Maybe you didn’t get that new bike for Christmas, so you’re stuck with your current quiver of bikes until you pay off a few cycles of credit card bills. If you need an excuse to keep tinkering on bikes and also a reason to keep riding bikes outside through the crappy winter weather, consider transforming your cyclocross bike into an all weather commuter or rain bike. Here’s mine:

Additions and changes include:

-Topeak Explorer MTX rack (using a seat post clamp with rack mounts)
-SKS Longboard Fenders (needed to bend the stays to reach the fork mounts). Love the full coverage up front.
-Specialized Trigger Pro tires, tubeless setup. Lower profile tread and running lower pressure on tubeless wheels is a cush ride over poorly maintained roads to work.
-Light & Motion Urban 800 as a front light (which I also use as a handlebar mounted light for mtb night riding along with a NiteRider Pro 1500 mounted on my helmet)
-Light & Motion Vis 180 rear light
-Light & Motion Vis 360 mounted on my helmet
-Ortlieb Front Roller Plus panniers (that I put on the back rack, of course). I chose the “Plus” because I prefer the look of the Cordura fabric over the “classic” PVC coated polyester fabric. Front Rollers are big enough for a change of clothes, purse, and lunch. If you’re carrying much more, go with something like the Back Roller.

Rider gear includes:

-Specialized Defroster Trail shoes (Absolutely LOVE them on mountain bike rides in below 40 degree temps or cold/wet conditions). Also love the reflective trim for my commutes.
-Sugoi Zap Versa Jacket. Lacks breathability and stretch for mountain bike rides, but the versatility of peel-off, magnetic sleeves and the mega-watt glow is perfect for commuting. I prefer to start my early morning commutes comfortably cozy; If get too warm, I can easily remove the sleeves at a red light and stuff it in one of the back pockets.
– Tifosi glasses with Light Night Phototec lenses. Provides just enough coverage for my commutes on sunnier Pacific Northwest days, and still usable for rides home in the dark after work.
– REI Headwind pants. I prefer a softshell pant for commuting in temps between 35-50, even in the rain. Side reflective striping a plus for commuting (pic in photo are PI tights; Headwinds in the wash).

For more pics and specs on the Cortina in its ‘cross guise, check out my post: https://gonowmego.com/2014/11/24/naomis-bike-check-marin-bikes-2015-cortina-t3-cx/