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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 4, 2025 at 8:55am

Hey there Cathy!! Good of you to get the lights. I've used LED dynamo lights for 11 years now though, using the Busch & Müller IQ CYO 80 LUX on three out of five of my bikes, an LED lighting conversion for my Raleigh Twenty in the original factory catalog light kit, and a SON light set on my touring bike. I have never needed to charge them up or replace them because the rechargeable batteries were too old to be charged. The up-front investment for dynamo lights can be considerable. But the investment has been well worth the time I don't spend charging them, not carrying them to the nearest USB port, or not worrying if I have enough charge to get them home. Battery lights are a nice short term solution. I think for long term regular commuting you need to convert to dynamo lighting. However, I'm lucky I have been an amateur bicycle mechanic for 30 years and this saves me quite a lot of money every time I build a dynamo front wheel.

As far as the complaints I hear about the reliability of dynamo light wiring, I took on the challenge of developing a wiring system that would function with mountain bicycle shocks through brush and rough terrain. The patent process is ongoing. I have it installed on all three of my touring/commuter bikes, functioning flawlessly for thousands upon thousands of miles. With proper care regular dynamo wiring is very reliable, but I didn't take any or the usual chances with my kit, beginning the research and development for enhancing the durability of my dynamo wiring over the past decade.

But light up USB rechargeable vests are extremely important in the dark fall and winter months in Chicago. That is where I make a concession to battery lighting. These vests are an incredible safety enhancement for cyclists, runners, and anyone on a micromobility device. A simple reflective vest has proven to be more than adequate for many years, however, but the actively lit LED rechargeable vests are clearly a valuable safety upgrade. It's possible to actively charge your vest through a series of adapters with Busch & Müller's E-WERK but this is only advisable during daylight riding when you don't have to run your bicycle lights.

So all this readiness for cycling makes me believe you may be commuting back and forth to something important, perhaps a job? In that case, I've found that cotton clothing is a bad choice in all seasons. Modern outdoor casuals and formal gear designed for active professionals who would like to get their exercise on the go rather than constantly worrying about hitting the gym are found in three forms. One is long sleeve button down shirts, pants, and hiking apparel which dries as quickly as a light rain can hit them, and as long as you took a decent shower that morning, on most days there is no real need to change when you get to your destination. A second option is the Ministry of Supply, which offers business clothes made from the same lightweight polyester and lycra, and is, in a few words, made to be absolutely brilliant for cycling. A third is simply using bicycle gear and changing into a uniform at work. Make sure there are paper towels in the washroom at your destination also, with those at my destination I've found that bringing a towel has been a smelly waste of time. In challenging weather, the best rain gear is from Showers Pass, which, again despite the cost, offers nighttime visibility and freedom from both car ownership and public transportation when it rains.

For warmer days when a full rain suit is not an option, please choose a cycling specific rain cape. I linked to Cleverhood only because it has elastic thumb loops. Elastic thumb loops are absolutely essential to maneuver your hands to shift and brake, keeping the cape in an aerodynamic shape while preventing water from pooling in the front of the cape and stopping the rain from ultimately soaking your pants, shoes, etc. Unfortunately my favorite J&G Cyclegear cape is not sold any longer since they went out of business. When the J&G Cyclegear rain cape is combined with elastic thumb loops and tying the back of the cape to my belt loops above my backside, my rain cape works wonderfully in light rain and warmer weather. It is also not large enough to become entangled with my pedaling, the wheels, etc. It has kept me dry through hour long commutes in the rain. I find the helmet cover and drawstring around the neck to be incredibly effective, which was an innovation I imagine the folks at J&G Cyclegear could have only discovered through years of experience.

Finally, wear plenty of high visibility bright yellow shell jackets, gear, etc. You can never have enough of that to avoid Chicago traffic, or any other traffic for that matter.

Enjoy!!! I hope this helps!!!!!

Matt M

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on Sunday

All polyester (remember - NO COTTON) shirts which are wrinkle free and designed to wick away water quickly are great for bike commuting. From Orvis... "Tech Chambray Work Shirt: Our lightweight Tech Chambray Work Shirt ..." The price is actually quite reasonable, I think.

Orvis' quick drying pants are a little pricey, but also well worth it for bike commuting. Out-Of-Office Performance Chinos | Orvis

I have a full set of Eddie Bauer "Hiking" outdoor polyester pants and shirts. Men's Guide Pro Pants | Eddie Bauer

Eddie Baeur 100% polyester shirts... Men's Long-sleeve Pack It 2.0 Seersucker Shirt | Eddie Bauer

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 4, 2025 at 9:30am

Aha! C'est beau! Je Suis À Vélo... classic, nice looking, somewhat chic, Parisian rain cape very similar to J&G Cyclegear's original. Poncho vélo urbain - The People's Poncho

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 5, 2025 at 2:33pm

...and then there are fenders, panniers, and racks. I usually choose SKS fenders, AXIOM or TUBUS racks, and Ortlieb or Arkel panniers. For tariff proof bags and racks, talk to Jandd.

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