8 miles --> 12 miles commute

Quoted message said:

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

If it's an old rigid MTB with high pressure road tyres then it is, for
the most part, not a million miles away from a typical hybrid in any
case. You might end up with a slightly lower bottom bracket and 700c
wheels but I don't think it'll make a /huge/ difference.

Something designed to be a bit quicker might well be the thing though.

Quoted message said:

If it might any suggestions at the £300 - £400 (max!) price range? My
only real requirement other than quick and easy is a rack, does this
rule out road bikes?

A road bike should be findable in that range, especially if Last Year's
Colour is okay. Many will take a rack, and even those that don't will
take an SQR or similar. More important for commuting IMHO is clearance
for mudguards, which will vary between bikes. Check to be sure.

An Audax bike would be about ideal, but the budget would have to double :-(

Another way is a folder combined with bits of public transport that are
possibly less dubious than the other bits.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

If it might any suggestions at the £300 - £400 (max!) price range? My
only real requirement other than quick and easy is a rack, does this
rule out road bikes?

Thanks for any advice, it's much appreicated as always!
Ian

Electric bike? A decent one is twice your budget, though.

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

I do a 12.5 mile each way commute on my bike. I have an 11 year old Trek
470, and wear a backpack to carry the stuff I need to carry. The first
few times is knackering, but you get used to it fairly quickly at that
distance. I'm not a "serious cyclist" - I don't own anything made of
Lycra, I just ride for my own enjoyment - so it's certainly in the range
of the typical 'utility cyclist'. If I'm feeling a bit tired, I just
slow down a bit.

--
Yes, the Reply-To email address is valid.
Oolite-Linux: an Elite tribute: http://oolite-linux.berlios.de

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

When you say knackered, are you tired as in exhausted, or worn out, as
in sore back/neck/knees/backside?

If exhausted, that will pass as you get used to the regular cycling.
If sore, the above may still apply, but it might be also worth looking
at how well the bike fits you, and see if that can be improved.

To begin with, leave plenty of time for the trip. That way, you don't
have to push too hard, and can vary the pace a bit depending on
terrain.
There's no rule that you can't take a 5 minute breather or two on the
way either, so if you're finding it tough going, ease off or take a
break. It's commuting, not a race!

Quoted message said:

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

Probably not to any worthwhile extent. That's pretty much a hybrid
already. A road bike might save a few minutes, but as log as the bike
is not a complete crock, improvements will be 90% about the engine,
10% about the bike.

Quoted message said:

If it might any suggestions at the £300 - £400 (max!) price range? My
only real requirement other than quick and easy is a rack, does this
rule out road bikes?

No, a rack (of one kind or another) and bags (of more or less
capacity) can be fitted to pretty much anything.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for any advice, it's much appreicated as always!
Ian

What is worthwhile (IMO) is to see how little you can carry, e.g.
- leave a lock at work, rather than carry one back and forth every
trip
- keep a minipump in your bag rather than use a full size, etc etc.
- if you change at work, bring in 5 shirts, pairs of socks etc. once a
week, rathr than carry a half empty bag every day.

The fewer items you have to carry, the less weight there is on the
bike, the less time it takes to get onto/off the bike when locking up,
and the less likely you are to forget something vital.

Keep a rainproof jacket and/or umbrella at work - that way you can
bail out to public transport if the weather is lousy, or you just
fancy a change.

hth,

bookieb

in message <[email hidden]>,

(' ') said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

Over 12 miles I'd think drop handlebars are probably a win.

I'd suggest looking at a Specialized Allez, though it's out of the range
you specified (£450). I'd also look at Giant OCR 4 (list £300, often
discounted) or OCR 3 (I think it lists at £450, but it too is often
discounted); Claud Butler Roubaix (£399 list); or, if you're anywhere near
a branch of the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op (Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle,
Aberdeen as well as Edinburgh), their Revolution Continental Race £399)

Quoted message said:

If it might any suggestions at the £300 - £400 (max!) price range? My
only real requirement other than quick and easy is a rack, does this
rule out road bikes?

No. At this price level they'll mostly have dropouts suitable for racks,
and if they don't you can always use a beam rack. Similarly with
mudguards - at this level I'd expect them to have mudguard clearance, but
if it doesn't have clearance, use raceblades.

