![\"Navigator](\"images\/stories\/navigatorlg.jpg\")
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Commuting is a great way to help save money, gas and the environment. It can also be a great way to add a workout to your daily grind. In this gear guide we are going to be covering products that will make commuting a little more enjoyable and a lot more functional. Now that the weather is getting a little warmer, we challenge you to get out a little more and try to ride to work once or twice.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn practice, the Montague Navigator addresses many of the major hassles of commuting to work\u201d explains David Montague. \u201cMany people\u2019s commute to work is farther than they feel comfortable riding a bike. In this case, you simply put a Navigator in the trunk of your car, drive part way to work, park, and pull out your Navigator for the rest of the ride. And if the day is not nice, or you don\u2019t have the energy, simply leave the bike safe and dry in the trunk until another day. We call it Drive and Cycle commuting. It\u2019s easy, it\u2019s good for you, and it\u2019s a manageable step for most people.\u201d<\/p>\n The Essentials:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2. The Shoe:<\/strong> We picked a shoe that is designed for biking, but one could wear it at the office as well. The Men’s Earthkeepers<\/span> City Biking Leather Oxfords from Timberland are specifically for eco<\/span>-conscious people who spend a lot of time riding their bike instead of driving and don’t want to bother changing shoes once they’ve arrived at their destination. The shoe has what Timberland calls bike plate technology which includes a pedal flex plate that allows your foot to flex normally while walking but keeps stiff during pedaling for stability while you’re on your bike.<\/span><\/p>\n The Essentials:<\/p>\n The Essentials: <\/p>\n The Essentials:<\/p>\n 5. The Bag:<\/strong> Eagle Creek has always been known for great travel bags and the Cicada 28L is not a disappointment. This bag is secure and weatherproof with the split-wing cover and a ratchet lock buckle system. This comes in handy when spring rains are a problem. This bag doesn’t feel all that big, but it can hold a lot. It has a padded laptop compartment that holds up to a 17″ laptop a<\/span> The Essentials:<\/p>\n The Essentials:<\/p>\n The Essentials:<\/span><\/p>\n 8. The Lights:<\/strong> <\/span>Micro Flare is the latest addition to the Fibre Flare range. Ultra slim design allows for greater mounting options with no compromise on safety. Mount on seatposts<\/span>, chainstays<\/span>, headtubes<\/span>, bags or clothing. Super-bright fibre-optics provide outstanding visibility in a Dual LED fully omni-directional bike light. Perfect as a front side or tail light. Includes steady and blinking functions. One down side to these lights are their availability in the United States. You can buy them online, but they are hard to come by in local stores. Definitely check them out.<\/span><\/p>\n The Essentials:<\/p>\n Easy Clean:<\/span><\/p>\n Easy Clean is a chain and parts degreaser<\/span> that is aggressive on grease and dirt, yet safe on components and finishes.\u00a0 It is available as an aerosol spray or a liquid.\u00a0 It effectively cleans the chain, cogs, and components. A unique feature is that its solvent base is compatible with the MOTOREX lubes — so you can lube the chain right after degreasing<\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Wet Lube:<\/p>\n Designed for wet\/muddy conditions and when a long lasting\/durable lube is desired.\u00a0 The unique synthetic formula has a strong hold to the chain and is waterproof.\u00a0 It will guard the chain against water and mud entering into the internal surfaces and prevent chain wear. <\/span><\/p>\n The Essentials:![\"folding](\"images\/stories\/fnavigatorlg.jpg\")
1. The Bike:<\/strong> The bike is an essential part of commuting to work and can make it easier or a lot harder. We have chosen the Navigator from Montague as a great option. This is a 27-speed folding bike that is built for the daily commute.\u00a0 It is a full size bike with 700c tires. It has the Octagon height-adjustable stem that makes adjusting the handlebar height a breeze. This unique design allows for handlebar height to be changed while preserving the way the folding bike handles and rides. Also, with the octagonal shape of the post, steering remains engaged while raising or lowering the stem. This bike comes standard with fenders and a rear rack, prepared for the commute to work in rain or shine.\u00a0 It folds in under 20 seconds without the use of tools, offering flexibility in today\u2019s multi-tasking world.<\/p>\n\n
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![\"pants\"](\"images\/stories\/commuter_pant.jpg\")
3. The Pants:<\/strong> With comfort stretch construction and reflective details to keep you safe, the Commuter Pants from Columbia makes a great option for your commuting collection. This lightweight pant features cuff-security tabs to keep your pant legs away from the bike chain. Strap ’em tight for the ride, and then let them loose when you get to your destination. Omni<\/span>-Shield advanced repellency<\/span> protects you from mud-puddle overspray<\/span>, while an inside wicking<\/span> waistband keeps you dry and comfortable where it counts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
![\"Jacket\"](\"images\/stories\/team_windshell.jpg\")
4. The Jacket:<\/strong> Comfortable and lightweight, the Primal Wind Jacket provides wind and water protection to the entire upper body. Made from breathable polyester with a brushed microfiber collar, this garment can be worn in sub 40\u02da temperatures when used with a baselayer<\/span> or arm warmers. The WindShell<\/span> also features a gripper tail system to prevent the jacket from riding up, a drawstring fit system and EasyStow<\/span> pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
![\"bag\"](\"images\/stories\/10070-st_large.jpg\")
<\/strong>nd a zippered top\/panel load main compartment. It has several different pockets for whatever you need to store. Another feature that comes in handy are the over-sized zipper pulls that make it easy to open with gloves. Check back soon for the full gear review on this bag.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
![\"tool\"](\"images\/stories\/mako-bike-tool-primary.jpg\")
6. The Tool:<\/strong> The MAKO Bike Tool from PocketToolX<\/span> is made of Aerospace Titanium, which makes it extremely light weight; only 19 grams.\u00a0 It is compact but can be fully customized to best suit your bike.\u00a0 Using the neoprene inserts, it will hold four 1\/4″ driver bits of your choice.\u00a0 Why lug a bike tool around that is weighted with tools and functions that don\u2019t even fit your bike? Boasting a bottle opener for the occasional \u201croad soda,\u201d 5 metric box wrench sizes, and 2 spoke wrench sizes, this is the perfect commuting tool.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
![\"bike](\"images\/stories\/openbag.jpg\")
7. The Saddlebag:<\/strong> Krieg<\/span> saddlebags are the perfect size to carry just the few items needed on a morning or evening commute. Their bags are colorful and unique. As you can see in the picture the bag fits<\/span> a tube, a C02, multitool<\/span> and a few other small essentials. If you can\u2019t fit it in the Benny, you probably don\u2019t need it. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
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![\"lube\"](\"images\/stories\/wetgroup.jpg\")
9. The Cleaner and Lube:<\/strong> Last but not least are the cleaners and the lubes that are used to keep the bike up and running smoothly. The Motorex<\/span> company makes some great products that work great as well as are safe for the environment. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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