Road Bike for Commuting
Discussion
My employer has recently re-opened the cycle to work scheme and I'm very tempted with a road bike.
I currently cycle to work very occasionally. I cycled all last week, but not at all the week before and a few days the week before that - it's rather random whether I cycle or not.
Currently ride in on my Canyon Nerve AM - 150mm travel, not the lightest frame and 2.4inch tyres don't make it the ideal commuter! Only 5 miles each way and I manage to average 14mph according to the GPS.
I'm thinking a road bike would make it much easier. Well, I say easier, I'll probably just push harder so I get to work much quicker but end up just as hot and sweaty.
I've always been into mountain biking though so I know absolutely nothing about road bike components.
What are people's thoughts on this
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/al...
The monthly salary sacrifice in C2W is so minimal I'd be silly not to get a road bike.
Budget can stretch a little further if people have other recommendations.
I like the idea of having drop bars if I want to take it out at the weekend. My route to work I won't encounter much traffic to filter through (heard drop bars are maybe an issue for that?) but I do have to have a backpack with my change of clothes in it. Will it be uncomfortable being lent so far forward with such low bars?
Only requirements are a big frame size - I was drawn to the great looks of some Lapierre's but the people I have to go through for C2W only had small sizes, and a Specialized with carbon forks (mmmm carbon) but again, too small. I'm thinking 60+cm having looked at online guides (mtb is a 22 inch frame).
I currently cycle to work very occasionally. I cycled all last week, but not at all the week before and a few days the week before that - it's rather random whether I cycle or not.
Currently ride in on my Canyon Nerve AM - 150mm travel, not the lightest frame and 2.4inch tyres don't make it the ideal commuter! Only 5 miles each way and I manage to average 14mph according to the GPS.
I'm thinking a road bike would make it much easier. Well, I say easier, I'll probably just push harder so I get to work much quicker but end up just as hot and sweaty.
I've always been into mountain biking though so I know absolutely nothing about road bike components.
What are people's thoughts on this
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/al...
The monthly salary sacrifice in C2W is so minimal I'd be silly not to get a road bike.
Budget can stretch a little further if people have other recommendations.
I like the idea of having drop bars if I want to take it out at the weekend. My route to work I won't encounter much traffic to filter through (heard drop bars are maybe an issue for that?) but I do have to have a backpack with my change of clothes in it. Will it be uncomfortable being lent so far forward with such low bars?
Only requirements are a big frame size - I was drawn to the great looks of some Lapierre's but the people I have to go through for C2W only had small sizes, and a Specialized with carbon forks (mmmm carbon) but again, too small. I'm thinking 60+cm having looked at online guides (mtb is a 22 inch frame).
I know it's a ridiculous reason, but when I bought mine recently I completely discounted the Specialized range on the grounds of that odd curved top tube with the cable arrow-straight underneath it.
Started commuting on a CAAD8 from Evans a couple of weeks back, going well so far. Far easier on a road bike than an MTB or even my fairly swift hybrid. In fact the only problem is that carrying a chunky lock on a lightweight road bike feels all wrong - so I leave the lock at work now.
Started commuting on a CAAD8 from Evans a couple of weeks back, going well so far. Far easier on a road bike than an MTB or even my fairly swift hybrid. In fact the only problem is that carrying a chunky lock on a lightweight road bike feels all wrong - so I leave the lock at work now.
I own a specialized allez, it's a good bike, but if I was using it for commuting or if I were to buy again I would have opted for a bike with attachments for panniers and more room for mud guards. Probably a tourer or similar.
Perhaps something like this
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/voya...
Perhaps something like this
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/voya...
Edited by GBDG on Wednesday 6th June 19:16
Nowt wrong with an Allez: been around for years on one way, shape or form, and does the job well whilst not costing the earth. I suspect many roadies out there stated out on one 
That particular bike has a triple chain set: no need. Find one with a compact/double chain set: lighter, less faff to set-up.
Drops aren't an issue in traffic
That particular bike has a triple chain set: no need. Find one with a compact/double chain set: lighter, less faff to set-up.
