Accessory and Apparel Recommendations

[mithril]

Hi all. Thought it might be a good idea to have a thread running where people could recommend any accessories (e.g. lights, panniers, flame throwers etc.) and apparel (e.g. waterproofs, helmets etc.).

Also would be handy to warn people off any dodgy items you've had bad experiences with!

 

[Nick]

Waterproofs, lights, suspension post, tyres

I bought the Rain Shield jacket and trousers from http://penncycle.com/itemlist.cfm?pageId=294 and they work well, although they are a bit fragile. But they are waterproof and I've had no problems with sweat.

Lights - see my comments on the Dinotte review. I like 'em.

Suspension post - Thudbuster smooths the bumps nicely.

Tyres - Continental Ultra Gatorskins. All but slick and help with rolling speed. Supposedly puncture resistant but I've had two flats in 500 miles which is hopefully down to bad luck.

 

[rsscott]

Equipment

Lighting: I can definitely second the Dinotte rear light, it really is a very powerful light. For the front I use a Lupine Edison which I picked up cheap on eBay last year (horrendous RRP though!)

Panniers: I use Ortlieb back rollers. Bulletproof and cavenous! My previous "Halfords special" fell apart after a few months.

Bell: I use the AirZound which is like a fog horn. Use carefully though, you can give people a real fright with this thing.

Clothing

Base Layer: Merino Wool such as the Howies base layer. Not the cheapest but great quality.

Waterproofs: On most cycling forums you'll hear people tell you it's not possible to wear waterproof gear and not arrive at work wet from the sweat. As an electric biker you'll find this is not the case. I've been using an eVent jacket and trousers in the bad weather and have always arrived at my destination bone dry.

Midlayer/Jacket: Foska Bones jacket. Excellent for visibility and never fails to get noticed, usually by people pointing and laughing - but hey, at least they noticed!

Feet: Diadora Chili Zero's for the shoes. I've changed my pedals to Shimano SPD which the shoes are compatible with.

SealSkinz waterproof socks
​

Head: Standard cycling helmet. Nike full-face balaclava and 180s ear muffs for the really cold days

Hands: Altura Tempest gloves. Not the warmest so I usually combine with a pair of silk glove liners.

Visibility: Hi-Viz jacket from Halfords which has a neon flashing strip which really works rather well.

 

[mithril]

Yuk - Exhaust Fumes

I've done 4 days commuting so far and the exhaust fumes are bloody horrible!

So... thinking of getting a pollution mask. I have heard these make you very hot and sweaty but I'm going to have to give it a go I think. Been looking at the Respro City Mask on Ebay for £21, but it comes in two sizes of Medium and Large. Anyone know how you decide which size is best for you?

Anyone have any other recommendations for masks or other ways of dealing with pollution?

Thanks.

 

[aroncox]

Sorry not an answer to your question, but another question, hopefully someone else can help you out.

Interesting, I'm cycling through central London every day and haven't noticed the exhaust fumes at all, but maybe I am just used to them. On what part of your journey do you get this pollution, is it on a busy road with fast moving cars, or roads where cars are stuck in traffic, or in a city centre or on a ring-road, or a combination of them all? Just wondering as I was expecting to notice the fumes more but the only time it's been on my radar is when I'm stuck behind a motorbike (are they supposed to use the cycle lanes?).

I've done 4 days commuting so far and the exhaust fumes are bloody horrible!

So... thinking of getting a pollution mask. I have heard these make you very hot and sweaty but I'm going to have to give it a go I think. Been looking at the Respro City Mask on Ebay for £21, but it comes in two sizes of Medium and Large. Anyone know how you decide which size is best for you?

Anyone have any other recommendations for masks or other ways of dealing with pollution?

Thanks.

