Does Anyone Cycle - Commuting?

jumperjohn

financialbliss wrote: »

As a public transport turned cycle commuter, I have managed the transition with little difficulty.

I used to commute by bus and decided this year I wanted to: save money, get fitter and loose weight.

After a few practice runs, I've now done 75 daily commutes and over 1,000 commuting miles. I started daily cycling in late March and have never looked back. I'm saving £4.20 a day on public transport.

But, here's the rub. I'm using a 10+ year old mountain bike right now. Out of curiosity, I've just had my best attempt to weigh it and got a massive 46 1/2 pounds or about 21kg :eek:

As per Justin, I'm also looking for a modern bike - probably a hybrid.

At a risk of hijacking this thread, I spotted these two bikes while in a Halfords store the other day (not actually looking for bikes at the time):

Carrera subway @ 299.99
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810737_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

VooDoo Marasa @ 349.99
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_786861_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

I'm doing about 14 miles a day and if I average about 40+ weeks a year, that's roughly 3,000 + commuting miles alone.

Above bikes any good? Can you get better for the price? Should I look to be spending more based on commuting miles, wear and tear etc?

I know pretty much nothing about bikes as it's years since I've purchased one and they have moved on so much!

Any advice appreciated - will probably help Justin too!

FB.

I have the subway bike. I like it. It's nice and lite, breaks are good the seat is comfy and the gear changes are very smooth. I only commute 4 miles a day but go on much longer rides at the weekend. I can't see why you would need to spend more.

Mr_Thrifty

lite?? .

custardy

financialbliss wrote: »

As a public transport turned cycle commuter, I have managed the transition with little difficulty.

I used to commute by bus and decided this year I wanted to: save money, get fitter and loose weight.

After a few practice runs, I've now done 75 daily commutes and over 1,000 commuting miles. I started daily cycling in late March and have never looked back. I'm saving £4.20 a day on public transport.

But, here's the rub. I'm using a 10+ year old mountain bike right now. Out of curiosity, I've just had my best attempt to weigh it and got a massive 46 1/2 pounds or about 21kg :eek:

As per Justin, I'm also looking for a modern bike - probably a hybrid.

At a risk of hijacking this thread, I spotted these two bikes while in a Halfords store the other day (not actually looking for bikes at the time):

Carrera subway @ 299.99
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810737_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

VooDoo Marasa @ 349.99
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_786861_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

I'm doing about 14 miles a day and if I average about 40+ weeks a year, that's roughly 3,000 + commuting miles alone.

Above bikes any good? Can you get better for the price? Should I look to be spending more based on commuting miles, wear and tear etc?

I know pretty much nothing about bikes as it's years since I've purchased one and they have moved on so much!

Any advice appreciated - will probably help Justin too!

FB.

the Voodoo is probably the better choice on paper
700c wheels,so faster for the commute (though less comfy vs the 26" subway)

hydro over cable brakes (though not a deal breaker)

slighlty higher spec gears

cromo fork over "steel"

I run a Boardman as my commuter
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_777849_langId_-1_categoryId_165534#tab2

more money but you save 3kg in weight,get named wheels,better gears,brakes etc
also consider things like being able to fit full 'proper' mudgaurds. makes a big difference in wet weather.

Are you set on Halfords and brand new?

plenty of choices on eBayGumtree etc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boardman-2011-Hybrid-Team-Large-Excellent-Condition-with-Schwalbe-Ultremo-Tyres-/261067204312?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3cc8d166d8

the above is lighter than mine with better spec again

art_for_arts_sake

thelawnet wrote: »

Drop bars are a good idea, not essential though, the biggest problem with 'hybrid' bikes is that they are an excuse to flog off horrid front-suspension bikes with 26" wheels and 2" chunky tyres.

Here's an example of the sort of thing to avoid

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/multiuse/expedition/expsport#specs

Absolute junk.

I love my Expedition.

If I'd have been strapped for cash, I'd have gone for the Expedition Sport, but decided to go for the higher-spec Elite. I did consider the Trek Soho and the Carrera Subway, but the frame geometry of the Expedition Elite giving a supremely comfortable, almost cruiser-style riding position sold it to me.

The drivetrain is a little better to that of the Expedition Sport which has a Shimano Altus derailleur to the rear, against the Expedition Elite's Acera, and though the chain looks a little longer than normal due to the frame geometry pushing the bottom bracket forward it all runs smoothly enough. The wheels appear to be a little better than those on the Sport, both are quoted as having double-walled rims and stainless spokes but the Elite's are described as having machined rims with eyelets. Armadillo puncture-resistant tyres are fitted to the Expedition Elite which I am currently evaluating against the Marathon Plus tyres I normally pay to have fitted to my new bikes.

A quill stem may look a little dated to some people but it makes adjusting the alloy hi-rise bars easy and the highly polished and anodised components make a welcome change to the black-coated components of my previous bike. An alloy suspension seatpost and spring-damped front suspension ease the discomfort of bumpy local roads and cycle tracks and the wrist pain,numbness and tingling I experienced from my previous bike's heavier springing has almost gone.