Drops aren't an issue in traffic
james239 said:
I know it's an issue for some people - but panniers/mud guards aren't something I think I'd bother with.
After your first ride in the rain you will want mudguards for two reasons. 1/ your backside and lower back will be soaking. 2/ You will get stuck behind someone without them and have a face full of spray and think "what an inconsiderate ******!" then realise thats what it feels like for anyone behind you. the clip on crud race guards are very good
With a double chain set do you typically lose the granny (sorry if roadies don't call it that...) or the big ring?
My MTB is a triple but I've still not used the granny. Looked at converting to double but it's usually the big ring you lose. I'm guessing on a road bike I'll use the granny even less.
I know I won't shave much time off the commute just hoping it'll be a bit easier. Plus I like the idea of the occasional weekend ride on a road bike when I don't want to get muddy
My MTB is a triple but I've still not used the granny. Looked at converting to double but it's usually the big ring you lose. I'm guessing on a road bike I'll use the granny even less.
I know I won't shave much time off the commute just hoping it'll be a bit easier. Plus I like the idea of the occasional weekend ride on a road bike when I don't want to get muddy
If you get a compact then you lose the tiny ring yes, you'll have a 34t and a 50t and a 11-25 on the back will see you up almost anything.
A double is typically 53/39 which tends to suit stronger riders as unless you have a huge cassette on the back then the easiest gear isn't anywhere near as easy as the compact design.
A double is typically 53/39 which tends to suit stronger riders as unless you have a huge cassette on the back then the easiest gear isn't anywhere near as easy as the compact design.
Anyone got any thoughts on either of these
Cannondale Caad8 6
KTM Strada 1000 CD
Both seem fairly similarly spec'd to me.
They're both cheaper on the C2W site than on those sites, but I think the KTM is still slightly cheaper. I think I prefer the KTM but that's based purely on it being matt black/orange. I didn't even know they did bicycles until the other day - are they actually any good or are they one of the brands where you can pay a premium for the name?
Cannondale Caad8 6
KTM Strada 1000 CD
Both seem fairly similarly spec'd to me.
They're both cheaper on the C2W site than on those sites, but I think the KTM is still slightly cheaper. I think I prefer the KTM but that's based purely on it being matt black/orange. I didn't even know they did bicycles until the other day - are they actually any good or are they one of the brands where you can pay a premium for the name?
YarisSi said:
How about the Ribble Winter Trainer?
I have been thinking about one for C2W to do a 8 mile commute but having never ridden anything but lower end hybrids and mtbs I have no idea what it will be like and how it will cope with "rough" country roads.
They'll be fine I have been thinking about one for C2W to do a 8 mile commute but having never ridden anything but lower end hybrids and mtbs I have no idea what it will be like and how it will cope with "rough" country roads.
Watch a few minutes of Paris-Roubaix if you need reassurance.james239 said:
I have one.
I think it's brilliant.
Could do a lot worse than a CX bike. I used to have 'proper' Boardman roadbike & a Specialised MTB for towpaths/bridleways etc. Then I got a Kona Jake CX bike. Its 99% as good as the Boardman on the road (when stripped of the commute accessories)& is far more comfortble with its higher handlebar position. Its also up to the job of the type of trails I use on commute. It's so good I sold the other 2 & just have the Kona (& a Brompton for train commute days) now, freeing up some garage space & cash in the process. I now have full mudgurads/rack/pannnier so hop on it to go to the shops too. I love that bike!
Jimboka said:
Could do a lot worse than a CX bike. I used to have 'proper' Boardman roadbike & a Specialised MTB for towpaths/bridleways etc. Then I got a Kona Jake CX bike. Its 99% as good as the Boardman on the road (when stripped of the commute accessories)& is far more comfortble with its higher handlebar position. Its also up to the job of the type of trails I use on commute. It's so good I sold the other 2 & just have the Kona (& a Brompton for train commute days) now, freeing up some garage space & cash in the process. I now have full mudgurads/rack/pannnier so hop on it to go to the shops too. I love that bike!
I looked at CX bikes... Lots seemed to have 38/48 front cogs. Therefore a 48/12 top gear... Not enough. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff