Reelights, One year later.

I installed a set of reelights on my son’s Trek that he uses around town about a year ago. These are a great set of blinking safety lights (red in rear, white in front) and are particularly great for kids and teens bikes. Why? They are powered by magnets mounted on the wheel that induce a flash with every pass. No batteries to wear out and they flash automatically so no switch to press on or off. This is a big plus for kids who either forget about turning the lights on or leave them on until the batteries wear out. In a year, these lights have proven themselves rugged and reliable. I’m not a big fan of regulations but reflectors are largely a waste of time and money. If every bike had to have a set of lights that went on and stayed on, you’d save some lives.

The New Commuter Bikes At REI

I stopped at REI the other day to get a tube to fix a flat. Not a flat on one of my bikes,  but a flat on my Vermont garden cart. You fix a flat on the cart the same as a bike by the way. In any case I stopped at looked at the REI bikes. They are a big store for Novara of course (it is the house brand) and some Marin and Cannondale models.  Here’s how I measure the rise of commuter bikes. I look for bikes set up as commuters, you know fenders on both wheels, lights, rack, handlebars that don’t make you scrunch. A year ago you would be lucky to find one or two models. I counted nearly ten this time around. Good signs. I still wish I had bought the Novara Safari I saw on sale there a couple of years ago. I still think that is one of the best touring bikes around if you want solid, carefree no breakdown performance. Oh well.

How To Turn Your Mountain Bike Into A Commuter Bike For Under $100

You bought the mountain bike, you know with the knobby tires and shockabsorber. But what you really want now in this era of $4 a gallon gas is a commuter bike. Look, you can commute on that mountain bike but it will not be fun. The ride will be uncomfortable, you won’t have a good place to carry your stuff and if you ride in the rain you will end up looking like a mud splattered duck. Here is a way for under $100 to turn that cranky mountain goat into a decent ride.

Three categories with five steps in each category. The categories are: Safety, Comfort, Storage

Category 1: Safety

1. Front and rear lights. Forget the reflectors, you need lights. You can get a Schwinn light pack (yes, even at the dreaded Walmart) for $15. Remember I am doing this for under $100. For $30 for a front light and $15 for a rear, you will do better, but the Schwinn stuff is okay. I’ve tried them and they work. If you lock up your bike in an iffy area, take the front light off with you when you hop on the train.

Schwinn Red Blinky

Wald Folding Baskets

Crate with Reflecor

Bell Helmet

Hoseclamps

2. Mirror. I use one and I think a mirror should be considered a necessity. $5

3. Helmet. Wear one. Always. You are supposed to have one of these anyway, so I am not going to add it into the cost. I have not noticed all that much difference between a $15 helmet and a $100 helmet. They all have to pass the same safety testing.

4. Bell. Cars are not going to hear a bell, but a walker will. They cost about $5. You can try wearing a whistle to warn cars, but I doubt if you will have the time to give a whistle in an emergency. I’ve heard some states have laws against whistles.

5. Common Sense. This doesn’t cost anything. You want to make sure you have air in your tires, your brakes work and there are no loose nuts and bolts, chains, handlebars before you take off. It is worth a quick squeeze of the tires, brakes test and general quick shake the bike to make sure everything that is supposed to be attached, is attached.

We are at $25 spent so far.

Comfort

1. Change out the knobby tires road tires. This will make your ride much, much more comfy. Price is about $15 per tire. You spent $30 bucks here. We are halfway to our $100.

2. Make some fenders out of old soda bottles. I think the quart size is just right. I’ll see if I can find a decent web post on these, but selling bikes without fenders should be reconsidered. You can buy some decent fenders for$30.

3. Rain gear. Use some stuff you already have. You can make a decent rain poncho out of a big garbage bag where you cut holes for arms and head. Smaller grocery size plastic bags will keep your feet dry enough for a ride home.

4. work gloves. Keep a pair with you in case it rains or gets cold.

5. windbreaker or sweatshirt and sunglasses. It can get chilly. C’mon you have this stuff around

We’ve spent $55 so far.

Storage.

1. Rear bike rack. These are the racks that attach to the frame of your bike. They cost about $25, but you could find them for less at a yard sale. You need these to attach the

2. Plastic milk crate. Bungee cords or zip ties or whatever else you can come up with. This attaches to the rear carrier and is where you load your stuff. Much better than wearing a backpackor whatever.

3. Lock. You can buy a cheap U lockfor $20 or a super duper for $100. You can buy a padlockfor about $5 at a hardware store. Locks are mostly to discourage rather than stop a determined thief who knows their way around bolt cutters. A key lock and a hunk of chain on an old beater bike is a decent theft preventer.

4. Pump and patch kit. These are only useful if you know how to use them. If you are only commuting about five miles or so, you might want to simply lock up the bike and walk home if you do get a flat and drive over and pick up the bike later. Up to you, but practice using bike tire levers, patches (or better carry an extra tube) and the pump.

5. Big smile. Hey you are saving gas, getting some exercise and being a good environmental citizen.

All for $85 if you keep it right at the essentials.

Bicycle Everywhere

Find that old bike in the back of the garage and start peddling