Does commuting make you tired?

[BlackPanther]

When I started commuting I bought a hybrid. Used it for a year, then bought an Allez road bike. I never used the hybrid again for commuting. Will you be going off road? If not, a road bike makes it far easier and faster, and imho, with Schwalbe M+/durano+ tyres on, was actually comfier than the full suspension hybrid.

As for being exhausted, after a couple of weeks acclimatisation you should be fine. I'm fast approaching 40 (unfortunately, that's my age, not my average speed) and I find that on the very rare occasions that I don't cycle to work I feel more lethargic throughout the day, and more tired when I get home. When I get home after cycling, I'm full of energy.

 

[Matthew_T]

I cycle a little under 20 miles round trip too and from work and I often feel tired, but I'm an unusual case. Main issue I have found is overnight recovery. It is not just a case of managing the distance it is being able to wake up the next morning without any residual fatigue in your legs so that you can cycle again comfortably. Otherwise you will end up with accumulated fatigue which will force you to take a day or two off from cycling every so often.

I can easily manage 30/40 miles a day without having the sensation you can feel. If I do 50/60 miles in one go like we normally on a Sunday morning with the club, then I usually take a day off, just to relax. I probably wont get that feeling though.

 

[fossyant]

You should be fine with that commute. The only thing I would mention is lactate acid build up - might affect you (very sore legs to touch) - I certainly had this as a youngster, but that was on stop start commutes. I was riding 20 miles each way in my early 20's without lactate acid issues on a rural commute, but on stop start commutes of half that distance was an issue. You will soon get used to it though. Being on the coast, you will have the usual headwinds to deal with.

Just do it ! It's ideal training, without hitting family/free time !

 

[fossyant]

Oh, and with that budget, get a Ribble Winter Trainer. Don't even think about a hybrid. 100's of cyclists around Cheshire can't be wrong, these Ribbles breed ! PS the Ribble will be nicer than your current bike as well, and will have full guards (essential for commuting).

 

[Matthew_T]

I have a MTB and a racer. I am unable to use my MTB because it is too heavy, it is slow, it tires me more on long journeys, and the tires are too ruggid. I am unable to use my racer because I dont really want to arrive at college in full lycra (I will give the wrong impression), I will be tired when I get to college because I will have been in a stressing position, I dont really want to leave my racer unnattended all day (even though it will be locked up), and I cannot fit a pannier rack to either bike.

I have got the whole of next week on my own in the day so I will probably travel up to Colwyn Bay and the cycle shop there because they usually have some second hand bikes in stock which might be suitable.
I have calculated that I would need £177 worth of accessories as well as the initial bike so i am looking at about £550/£600 in total if I restrict myself and veer away from the Specialised's and Bianchi's that I have been looking at.
The main bikes I have been looking at are:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67796
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Claud-Butler-Urban-500-2012-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_52072.htm
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Escape-2-2012-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_45461.htm
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_786861_langId_-1_categoryId_165534
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barracuda-Sharpfin-Gents-Speed-Road/dp/B005KILFKQ/ref=sr_1_43?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1339784757&sr=1-43
to name just a few. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barracuda-S..._1_43?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1339784757&sr=1-43

 

[skudupnorth]

My college is an 80 mile round trip As you can imagine i am only doing it once a week on the hybrid but hope to increase to save the money and wear and tear on the car.I don't have issues with being wiffy ( or my college friends are very polite ! ) Just take spare clothes and cleaning stuff if you are worried but that mileage is very do-able

 

[Andrius.B]

I am never tired after my commute, but then it is only about 9 miles round trip and I don't ride fast.
And also, a hybrid is quite fast as long as you have semi-slicks on it and don't carry too much stuff.
In my own opinion a hybrid is great for commuting because it is the best of both worlds: it is much faster then an MTB due to semi-slick tyres and lighter frame (usually) and it is also stronger and more reliable then a race bike, and can take more abuse. And it has a more upright position then a race bike, making it easier to observe traffic during commute, and in my case, the more upright position is more comfy too.

 

[Matthew_T]

I am never tired after my commute, but then it is only about 9 miles round trip and I don't ride fast.
And also, a hybrid is quite fast as long as you have semi-slicks on it and don't carry too much stuff.

The only stuff I would be carrying is: Mini tool kit (puncture repair and mini pump), waterproofs, lights (if I dont have them on), cleaning stuff, and a few books/papers.

 

[Matthew_T]

Oh, and with that budget, get a Ribble Winter Trainer. Don't even think about a hybrid. 100's of cyclists around Cheshire can't be wrong, these Ribbles breed ! PS the Ribble will be nicer than your current bike as well, and will have full guards (essential for commuting).

I had quite a bit of fun with the BikeBuilder. I even managed to get a £1,200 bike to £5,800!

Unfortunately, the Ribble you are talking about would stretch my finances a bit. I would have the money for it, but I would have to live of just tap water for the next 6 months of my life. That is why I am looking in the long run and giving myself £600 for the bike and accessories.

 

[ianrauk]

I had quite a bit of fun with the BikeBuilder. I even managed to get a £1,200 bike to £5,800!

Unfortunately, the Ribble you are talking about would stretch my finances a bit. I would have the money for it, but I would have to live of just tap water for the next 6 months of my life. That is why I am looking in the long run and giving myself £600 for the bike and accessories.

Why don't you buy second hand? You should be able to get a bit more for your money if you look wisely.

 

[Matthew_T]

Why don't you buy second hand? You should be able to get a bit more for your money if you look wisely.

I am going to be going to some local (well 15 miles away) bike shops next week. There is one in particular which trades second hand bikes after doing them up a bit.

 

[MrJamie]

I dont think id choose a hybrid for a commute of that length. IMHO the upright position would make a 17 mile commute a nightmare if you got a strong headwind, which probably isnt unlikely being near the coast. How about something more like a touring bike, with guards panniers and drops to keep the options open?

 

[growingvegetables]

Back to your OP, Matthew - and this is just a fwiw, as a 17 mile commute is a bit beyond my comfort zone (my limit'd be 10-12 miles for a commute) - but tiredness would not be the problem?

Give yourself enough time, and you'll be arriving at college with blood pumping, oxygen reaching bits you didn't know you had, and your brain sparking. While the guys arriving off the bus will only just be emerging from a very deeeeeeeeeep sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

Not making any claims for the ride home, though. With all that energy setting me up for the day ...... hmmmm, I had to make sure my home route passed railway stations where I could bail when I needed to

 

[HovR]

I am unable to use my racer because I dont really want to arrive at college in full lycra (I will give the wrong impression)

You don't have to wear lycra on a road bike. I rarely do, and can still keep up with every other roadie I've come across in my area. You could always get some of those trousers that have zip-off legs, so you can wear them as shorts on the bike, and trousers at college.

I dont really want to leave my racer unnattended all day (even though it will be locked up)

But you'd be ok with leaving your new bike unattended? If I'm not mistaken, the bikes in your price range are actually worth more than your road bike.

FWIW, if I was in your situation, I'd buy a nice new bike for club and training runs (Specialized Allez is in your price range!) and use the Muddyfox road bike as your commuter.

 

[Matthew_T]

Hmmmm......so many options. Good job I have all summer to make a decision.