Reddit mentions of PeakPlus Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight LFX1000 (18650 Battery and Charger Included) - High Lumens LED, Super Bright, Zoomable, 5 Modes, Water Resistant - Best Camping, Emergency Flashlights

Posting pictures of the bike would be helpful. If you decide to do this, make sure to post a few high quality shots of your drivetrain which could show us if there's any critical wear.

However, before you post the pictures, it would be helpful to clean the bike. Get a bucket of soapy water, find a sponge or rag that you don't mind sacrificing and get to cleaning your mountain bike. Dry it off, and then post the pictures (that will make any critical deficiencies more obvious).

As others have mentioned, you'll most likely need to remove the chain. Here's a video from one of the best cycling channels on Youtube, Global Cycling Network (GCN), that shows you exactly how to do that. GCN and its sister channel, Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) offer a number of fantastic maintenance videos in addition to a variety of other content. If you're wondering where to get a chain tool, I would just spend a bit of extra money and get a good multi tool like the Crank Brothers multi tool which already comes with one.

Pump up the tires to see if they still hold air. If they do, fantastic. Nothing more needs to be done. If not, you'll need to get new tubes (most likely your mountain bike will need 26 in X 1.9-2.125 in tubes). Here's how to install a new tube.


As a bike commuter, you'll need a number of things to stay safe and make sure your bike stays in your hands. Here are the essentials:

1. Front and rear lights. I use this flashlight for my front light, and a rear light similar to this.
   
   
2. A helmet. From your posting history, you seem to live in Australia. All helmets sold in that country are required to meet the same safety standards so in all likelihood, spending more on a helmet will not make you safer. Buy one in a store and you're set.
   
   
3. A great bike lock. Read this to learn the proper way to lock your bike.
   
   However, staying safe is only the first part. You'll want or need a number of other items to make sure that your commute isn't frustrating. Here are some of the items off of the top of my head.
   
   
4. Bike pump. If you're going to mostly ride near gas stations which have air pumps that can inflate a tube, you probably don't need to carry around a mini pump on your rides. However, everyone should own a floor pump.
   
   
5. Degreaser. The cheap automotive kind is fine as is WD 40. This is used when you need to clean the drivetrain.
   
   
6. Bike lube. Stick with a bike specific one.
   
   
7. Disposable poncho. When I lived in an area where it often rained, I always had a dollar store disposable poncho in my backpack. It's just super handy if there's an unexpected downpour.
   
   
8. Fenders. I personally don't have them, but I live in a relatively dry climate. If you live in a place where it always rains, they're super helpful.
   
   
9. Bottle cage. A cheap plastic one is fine.
   
   
10. Tire levers.
    
    
11. Rear rack. Assuming you don't have a full suspension mountain bike and instead have a hard tail (here's an article if you're unsure), get a rear rack. Do not get one that is only mounted to the seat post like this Ibera, but rather one that connects to the bike frame. If your bike does not have any bolts that can attach, you can use P clamps to secure the rack. This post describes how to do just that.
    
    
12. Some way to transport groceries. While I use a milk crate that I ziptied onto my rear rack with bungee cords on top of the crate (similar to this setup), many others use panniers to transport groceries and other goods. This has the benefit of more storage, better center of gravity, and can be water proof. However, they are usually much more expensive unless you go the DIY route.
    
    
13. Bike bell. Cars won't be able to hear you, but if you ride in areas with lots of pedestrians or other cyclists, it's useful.
    
    
14. Spare tube. Fortunately 26 in tubes are cheap and super easy to find. Any department store with a bike section will carry them.
    
    /r/bikecommuting can be a helpful resource if you have other questions.

An alternative self defense tool is a powerful flashlight like this one. Most attacks occur at night and you would use the flashlight to temporarily blind your attacker while you ran away. Flashlights are not against the weapons policy. I encourage you to also take self defense classes as you mentioned and know where the nearest "emergency call station" is.

>Anything Else?: Sorry for the cheap price point. I think I've used one of these flashlights before and they seemed pretty good, but this seems too good to be true.

Please don't get that. It's garbage. You can't go wrong with Convoy S2, M1, M2, C8 (XP-L HI version), or the Eagle Eye X5/X5R or X6/X6R. Just remember, the larger the reflector the more the throw.

I would second a good multi tool.

It's the only thing I have used every shift no matter how the day goes. Change oxygen tanks. Fix this and that. I got them as a graduation gift from high school and they are still going strong over ten years later.

A flash light is another good one. You can get one on Amazon for like 20. I got one that has a CREE LED bulb so it is plenty bright for day to day use. It also has a rechargeable 18650 battery and charger which will last for a long time and easily pay for the light in batteries saved.


PeakPlus Super Bright LED Tactical Flashlight Zoomable Adjustable Focus 5 Modes Water Resistant Torch with Rechargeable 18650 Lithium Ion Battery & Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ECVB6P0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_k3TgAbA53YHKP


My wife got me a blue tooth headset so I could listen to my podcast and audio books. Ems does a lot of transferring sick people from one facility to another. We drive for hours and hours a week. I probably listen to a book a week just from driving.

I get all kinds of audio books from the library.
There are tons of great podcasts on different aspects of medicine that will keep him interested.