advice from long distance commuter's please

[Crankarm]

FYI, My allez elite has done probably half the mileage you are suggesting in its first year of ownership (same commute but not every day) and so far in that one one year I've gotten through about £200 worth of tyres, £30 of tubes, £200 worth of drive system (chain, block, hubs, cables...all needed replacement) plus the unavoidable accumulation of cycle gear, rucksacks, extra gloves, extra overshoes, extra shirts.

I've probably spent around £600 in the year...perhaps more

Its by no means as costly as a car but it does stack up, so its worth going into it with your eyes open.

I agree with you on cost, but IME it pays to maintain and fettle regularly which all takes time. I am struggling to see how you spent £200 on tyres though. Mind you I bought some Schwalbe Marathon winter tyres (studded) which cost £70 then I fancied a pair of Specialised Armadillo Nimbus tyres instead of the Marathon XRs I was using which although good are a tad heavy for smooth tarmac riding. So I have probably spent £120. But I expect the tyres to last at least a year before the rear needs changing. So far so good, the Armadillos are proving an excellent buy, lots of tread left (V groove tread), low rolling resistance, excellent puncture resistance. good grip in wet as well as dry. What's not to like?

The most consumable items seems to me to be degreaser, lube, gloves and replacement chains. I must have changed the chain twice in the last year and ridden a shade over 10k miles. But my commute is quite flat save for the Fen winds which some times make you feel like you are doing an hors category climb.

 

[jonny jeez]

I am struggling to see how you spent £200 on tyres though..

Yep, you and Mrs Jeez also.

I had a run of bad luck I guess

I bought a set of very pretty schwalbe duarthon from the LBS for £80 a set, then promptly shredded the front about 2 nights later, I considered patching or booting it but lost my nerve at the thought of 120 psi pushing against a boot on a fast downhill. (the last shredding went off like a shotgun with an instant deflation, where the tube herniated out through a tiny tear in the tyre and hit the deck)

Then a month or so later shredded the rear (in not quite such dramatic circumstances) and thought I'd give it one more go before chucking them out and buying something less pretty and more durable.

Since then though I've had no issues and seem to have avoided too many visits. I've also spent £30 odd quid on a cartridge inflater (tyre related costs) and numerous cartridges at £3 a pop.

Perhaps, on a good year I would only expect about £120 to £150 on tyres but 2012 wasn't a good year for visits.

 

[welshwheels]

well that went better than expected i took it really easy 1hr40mins on the way in and 1hr25 on the way home yes my bike has full mudguards and 700*32 marathons i have also ditched the drops and run bbs butterfly bars

 

[kedab]

But my commute is quite flat save for the Fen winds which some times make you feel like you are doing an hors category climb.

in which blustery part of our Fen do you reside Mr Crankarm? I'm Ely way and am mostly to be found looping around Littleport towards Mildenhall and then back round towards Soham/Burwell and farther afield, on days where I'm not riding into a headwind that switches direction to remain a frikin headwind no matter how far through a 360 degree loop i've gone!

 

[subaqua]

well that went better than expected i took it really easy 1hr40mins on the way in and 1hr25 on the way home yes my bike has full mudguards and 700*32 marathons i have also ditched the drops and run bbs butterfly bars

well done. it gets easier from now on. my 1st commute of 3 miles nearly 3 years ago near killed me , am now going to do the FNRttC to Brighton and the ride into work which is now 6.5 miles minimum sometimes ends up as a 20 miler

 

[Crankarm]

in which blustery part of our Fen do you reside Mr Crankarm? I'm Ely way and am mostly to be found looping around Littleport towards Mildenhall and then back round towards Soham/Burwell and farther afield, on days where I'm not riding into a headwind that switches direction to remain a frikin headwind no matter how far through a 360 degree loop i've gone!

Near Cambridge where near means within 40 miles.

 

[Crankarm]

well that went better than expected i took it really easy 1hr40mins on the way in and 1hr25 on the way home yes my bike has full mudguards and 700*32 marathons i have also ditched the drops and run bbs butterfly bars

Well done WW. Have a fig roll.

 

[subaqua]

Well done WW. Have a fig roll.

mmm fig rolls

 

[kedab]

Near Cambridge where near means within 40 miles.

mysterious...you're that miserable old sod that refuses to say 'hi' whenever i see him out on the bike, aren't you?

 

[cloggsy]

Very unfortunate chap at work had his catalytic converter stolen from his car...cut off with an angle-grinder. Twice. In the space of a week.

I've heard about this; shocking behaviour! They should cut the perp's 'nads off with an angle grinder if caught!