Cycle or drive to work

[Chris71]

macp said:

Talking to some on the guys on the bike forums they say one of the biggest advantages of a road bike is the drop bars making it so much easier when riding against the wind ?

I do find myself gripping the inner part of the handlebars when I'm going quickly on smooth roads to reduce drag. I don't know if you get any real benefit for it, but it feels quicker! It does feel a lot less stable though - I wouldn't want to hit a pothole doing it. For that reason I prefer the MTB-style setup on the Kona.

The other thing - and again this may just be a preconception - but it feels quite solid. I don't have any qualms about dropping off kerbs or rolling over those potholes I can't avoid, but I always assumed a proper road bike would be less substantial. My other bike is a Sub 5 retrofitted with some meaty long travel forks, so I guess it's not surprising it feels light and efficient!

Coincidentally, going back to the Badboy, a friend of mine has one and the pedalling efficiency does seem to be better - it's a lot more 'road bike' in its feel, which seems a bit odd when you've just stepped off something far more mtb-inspired.

[macp]

Chris71 said:

macp said:

Talking to some on the guys on the bike forums they say one of the biggest advantages of a road bike is the drop bars making it so much easier when riding against the wind ?

I do find myself gripping the inner part of the handlebars when I'm going quickly on smooth roads to reduce drag. I don't know if you get any real benefit for it, but it feels quicker! It does feel a lot less stable though - I wouldn't want to hit a pothole doing it. For that reason I prefer the MTB-style setup on the Kona.

The other thing - and again this may just be a preconception - but it feels quite solid. I don't have any qualms about dropping off kerbs or rolling over those potholes I can't avoid, but I always assumed a proper road bike would be less substantial. My other bike is a Sub 5 retrofitted with some meaty long travel forks, so I guess it's not surprising it feels light and efficient!

Coincidentally, going back to the Badboy, a friend of mine has one and the pedalling efficiency does seem to be better - it's a lot more 'road bike' in its feel, which seems a bit odd when you've just stepped off something far more mtb-inspired.

Again I was surprised to read on one or two bike forums that road bikes are much more substantial than people think,me included.Obviously a decent size pothole would feck one up but I think it would probably feckup most road/hybrids.

[ewenm]

I have no qualms about hopping my road bike over potholes and up or down kerbs (if forced to, for example there's a point where two bike routes nearly join but there's a kerb in the way onmy route to work) and it's been no problem. It's a Cannondale R600 with the original wheels and rubber.

That said, I am clipped in so it's a definite jump rather than crashing either wheel into the obstacle.

[Chris71]

ewenm said:

That said, I am clipped in so it's a definite jump rather than crashing either wheel into the obstacle.

Yep, to be fair there are loads of things I could do to improve efficiency - a lighter bike, skinnier tyres etc. but they're all a bit insignificant given I don't use SPDs. According to some people you can get a 40% increase in efficiency just by doing that - at which point the weight of the wheels or whever or not you use a carbon stem is all dwarfed.

I just take the attitude that part of the reason I ride to work is to keep fit. If the bike weighs a few pounds extra that's actually helping. It's a bit like the fact I overfill my camelback almost everyday - it's not that I want to weigh myself down, just I'd rather carry a few extra grams of water and not need it than be left thirsty.

[CooperS]

macp said:

Talking to some on the guys on the bike forums they say one of the biggest advantages of a road bike is the drop bars making it so much easier when riding against the wind ?

I'm doing a 32 mile round commute in Edinburgh. Not that bad tbh and on a day like today a joy (really it is).

Must admit i havent read the above in detail so might be going over old ground but road bikes are great, nippy, nimble and can maintain speed but they arent the most comfortable and i cant say i can ride at 50% for more than a mile or two with out putting my footdown. Whereas a road hybrid (if you choose the right one) will give you 75% of benfit of a road but give you a more relaxed postion. Which if you doing less than 10 miles a day i cant see why you wouldnt want that.

I say go for it have your eyes open to the risks (traffic), costs of the cycling (i've spent another £400 on top of my new road bike and on existing gear to do this every day) and the time it will take (although 4 miles isnt going to take 2 moments to scramble through)

[macp]

I think I will stick with toeclips.

[Amateurish]

macp said:

I think I will stick with toeclips.

This is what I do on a 15 mile commute so I'm sure it will be fine for 4 miles.

[macp]

CooperS said:

macp said:

Talking to some on the guys on the bike forums they say one of the biggest advantages of a road bike is the drop bars making it so much easier when riding against the wind ?

I'm doing a 32 mile round commute in Edinburgh. Not that bad tbh and on a day like today a joy (really it is).

Must admit i havent read the above in detail so might be going over old ground but road bikes are great, nippy, nimble and can maintain speed but they arent the most comfortable and i cant say i can ride at 50% for more than a mile or two with out putting my footdown. Whereas a road hybrid (if you choose the right one) will give you 75% of benfit of a road but give you a more relaxed postion. Which if you doing less than 10 miles a day i cant see why you wouldnt want that.

I say go for it have your eyes open to the risks (traffic), costs of the cycling (i've spent another £400 on top of my new road bike and on existing gear to do this every day) and the time it will take (although 4 miles isnt going to take 2 moments to scramble through)

Thanks hybrids generally do tend to be less money than roadbikes I notice.

