What bike? Commute includes Ditchling Beacon.

[DJC]

I commute about 7 miles into work, 6 days a week. I would like to consider doing this by bike.

I've never commuted by bike before, although I used to cycle ~15 miles a day for pleasure about 4 years ago.

I have shower facilities at work, along with my own office so storage of clothes, shoes and so on isn't a problem. I don't usually take anything with me to work apart from my wallet and work keys.

My commute includes Ditchling Beacon - those of you familiar with the L2B will know this hill. To be honest this single fact has put me off commuting for a number of years partly to do with the incline, but also the dangerous driving that happens on that hill. That and the fog that sits on the top of the Beacon first thing in the morning on many Spring and Autumn days.

I do have a bike, but it has been left outside for a number of years and is used primairy to pop to the shops on average about 3 times a year. So, with a budget of £500 for the bike and equipment, how would you advise I spend it?

My thoughs are a bike like this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/raleigh/team-s... the rest being spent on decent lights, clothes and other equipment. Although I know nothing so my thoughts are based on no foundation.

Any help, pointers or advice greatly received .

[Fume troll]

If you're concerned about the hill, I'd be looking at something with three front chain rings and a good low bottom ratio. Mountain bike on road tyres, a hybrid, cyclocross or tourer of some sort.

Cheers,

FT.

[louiebaby]

Fume troll said:

If you're concerned about the hill...

And you probably should be, it's a bit of a monster...



He offers good advice. I got up it on my road bike earlier this year, but if it was on my daily commute, I would get a road bike with a triple on the front.

Check the gearing on a CX bike, but the combination of robust frame, slightly knobbly / grippy tyres, and drops would make me consider it.

I think a mountain bike on slicks would get up no problem, but you'd soon be so fit you'd be spinning out on the flat.

If you don't want drop bars, some road bikes are available with flat bars. Keep the weight down on the bike, and the climb will be easier.

[okgo]

Any hybrid will have gearing that will enable people to get up there.

My gf did it without getting off on a trek 7.3 or something, so you should be fin on nearly anything as long as it isn't a road bike with a double chain set.

[HundredthIdiot]

What's the gradient like on that hill?

I'm biased, but I really think that climbing on the hoods of drop handlebars is much more comfortable than with flats and bar ends.

Also, lots of people do things like the Marmotte on a compact with 28 on the back, so I don't think a triple is necessary. Depends on your power/weight.

[okgo]

Its literally like a short Alpe D'uez, averaging around 8-9 and a max of 16 or something, its a mile long, which actually is quite long for something in the south of England, most short sharp hills arond Surrey for instance are less than a KM.

[anonymous-user]

dont stress about the hill, the more reps you do, the easier it will be. there is loads of info on the web about hill climbing technique but as your commute is not that long, you should quickly build up strength in your legs. some people attack hills fast at the bottom and let tehir energy fade as theyclimb, others stick to a regular pace and some do it in quick bursts. you will find that if you are dressed and carrying nothing you wont suffer as much as you think.

the raleigh is a good bike, at that price range, raleigh, carrera and dawes are the only ones to consider. that particualr raleigh has a 34/25 lowest gear ratio whcih should get you up ANY hill comfortably enough.

finally, in an interview with the cycling press, jens voight was asked how he gets through the pain in his legs whilst climbing to which Voight replied "I say 'Shut up legs!'" and Voight instantly became a hero to millions of us...

[mk1fan]

Donn't get a bike with a triple chainset. You'll get stuck in the mindset to 'drop down' each time you get near the hill.

If you don't need to carry anything then I'd suggest a road bike or a hybrid with 700c sized wheels. '32' size tyres should give you suitable cushioning on the road.

MTBs on thin slicks handle oddly - the diameter of the wheel is considerably reduced - and if you're not going to be riding off road it's a bit pointless.

The right tool for the job would be a hybrid or road bike. Hybrid will be more comfortable.

[neilski]

okgo said:

Its literally like a short Alpe D'uez,

Yep. Ditchling Beacon is like a short Alpe D'Huez in much the same way that a lap of Richmond Park is like a short Marmotte and London to Brighton is like a short Tour de France.

[okgo]

The profile is identical you berk, that's what I said.

