Commuting on a Road Bike

[Hip Priest]

Right, tomorrow morning marks the first road bike commute. I'm looking forward it, despite some puncture paranoia! I used the staff car park for the first time on Weds. I can't tell you how nice it was not to have to leave work hoping my bike is still where I left it.

 

[BlackPanther]

I did a year on my hybrid before buying my 1st road bike in March. Since getting the Allez, I've not ridden the hybrid for work since..............March! The road bike's so much more efficient, and better for blasting through the gridlock.

A few months ago I switched from clips/straps to spds. I played it safe with double sided Shimano A530 pedals and MT42 shoes. 3 months on, and I've never fallen over due to being clipped in, and I'd never go back to toe clips/straps.

I'll use the hybrid when the weather gets severe, other than that it just comes out for weekend rides with the kids. Assuming you only ride on the road, a road bike makes total sense. I've done over 8,000 puncture free miles on my Durano/Marathon plus tyres, so swap them over, and enjoy!

 

[Hip Priest]

Thanks for the advice Black Panther. My birthday & Xmas are coming up so I've asked for Wiggle vouchers so I can get some durable tyres (probably Marathon plus) and some SPD or SPD-SL pedals with shoes.

 

[Hacienda71]

I love nailing my commute on my roadbike. Full lycra and Look Keos for me, I see it as an opportunity to get a short (8 miles each way) fast training ride in a few times a week. Last three years I have riddden the mtb once and that was due to snow.

 

[Hip Priest]

Gah. I did my first commute on the road bike this morning and I was rubbish. It was raining and I was skittery and hesitant. Felt out of my comfort zeon. It was a far cry from some of the high quality road bike commuting you see from the likes of Magnatom and Johnny on here.

I'm going to put the clips back on (without straps) because I missed having my feet held in position.

On the plus side, I didn't puncture.

 

[big vally]

Best bike for commuting has gottae be a drop bar single speed. I use a Genesis Day-One and it's the best, although my Specy Tricross is sometimes used.

Wouldn't dream of using my road bike for commute purposes though, especially in winter. It would kill the bike in no time at all.