[macp]

Amateurish said:

macp said:

I think I will stick with toeclips.

This is what I do on a 15 mile commute so I'm sure it will be fine for 4 miles.

Starting to feel a bt sheepish with some you guys commuting 30 odd miles.

My 9yr old daughter just bought a spacehopper which I had a go of and eventually fell off but when you get into a rythmn you can cover some ground.Hmmmmm

[CooperS]

ewenm said:

I have no qualms about hopping my road bike over potholes and up or down kerbs (if forced to, for example there's a point where two bike routes nearly join but there's a kerb in the way onmy route to work) and it's been no problem. It's a Cannondale R600 with the original wheels and rubber.

That said, I am clipped in so it's a definite jump rather than crashing either wheel into the obstacle.

I ride the roads of edinburgh on my Spesh Tarmac so if that can cope im sure an alu bike will. (think the wheels will get attention every 500 miles or so but the frame should be fine as long as i dont stack it)

[winshent]

heebeegeetee said:

Yes I tried it once, and when I discovered how car drivers treat cyclists i gave up after 2 days and got back in my car and clogged the roads up along with everyone else.

Have you looked at doing the route off-road..

If you dont live in a city, then most of the time there is always an alternative route available..

less danger and more fun !!

[macp]

Head is slowly starting to turn towards the hybrid although im desiring the road bike.Found some great deals on the following bikes.Anybody got any experience or can recommend any of them ?

Specialized Sirrus

Kona Dew plus

Giant Seek 4

GT Traffic 3.0

Fuji Absolute 3.0

[CarbonBlackM5]

I have started to cycle the 6.5 miles to work and it take about the same amount of time or less than using the car. Saves some petrol money too.

Im actually enjoying it at the moment but everyone is right, some car drivers dont have a scooby. Thanks god for cycle paths thats all I can say.

I have started to look into the cyclescheme operated by the Government and it makes excellent sense.

[Chris71]

macp said:

Kona Dew plus

I've got a Dew Deluxe - not sure what the differences are, but I like it. Very definitely at the mtb end of the hybrid spectrum. Nice upright seating position - you can really throw it around. Tough, reasonably light after a mountain bike and seems to be reliable - only had very basic maintenance.

[Galsia]

Well I've finally gone out and brought a proper bicycle. I can't believe how light it is:



Its about 11kg, 27 speed with quickfire gears. Basically it seems to be a road bike with MTB handlebars. I dunno if it counts as a hybrid because I don't know the proper definition of one.

Its slightly more brown in colour than the picture shows and the metallic flake really sparkles when the sun hits it.

My commute on it only takes about 20 minutes which surprisingly is the same amount of time it takes in the car. Its only 3 miles each way but I'm quite unfit so its taken a bit of effort. I would never be able to do it on my old bike though. Done three days so far and I've really enjoyed it!

Tomorrow I'm going to buy some mudguards and a pannier rack. When these tyres burst, which will probably be soon judging by the amount of broken glass around here I'm gonna get some of those new-fangled kevlar tyre thingies.

Oh, I got myself a decent helmet too.

[bennyboydurham]

I'm only 5 miles from work but the journey is all narrow unlit B roads with blind bends that people absolutely hoon around. I've had more than one occasion to be glad to have a 7 Series around me, let alone fresh air. Sadly I don't think it's a goer for me.

[Hell27]

tylerama said:

If you have the option, do it. I work 34 miles away and I so wish there was another alternative to driving EVERY day.

Good point! I live 6 miles from Manchester city centre, and used to cycle in in the summer on my old mountain bike. Found out I was quite enjoying it, even if it was mainly downhill all the way, and uphill all the way back. Started to lose a bit of weight, and there is no better feeling than beating cars home on the commute, as the city congestion is awful.

I then got a job in Preston, so my 6 mile commute turned into 30. I have to drive it now, but here's an interesting point. I can get to Preston in about 35 minutes. It sometimes took me 45 to get into Manchester city centre in a car at the wrong time of the morning. On the pushbike, downhill, I could get into Manchester in 20 minutes, no problem. Crazy!

[buccal]

I've just finished my first week of commuting this week in central london. Also 6 miles each way and it takes half the time it took by bus previously.

Legs are like lead this morning but i've really enjoyed it so far.

Re bikes i have a trek fx but i'm already hankering after something a bit quicker on the road and i think i should have probably gone for a Sirrus.

Edited by buccal on Saturday 29th May 08:58

Edited by buccal on Saturday 29th May 08:59

[DangerousMike]

sjg said:

. And no need for showers either - just leave plenty of time and cycle at a nice easy pace. Don't try to race the traffic.

that is a very hard thing to do - i always end up trying to beat cars...

[macp]

Well Ive just finished my first week of cycling to work on my two ton tessie,man its slow but I still enjoyed it and im already feeling better in myself.I know it seems sad but im getting quite excited about looking for my replacement bike.As my commute is mostly rural on fast roads Ive decided on a road bike.Specialized will be my weapon of choice so beautifully built in my opinion.

Im also hunting for a cheap car so double excitement.