[scubadude]

Depends what state you can acceptably arrive at work... an E-Bike will get your there least stinky but its not realy cycling :-)

Assuming the routes all onroad and your body is compatible with one then a road bike with a touring triple crankset would make sense (don't forget some epic brakes as your route the other way includes going down the Beacon :-)

[anonymous-user]

mk1fan said:

Donn't get a bike with a triple chainset. You'll get stuck in the mindset to 'drop down' each time you get near the hill.

If you don't need to carry anything then I'd suggest a road bike or a hybrid with 700c sized wheels. '32' size tyres should give you suitable cushioning on the road.

MTBs on thin slicks handle oddly - the diameter of the wheel is considerably reduced - and if you're not going to be riding off road it's a bit pointless.

The right tool for the job would be a hybrid or road bike. Hybrid will be more comfortable.

Unless you are handing in your man card, you will never use the middle chainring on a triple and compact chainsets are designed such that the ratios pretty much overlap..

a hybrid isnt that easy to climb hills on unless you fit bar ends (which itself isnt an issue) but getting a reasonable one that doesnt weigh a ton for your budget isnt going to be easier!) an entry level road bike is a good bet and its far comfier to be out of the saddle on one compared to a hybrod.

[HundredthIdiot]

It looks from the online profiles that the hard section of the climb goes up 110m in 1km, so that's 11%.

Plugging some numbers into various calculators, that gives 260W power for 6 minutes at 10kph for a 70kg rider with 8kg bike. 10kph on a 34-27 gives 63rpm.

Now obviously everyone is different, but whilst it might be a pleasant leg stretcher on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I'm not really sure I'd fancy that on a daily basis, summer and winter, with hangovers and colds and frost and impatient motorists and a rucksack on my back.

I'd get a road bike with a triple and a rack.

edited for sense

Edited by HundredthIdiot on Wednesday 27th July 15:29

[OneDs]

okgo said:

The profile is identical you berk, that's what I said.

No it's not what you said, you said it was like a short Alp D'Heuz so a part from the average gradient. How short does it have to be to be a short version?

ADH is 13.9km the Beacon is 1.6km so that's 11.5 times further. I'd suggest that saying it's short is a tad of an over simplification. Also 1800m+ at the top is a little bit different to the 250m of Ditchling?

Lets not forget the 21 hairpins, scenery, legendary status, mad dutch men and screaming fans.

I know in the South of England Ditchling is considered a tough climb for us mere mortals, But it would be like me saying just because the 400m road up to my house is 12.5% I could climb any TdF HC Col with ease because generally they average less than 10%.

Edit by the way I'd get the lightest Hybrid you can afford with 700c tires and no sus, a triple front or if a double then a 11-28 cassette on the back. I'd love it as my commute because I'd like the challenge.

Edited by OneDs on Wednesday 27th July 15:16

[okgo]

fk me there are some pedntatic people on here.

I merely meant it had almost exactly the same average and max gradiants albeit only a mile long.

[HundredthIdiot]

okgo said:

fk me there are some pedntatic people on here.

pedantic

[mk1fan]

OneDs said:

mad dutch men and screaming fans

If you're going [to attempt] to be pedantic then you may want to reconsider this. They haven't be there the times I've been up/down Alp d'Huez.

[okgo]

HundredthIdiot said:

pedantic

[OneDs]

okgo said:

fk me there are some pedantic people on here.

I merely meant it had almost exactly the same average and max gradients albeit only a mile long.

I agree maybe a bit of a pedant, but come on..... Ditchling is only just a bit further than the ramp up to the first Hairpin of ADH. I think you have some serious TdF withdrawal symptoms.

mk1fan said:

If you're going [to attempt] to be pedantic then you may want to reconsider this. They haven't be there the times I've been up/down Alp d'Huez.

Yes perhaps I have some pretty bad TdF withdrawal symptoms as well.

Edited by OneDs on Wednesday 27th July 15:34

[mk1fan]

pablo said:

a hybrid isnt that easy to climb hills on unless you fit bar ends (which itself isnt an issue) but getting a reasonable one that doesnt weigh a ton for your budget isnt going to be easier!)

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/hybrid/hybrid_comp.html

Fits the bill (albeit £600) and under 24lbs. Secondhand would be well within budget. Shame they don't sell the 'Race' version in the UK as it's cheaper.