Cycle or drive to work
Discussion
Amateurish said:
macp said:
Amateurish said:
macp said:
Walking is out as far as I am concerned as I live in the country and the main road out is NSL without footpaths or anything like that.On a pushbike I can do it in about 40mins walking would take considerably longer I assume.
You should be able to do it in 15 min on a MTB, probably even quicker on a road bike. 4 miles will be a breeze for you, especially after you've been doing it daily for a couple of weeks.
Why is it though that you always seem to cycle with the wind behind you going to work but its against you going home.
Galsia said:
I'm considering cycling to work because fuel is getting expensive plus I don't really live far enough from work for my car to get warmed up properly.
Problem is though, my present bike is rubbish. It weighs a ton and I can't even cycle a mile on it without getting knackered.
I'm thinking of getting this one on the cycle to work scheme:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/fitness-2-54-57-6956...
Does this look like a good bike? It will cost me about £230 under the scheme.
Are road bikes much easier than mountain bikes to make good road progress on?
Any opinions on this? Problem is though, my present bike is rubbish. It weighs a ton and I can't even cycle a mile on it without getting knackered.
I'm thinking of getting this one on the cycle to work scheme:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/fitness-2-54-57-6956...
Does this look like a good bike? It will cost me about £230 under the scheme.
Are road bikes much easier than mountain bikes to make good road progress on?
For around £350 I bought a carrera virtuoso (with a bit of haggling)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I just use it as a commuter so my other bikes dont get used for the boring road bits. I've got 4 other bikes now worth far more and the carrera has put up with 2 year's continual commuting 11 miles each way. Only damage is a little rust on the non anodised bolts from winter salt.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I just use it as a commuter so my other bikes dont get used for the boring road bits. I've got 4 other bikes now worth far more and the carrera has put up with 2 year's continual commuting 11 miles each way. Only damage is a little rust on the non anodised bolts from winter salt.
I went from a fairly basic mountain bike to a fairly basic hybrid.
The difference in gearing and the bigger, but narrower, wheels and tyres made a huge difference. The hybrid is so much faster and more comfortable.
I decided against a race style bike as I wanted something that I could take on forest tracks, the hybrid is more flexible.
The difference in gearing and the bigger, but narrower, wheels and tyres made a huge difference. The hybrid is so much faster and more comfortable.
I decided against a race style bike as I wanted something that I could take on forest tracks, the hybrid is more flexible.
Edited by MrLou on Monday 17th May 16:52
I have a mountain bike (Specialized Rockhopper) but run it on Schwable Marathon tyres, absolutely perfect for me, although some of my commute is off road, and those tyres are pretty poor when it's really dry and dusty.
I have a 3/4 mile commute, sometimes I take a detour and go the 6 mile one, depending on wind direction
In the mornings I take it very easy, tuck my trousers in my socks and off I pop am never sweaty when I arrive for work.
On the way home I put some effort in as it doesn't matter.
In the mornings it's faster than driving due to the traffic.
If it's wet and windy, I throw on some waterproofs and leave a bit earlier. Rain or shine i'm on my bike.
I have a 3/4 mile commute, sometimes I take a detour and go the 6 mile one, depending on wind direction
In the mornings I take it very easy, tuck my trousers in my socks and off I pop am never sweaty when I arrive for work.
On the way home I put some effort in as it doesn't matter.
In the mornings it's faster than driving due to the traffic.
If it's wet and windy, I throw on some waterproofs and leave a bit earlier. Rain or shine i'm on my bike.
Go for it !
I have been doing it two years, 14 mile round trip, now extending it a bit, 12.5 on the way in this morning and probably 15/20 on the way back to get in trim for the Coast to Coast ride I am doing with some lads from work.
Dont blow all your budget ont he bike, you will need decent lights (I spent £200 as I do unlit lanes), clothing, SPD shoes and pedals are a major benefit.
Dont bother with Mountain bikes, waste of time for the road imho, I started with a borrowed racer, then got a hybrid but am happiest on my Specialized Allez Elite road bike, they will take a lot more abuse than you think a road bike if you dont go daft, you dont need a full susser MTB to do bridal paths, I have a Kona full susser and its crap on the road, heavy and hard work, the road bike nowadays with carbon stays and forks is very comfortable, suspension is redundant on the road and just saps power through compression adn additional weight, ok on an off road downhill its fantastic but commuting on one is just painful and you will wonder why the roadies fly past. I do bridal paths, unmade roads and all sorts on my road bike, its pretty much as tough as the Hybrid but faster, mainly due to riding postion and a higher bottom bracket, be careful with road bikes though, full on roadies can be nervous and hard work, try before you buy.
4 miles is a blink of an eye on a bike, minutes, probably quick than the car, or at least as quick if its urban, you wont need a shower if you start out clean and take it easy.
