in message <
[email protected]>, newsgroup
('
[email protected]') wrote:
> OK. Now that I've dipped my toe into the pool thought I'd try another.
>
> For health reasons I have to increase my level of exercise. I already
> cycle at weekends off road at a local forest centre (about 20 miles) and
> use a gym semi regular. I want to incorporate exercise as a part of my
> day.
>
> I currently drive 31 miles each way to work. It is my aim to start
> cycling part then all of that as my fitness increases.
That's a long commute. Even if you're quick it's going to take you the best
part of two hours each way. My longest cycle commute was 21 miles, which
was about an hour and a quarter and that was do-able. I'm not saying you
can't do it, but you need to be fit and have a quick bike.
> My question? Well what bike would fit the bill for such a commute? Dont
> think my mountain bike will do the trick!
>
> The roads are mainly country A roads with some hilly sections. I'm no
> youngster so a more "relaxed" riding position would be ideal.
I currently commute on one of these:
http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_92.html
(note: that price is for the frameset only!)
It's fast (although I'm currently commuting on full-on cyclo-cross tyres,
which aren't as fast as slicks, because I take it mountain-biking with
work-mates at lunchtime), climbs well (which it needs to - I've a BIG hill
to go over) and is generally fun and engaging to ride. But if you're going
to commute on what is pretty close to a full on race bike in winter,
you've got a fairly big commitment to maintaining your transmission.
Derailleurs don't like the amount of wet and dirt that is involved in
winter commuting. The roads are amazingly filthy at this time of year.
You also need to think carefully about clothes. I've had two evenings this
week when I've come home, undressed in front of the washing machine and
just thrown everything in. Bulky clothes - and anything seriously
waterproof for cycling tends to be bulky, particularly for the legs - slow
you down, because of poor aerodynamics. I find that it's best to make a
compromise that avoids the fully waterproof in favour of the fast.
Part of the reason I chose a cross bike as an all-year commuter was that I
thought cantilever brakes would cope better with the general **** and wet
of winter riding than dual pivot callipers. I mildly disappointed with
them - they are good, and they have lots of tyre clearance, but they
aren't as good as I'd expected.
> Have seen touring bikes such as the Dawes Galaxy in the past, is this a
> suitable beast?
No, not fast enough, riding position too upright. If you're going to do an
all year, all weather commute over that distance you need a bike that's
fast and light but at the same time adapted for low maintenance. Probably
the best solution would be to start with a track frame and fit a hub gear.
Something like this:
http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_19.html
or, if you're slumming it, this:
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86031
(but in either case check the OLN dimension will fit your chosen hub. Also,
make sure it is drilled for brakes front and rear - a lot of track frames
aren't.)
The reason for a track frame is that you can adjust the hub position to
adjust chain tension, so that you don't need a tensioner arm, so that you
can run a full chaincase, so that you can keep your transmission out of
the weather.
The alternative, if you don't want to ride in a racing crouch, is probably
this:
http://www.flevobike.nl/content/view/16/79/lang,en/
Fully enclosed transmission, comfortable seating, and reasonable
aerodynamics. The downside is it's quite heavy, which is going to hurt
uphill.
Do think about the weather, and the practicalities. This week, I've been
rained on every single day, and the wind hasn't dropped below 20 mph all
week. I've been fortunate in that it's been a headwind in the morning, and
so a tailwind when I'm tired in the evening. But cycling in the half-light
on busy, filthy roads into stinging cold rain being driven into your face
by a strong wind is... character building. And I'm not riding anything
like the distance you're proposing.
--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke)
http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
A message from our sponsor: This site is now in free fall
