Commuting to work, prepare for bad weather

[Birdster]

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.

[Birdster]

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...

[Birdster]

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.

Edited by Birdster on Tuesday 15th October 16:21

[Birdster]

I'm not actually clipped in, think that is my next step. I used to cycle for leisure for the toe clips and use some puma drift cats with a stiff sole.

I was hesitant to go clip type shoes until I had the confidence on distance and the commute which I feel that I now do.

Any recommendations on pedals and shoes would be great actually, thank you.

I guess I should get some winter ones too as mentioned above.

[Birdster]

These pedals okay?

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/pedals...la-353773450954|crid:291898456973|nw:g|rnd:1894330848384601692|dvc:c|adp:1o1|mt:|loc:9045006&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4sfLlLSl5QIVleJ3Ch0I8w6AEAQYASABEgLj3fD_BwE

With these shoes?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sh-mt301-mountain-bike...

Was looking at Decathlons own shows but not showing as in stock in my local.

Thanks all.

[Birdster]

GOATever said:

Jimbo. said:

Nope, won’t make any difference.

Proper mudguards however, will, so whichever bike can take those (I’ll assume the road bike) will be best.

Don’t fit mudguards to a road bike, it’s a monumentally daft idea. You can get breakaway tabs, but if you invoke the tabs, you’re more than likely going down in a heap first. I know of at least 2 people who have crashed and died, because crap got wedged in a hugger mudguard on a road bike. The stand off type of guard, or ass savers are worth fitting though.

I hadn't thought of that until trying to fit the SKS mudguards, not enough clearance on the front. Back is okay after some dremel handy work to fit under the caliper. I did try and google what would fit a Triban 500, but the clearance is so tight.
I'm thinking the only thing that will go on the front wheel is some soft of half mudguard on the downtube and might help with the safety concerns from going over the bars..

Aldi Cree LED light fitted to light my way and then another flashing to let others see me. Rear lights also fitted. Was nice seeing it brighten up on my way in this morning as I left just after 6am.

[Birdster]

Thanks all.

Still cycling in this weather.

Not sure I’ve got the layering correct.

Thermal Aldi base layer.
Then either a non thermal jersey or thermal jersey.
With a breathable windproof rain coat.

I find that inside my jacket is sweaty and my outer layer also.

Have I too many layers for the heat I generate or is my jacket not that breathable?