Commuting to work, prepare for bad weather
Discussion
Hi All,
I’ve been cycling 36 miles return to work. Takes me 1hr, 25mins, which is 10-15 mins more than the train and saves me £12 a day on trains and gives me a workout.
I’m using a Decathlon Triban 500SE with Claris and changed the tyres to 700x25 from the original 700x23.
I’ve a hard tail mountain bike, RockRider 520 and I’m thinking is it worth taking the knobbly tyres off and moving to slicks 26x1.95 and using something with a wider tyre in the rain and bad weather. I know it’ll be slower but is it an option worth considering from a safety perspective, wider contact patch etc? Understand that tread on a bike tyre is mostly aesthetic and slicks are better on a bicycle but wondering about thoughts on a mountains bike for the bad weather?
Are the cycling courses worth doing? From a safely perspective I like to thing I do the obvious, like lights, helmet and make eye contact and assume drivers won’t see me but I’m sure I could learn more from those more experienced
Thanks All.
I’ve been cycling 36 miles return to work. Takes me 1hr, 25mins, which is 10-15 mins more than the train and saves me £12 a day on trains and gives me a workout.
I’m using a Decathlon Triban 500SE with Claris and changed the tyres to 700x25 from the original 700x23.
I’ve a hard tail mountain bike, RockRider 520 and I’m thinking is it worth taking the knobbly tyres off and moving to slicks 26x1.95 and using something with a wider tyre in the rain and bad weather. I know it’ll be slower but is it an option worth considering from a safety perspective, wider contact patch etc? Understand that tread on a bike tyre is mostly aesthetic and slicks are better on a bicycle but wondering about thoughts on a mountains bike for the bad weather?
Are the cycling courses worth doing? From a safely perspective I like to thing I do the obvious, like lights, helmet and make eye contact and assume drivers won’t see me but I’m sure I could learn more from those more experienced
Thanks All.
I just started riding a 30 mile round trip on a rockrider 5.3. I'm doing it in 1h10 each way on schwalbe city jets 26x1.5. they're about 5-10 mins quicker than semi knobblirs but the real determinant of pace is how I catch the lights at the numerous junctions I have to cross.
Concur about decent footwear and mudguards but I'm yet to do either.
Concur about decent footwear and mudguards but I'm yet to do either.
Stick with the road bike - slicks work just fine in the wet - maybe fit some 28mm for a softer ride and a wider contact patch (will feel more sure footed) but key for wet weather is full mudguards. Fit proper ones if your bike has mudguards mounts, otherwise some crud road racers or the SKS equivalent will do the same job.
deeen said:
Disagree with slicks, i prefer some tread pattern on the tyre for for winter riding. Also wider tyre means you can go softer. As above, mudguards, lights, bright clothing, overshoes, gloves.
Tread on road bike tyres makes no difference, apart from giving even less contact patch.Tyre compound is way more important on bike tyres.
louiebaby said:
If your local bike shop offers to fit them for you, take them up on the offer. They're a b
d to fit.
I fitted some SKS raceblade long to my allez at the weekend, only took about 30mins and was super easy.d to fit.Don't do it! I was in between road bikes and used my MTB, its bloody heard work even with slicks and changing the cassette to a roady one. MTB gears don't suit the road. I only have a 35 min commute and it was taking 45. I kept it up for about 2 months while I was waiting for my bike. I try to commute all year round and on my commuter bike, I run the same tyres all year round. I just ride differently when its slippery.
Fluffsri said:
Don't do it! I was in between road bikes and used my MTB, its bloody heard work even with slicks and changing the cassette to a roady one. MTB gears don't suit the road. I only have a 35 min commute and it was taking 45. I kept it up for about 2 months while I was waiting for my bike. I try to commute all year round and on my commuter bike, I run the same tyres all year round. I just ride differently when its slippery.
I don't cycle every day and it's only 7 miles each way but telling myself that my knobbly tyred MTB is a good work out is wearing thin with various people on skinny tyred road bikes and hybrids breezing by.
Thanks all. Appreciate the replies.
I’m actually enjoying the ride and have the gloves, cycling jacket with top underneath for warmth, gloves and over shoes and just need the mud guards. They are something I need to get.
