Outfitting a commuter

[shootingstar]

You probably have it --water resistant jacket/pants.

Otherwise you're good.

[Crankin]

No need for those in Tucson... unless Owlie plans on riding in the monsoons next month.

[colorisnt]

I think you pretty much got it

If you want a pannier, get a big grocery-style pannier. If you want to commute in the rain, invest in something waterproof (doesn't seem like that's a big problem for you haha). I have determined that our trail is simply not safe for me to take the road bike in the rain so I gave up on it. I have a cheap bag. I paid about $30.00 for it and it's plenty big but not too big for my 47 cm bike. I also have a trunk bag (waterproof!) just in case it rains. I haul my books, computer, etc with me to campus along with a change of clothes no problem. I hate hate hate backpacks so I carry the bag instead. If you have a backpack, YMMV. I just hate having to carry one with me around campus.

[Owlie]

I don't know if I want to put the Jett on the commuter! It's more upright than either of my bikes, and I'd like something with a bit more padding. (Oh, and it also has to be comfortable in regular clothes.) I'm thinking the Riva or Lithia. The Riva seems to show up on Ebay for not-much too.

[Melalvai]

Walmart has these blinkies that are so easy to mount, for $12. I keep a set handy for travel (I like to rent a bike when I travel) and visitors. I've given more than one set away. (One unintentionally to someone who raided my seat pack.) They seem bright enough for city riding which is mostly pretty well lit by street lights. My commuter has lots of lights, generator powered or magnet powered. If you can spend a little more I really like the reelights which are magnet powered, so I never have to worry about a battery running out.

[Owlie]

I was thinking of putting the Jett on my cross. What do you think? I was afraid it would be too padded!

How does the cut-out on the Jett compare to the one on the Ruby? Smaller? Larger? Does it feel similar overall?

I had a friend who bought a Specialized Ariel hybrid a couple of years ago. It came with a Riva, she really liked it. But, I think the Riva is 150 mm, and that may be the only size? Not sure, and they change things frequently.

I didn't notice much of a difference between the Ruby and the Jett, save the level of padding. Only problem is that I'm riding an older Jett, which has a larger cutout/depression in the back of the saddle. I was also riding your old Ruby, so my comparison isn't going to be entirely accurate! None of the editions of the Jett are terribly squishy, though.

[OakLeaf]

I can't compare the Jett to the Ruby, but an old Jett is what I have on my hybrid, and it works fine there. Not too padded for me in that riding position. It was the shape more than the squishiness that made this saddle less than ideal for me on the roadie, but the padding didn't help.

[Owlie]

It's home! Pics when I get it fixed up.

Saddle replacement might have to wait for a bit. It's an older-style seat post with an actual BOLT as a saddle clamp, requiring a wrench of unknown size, and I'm not sure I own one.