First Commute On A Steel Bicycle

[HovR]

Been commuting on a steel bike for the past 8 months - Love it! Such a smooth ride, yet still easily fast enough to keep up with nearly every roadie I've encountered.

Just ordered some Vittoria's to replace the old gumwall tires I've put 1200 miles on with no punctures, plus whatever the original rider did! Hopefully my experience with them will be similar to that of Gaz and Ian's.

 

[jonathanw]

+1 to steel and marathon plus

However, it makes the Silly Strava Racing that little bit harder, as it is much heavier (esp with mudguards,rack and pannier) but I still seem to want to kill myself on every rise/hill to get those all important KOM's or to get a faster time than colleagues who go my way

 

[fossyant]

Hang on. Steel bikes need real tyres, like pro race 4, not marathons that equal the frame weight. I ride steel, but will never fit marathon stuff, how to kill bike feel in one stop.

 

[jonathanw]

Hang on. Steel bikes need real tyres, like pro race 4, not marathons that equal the frame weight. I ride steel, but will never fit marathon stuff, how to kill bike feel in one stop.

I have a fairly tyre challenging commute with glass (on Kessock Bridge), or even gorse at times on the small roads from the black Isle to Inverness. Since m+ i am much happier, not had a tyre off yet, which makes a big change. More weight = more exercise = more enjoyment/satisfaction at moving up, or even taking KOM's in SSR (I know you know what I mean)

I'd rather not ride with the weight, but equally, i'm happier not having a visit from "her"

 

[HLaB]

Steel is, indeed, real.

Heavy Metal Man

 

[BSRU]

Second day on steel, better than yesterday as I tweaked the the saddle so it is set up correctly for me now.
Still taking it very easy due to not being 100%, hopefully over it by Monday so I can get out into the countryside.

 

[clarion]

My touring steel kept a lot of 'sporty' carbon at bay this morning. Actually, the fastest guy on the road was on a Fuji Track, which I think is also steel, though of a rather different character from my Orbit.

 

[BSRU]

My touring steel kept a lot of 'sporty' carbon at bay this morning. Actually, the fastest guy on the road was on a Fuji Track, which I think is also steel, though of a rather different character from my Orbit.

Having to reject any SCR at the moment, although it is always very tempting .
I am looking forward to being able to open up once I am fully recovered, have not used the big ring yet .

 

[BSRU]

First proper commute on the steel bike this morning, not 100% but that is due to too much time in the sun yesterday .

Got out in the countryside which means two short climbs up reasonably steep hills, no problem at all with lots of lower gears left if needed.
The main advantages of riding outside of the Swindon are the drivers tend to be more patient and I had almost 19km without the need to unclip, no chance of that while riding around town.
The steel bike is deceptively quick, often I think I am not giving it much effort but then surprised to see the speed I am travelling at, for me that is.