Cycle to work scheme (who rides far on road?)

[MElliottUK]

Hi,

My place of work has just introduced the cycle to work scheme and im thinking of either getting a nice new mountain bike or maybe a racer. Now i've never been on a racer, my commute would be 22miles each way, does anyone do this kind of distance?

I would still use the car but would be looking to use the bike every now and again, good excercise

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_pro_carbon.... is the bike i'm interested in, is there anywhere i can rent a decent racer? as i'm unsure if its me or not (i've always had mountain bikes)

Also, 22 miles, say i can sustain 15mph on a mountain bike with knobbly tyres, could get 22mph on the above bike? making my commute 1hr?

Thanks

Edited by MElliottUK on Friday 18th September 21:37

[MElliottUK]

on the other hand this one is 1/2 the price

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_comp_sc.htm...

But its single speed? whats the view on these?

[Pothole]

no way you could sustain that speed on a mountain bike, even on slicks, unless your commute is flat. I'd suggest a mountain bike cos you can use it for trails (mild) at the weekend and generally it will be better suited to the commute than an all out racer.

Edited by Pothole on Friday 18th September 22:03

[deckster]

Pothole said:

no way you could sustain that speed on a mountain bike, even on slicks, unless your commute is flat. I'd suggest a mountain bike cos you can use it for trails (mild) at the weekend and generally it will be better suited to the commute than an all out racer.

Sorry mate, but that's just total cobblers. Mountain bikes are rubbish on road, whereas road bikes (there's a clue in the name) are altogether better suited. Lighter, higher geared, easier to maintain, and generally oriented to getting you where you want to go faster. You'd be barmy to try to commute 22 miles on a mountain bike.

[AyBee]

I wouldn't try commuting that distance on an mtb! It would take ages and lots of effort. I also wouldn't think you could increase your average speed by almost 50% by switching between the two though!! I'm a reasonable road rider and usually manage to average 17/18mph on the hilly roads of cornwall during a 24mph local route, still not sure I could average 22mph for an hour on flatter roads though....!

So to summarise, you want a road bike But I don't think you'll be hitting 1hour commutes straight away, definitely a target though

[RRS_Staffs]

You need real road bike

I have commuted on a MTB on slicks in the past and while its way faster than riding on knobblies its still a big fat fluffy dribbly obese lap cat compared to the cheetah which is a full on road bike
(Apologies for the analogy - it just happened)

22 miles is a serious ride but certainly something to aim for if youre a novice

FWIW 40 miles is my standard roadie spin
It takes 2h give or take over a hilly loop
Im wearing the full on gimp gear, on my best bike (no weather protection) and sweat like a pig
Im also feeling fairly tasty fitness wise at the moment

If you want to do it then Id say 'good on you' and definitely dont buy a MTB

As I said a full on road bike will initially cause you pain, quite literally if youre not used to the riding position, and will also have minimal provision for mudguards

Id suggest something like this:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/...
But its not a style of bike Im familiar with thus dont know if it would take full mudguards which are essential on a commuter

To sign off I will also open the ceremonial ride to work can of beans and give you..........




............. the crosser!!!!!






Aaaaaaaargh - i want a crosser, I want a crosser etc etc etc etc




http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...

[Pothole]

deckster said:

Pothole said:

no way you could sustain that speed on a mountain bike, even on slicks, unless your commute is flat. I'd suggest a mountain bike cos you can use it for trails (mild) at the weekend and generally it will be better suited to the commute than an all out racer.

Sorry mate, but that's just total cobblers. Mountain bikes are rubbish on road, whereas road bikes (there's a clue in the name) are altogether better suited. Lighter, higher geared, easier to maintain, and generally oriented to getting you where you want to go faster. You'd be barmy to try to commute 22 miles on a mountain bike.

not total cobblers at all. I just took part in a 2000km charity ride between Istanbul and Damascus which we all did on MTBs, on slick tyres (that's 2000k in 11 days)

[deckster]

Pothole said:

deckster said:

Pothole said:

no way you could sustain that speed on a mountain bike, even on slicks, unless your commute is flat. I'd suggest a mountain bike cos you can use it for trails (mild) at the weekend and generally it will be better suited to the commute than an all out racer.

Sorry mate, but that's just total cobblers. Mountain bikes are rubbish on road, whereas road bikes (there's a clue in the name) are altogether better suited. Lighter, higher geared, easier to maintain, and generally oriented to getting you where you want to go faster. You'd be barmy to try to commute 22 miles on a mountain bike.

not total cobblers at all. I just took part in a 2000km charity ride between Istanbul and Damascus which we all did on MTBs, on slick tyres (that's 2000k in 11 days)

Sorry, sticking with total cobblers. I'm not saying that you can't do significant distances on a MTB, clearly you can, but a road bike will always be better for road riding.

[Rolls]

I've got a crosser to commute on - slightly more upright than a full on racer, and preety perfect for the commute that I do, which is 13 miles each way..
Just chuck on some road tyres, and off you go!

[Roman]

I would recommend a roadbike. If you are averaging 15mph on an mtb I would expect a decent roadbike to be 3-4mph faster for the same effort.

A cross bike is a good compromise if you are cycling light off-road, on paths and bridleways, or rough roads but if you are riding on decent roads I'd just get a full on roadbike - it will be nicer and faster to ride.

Mountain bikes are great for off road, expedition or general purpose but for a decent road ride a proper road bike is so much more rewarding and enjoyable.

The Boardman is an excellent bike but if you find the front is too low and want somethiing with more upright 'Sportive' geometry, Halfords (If that's who your C2W scheme is with) were also selling a Carrera Virago and a Viner Gladius for Similar money - not quite as highly specced or fast but slightly more comfort orientated. (I'd go for the Boardman personally though - great bike which will actually make your riding enjoyable rather than a chore).

