! Nice to know about mud guards
Most of the bike commuters around my city are involuntary bike commuters. They ride about 8 mph, have squeaky chains, don’t use lights at night or obey traffic signals and often ride on the wrong side of the road and wear street cloths and never rain gear. In snow storms they look like they are half frozen.
I like bike commuting but the weather here is crap most of the year so I don’t much. It’s cold and snowy or 20% chance of rain means I’ll get soaked if I ride.
A good place to start is an upright city bike, not a hybrid or racer. You will be much safer in an upright riding position that will allow you to easily be aware of your surroundings. And if you do crash, you won’t be going head-first into something. Check out what the Dutch do. They are super experienced city riders, and they don’t bother wearing helmets.
It’s been many years since I last heard "racer" instead of road bike.
Who commutes to work in spandex like this 😂
An essential part of winter or cool/cold weather kit is a good set of gloves. These would be in the same category of arm warmers and leg warmers.
I have got to have a bt speaker strapped to the bike for those jams.
A bell ,horn and mirrors
Got any upgrades for commuting? Share them with us in the comments below
For me, optimization of my drivetrain is my top priority upgrade for my commuting bike, next is lights and mudguards.
Gotta go full Fred. Panniers & a rack. Full coverage fenders/mudguards. Bright primary light & a smaller secondary light in front & at least one red blinky in back. Tires with reflective sidewalls are a plus. I leave clothing at work & do a once a week swap of clean clothing for laundry. If the weather is unpredictable where you live, have the clothing for it. Here in New England we can have three seasons in one day. In the end though, bike commuting is fun. It’s consistently one of the best parts of my day, certainly better than sitting in a car dealing with stop & go traffic.
Great suggestions. Have you tested any phone mounts? I don’t have a cyclometer so I just use my phone, which provides the added bonus of active GPS. Thoughts?
Thirty years of all weather cycle commuting:
* Hub dynamo and fixed lights are my top tip.
* Panniers – not a backpack if you don’t want a horribly sweaty back.
* Full mudguards – I am a considerate cyclist (and they work much better).
* Windproof jacket, and not too much underneath.
Honestly the biggest con for bike commuting here in the US is bike theft, yes there are bike racks to lock to, but no security or other employees outside. I would love to bike commute, but I’m not risking having my bike stolen, and before people ask, no, I’m not permitted to bring it inside with me. I’ve also asked if there was a way to upgrade the bike racks, make it an enclosed space, or more secure, they can’t justify the cost to upgrade it just for a few people.