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op will sell you their Revolution Country Traveller
model with rack and mudguards for £399, which is a very good deal indeed.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; All in all you're just another nick in the ball
-- Think Droid

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

I'm assuming you're not doing your 8 mile commute now though...

Start off with 2 or 3 days a week whilst you find your legs again.
Launching straight in to 5 days/week will quickly leave you feeling
like death and you'll hate the idea of ever getting back on a bike.
You're body will take a few weeks to adjust (along with your mind).

My commute recent went from 1 mile to 8 miles each way (although I
was doing a reasonable number of miles at weekends). It took me
4 weeks with occasional commutes on the train before I was happy
doing all 5 days a week.

Now I really look forward to the rides (regardless of the weather).

The only time I'll get the train in is if I'm going out on the
lash in the evening, or I've done a silly distance (i.e. 200km+)
Audax at the weekend and my legs have earned a rest.

Ta,

-Alex

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

Quoted message said:

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

Depending on the commute it may also be worth checking out alternative
routes. Are there roads that have faster surface, better gradients,
shelter from wind, less chance of getting stuck in busy traffic, etcetera?
The shortest route is not always the fastest (though the fastest may not
be the most enjoyable).

Roos

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here?

A new bike will help because it'll make you all enthusiastic.
How much would the public transport cost? On that basis I bet your
new bike will soon pay for itself. Is your new employer signed up the
governments cycle scheme where you can get bikes for commuting
essentially tax free?

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

Eat a good balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, make sure you have easy
days (when you trundle in rather than zooming in). 24 miles a day is a
trivial distance for a reasonably fit and healthy person. Blasting out
the miles will take it's toll thobut - if you're like me and always
trying to make up time on your commute you'll suffer from overtraining.

Quoted message said:

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

Going from slick-tyred mtb to road bike will make the journey a few
percent more efficient, though the benefits really only come in as the
speed comes up. If you're a trundly they're pretty [censored]. What's your
cruising speed on your current commute?

Quoted message said:

If it might any suggestions at the £300 - £400 (max!) price range? My
only real requirement other than quick and easy is a rack, does this
rule out road bikes?

It kinda rules out the Specialized Allez that Simon suggested[1], but
that's prolly not what you're looking for anyway - it's got a full-on
sporting geometry. If you want road bike then something like the Giant
SCR (Sport Comfort Road) is great - longer wheelbase + slacker head tube
angle give more stable steering, it has mounting points for a rack and
can take mudguards too, plus the handlebars are a little higher than on a
pure road bike.

[1] tho you can always bodge racks on with P-clips.

Roos Eisma <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

Quoted message said:

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

Depending on the commute it may also be worth checking out alternative
routes. Are there roads that have faster surface, better gradients,
shelter from wind, less chance of getting stuck in busy traffic,
etcetera? The shortest route is not always the fastest (though the
fastest may not be the most enjoyable).

Good advice.
I have found that the same route becomes monotonous (?sp) after a while,
and it's almost essential for me to have alternatives. In addition, an
alternative route can ease the 'pain' of having a bad experience with a
twunk in a car (you *will* have them) because you don't have to retrace
your steps past the scene too soon.
Equally having a 'pretty way home' can be a good way of winding down
after a bummer of a day, even if it takes you longer / is further.

[email hidden] wrote on 14/06/2007 14:14 +0100:

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

If it might any suggestions at the £300 - £400 (max!) price range? My
only real requirement other than quick and easy is a rack, does this
rule out road bikes?

Thanks for any advice, it's much appreciated as always!
Ian

Doubt a new bike will make that much difference other than
psychological. I used to do 14 miles each way commute and while tiring
at first you soon get used to it. If you can start off by just cycling
Mon/Wed/Fri or Tues/Thurs and then build up. The other side of not
getting knackered is a)food and hydration so you don't draw on your
energy reserves and b) allow a bit more time and cycle a bit more
slowly. Its too easy to finish work, jump on the bike and race home.
Rather eat something half an hour (banana and flapjack are good) before
setting off and cycle leisurely.

--
Tony

"The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there
is no good evidence either way."
- Bertrand Russell

Mike the unimaginative wrote on 14/06/2007 18:07 +0100:

Quoted message said:

In addition, an
alternative route can ease the 'pain' of having a bad experience with a
twunk in a car (you *will* have them) because you don't have to retrace
your steps past the scene too soon.