[MElliottUK]

Thanks for all the respsones, just the clarify im not proposing to go 22miles each way on a mountain bike, i did that once on the knobbly tyres and it was hard work.

My querry was what sorts of speeds i could get on a racer and if its worth it or not, otherwise i might get a new mountain bike (obvously limited commuting would actually take place).

Thanks again for all the resoponses,

Matt

[Pothole]

deckster said:

Pothole said:

deckster said:

Pothole said:

no way you could sustain that speed on a mountain bike, even on slicks, unless your commute is flat. I'd suggest a mountain bike cos you can use it for trails (mild) at the weekend and generally it will be better suited to the commute than an all out racer.

Sorry mate, but that's just total cobblers. Mountain bikes are rubbish on road, whereas road bikes (there's a clue in the name) are altogether better suited. Lighter, higher geared, easier to maintain, and generally oriented to getting you where you want to go faster. You'd be barmy to try to commute 22 miles on a mountain bike.

not total cobblers at all. I just took part in a 2000km charity ride between Istanbul and Damascus which we all did on MTBs, on slick tyres (that's 2000k in 11 days)

Sorry, sticking with total cobblers. I'm not saying that you can't do significant distances on a MTB, clearly you can, but a road bike will always be better for road riding.

if you can do "significant distances" then they're not "rubbish on road" are they? At least be consistent.

[Parrot of Doom]

MElliottUK said:

Thanks for all the respsones, just the clarify im not proposing to go 22miles each way on a mountain bike, i did that once on the knobbly tyres and it was hard work.

My querry was what sorts of speeds i could get on a racer and if its worth it or not, otherwise i might get a new mountain bike (obvously limited commuting would actually take place).

Thanks again for all the resoponses,

Matt

All things considered, on a road bike I'd expect to do 22 miles in no more than 90 minutes (once you're fit that is).

[SaTTaN]

My commute to work which I usually do 2 days a week is 20 miles through Bromley, ladywell, catford, peckham -- victoria -- mayfair which I normally do in 1hr 15 with a personal best of 1hr 5m

I do it on an Iron Horse Transit hybrid bike and the full on lycra - my route is mostly back-roads and national cycle route but you still have to factor in traffic and traffic lights which will hurt your average, as will luggage - did my personal best by leaving laptop and clothes change at work so no rucksack and going hell for leather all the way

the road surface on my route is absolutley awful so I think it would hurt more on a full road bike - hybrid is a great compromise

All in, it's very good exercise and I've been enjoying it through the summer; not so sure now it's getting to winter though

HTH

[Alicat]

I ride 4 - 5 times a week, usually each ride is 40 - 50 miles. I live away during the week so ride my MTB and ride my road bike at the weekends.

On my MTB I can average 15.5mph on the road over a hilly route, 16mph on a flat route, on the route bike I can average 18mph on a hilly route (2000ft + ascending).

The biggest obstacle to improving average speed is the route, stopping at junctions really buggers it up.

I suspect if I rode 22 miles twice a day on a reasonable route I might get a faster, but 22mph average is very optimistic. When I was younger and fitter I know I could average over 21mph on the road.

Alicat

[Alicat]

Alicat said:

I ride 4 - 5 times a week, usually each ride is 40 - 50 miles. I live away during the week so ride my MTB and ride my road bike at the weekends.

On my MTB I can average 15.5mph on the road over a hilly route, 16mph on a flat route, on the road bike I can average 18mph on a hilly route (2000ft + ascending).

The biggest obstacle to improving average speed is the route, stopping at junctions really buggers it up.

I suspect if I rode 22 miles twice a day on a reasonable route I might get a faster, but 22mph average is very optimistic. When I was younger and fitter I know I could average over 21mph on the road.

Alicat

[cortina1]

if you are looking at Boardman then have a look at the Hybrid - I went from a mountain bike to one of these and must admit its totally transformed my enjoyment on the road and its way better than my last mountain bike that had road tyres- think it would be ideal for your commute- I regularly do 20-25 miles for an evening cycle over smooth and rough potted roads, the Boardman is very easy and capable for this type of travel

[Mekon]

I commute 140 miles a week. I've done it on a Dahon folder and on a touring bike (same frame as a Hewitt Cheviot). I reckon a tourer or an audax bike would be perfect, as it's going to be comfy and able to take panniers, whilst still being fairly quick. I average 16.5, but can get it up to an average of 19 if I am willing to suffer. I'd also look at alfine geared hybrids, as the low maintenance of hub gears is going to be a boon in the winter grim.

[Muzzlehatch]

Unless you're a 2nd Cat rider or above, don't expect to average over 20mph on a typical road commute. The variance of traffic, wind, junctions and hills makes it very tough.

If your route is flat-ish with hardly any junctions, then you might want to get a Time Trial frame and use that instead (see Planet X for CTW budgets, or 2nd hand). Then you can realistically achieve 20-25mph depending on your strength, fitness and the wind.

[angusc43]

I have an 8 mile commute each way. I do it on a mountain bike with slicks. I average 15 mph for the whole trip - although my PB was nearer 16.5mph. The first half is open with long straights and slightly downhill and I can get the avearge for that part up to 18-19mph if I am really on it. The second leg involves a lot of stop/start through central London and my average falls off to, I guess, 13-14mph.

If I had a road bike I guess I could shave the times down or go at the same speed for less effort.

The fact that you might be doing a 44 mile round trip would suggest a road bike if only to reserve energy

Edited by angusc43 on Monday 21st September 12:23

Edited by angusc43 on Monday 21st September 12:24