Commuting bike suggestions - must encourage slowness

[GiantCardboardPlato]

Cycling to work again, it’s about 8km, 180m of ascent/descent (depending which way you go).
I’ve been away a few years, having quit because I just found it a bit too stressful.
Unfortunately I haven’t developed any extra fear/maturity in my few years off. I am still going flat out, still maxing out my heart rate, still going as fast as I possibly can at all points.
I don’t want to ride like that, I want to ride slowly but I just can’t seem to (psychologically) do it…

The ride is short enough that I could cycle to work in my normal clothes, if i cycled slowly… I’m looking for suggestions for bikes that would support/encourage that kind of riding, but not be massively fking heavy (because of the hills).

(Current bike is a ‘gravel bike’ 2 x 10 speed, aluminium frame, disc brakes, dropbars, etc.etc. I guess to an extent the frame/geometry eggs a rider on.)

[LunarOne]

[Sporky]

[272BHP]

LunarOne said:

We have stayed at a couple of hotels in Europe this year where they have complimentary city bikes like the one above. At first I was against using them as they didn't seem the coolest thing to ride on but I have to admit that it was magnificently fit for purpose.

How else can you ride gently and comfortably across town to a restaurant in your best clothes?

[GiantCardboardPlato]

I’m all for a bike with geometry like that, sitting upright looks much comfier and actually much more confidence inspiring. But I want a bike like that that doesn’t weigh a ton, I have 180m of climbing on the way home…

[thebraketester]

[magpie215]

Budget?

[GiantCardboardPlato]

I’m unfussed budget wise

[stuthemong]

What about one of those fat wheel bikes?

They look built for cruising!

[Dracoro]

Why not get a stack/height extender for your gravel bike (assuming cables etc allows) which will make your position much more upright. Could even lower the saddle within reason to help with that cycling position. You then still have the benefits of gearing/weight your gravel bike already has.

Extender/riser/hinges stem should only cost £20 or so.

Added benefit it you can remove extender for when you want to go on long/faster rides.

Only that small cost to see if it works before splashing out on a new bike.

Edited by Dracoro on Sunday 18th June 23:49

[MBBlat]

GiantCardboardPlato said:

I’m all for a bike with geometry like that, sitting upright looks much comfier and actually much more confidence inspiring. But I want a bike like that that doesn’t weigh a ton, I have 180m of climbing on the way home…

A e- bike equivalent of the above, would help with the climb on the way home.

[troc]

This is the kind of thing that commuters in Holland tend to get for anything over a few km each way:

https://www.batavus.nl/elektrische-fietsen

Dutch style bikes with modern e-bike motors. Heavy, yes, but also stable, able to carry lots of stuff, decent battery size and you’ll not arrive all hot and sweaty.

[S600BSB]

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-triban-rc-...iv_p_1_g_61980123014_c_316426067270_w_pla-304956812153_n_g_d_m_v__l__t__r_x_pla_y_15177021_f_online_o_8554410-2734581_z_GB_i_en_j_304956812153_s__e__h_1006815_ii__vi&gclid=Cj0KCQjw98ujBhCgARIsAD7QeAjjxkLDI9Vc7-eOD6523pSOy68h-N25s7D5W8IRko99WvGrUrjk_K4aAqU-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[WPA]

Brompton

[TheDrownedApe]

surely any hybrid would be sound choice? Boardman's are perfectly suited and cheap.

I know how you feel though with the speed thing as i used to commute from Sadly Broke into Bristol and couldn't abide going slowly. it felt more dangerous and getting overtaken by everyone was bad for my self esteem