I love it, I do it all winter, unless its icy, thats mental on something that doesnt stand up on its own and I prefer intact collar bones and hips. With the right gear it is doable all year, you see stuff you miss in the car, you get some fresh air, you never sit in traffic, you can always park, you can carry more than you think with panniers or a rucksack, you cant get done for speeding, you lose podge.
Nothing better than riding along knowing you are under your own steam at 25 mph plus, I am no athlete but can manage a really good clip now, its a buzz dropping another cyclist because you are fitter, not because you spent more.
I would suggest a hybrid at about £250, say the Halfords Carrera Subway, lights, helmet, clothing such as trousers, waterproof jacket, a couple of pairs of gloves (light and thick ones), some eyewear such as wraparound shades and some clear ones for at night as a car can propel a stone at high velocity so you need eye protect, also you will need a lock, spares (tubes etc), pump, tools, chain oil, a track pump for at home etc.
I have been doing it two years, 14 mile round trip, now extending it a bit, 12.5 on the way in this morning and probably 15/20 on the way back to get in trim for the Coast to Coast ride I am doing with some lads from work.
Dont blow all your budget ont he bike, you will need decent lights (I spent £200 as I do unlit lanes), clothing, SPD shoes and pedals are a major benefit.
Dont bother with Mountain bikes, waste of time for the road imho, I started with a borrowed racer, then got a hybrid but am happiest on my Specialized Allez Elite road bike, they will take a lot more abuse than you think a road bike if you dont go daft, you dont need a full susser MTB to do bridal paths, I have a Kona full susser and its crap on the road, heavy and hard work, the road bike nowadays with carbon stays and forks is very comfortable, suspension is redundant on the road and just saps power through compression adn additional weight, ok on an off road downhill its fantastic but commuting on one is just painful and you will wonder why the roadies fly past. I do bridal paths, unmade roads and all sorts on my road bike, its pretty much as tough as the Hybrid but faster, mainly due to riding postion and a higher bottom bracket, be careful with road bikes though, full on roadies can be nervous and hard work, try before you buy.
4 miles is a blink of an eye on a bike, minutes, probably quick than the car, or at least as quick if its urban, you wont need a shower if you start out clean and take it easy.
I love it, I do it all winter, unless its icy, thats mental on something that doesnt stand up on its own and I prefer intact collar bones and hips. With the right gear it is doable all year, you see stuff you miss in the car, you get some fresh air, you never sit in traffic, you can always park, you can carry more than you think with panniers or a rucksack, you cant get done for speeding, you lose podge.
Nothing better than riding along knowing you are under your own steam at 25 mph plus, I am no athlete but can manage a really good clip now, its a buzz dropping another cyclist because you are fitter, not because you spent more.
I would suggest a hybrid at about £250, say the Halfords Carrera Subway, lights, helmet, clothing such as trousers, waterproof jacket, a couple of pairs of gloves (light and thick ones), some eyewear such as wraparound shades and some clear ones for at night as a car can propel a stone at high velocity so you need eye protect, also you will need a lock, spares (tubes etc), pump, tools, chain oil, a track pump for at home etc.
Galsia said:
Galsia said:
I'm considering cycling to work because fuel is getting expensive plus I don't really live far enough from work for my car to get warmed up properly.
Problem is though, my present bike is rubbish. It weighs a ton and I can't even cycle a mile on it without getting knackered.
I'm thinking of getting this one on the cycle to work scheme:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/fitness-2-54-57-6956...
Does this look like a good bike? It will cost me about £230 under the scheme.
Are road bikes much easier than mountain bikes to make good road progress on?
Any opinions on this? Problem is though, my present bike is rubbish. It weighs a ton and I can't even cycle a mile on it without getting knackered.
I'm thinking of getting this one on the cycle to work scheme:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/fitness-2-54-57-6956...
Does this look like a good bike? It will cost me about £230 under the scheme.
Are road bikes much easier than mountain bikes to make good road progress on?
They sell even sell an orange singlespeed hybrid for £80 which is perfect for bridleways & towpaths.
14 miles on the way home, through Tatton Park, nice ride apart from the flies and an Audi S5 driver who passed me at probably 80 about a foot from my right hand side, it seems that utter cocks are attracted to the S5, that and the Scirroco seem to be the Uber-cock mobiles of the moment.
Went to my local bike shop today just to have a look round.Got offered a brand new 2009 model Claud Butler Echelon http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/e...
Owner says its a big frame 59" and could do with moving it so offered it to me for £429.
Im seriously tempted thinking I could probably get a ton for my Mogul limited edition MTB as its virtually like new.Not mine but the only pic I could find of the same bike.
[url=http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
[/url]
Owner says its a big frame 59" and could do with moving it so offered it to me for £429.
Im seriously tempted thinking I could probably get a ton for my Mogul limited edition MTB as its virtually like new.Not mine but the only pic I could find of the same bike.
[url=http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
[/url]Edited by macp on Monday 17th May 22:20
I have a 10 mile round trip and cycle. I was given a knackered old Trek a while ago and fixed it up for under £50, popped on some slick tyres and it does the job nicely (though I do get sweaty, glad I have a shower at work).