 

[rsscott]

The masks might make the fumes a bit more bearable but are unlikely to offer you significant protection. I found the following on google:

There are three main types of pollutant on the roads, and each needs
a different kind of mask:

• Microparticulates, especially diesel. These can be filtered out, but even the best normal 'smog' masks are rated for removing building dust and similar things, where the particles are many times larger. You would need a really specialised filter.
  

• Water-soluble nitrogen and sulphur oxides. These are fairly easy to filter out by breathing through an alkali bath.
  

• Insoluble nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. These need either a catalytic converter or full CBW gear. No realistic mask will reduce them.

From reports i've heard regarding the Respro mask, it can be hard to maintain a tight seal and the filters will need replacing regularly. If you are an energetic rider, then the added load on your breathing may prove uncomfortable.

Also see this link

Sorry to put a doom and gloom spin on it, but it's worth trying to be realistic about the claims some of these mask manufacturers make.

I've done 4 days commuting so far and the exhaust fumes are bloody horrible!

So... thinking of getting a pollution mask. I have heard these make you very hot and sweaty but I'm going to have to give it a go I think. Been looking at the Respro City Mask on Ebay for £21, but it comes in two sizes of Medium and Large. Anyone know how you decide which size is best for you?

Anyone have any other recommendations for masks or other ways of dealing with pollution?

Thanks.

 

[mithril]

Hmmm. That doesn't look too encouraging then

I find the problem at it's worst when traffic is congested but moving slowly. However, even on a dual carriageway where the traffic is more sparse, I find I get occasional lungfulls of gunk, especially from lorrys chugging up inclines.

 

[Jed]

Can someone recommend some decent winter gloves, my fingers were freezing this morning.

thanks
Jed

 

[redalpha3]

I have some Altura Pilot gloves. They are pretty weatherproof and very warm and comfortable. I'm looking to get some silk lining gloves if I find some good ones as a supplement for extreme weather.

 

[Nick]

My hands got a tad chilly this morning too! I was thinking of getting some Altura Cresta gloves, and those Pilots look interesting too.

I tried inner gloves on my motorbike - silk, manmade, whatever, and they always made my hands colder.

Cheers
Nick

 

[redalpha3]

Hi Nick.

Interesting. I was working on the multi-layer principal. Managed to get some from the internet and will try them out. Silk does feel cold though, doesn't it?

 

[Nick]

Hi there

Layers definitely work for my torso and limbs but never for my feet or hands, even when I have had extra loose outer gloves. As you say, silk feels cold so I've not really been convinced before I started. That said, I'm in the minority, so give them a whirl and see how you get on.

What size are your Pilots? I've just read a couple of reviews which advise to get XL, whatever your size! My hands are about 8" around the knuckles, so about a medium normally.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[redalpha3]

They're mediums Nick. I have quite small hands so they seem ample and I hate trying to cycle with boxing gloves on. If I had anything like long fingers I'd go for a larger size but I'm inclined to think that I'd try before I bought.

 

[Nick]

Thanks Pete.

I do hate buying stuff like gloves online but none of the shops around here have anything even half decent that I have seen, so I'll take a punt at Evans Cycles as they have them for £18.

Thanks for your help.

 

[redalpha3]

You are welcome, Nick. My hands are about seven and three quarter inches around the knuckles if that helps.

 

[rsscott]

I've been using Helly Hansen inners made from polypropylene and they are quite good. I've decided the Altura Tempest gloves aren't really much cop though.

I remember Pearl Izumi doing some lobster type gloves but they seem to have been discontinued ?

 

[Nick]

It looks like they still exist - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=Pearl%20Izumi&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=&ProdID=5360026357&UberCat=0

Do you know if the fingers are separated within the 'claws' or not?

 

[rsscott]

So they are - well found that man!

I believe two fingers fit in each claw, a sort of compromise between a mitt and a glove.

 

[Nick]

I've found some more! http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=gloves%20-%20winter&ProdID=5360025663&UberCat=0

Hmm, now I can't make up my mind!

 

[rsscott]

Looks like this pair has a 5 finger liner. Choices choices!