Overview

You don't need a new bike to commute. Most bikes sitting in a hallway or chained to a fence can be turned into a solid daily rider with a few targeted upgrades. This guide covers what to prioritize, what to skip, and what we can help with at the co-op. Budget around $30-$60 in parts and one or two visits.

Start with a tuneup

Before adding anything, get the bike running right. Come in for a basic tuneup and we will check:

  • Brakes -- pads, cables and lever feel. You need to stop quickly in traffic.
  • Tires -- sidewall cracks, worn tread, proper inflation. Old tires are the #1 cause of flats.
  • Chain and drivetrain -- stretched chains wear out everything else. A new chain is $10-$15 and prevents expensive damage.
  • Wheels -- spin them and check for wobble. A quick true keeps braking smooth.
  • Headset and bottom bracket -- no play, no grinding. These are your two most important bearings.

A tuneup takes about 30 minutes and costs $2 plus parts. Most commuter issues are solved here without any upgrades at all.

Tires: the single best upgrade

If you only change one thing, change the tires. Stock tires on most used bikes are old, cracked and prone to flats. For commuting in NYC you want:

  • Puncture-resistant tires -- Continental Gatorskins, Schwalbe Marathons or similar. They cost $30-$50 a pair but pay for themselves in avoided flats.
  • Width -- 28-32mm is the sweet spot for most road frames. Wide enough to absorb potholes, narrow enough to roll fast.
  • Pressure -- check the sidewall for the recommended range and top off before every ride. Underinflated tires flat more and roll slower.

We carry tubes at the co-op and can help you install new tires. Bring the tires with you -- we don't stock them but can recommend what to order for your wheel size.

Lights: not optional

New York law requires a white front light, red rear light and a reflector. Beyond legality, you need to be seen. Recommendations:

  • Front -- a USB-rechargeable light, 200+ lumens. Enough to see potholes and be seen by drivers.
  • Rear -- a blinking red light. Clip-on lights that attach to a seatpost or bag work fine.
  • Budget option -- Cygolite, CatEye and NiteRider all make reliable sets under $30.

Mount them securely. Lights that fall off mid-ride are useless. We can help you find a good mounting position at the co-op.

Lock: spend money here

A commuter bike that gets stolen is not a commuter bike. NYC bike theft is relentless.

  • U-lock -- Kryptonite or Abus, the smaller the better. Less room inside the lock means less room for a lever attack.
  • Lock through the frame and rear wheel to something solid. The front wheel is cheap to replace, the frame is not.
  • Cable lock as a secondary -- loop it through the front wheel and U-lock if you are leaving it for hours.
  • Register your bike at Bike Index. Free, and it helps recovery if stolen.

Do not cheap out on the lock. A $50 U-lock protecting a $150 bike is a good ratio.

Fenders: worth it

If you ride in rain -- or ride the day after rain -- fenders keep road spray off your back, bags and chain. Full fenders (SKS, Planet Bike) bolt to frame eyelets. Clip-on fenders (Ass Savers, SKS raceblade) work on frames without eyelets.

We can help you figure out what fits your frame and install them at the co-op.

Rack and bag vs. backpack

Riding with a heavy backpack makes you sweat and throws off your balance. A rear rack with a pannier bag moves the weight to the bike where it belongs.

  • Rear rack -- Axiom or Topeak, $25-$40. Needs frame eyelets on the rear dropouts and seatstays. Most steel frames have them.
  • Pannier bag -- clips onto the rack and comes off when you walk inside. Ortlieb is the gold standard but expensive. Banjo Brothers and Ibera are budget-friendly.
  • No eyelets? -- A seatpost-mounted rack or a handlebar bag works in a pinch.

We can install a rack at the co-op. Bring the rack with you.

What you can skip

Not everything marketed to commuters is necessary:

  • Clipless pedals -- flat pedals with grippy pins are fine for commuting and easier to bail out of in traffic
  • Cycling-specific clothing -- wear what you want. If you are sweating, ride slower.
  • GPS computer -- your phone does this
  • Suspension -- adds weight, requires maintenance, and does nothing on pavement. If your bike has a suspension fork, a rigid fork is a worthwhile swap.
  • Disc brake conversion -- if your frame has rim brakes, keep rim brakes. They work fine and parts are cheaper.

Priority order

If you are doing this over a few visits, here is the order that gives you the most value:

  1. Tuneup -- get everything working first
  2. Tires -- biggest safety and reliability improvement
  3. Lights and lock -- required for daily use
  4. Fenders -- quality of life in bad weather
  5. Rack and bag -- quality of life if you carry things

Steps 1-3 get you a functional commuter. Steps 4-5 make it comfortable.

Come by the co-op

Bring your bike to the co-op on Sunday or Wednesday at 5pm. We will look it over, figure out what it needs and help you do the work. Most commuter conversions take one or two visits.

Email contact@timesup.bike if you want to plan ahead. We are at 626 East 14th St in the East Village.