Day-to-day transport is a Seicento 900cc thing; ok, it's very non-PH but I actually love it as it's so economical, I can leave it anywhere without worrying and it doesn't mind being sat all week (or longer) without being started. It cost buttons - the engine blew up the other day and I bought a new engine for £140!
And it means I can justify keeping the 190e for fun. Perfect!
I am beginning to consider a road bike, and like another poster mentioned, budget for some good lights if you're riding through the winter, a decent reflective jacket and SPDs!
Day-to-day transport is a Seicento 900cc thing; ok, it's very non-PH but I actually love it as it's so economical, I can leave it anywhere without worrying and it doesn't mind being sat all week (or longer) without being started. It cost buttons - the engine blew up the other day and I bought a new engine for £140!
And it means I can justify keeping the 190e for fun. Perfect!
I am beginning to consider a road bike, and like another poster mentioned, budget for some good lights if you're riding through the winter, a decent reflective jacket and SPDs!
So any recommendations for a hybrid with a good upright(ish) riding position?
Problem with my Claud Butler which got nicked was that the handle bars were always a bit too low for comfort on the road, perfect for off road though and when giving it the berries.
Having been bitten once I'm not spending a fortune again on a commute bike, and the 3 speed ton and a half town bike snotter I've got, complete with wire shopping basket and paniers
whilst it cost square root of nowt is just too much like hard work.
Problem with my Claud Butler which got nicked was that the handle bars were always a bit too low for comfort on the road, perfect for off road though and when giving it the berries.
Having been bitten once I'm not spending a fortune again on a commute bike, and the 3 speed ton and a half town bike snotter I've got, complete with wire shopping basket and paniers
whilst it cost square root of nowt is just too much like hard work.macp said:
Im seriously tempted thinking I could probably get a ton for my Mogul limited edition MTB as its virtually like new.Not mine but the only pic I could find of the same bike.
Just ride that one. Seriously, it'll cost you nothing, it'll get you to work quickly enough and if you don't get on with it you'll have the same old bike in the shed, not a new £500 one.F i F said:
So any recommendations for a hybrid with a good upright(ish) riding position?
I've got a Kona Dew Deluxe and I love it.
You can get them for under £500 now online it seems. Definitely more towards the MTB side of the spectrum with a nice upright - very upright - position, reasonably powerful disc brakes and a light-ish yet robust frame. Most importantly it's been very reliable even with my slightly dubious standards of maintenance.
The Cannondale Badboy also seems to come highly recommended, even if it does have a slightly homosexual name. And I think Orange do a hybrid now too?
Chris71 said:
F i F said:
So any recommendations for a hybrid with a good upright(ish) riding position?
I've got a Kona Dew Deluxe and I love it.You can get them for under £500 now online it seems. Definitely more towards the MTB side of the spectrum with a nice upright - very upright - position, reasonably powerful disc brakes and a light-ish yet robust frame. Most importantly it's been very reliable even with my slightly dubious standards of maintenance.
The Cannondale Badboy also seems to come highly recommended, even if it does have a slightly homosexual name. And I think Orange do a hybrid now too?
I prefer riding the road bike, the Bad Boy had superb brakes (well mine did, I put Hopes on, the standard ones werent much cop), it was reasonably fast and quite maneuverable but I just prefer the road bike, the ride is softer (Bad Boy is very stiff, fnarr fnarr) though still taught, the dropped bars give more options for positions, it seems for the same effort I got about 2 mph faster due to the aerodynanic advantages, less weight and lower bottom bracket that allows a longer and more natrual pedal stroke, the Bad Boy has a MTB style, higher BB which is a compromise on the road.
I only changed because of the cycle to work scheme, means I can get a new bike for 60 percent of what it would cost me normally over 18 months with no interest.
I hope more people take to it if they are able, I think a lot of people sit in traffic for ages when they dont need to, I think a lot are terrified of getting wet but mainly I think if someone has paid 30 grand for a status symbol they feel they should use it, in fact I think some get terrified at the prospect of not having their big shiny ego with them.
Go on, have a go, try a road bike, something that makes an Elise feel big, heavy and clumsy
F i F said:
So any recommendations for a hybrid with a good upright(ish) riding position?
I took the advice of a friend of mine, and took a hacksaw to an old pair of drop bars then flipped them up the other way and replaced my standard drops with them... Very good indeed for town riding, with an improvement in handling and observation. Might be worth a look.Cheers,
Tom
Another tip, use Google maps for routes, you can get places cars cant, if you can use them its safer, more peaceful and interesting for you and you dont get in the way of car drivers, as I think they think cyclists are just out to annoy them, far from it, when sat on 20 pounds of aluminium with nothing around me I prefer to minimise my intercations with two tonne metal projectiles and when I am in my two tonne metal projectile I prefer to avoid cyclists, obviously when I do I pass wide and slow and not scream past at full tilt like that knob jocket in the Audi A5 !
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff