Cyclo-cross Bike As A Commuter
Discussion
Apologies if this has been done before, but I can't see anything similar and the search facility appears to be on permanent vacation.... anyhoo..
Hopefully moving to a different office in next month or so. Office is 6 miles away through quietish streets, lots of tramlines (and trams!) to negotiate. A slight detour takes me through woods (Beeley Woods for any Sheffield locals) Would add 10-15 mins to my commute but could see me doing it a couple of times a week, certainly on the way home. I currently have a 2002 Marin Mount Vision with Easton riser bars (I'm fat and they are more comfortable than flats) and fubared XC4 brakes . My employer does the cycle to work scheme. I have a couple of questions!
1) Bearing in mind the roads I will commute on are pot-holed and have tramlines, would a cyclo-cross bike be a better bet than a full roadie?
2) Could I have a hack through muddy woods on a cyclo-cross bike, or would I have to take the Marin on those days?
3) If I bought say a cyclo-cross bike on cycle to work, could I buy some new brakes, new wheels and semi-slicks for the Marin too for when I wanted to ride that? (That would actually be my ideal!)
4) Anyone found a good back-pack that will hold & protect a laptop, an A4 folio and a few bits and bobs?
Hopefully moving to a different office in next month or so. Office is 6 miles away through quietish streets, lots of tramlines (and trams!) to negotiate. A slight detour takes me through woods (Beeley Woods for any Sheffield locals) Would add 10-15 mins to my commute but could see me doing it a couple of times a week, certainly on the way home. I currently have a 2002 Marin Mount Vision with Easton riser bars (I'm fat and they are more comfortable than flats) and fubared XC4 brakes . My employer does the cycle to work scheme. I have a couple of questions!
1) Bearing in mind the roads I will commute on are pot-holed and have tramlines, would a cyclo-cross bike be a better bet than a full roadie?
2) Could I have a hack through muddy woods on a cyclo-cross bike, or would I have to take the Marin on those days?
3) If I bought say a cyclo-cross bike on cycle to work, could I buy some new brakes, new wheels and semi-slicks for the Marin too for when I wanted to ride that? (That would actually be my ideal!)
4) Anyone found a good back-pack that will hold & protect a laptop, an A4 folio and a few bits and bobs?
1) Yes and no. It's the larger volume tyres that make the difference in comfort rather than the geometry. 700 x 32 tyres help smooth the ride out.
2) Cyclo-croos bikes are off-road bikes.
3) According to the rules, no. That doesn't mean that the supplying shop won't do it. Remember though that your employer owns all the kit you buy until the final payment is made by you.
4) Personally I carry my stuff in panniers - note plural so two - as riding with a rucksack can easily cause injury. The shape of the laptop and the files means that any rucksack is going to be a compromise and it will not sit 'comfortably' on your back.
2) Cyclo-croos bikes are off-road bikes.
3) According to the rules, no. That doesn't mean that the supplying shop won't do it. Remember though that your employer owns all the kit you buy until the final payment is made by you.
4) Personally I carry my stuff in panniers - note plural so two - as riding with a rucksack can easily cause injury. The shape of the laptop and the files means that any rucksack is going to be a compromise and it will not sit 'comfortably' on your back.
1 - yup, cross bikes are ideal for urban commuting.
2 - Again, yes it will do off road.
3 - Yes, thats against the rules. But actually - i doubt you'll find a shop that does that that is worth dealing with. Its very illegal and could have very serious repurcussions with the law and the tax man. Really.
4 - Ogio make excellent packs for jsut that. I have a politan which takes files, proper padded laptop sleeve, and lots of compartments/pockets. great bag.
2 - Again, yes it will do off road.
3 - Yes, thats against the rules. But actually - i doubt you'll find a shop that does that that is worth dealing with. Its very illegal and could have very serious repurcussions with the law and the tax man. Really.
4 - Ogio make excellent packs for jsut that. I have a politan which takes files, proper padded laptop sleeve, and lots of compartments/pockets. great bag.
Depending on your scheme you should be able to get accessories (helmet, reflectors, jacket, lock etc) up to the nominated value you asked for, this in reality means you can choose pretty much anything from the bike shop. I bought a lock, two cheap speedos and some new tyres for my MTB when I got mine.
Have a look at the lighter weight hybrids, which might suit you better if you want a sit-up/relaxed position. They will be more than tough enough for gentle off road and potholes, and ought to be more flexible in use than a pure cyclo cross bike.
Have a look at the lighter weight hybrids, which might suit you better if you want a sit-up/relaxed position. They will be more than tough enough for gentle off road and potholes, and ought to be more flexible in use than a pure cyclo cross bike.
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