Best products from r/BikeLA

How long do you plan to own this bike? Schwinn's are junk. The only time I got a schwinn was when I knew I would ditch it in a year. I'd suggest investing a little more in your bike if you plan to be riding it regularly and for a longer period of time. For just practical reasons, taking public transit a lot means you may be carrying your bike up and down stairs, which I would never have wanted to do with the schwinn, cause it was kinda heavy for a bike.

If you can plan your route well, a single speed should be fine. It might take a little while for you to condition your legs well, but 4 miles 1 way is not much. I can do that easily on my single speed, which I paid $325 new cause I had to have pink :) .

Get a kryptonite lock that is as small as you think you can handle locking up your bike with. Lights are a matter of preference. You'll want something that you can easily remove and take with you. I personally like a really bright light in front so i purchased the Serfas Thunderbolt.

I have a large frame and take the bus every day. I’ve noticed the slot in the middle is slightly smaller than the one closest to the bus. I can’t speak for the one in front. But, the farthest back one is largest.

Point is - when I’ve had to use the middle slot, the same happens to me. The front tire doesn’t fit completely in. Made me nervous too. But once you put the hook on (all the way back to the forks) and give it a shake back and forth, you’ll find it’s pretty secure. Or maybe not, YMMV, but that hook applies more force than you’d think and presses the bike down and back onto the rear wheel, which is inside a nice big slot. As long as the rear wheel is in there good, you should be fine. Unlikely to pop out, short of the driver pulling a Dukes of Hazard style jump.

Edit: I prohhhbably would not chain the bike to rack to SECURE it to the rack. It would have to be tight to work, like a tension strap or something. Bungees will do almost nothing unless they're super tight!! For SECURITY, however, I do use 8" of thin braided wire (looped at the ends), locked with a small padlock to lock the front tire to the fork (or use something like this). I also hear the legends about theft-from-rack. The wheel lock isn't to keep the bike on the rack, it's to give me enough time to disembark said bus and kick the bike-coveter in the head.

Yep, those will do. I switched from something similar to these for a bit more money, but I find them more comfortable and more adjustable. http://www.amazon.com/Pyramex-Unlimited-Shooting-Eyewear-Anti-Fog/dp/B000LVJ2TS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395340502&sr=8-1&keywords=ducks+unlimited+glasses

Actually I prefer the yellow lenses for nightriding, but they give you 5 lenses for various conditions including clear ones. Nail polish remover took care of the silk screened duck logos on the frame and lenses, so no worries on that. I don't ride without them anymore.

I bought some neck gaiters on Amazon (not this brand but similar) because it’s getting cold. I feel like it’s easier to breathe with them on because they’re super thin, even though that’s not what I originally got them for.

some good options to consider are these:

1: [Alarm Disc Lock] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074M61FWH/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2YKSPYCUB2K3&colid=R1FSNPORC4DP&psc=0) even though it says 'for motorcycles' it will work on a bike,

2: and this mega [heavy duty chain] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KQ5ZRG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

3: and this lock, which I don't have experience with, has the highest rating from a recent review of the top locks [Abus Granit Extreme 59 U-Lock, 10"/16mm] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OYHNU2/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I324LTWE3EAZZ4&colid=R1FSNPORC4DP&psc=1)

whoa! i didn't even know they made small ones! i was thinking something like this!

I'm not in LA but came across this post while searching for a Caviar courier subreddit(looks like it doesn't exist yet). Would this work for your bike and budget?

http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Classique-Cargo-Front-Rack/dp/B00B135SSE

Add a heat bag, bungees(I prefer the flat kind).

The map routing situation can be dealt with some MacGuyvering or with more expensive fixes. I have this flattish seat bag that I used to keep spare tubes in; now I have it MacGuyvered onto one of the straps of my backpack. I stick my phone in there instead of a pants pocket. I turn the app volume all the way up and can hear Gmaps routing(if I need it) through the din of NYC traffic.

Bluetooth earbuds, as already mentioned, will work. Small portable BT speakers(that you can somehow attach to a backpack) will work. If you must have the visual map to look at, maybe the mount is your only option..

Good point on it being bulky, so you got me thinking. This one seems tiny and coincidentally the first comment is about scaring off coyotes.

Thanks for the tip on the Big T climb.

This book is helpful: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898869544/

This could help drivers understand the distance at night:

http://www.amazon.com/Laser-Tail-Light-II-Maxx/dp/B00BVCGVRW/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1409151898&sr=8-15

It's a piece of crap: https://www.amazon.com/GoPro-Commerce-Entry-Limited-Accessories/dp/B01MSUJ6EI/

But I bought a long long time ago for even less than it is now.

I would recommend a knock off GoPro like this: https://www.amazon.com/AKASO-EK7000-Sports-Waterproof-Camcorder/dp/B01HGM33HG/

Or just saving up for a modern used GoPro for roughly the same price.

Backpack go for air suspension.

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Products-Cross-Breeze-Internal/dp/B0124Y8560

For more cargo go for pannier

I'm a recent transplant too (only been a month and a half). People bitch about L.A. not being bikable and I've found it to be bullshit. In fact, it's easier to commute because NO ONE is usually in the bike lanes.

The key is to understand that 1) Drivers aren't used to bikers so you have to kind of educate them - not being aggressive but being assertive in your lane 2) People aren't aware and texting and driving so just assume no one has seen you and they're going to cut you off until you know otherwise - eye contact is a powerful thing.

I guess it all depends where you're from for context. I thought L.A. would be nuts to bike in for a commuter and find it less intense than where I'm from.

Lights and helmet are a must. If you commute and don't have them, you're an idiot (I intend full offense). I've been curbed by a car (not here - in Vancouver) and my helmet saved my brain - it only takes once.

My research on lights (which was embarrassingly extensive), turned up this as the best choice (I considered every factor).

They're totally bright - like obscenely bright on the front (to the point where I turn it away from traffic when I'm stopped at a red). I'd rather be seen and seen as annoying than be seen dead.

You can also go whole kitschy hog and get some rim lights for your bike.

I would definitely vote for taking your bike inside wherever possible. To me (having traveled a lot and lived in a variety of big cities), L.A. (for the most part - some places are the exception) is a pretty safe city BUT petty crime happens in any big city.

Definitely remove your front tire if you're parked - especially for a long period of time. Removing your back is going to be a pain in the ass if it's everyday - and you risk bending your derailleur if you do it all the time (it sits on the curb and gets fucked).

I picked up some insane ABUS bike lock and never use it because I worry too much and bring my bike indoors.

People are quite tolerant about bringing your bike inside because: 1) It almost never rains so your bike doesn't track dirt inside and 2) they get that there is petty crime in the city.

The BIG key to commuting is understanding traffic flow and which streets are more bike friendly than others. That takes time to get, but, if you ping people here, you can get a sense of it.

Reply with ANY questions. I'm not the most experienced biker here, but I have learned a bunch in my six weeks. L.A. is a fucking awesome place to ride - so many great paths around town - and had a fantastic community of cyclists (in part because there are so few of us). I've had so many people say hi riding, let me join their peleton with zero attitude, check in whenever I'm stopped to ask if all is ok - shit, I had a dude play tour guide with me for hours last weekend.

Bike.

It makes L.A. a whole different experience.

that sucks :(

I recommend two Evolution Mini 5's ( http://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Evolution-Mini-Bike-U-Lock/dp/B000AMPRG0 ) and these: http://www.amazon.com/Two-Fish-Lockblocks-U-Lock-Mount/dp/B001P9EWKE