I’m also tempted with the idea of a new bike. I know this isn’t how the thread started but when looking for bits I see some bikes on sale. I think it’s more the want than need as the Triban is a trusty commuter.
Anyone know of any good deals?
I’m thinking the below looks quite smart but again would appreciate any links from those more in the know. I’d like to start cycling longer distances at the weekend and get out and about. Maybe join a local club.
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/boardman-slr-92-d...
I’m actually enjoying the ride and have the gloves, cycling jacket with top underneath for warmth, gloves and over shoes and just need the mud guards. They are something I need to get.
I’m also tempted with the idea of a new bike. I know this isn’t how the thread started but when looking for bits I see some bikes on sale. I think it’s more the want than need as the Triban is a trusty commuter.
Anyone know of any good deals?
I’m thinking the below looks quite smart but again would appreciate any links from those more in the know. I’d like to start cycling longer distances at the weekend and get out and about. Maybe join a local club.
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/boardman-slr-92-d...
Depends on the terrain of you commute.
I used to do circa 20 miles each way on country lanes. I did it on a fixie/singlespeed...old steel frame job.
Full fixed mudguards, schwalbe marathon plus tyres (to avoid punctures on dark wet nights), waterproof over shoes and winter gloves made ti a please to do over the winter.
I used to do circa 20 miles each way on country lanes. I did it on a fixie/singlespeed...old steel frame job.
Full fixed mudguards, schwalbe marathon plus tyres (to avoid punctures on dark wet nights), waterproof over shoes and winter gloves made ti a please to do over the winter.
Good on you. 36 miles through the winter is a hell of a commute.
Essentially you’re on the right bike, but weather protection is key as temperatures drop and the roads stay wet!
Keep on top of maintenance. That kind of use will eat through brake blocks, chains and cassettes, although diligent cleaning at the weekends will prolong the life of consumables.
I would second the advice about putting 700c/28 tyres on, if they fit under full mudguards.
Essentially you’re on the right bike, but weather protection is key as temperatures drop and the roads stay wet!
Keep on top of maintenance. That kind of use will eat through brake blocks, chains and cassettes, although diligent cleaning at the weekends will prolong the life of consumables.
I would second the advice about putting 700c/28 tyres on, if they fit under full mudguards.
36 miles each way is a hell of a commute, chapeau to you!
I have an aero road bike, and can only fit 25 mm tyres on it, no mudguards, rim brakes. The winter riding wrecks it, I get through chains and cassettes, brake blocks and even wheels pretty quickly, although I am suspicious about the shop telling me I need new wheels. Clothes don't last too long either, particularly overshoes. In the winter I keep the road commutes to around an hour, and take the car in the morning instead if the rain is falling. I am more likely to ride when it is cold and dry than when it is warm and wet.
I also have a very old mtb, it's a 26" Specialised Hard Rock, so commute over the South Downs. It's very muddy at this time of year, and for the next 5 months or so, but it's a brilliant way to get to work on a bike. It has 2.35" knobbly tyres which I use all year round; they can cope with all but the worst of the mud and slop in winter, and I don't think they are much of a disadvantage in the summer.
I've had 6 accidents in 5 years on the road bike, and none at all on the mtb. I ride slightly more miles per year on the road bike, at a higher speed. If I had the money I would buy a secondhand cx or gravel/adventure bike, and stick 35mm (or wider) tyres on it and mudguards for winter use. I am starting to think that my road bike is like an old 911; fantastic on a dry day when you are on top of your game, but if you are a bit tired, or have a lapse of concentration and then happen on some not quite perfect tarmac, it will try to kill you. The most recent accident saw me on a country lane, the car coming towards me gave me no room so I had to go off the tarmac, suffered an exploding front tyre and hit the deck. I know if I had been on the mountain bike, that would not have been a problem; although I would have been going slower anyway.
I have an aero road bike, and can only fit 25 mm tyres on it, no mudguards, rim brakes. The winter riding wrecks it, I get through chains and cassettes, brake blocks and even wheels pretty quickly, although I am suspicious about the shop telling me I need new wheels. Clothes don't last too long either, particularly overshoes. In the winter I keep the road commutes to around an hour, and take the car in the morning instead if the rain is falling. I am more likely to ride when it is cold and dry than when it is warm and wet.