Both the 2011 and 2012 editions of the Expedition Elite are currently being offered at about £70 less than I paid for it in 2011, much to my dismay, buying it in 2011 after being told 2012 prices would stay the same, and some independent online retailers are offering even heavier discounts. Oh well, you pays yer money and you takes yer choice.

It isn't really a commuter bike but with a set of SKS mudguards and a rack it does the same job in comfort.

I must mention my previous bike, a Claud Butler MTB, as although on paper it offered a higher specification the disc brakes failed after less than an hours' use and it really didn't seem much better in terms of quality than the BSOs (bike-shaped objects) sold to supermarkets by Falcon Cycles, who own the Claud Butler brand. Now if you really want to talk about junk, talk about BSOs.

jumperjohn

Mr_Thrifty wrote: »

lite?? .

When the mind is empty why not pick up on the minor detail. Mr Thrifty, pedantic troll.

Weird_Nev

I love cycling to work. I've done it for years -
14 miles each way for a couple of years, then about 6 miles each way in central London, now about 10 miles each day at either end of the train ride.

I've been fortunate to always have had a workplace with a shower, changing rooms and locker rooms which do make all the difference.

The only way to choose a bike is to get out and ride a few. May I recommend you go to your local bike shop, explain your requirements and see what they suggest for you? A roda bike might be ideal for some, but could kill your back if you are older/unused to cycling or if you have to bump up and down curbs or use some unmade road. A hybrid is often scoffed at by people who consider themselves purists, but they have come on leaps and bounds in recent times and now offer a comfortable, efficient and manouverable alternative to a road biased bike or a "mountain" bike.

As a pointer, I used:
26 Miles a day:
Cannondale CAAD5 Road bike, drop handlebars, "Look" Cleated shoes and the full lycra outfit (I was young and sleek back then). Comfortable and fast on an "extra urban" run with a good range of hand positions to make longer rides comfortable.

12 Miles a day in london:
Condor Steel Fixed gear road bike (only one gear, no stopping pedalling!) with drop handle bars. You can use the flat part of the bar to get your head up to see over traffic, and the drop handle bars for speed/ a rest. Thin 23mm "700c" (whhel size on road bikes) tyres hold up remarkably well provided you keep them pumped up to a good pressure.

10 miles a day each end of a train ride:
My train company got funny about taking bikes on board, and I hate folding bikes with a passion. So I have a 2 bike solution.
Fixed gear for the flat london end of the commute.
Geared Mountain bike built from reclaimed parts with slick 1.5" tyres for the non london end which is hilly. Gets me up hills, good brakes and flat bars. Not too expensive or flash looking to leave at the train station (but actually has some lovely bits on it tucked away!)

My suggestions are this:
1) Get hold of any old bike and on the weekend, try a route. Plan to avoid big hills, A-roads and major junctions if you can. A slightly longer, flatter route will be more pleasant than the direct route battling with HGV's and late commuters. Use this to evaluate your time, the performance of the bike, any bits that ache/hurt (Saddle and bum probably). Remember you'll need to turn up to work ready for a days work, not feeling like you've done one.

Build it up over time. Do a week where you cycle tuesday and thursday. Then do Monday, wednesday and Friday for a couple of weeks and see how you wear that. If all oges well try mon tues, thurs and friday for a couple of weeks and then the whole week.

You WILL be tired for a bit, and you will have to eat more (and eat properly too, no junk, but good carbs the night before - rice or sweet potato).

Start now, because you'll want it to be familiar by the time the nights draw in. Then you'll be needing a decent set of rechargeable lights or good quality LED lights, and weatehreproof clothing. To be hoenst though, I've always found it easier to accept taht you're going to get wet cycling, and showering off when you arrive at your destination tha nto try and stay dry (and end up sweating horribly under waterproofs).

Good luck, let us know how you get on!

ubishi

I use a Scott sub 30 hybrid for general use including leisure cycling on canal tow paths and tracks but if I was just commuting and it was on tarmac road surfaces then it would be a road bike that would be my choice. Evans Cycles have some good offers on at the moment ( I have nothing to do with Evans at all before anyone says anything ) Just be aware that the Aluminium frame has a limited life span, I think it's about 5 yrs.

art_for_arts_sake

ubishi wrote: »

I use a Scott sub 30 hybrid for general use including leisure cycling on canal tow paths and tracks but if I was just commuting and it was on tarmac road surfaces then it would be a road bike that would be my choice. Evans Cycles have some good offers on at the moment ( I have nothing to do with Evans at all before anyone says anything ) Just be aware that the Aluminium frame has a limited life span, I think it's about 5 yrs.

Another word for Specialized bikes (with which I have no connection other than owning one of their bikes) AFAIK all of their aluminium frames come with a limited lifetime warranty. I'm not saying they won't fail, as someone will come along and prove me wrong (:)) but you'll get a replacement if it does.

londonTiger

cycling is safe as long as you keep up with the pace of traffic, its only bad if you're a slow rider and get in the way of cars and other riders.

Dave_C_2

londonTiger wrote: »

cycling is safe as long as you keep up with the pace of traffic, its only bad if you're a slow rider and get in the way of cars and other riders.

Nope, cycling is safe, especially if you have had bikeability training.
The perception in this country is that cycling is unsafe. Your post reinforces this perception.

Dave