Will I then need trousers that dont reach my ankles… and join the croc/slipper debate too?
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Turn up existing fitting trousers so they now appear to no longer fit.
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Crocs and slippers are just wrong!
Get mudguards and panniers and stop being a [insert cuss word here]
Mudguards keep you dry.
Get a nice long front mudguard you keep your toes dry, too, but be wary of overlap whilst trackstanding at lights 
Rear guard keeps your bum dry.
But my pannier does that anyhow.
Laptop and work stuff in one pannier.
Kit change and swim kit in the other 
Or at least that’s what it was when I used to commute 
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I’ve got mudguards on it now… have done for a few years. They blend in ok and don’t rattle - which were 2 of my main issues.
I can’t and won’t be trackstanding - unless its on Zwift 
I just dont think I can do the pannier - I just need a rucksack that has a better use of space. My Deuter with the curved back is great in summer - loads of ventilation - but arguably I dont need that in winter.
So I think a 20-25 litre conventional shape will do it.
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Why the hell not?
Backpacks are sweaty and horrible.
Balanced panniers are great, unless you’re on the canal path a bit with those pinch points.
Also, learn to track stand.
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I used to commute with a single pannier; no worries. Definitely more comfortable in the summer, not having the rucksack on your back.
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Fixed it for you
@mw22 - ignore the saddle (it’s been knocked in transit) and ignore the patio, as it is being replaced with grass in a fortnight…
…commuting
Notice obscene amount of sideways spoke reflectors.
MTB SPDs one side (easier to walk in MTB clips)
Flats on the other side; if you quickly want to nip somewhere at lunch, just do it in the civvies
A rear light here.
One on the seatpost.
One on the pannier.
Be seen. Be safe.
Speaking of ones.
One gear.
One hundred less things to go wrong 
The heaviest most bombproof rims known to mankind.
Coupled with some £12 Rubino Pro Control 28mm tyres.
Notice that huge pothole dent in the rim.
ha ha ha!
Throw those ditch like potholes at me, bro.
These rims can take them.
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That’s another bike though isn’t it!
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Oh FFS, I find myself in total agreement with @Poet.
I’ve been commuting for 20-ish years & have used a rucksack until 3yrs ago when I bought a pannier.
Total revelation.
No more sweaty back/sore shoulders//limited visibility for me.
With my winter beard & eco Upso my hipster game has never been stronger.
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Spoke reflectors - already in that gang!
MTB SPDs - have been in that gang for 10 years… just swapped cause that mightve been the trigger that fubarred my knee up (no idea why… but I also hate the heavy MTB shoes I have)
Rear lights - Fly6 camera and moon to blind everyone. Sometimes run a 3rd on the bag.
Lots of gears - cause I’m weak
Tyres - Four seasons
Rucksack - I dont really get sweaty. I already hate my commuter bike for being too heavy - I dont want to add that weight too it (I know, Im still carrying the same weight - but in my head it feels different).
Sh1tty commuter bike pic to follow!
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Your journey is flatAF!!!
Why do you even have gears bro’
That bike and my winter road bike are both in the 15kg region, once the saddle bag and a water bottle have been added.
Just live with it 
And?
This one lives in the brick built shed outside 
No point carrying a wetAF bike into the basement (if I ever have to do the commute)
I have at LEAST 3 bridges - the elevation is real 
On serious note - no I dont need 20 gears - I need about 3. I still can’t deal with wind. I hate grinding… just cant do it.
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Got to agree with majority of comments so far, put your aesthetic sensibilities to one side and gear up with the best equipment for the job.
Not suggesting everyone gets a Brompton, depends on the nature of your commute but.
- Mudguards - check (with mudflap too)
- Bag attached to bike - check
- Minimal gears - check (Sturmy Archer in this case)
- Rock hard tyres - check
- Multiple lights on bike and body - check.
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Exactly what I’ve got which pretty much translate into Uphill, Flat & Downhill but you could add headwind/tailwind into that equation instead of hills.
Not everyone has the space and/or money!!!
The boy doth protest too much!
One bike to rule them all?
Probably the Ribble CGR Ti, swap the wheels out.
Mudguards, pannier mounts, quite fast in a straight line (club mate has one and has no issues at 22mph in the summer)
Done (although it fails “true commuter” on the gears front, I’d allow it )
@JaRok2300 's Brompton bypasses the issue of space, just cash now…well, get it on C2W. Problem solved.
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Got a feeling Dolan do a Ti equivalent. On my Enigma I’ve swapped the wheels, added clipons and been very close to 24 minutes on a 10.
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