Bicycle advice
Discussion
Now that I've reduced my daily commute from 45 miles each way, to 12 miles each way, I've been considering cycling to work as an option. This would successfully avoid the traffic congestion issues, as well s shed a few of my unwanted pounds (lb's not £'s) and get me a bit fitter.
I have quite a good rigid frame mountain bike, which has been used for minimal road work in te past with slick tyres on, but I've been thinking whether I should get myself a proper road bike.
Not knowing where to start - am I better off sticking with the mountain bike with slicks, or buying a lightweight road bike with skinny tyres, etc?
I don't have pots of dosh to spare, but don't really know at what level to set my budget?
Any suggestions/advice for a novice?
I have quite a good rigid frame mountain bike, which has been used for minimal road work in te past with slick tyres on, but I've been thinking whether I should get myself a proper road bike.
Not knowing where to start - am I better off sticking with the mountain bike with slicks, or buying a lightweight road bike with skinny tyres, etc?
I don't have pots of dosh to spare, but don't really know at what level to set my budget?
Any suggestions/advice for a novice?
Firstly - we have a bike forum... cue move...
Secodnly - theres a huge world between mtb and roadbike.
Have you ever ridden a roadbike? Theres no doubt it is the fastest way between two points on tarmac.
However they are unforgiving and you have to have an amount of skill and finesse to ride them on city streets. There are a huge number of bikes out there for different purposes. The way I used to describe it to customers, was as a sliding scale.
700c wheels 26'' Wheels
Harsh ride VS Comfortable ride, huge traction
Efficient Less Efficient
Notice how i avoid the word weight, as thats relative to how much you spend . Ie a Good full on mtb can weigh a lot less than a cheap commutery road bike.
Is the journey all road? How good a rider are you?
Do you envisage using the bike other than commuting?
but seriously....
...i'd always worry on a road bike - the tyres dont offer much protection from snake bite punctures when crashing over the inevitable pothole.
tho there are hibryd bikes that are good for commuting, with fatter tyres, and a more upright riding position - help you see the traffic, less pull on your back.
...i'd always worry on a road bike - the tyres dont offer much protection from snake bite punctures when crashing over the inevitable pothole.
tho there are hibryd bikes that are good for commuting, with fatter tyres, and a more upright riding position - help you see the traffic, less pull on your back.
Correct - you point out your a novice, now course this could mean anything, but a proper Road bike is not the easiest to ride and they show no mercy on wet potholed tarmac.
Where are you from ?Maybe point you in the direction of some good bike shops if your anywhere near. Also, if you can give a rough idea to budget I will bring up some ideas.
Another point - if you have say 500 to spend, dont buy a £500 bike. You NEED a helmet, you'll want a lock, lights, spare tube etc.
Where are you from ?Maybe point you in the direction of some good bike shops if your anywhere near. Also, if you can give a rough idea to budget I will bring up some ideas.
Another point - if you have say 500 to spend, dont buy a £500 bike. You NEED a helmet, you'll want a lock, lights, spare tube etc.
Edited by snotrag on Monday 13th November 18:56
snotrag said:
lord summerisle said:
snotrag said:
Firstly - we have a bike forum... cue move...
well ooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Wasnt meant like that... One day ill invent typing that has a 'tone'!
Yeah, sorry about that. Have ony a few 'forums' set to show in my 'preferences' and was too lazy to look for a bike forum. Wasn't tere last time I looked (was it?).
Like I said, I am a novice, so assume I know very little and am after some general advice. Ta for that given so far - will keep reading.
snotrag said:
lord summerisle said:
snotrag said:
Firstly - we have a bike forum... cue move...
well ooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Wasnt meant like that... One day ill invent typing that has a 'tone'!
i know
Helmet: try lots - different companys have different head shape they mould too. should fit snugly and like: for want of a better picture
over the forehead, and not shake about when you move you head.
