Going to start commuting

[bigfella]

Hi all, I am going to start commuting into London for work. Its around 16 miles each way from where I live to the office so 32 miles a day.

The reason for this is basically to get fit and loose some weight as at the moment my BMI is up at 34. Ideally I would like to loose 30kg by doing this. I used to be very big into cycling when I was younger, doing 50 mile rides on an MTB on my own and was very fit and thin!

I have a 23.5" 2006 Giant XTC SE to do it on. Am I being fesible if I leave myself enough time in the morning to start with?

Unfortunately I cannot lock off the forks, hopefully this won't hinder me too much. If all goes well within the first week I think I will change the tyres for some road ones.

 

[MacB]

BF, I started in Jan, similar aims, want to lose 70lbs, approx 32kg, and my full commute is a round trip 40.4 miles. I've improved and for the last 5 weeks have done the full commute 3 times each week, and have lost 21lbs in weight.

Bike - I bought a Giant CRS Alliance, which is very nice but maybe not the best choice for a long commute with panniers and a fat bloke. Am now having a steel frame Surly Crosscheck made up for commute only. So your sturdier MTB approach sounds better than my fast/city hybrid original. Personally I'd recommend a rack rather than rucksack, I got a really sweaty back with the rucksack. Mudguards, something like marathon plus(puncture resistant) tyres, not knobbly. If you find you want to continue then get a shot of lots of bikes, demos, friends etc.

Feasibility - why not? When I said I wanted to do this I was met with disbelief from non-cyclists. But got plenty of online support from cyclists and very good advice. Best is to play it by ear and not overdo it. I actually hate the days in between when I take the train but know the potential for damage if I do too much too soon.

By the way I did my first social group ride today, 51 miles, and amazingly enjoyed it.

 

[cyberknight]

have to agree with the rack suggestion, i tried it with a rucksack and the sweaty back really annoyed me + the weight shifting around . Once i moved to a pannier it was a lot more comfortable and the sleight extra weight is well worth it it meant i could carry a lot more "essential" stuff like water proofs, spare inner tube ,mini tool kit etc .

 

[bigfella]

Can anyone recommend a rack at all that would be suitable for an MTB?

Tyre's - might pick a pair of these tomorrow:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_250448_langId_-1_categoryId_165694

or they have these:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_215298_langId_-1_categoryId_165694

Obviously if the cheaper ones are more suitable, I will go for those.

I have also bought this lot from Wiggle:

1 of dhb Elsted 30L Rucksack - Black
1 of Cateye EL530 And LD1100 Light Set -
1 of Ortlieb Mud Racer Small Saddle Bag - Black
1 of Topeak Panoram V12 Wide Screen Wireless Cycle Computer -
1 of Lizard Skins Clear Patches -
1 of Topeak Defender Rear Mudguard -
1 of LifeLine Patch Repair Kit -
1 of dhb Earnley Baggy Cycling Shorts Extra Extra Large Black
1 of Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream -
1 of Topeak Defender Front Mudguard -
1 of Topeak Joe Blow Max II Track Pump -
1 of dhb Triple Lens Sunglasses - Smoke

Don't laugh at the size of the shorts and the cream!!

 

[MacB]

BF, that's the cream I bought and seems to work ok, I've also bought the same track pump. I've got some DHB stuff and it's been pretty good, though I haven't got experience to compare to much. I'd add in some gloves, probably mitt/fingerless style now.

Racks for a MTB, I know they exist, you can get them where the top bit fixes to seatpost.

 

[bigfella]

Got the gloves and Gill cycling coat from before, still fits after 6 years! Must have been big on me then!!

What do people think about the tyres?

 

[MacB]

Tyres seem ok but, if doing road only, you don't really need any knobbly bits, or any tread for that matter. I see tread, on road tyres, as a pretty pattern or a wear indicator, nothing more. If you're not sure on this do some net searches, plenty of threads on subject.

I reasearched tyres carefully as I wanted reasonable speed and maximum puncture resistance. Skinny race tyres can wait until I've got a skinny race physique. All results pointed to the Marathon plus, currently on offer at Spa cycles for £19 each. I still have the new tyres that came with the Giant, never been ridden on, swapped for the pluses straight away. 913 miles in and no punctures as yet, so that seems a good ratio to me.

 

[ianrauk]

Mate,
those tyres you have highlighted are far too 'fat' for your commute. If your are commuting on the roads & paths you need something slimmer. And as OP's have said, you don't need all the knobbly bits.

As MaccyD (Sorry MaccyB) quite rightly says, get yourself some Marathon +'s. The amount of commuting you are planning to do, it's the sensible option. Go for the size 26x1.25, 26x1.5 at the most.

 

[bigfella]

They still big enough for a fatty like me!? Will they be safe to use in the rain, the only reason I posted the others was as I thought - I could use them for light tracks too.

Should I put the forks up to the hardest setting or leave them on medium for now?

Is it OK to fit 1.5's on an MTB, I notice you can get them in 1.75 too. On Wiggle they state "MTB Road".

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Schwalbe_Marathon_Plus_Tyre/5360007836/

 

[MacB]

1.5 tops, which is 38mm, I'm useing 35mm for my commute and plenty big enough for reasonable tracks as well, fine in the wet on roads. My 35mm tyres looked obese next to all the skinny ones on todays ride. Don't forget I probably outweighed you to begin with, and may still do at 231lbs.

 

[bigfella]

I'm 280lbs - around 130kg, I am very tall though at 6'4.

I can't seem to find the 1.5's on the Spa Cycles site, only the 1.75's. Can you send me the link please.

 

[MacB]

I can only see them in 26x1.35 which should be fine

sorry link

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products...thon_Plus_PARTS_&_ACCESSORIES_Tyres_-_Touring

 

[bigfella]

Ok, will have a look in the morning - probably my eyes as I'm tired. Wonder what they will look like on an MTB but who cares!

 

[MacB]

well 1.35 is approx the same as my 35mm and I thought they looked quite skinny at first, now they look quite chunky to me

 

[ianrauk]

Yes
Yes
Yes
&
Yes

They will not be problem for a 'fatty' or in the rain, as tyres do not aquaplane like car tyres (though even thinner raod bike tyres can be twitchy).
They will be no problem on tracks, I ride 700x32's and have no problem on tracks.
For riding on the road, I would lock the suspension at it's hardest setting aotherwise you are wasting energy with the bike bouncing up and down as you go along. And of course no problem's with 1.5's in the rain.

They still big enough for a fatty like me!? Will they be safe to use in the rain, the only reason I posted the others was as I thought - I could use them for light tracks too.

Should I put the forks up to the hardest setting or leave them on medium for now?

Is it OK to fit 1.5's on an MTB, I notice you can get them in 1.75 too. On Wiggle they state "MTB Road".

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Schwalbe_Marathon_Plus_Tyre/5360007836/