I found taking the same route at roughly the same time each day made you
a regular and most drivers were also regulars that got to know and
expect you and treat you better. YMMV

Quoted message said:

Equally having a 'pretty way home' can be a good way of winding down
after a bummer of a day, even if it takes you longer / is further.

There is no better way to burn off stress adrenaline and arrive home
unstressed and mentally switched off from work IMO.

--
Tony

"The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there
is no good evidence either way."
- Bertrand Russell

"Mark" <pleasegivegenerously@warmail*turn_up_the_heat_to_reply*.com.invalid>
wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm soon to start a new job, and it means either using dubious public
transport or doing a 12 mile commute each way. I've done an 8 mile
commute before on my current bike, but it was fairly knackering doing
it all week (similar number of hills on both AFAIK).

Eat a good balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, make sure you have easy
days (when you trundle in rather than zooming in). 24 miles a day is a
trivial distance for a reasonably fit and healthy person. Blasting out
the miles will take it's toll thobut - if you're like me and always
trying to make up time on your commute you'll suffer from overtraining.

Quoted message said:

I guess what I really want to know is will a new road/hybrid bike help
out here? My current bike is a mountain bike, no suspension, with
slick tyres, usually pumped up to ~80 psi.

Going from slick-tyred mtb to road bike will make the journey a few
percent more efficient, though the benefits really only come in as the
speed comes up. If you're a trundly they're pretty [censored]. What's your
cruising speed on your current commute?

I'm wondering what he means by Slicks on an MTB, I have a set of 1.9" and
1.5" slicks but I know you can get 1" slicks for 26" wheels. Drop bars with
V Levers on the tops or cyclo-x Cantis and STI/Ergopower levers may give a
small advantage too.

Then again, Jumping between the Zaskar, Sardar and Dawes Giro my speed and
ability to push differences are increadibly noticable.

Niall

Quoted message said:

Electric bike? A decent one is twice your budget, though.

Tempting, but not sure I'd have anywhere to re-charge it easily. Plus
this commuting will only last for a few months, and it'll be nice to
have a good bike for fun rides at the end of it.

Quoted message said:

When you say knackered, are you tired as in exhausted, or worn out, as
in sore back/neck/knees/backside?

After lots of cycling my legs just feel really knackered, like they'd
rather not do any more pedalling!

Quoted message said:

If exhausted, that will pass as you get used to the regular cycling.
If sore, the above may still apply, but it might be also worth looking
at how well the bike fits you, and see if that can be improved.

I guess that means bike fit might be a problem? Something I should
follow up I suppose.

Quoted message said:

Over 12 miles I'd think drop handlebars are probably a win.

I've not used drops before, is it hard to make the adjustment?

Quoted message said:

I'm assuming you're not doing your 8 mile commute now though...

Start off with 2 or 3 days a week whilst you find your legs again.
Launching straight in to 5 days/week will quickly leave you feeling
like death and you'll hate the idea of ever getting back on a bike.
You're body will take a few weeks to adjust (along with your mind).

My commute recent went from 1 mile to 8 miles each way (although I
was doing a reasonable number of miles at weekends). It took me
4 weeks with occasional commutes on the train before I was happy
doing all 5 days a week.

Not doing 8 miles atm, nope. Got the option of doing bike and train /I
think/, to cut commute to 6 miles, so that could help me build up/cop
out!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Over 12 miles I'd think drop handlebars are probably a win.

I've not used drops before, is it hard to make the adjustment?

No. The greatest difficulty is that the they're narrower, so you have less
control over steering. You get used to this quickly, but you might find
you're a little wobbly at low speeds. There are a few special people that
can't get used to them at all and have to go back to flats thobut.

in message <[email hidden]>, Tony Raven

(') said:

Quoted message said:

Equally having a 'pretty way home' can be a good way of winding down
after a bummer of a day, even if it takes you longer / is further.

There is no better way to burn off stress adrenaline and arrive home
unstressed and mentally switched off from work IMO.

Amen, Brother!

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
Wannabe a Web designer?
<URL:http://userfriendly.org/cartoons/archives/97dec/19971206.html>