Commuting on Carbon
Discussion
I commute into the City everday (pretty much) and am thinking about swapping the hybrid Specialised Sirrus, for something faster. There are loads of grogeous carbon machines out there, but I wondered why no one seems to commute on Carbon bikes - does wnyone think they would suffer worse than metal with teh potholes etc?
I commute on a second hand hybrid - and often end up overtaking the carbon roadies! The roads are so bad, and the drivers so inattentive, that it's better to use a cheap but good bike (like the one you have). One of the joys of commuting by bike is the flexibility to do shopping/chores etc on the way to and from work, but that means locking the bike up - too much risk with an expensive machine.
One of the benefits of CF is that it can be formed to be slightly flexible in the required places. A bit tricky with Alu.My commute is 30 miles of A-road each way, so getting battered by potholes is less of an issue that covering the ground at a decent rate of knots.
Do it one way four days a week and both ways one day a week; very much a Summer-only activity, though.
Those nice people at Fizik look after my ringpiece very well...
Do it one way four days a week and both ways one day a week; very much a Summer-only activity, though.
Those nice people at Fizik look after my ringpiece very well...
I swapped my all-Al road bike (with Al forks) for a Specialized Roubaix carbon bike. The Roubaix has vibration damping inserts in the frame. I dunno how much difference these make specifically but the bike is significantly more comfortable than my old one. I do have somewhere reasonably secure to keep it at work though.
JRM said:
I commute into the City everday (pretty much) and am thinking about swapping the hybrid Specialised Sirrus, for something faster. There are loads of grogeous carbon machines out there, but I wondered why no one seems to commute on Carbon bikes - does wnyone think they would suffer worse than metal with teh potholes etc?
I would think the main reason is cost, and that throwing a d-lock or chain around the frame isn't too good for it. Also carbon stuff tends to be biased towards the weight weenie end of the market, which means it often isn't as durable as it could be. As long as the frame weight is sensible then I can't see any reason not to use a carbon bike, so long as you can justify the cost.will_ said:
The roads are so bad, and the drivers so inattentive, that it's better to use a cheap but good bike (like the one you have). One of the joys of commuting by bike is the flexibility to do shopping/chores etc on the way to and from work, but that means locking the bike up - too much risk with an expensive machine.
I'd have to agree with this.The main problem with CF is that when it fails, it shatters. Unlike Ali or Steel. And usually there aren't any signs of it breaking. Hence the advice that you should replace a CF frame after a heavy accident. The potential for somebody to accidentally (or intentially) damaging your bike (say by clumsily banging it whilst locking their bike up) is very high (regardless of how 'secure' your parking is). Numerous, seemingly minor bangs wil take there toll on a CF frame and that is one of the reasons I wouldn't have a CF commuter.
Things are getting better as designers learn how to best use CF for bikes, but it certainly isn't perfect yet.
Infact I'm retiring my ali Scott in favour of a steel steed in the beginning part of next year.
I've had numerous discussions with friends about my 32-mile commute to work. Their views tend to be on how to maximise the training possibilities of the mileage. However, my view is that the journey is first and foremost to get me to work, safely and on time. Any 'training benefit' is purely accidental and certainly not sought after.
It may seem a bit anti CF, I'm not, I just don't feel it's appropriate for a commuter bike.
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