Locks: i recommend Kryptonite D locks, but they are heavy.
Bit more infor then.
When I say novice, I mean to road cycling. I've done a fair bit of off-road stuff in the past. I've ridden on the road and in traffic, but not seriously for many years and not on the kind of 'unforgiving' machine you are describing.
I'd be cycling on country 'A' roads, then just into the outskirts of Exeter. Not really city centre stuff, but busy industrial/business park.
Do you think a decent hybrid may be more to my requirements then? Must admit the more upright position may suit better.
When I say novice, I mean to road cycling. I've done a fair bit of off-road stuff in the past. I've ridden on the road and in traffic, but not seriously for many years and not on the kind of 'unforgiving' machine you are describing.
I'd be cycling on country 'A' roads, then just into the outskirts of Exeter. Not really city centre stuff, but busy industrial/business park.
Do you think a decent hybrid may be more to my requirements then? Must admit the more upright position may suit better.
I'd go with the mountain bike on slicks if I were you, especially if it hasn't got any energy sapping suspension. I agree that a road bike would be quicker on a clear run on country roads etc. but as your commute's only 12 miles and during rush hour it's not going to make as much difference if you have any traffic to negotiate.
If you're primarily riding in rush hour it gives a more upright riding position (so you're more likely to be seen) and the bars give far greater control when you want to filter through the traffic. I'd also get double sided SPD pedals (much easier to step onto if you do a lot of stopping & starting at lights etc. than single sided road pedals).
It's also worth trimming an inch / inch & a half off each end of the bars for a slightly smaller frontal area when you're riding into a headwind and to get through the inevitable narrowest of gaps that careless motorists forget to close
.
And speaking from experience, always wear a helmet!
If you're primarily riding in rush hour it gives a more upright riding position (so you're more likely to be seen) and the bars give far greater control when you want to filter through the traffic. I'd also get double sided SPD pedals (much easier to step onto if you do a lot of stopping & starting at lights etc. than single sided road pedals).
It's also worth trimming an inch / inch & a half off each end of the bars for a slightly smaller frontal area when you're riding into a headwind and to get through the inevitable narrowest of gaps that careless motorists forget to close
. And speaking from experience, always wear a helmet!
Try the commute for a week on your (old) mtb first. At this time of year when its dark and cold to see wether you really want to do it. You do have to be committed. Carrying work clothes, ready for punctures, the odd fight with car drivers or pedestrians....... only joking. I do 2 days a week 17 mile each way. Motorbike the other 3 days. Never use my road bike, too harsh, roads (Old Kent Road etc) have too many potholes. I use mtb singlespeed, or cross bike which has 32mm tyres so fairly comfy. A good mtb as in light or a 700cc wheel hybrid will do the trip.
G
G
If you already have a nice hardtail why bother getting a mid range hybrid which I doubt will offer much if any advantage over a nice hard tail with decent slicks. You may as well have two nice bikes that do different things (that's what I have anyway!) I find roadbikes are much more enjoyable to ride on the road than hybrids.
If you decide that you do want a roadbike after trying the commute on your mtb you could look at a Trek Pilot or Giant SCR - both slightly more upright riding positions designed for comfort yet still proper roadbikes. Ridgeback Genesis & Bianchi Nirvone both comfort focussed too but a little more traditional roadbike position.
One of my mates has an SCR and it feels nippy, light and looks much more expensive than it was.
www.awcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s309p0
You can always add 28 or 32c tyres for increased comfort.
If you decide that you do want a roadbike after trying the commute on your mtb you could look at a Trek Pilot or Giant SCR - both slightly more upright riding positions designed for comfort yet still proper roadbikes. Ridgeback Genesis & Bianchi Nirvone both comfort focussed too but a little more traditional roadbike position.
One of my mates has an SCR and it feels nippy, light and looks much more expensive than it was.
www.awcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s309p0
You can always add 28 or 32c tyres for increased comfort.
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