I also have a very old mtb, it's a 26" Specialised Hard Rock, so commute over the South Downs. It's very muddy at this time of year, and for the next 5 months or so, but it's a brilliant way to get to work on a bike. It has 2.35" knobbly tyres which I use all year round; they can cope with all but the worst of the mud and slop in winter, and I don't think they are much of a disadvantage in the summer.
I've had 6 accidents in 5 years on the road bike, and none at all on the mtb. I ride slightly more miles per year on the road bike, at a higher speed. If I had the money I would buy a secondhand cx or gravel/adventure bike, and stick 35mm (or wider) tyres on it and mudguards for winter use. I am starting to think that my road bike is like an old 911; fantastic on a dry day when you are on top of your game, but if you are a bit tired, or have a lapse of concentration and then happen on some not quite perfect tarmac, it will try to kill you. The most recent accident saw me on a country lane, the car coming towards me gave me no room so I had to go off the tarmac, suffered an exploding front tyre and hit the deck. I know if I had been on the mountain bike, that would not have been a problem; although I would have been going slower anyway.
Thanks everyone. I’m going to get some 28 tyres and see if they fit.
I have to be honest it’s 36 return, so 18 each way. I’m still proud of that though.
The other day I did see a few more hybrids. I take the road from Romford and then take the CS3 all the way to Embankment. I took the train the other day and hated it and kept thinking I’d rather be slogging it on the bike as I got wet walking to the office from the station anyway.
It does sound like some of you have much more interesting routes to cycle on.
The other day a driver look at me made eye contact and still pulled out. So it really is about self preservation and the reason for looking at other options was due to having a slide off about 7 weeks ago. Landed on my side and mainly bruised my ego. Was on the cycle lane under the trees. It had rained earlier and the now dryer conditions and lapse of concentration/over confidence saw me lean and the front wheel washed out. So all my own fault and part of the learning process. The bad weather is making me think about the best way to carry on safely and comfortably. Do think if I forget myself I’ll do it again but hope not.
I have to be honest it’s 36 return, so 18 each way. I’m still proud of that though.
The other day I did see a few more hybrids. I take the road from Romford and then take the CS3 all the way to Embankment. I took the train the other day and hated it and kept thinking I’d rather be slogging it on the bike as I got wet walking to the office from the station anyway.
It does sound like some of you have much more interesting routes to cycle on.
The other day a driver look at me made eye contact and still pulled out. So it really is about self preservation and the reason for looking at other options was due to having a slide off about 7 weeks ago. Landed on my side and mainly bruised my ego. Was on the cycle lane under the trees. It had rained earlier and the now dryer conditions and lapse of concentration/over confidence saw me lean and the front wheel washed out. So all my own fault and part of the learning process. The bad weather is making me think about the best way to carry on safely and comfortably. Do think if I forget myself I’ll do it again but hope not.
Edited by Birdster on Tuesday 15th October 16:21
My bit of advice - toes and fingers are the most important bits on a long winter commute. Fingers are easy to solve but I spent far too long trying to solve my cold toe problems. I tried several types of over overshoe (they never lasted and were a pain to put on), waterproof socks, merino socks, and even wearing carrier bags on my feet, under the shoe as recommended on here.
The only thing that has genuinely worked once it's got really cold and wet is Northwave Celsius Goretex boots. They were a revelation and whilst expensive are worth every penny - wish I'd bought them years ago.
The only thing that has genuinely worked once it's got really cold and wet is Northwave Celsius Goretex boots. They were a revelation and whilst expensive are worth every penny - wish I'd bought them years ago.
ThorB said:
My bit of advice - toes and fingers are the most important bits on a long winter commute. Fingers are easy to solve but I spent far too long trying to solve my cold toe problems. I tried several types of over overshoe (they never lasted and were a pain to put on), waterproof socks, merino socks, and even wearing carrier bags on my feet, under the shoe as recommended on here.
The only thing that has genuinely worked once it's got really cold and wet is Northwave Celsius Goretex boots. They were a revelation and whilst expensive are worth every penny - wish I'd bought them years ago.
Best bought in June for 60% off!The only thing that has genuinely worked once it's got really cold and wet is Northwave Celsius Goretex boots. They were a revelation and whilst expensive are worth every penny - wish I'd bought them years ago.
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