Comments on: New Handlebars (and brakes/shifters) http://virtuallyshocking.com/2008/01/11/new-handlebars-and-brakesshifters/ Not actually all that shocking. Mon, 07 May 2012 08:53:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kyle http://virtuallyshocking.com/2008/01/11/new-handlebars-and-brakesshifters/comment-page-1/#comment-74388 Kyle Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:00:51 +0000 http://virtuallyshocking.com/2008/01/11/new-handlebars-and-brakesshifters/#comment-74388 I can appreciate your curiosity about commuting via bike. I went through a very similar set of feelings when I was first starting to commute with human-power. I commute everywhere via bike and I live on the Oregon coast. Because of where I live, I cannot speak on your question about biking in heat, but I am definitely an authority as to biking in the rain. Even in colder weather, one needs to focus on the breathability of garments. Your choice here is to get wet from the outside (with rain), or to get wet from the inside (with sweat). I cannot stress breathability enough, unfortunately breathable waterproof fabric is spendy. With price taking priority, I have opted to go cheap and get something which is treated with PVC, but my jacket has pit-zips and mesh pockets I can open to let sweat vapors out. For pants, tights have worked best for me. You can use Under Armour or you can spring for bike tights. Also, you may want to get some shoe covers. One option is a rack and/or basket to carry groceries. If you are talking about heavier, larger, or more awkward items, I have seen people use trailers with good reports. For my daily commute, I have opted to just wear flip-flops (the cheapest waterproof shoe sold), tights or water-resistant pants, and that cheapo PVC jacket with zippered vents. The flip-flops fit well with my Look pedals on the clip-in side, and I pack a change of clothes so I don't have to wear tights or soaked waterproof pants all day. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your adventures as a bike commuter. Just stick with it; it's worth it. I can appreciate your curiosity about commuting via bike. I went through a very similar set of feelings when I was first starting to commute with human-power. I commute everywhere via bike and I live on the Oregon coast. Because of where I live, I cannot speak on your question about biking in heat, but I am definitely an authority as to biking in the rain.
Even in colder weather, one needs to focus on the breathability of garments. Your choice here is to get wet from the outside (with rain), or to get wet from the inside (with sweat). I cannot stress breathability enough, unfortunately breathable waterproof fabric is spendy.
With price taking priority, I have opted to go cheap and get something which is treated with PVC, but my jacket has pit-zips and mesh pockets I can open to let sweat vapors out. For pants, tights have worked best for me. You can use Under Armour or you can spring for bike tights. Also, you may want to get some shoe covers.
One option is a rack and/or basket to carry groceries. If you are talking about heavier, larger, or more awkward items, I have seen people use trailers with good reports.
For my daily commute, I have opted to just wear flip-flops (the cheapest waterproof shoe sold), tights or water-resistant pants, and that cheapo PVC jacket with zippered vents. The flip-flops fit well with my Look pedals on the clip-in side, and I pack a change of clothes so I don’t have to wear tights or soaked waterproof pants all day.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy your adventures as a bike commuter. Just stick with it; it’s worth it.

]]> By: brock http://virtuallyshocking.com/2008/01/11/new-handlebars-and-brakesshifters/comment-page-1/#comment-42401 brock Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:45:11 +0000 http://virtuallyshocking.com/2008/01/11/new-handlebars-and-brakesshifters/#comment-42401 Thanks! That one lives in Baltimore. I have a mountain bike with smooth tires and fenders for my time in New Orleans. My true road bike is up here in Baltimore. Thanks!

That one lives in Baltimore. I have a mountain bike with smooth tires and fenders for my time in New Orleans. My true road bike is up here in Baltimore.

]]> By: Will http://virtuallyshocking.com/2008/01/11/new-handlebars-and-brakesshifters/comment-page-1/#comment-42399 Will Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:22:44 +0000 http://virtuallyshocking.com/2008/01/11/new-handlebars-and-brakesshifters/#comment-42399 Nice - that live down here or up there? Nice – that live down here or up there?

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