Just how hardcore is a modern day road bike?

[helston90]

My current 12 mile all rural commute I'm doing on a hybrid which I already owned as I assumed muddy roads, occasional kerb and the ability to go off road when needs be.

However- after a few runs there are no kerbs, I'm not using the pannier rack as I'm leaving change of clothes in work and I can easily house my current bike for going off road so thinking of a road bike for commuting.

My question is how much abuse can they take? I'm a big 16 stone bloke and the roads are fairly pot holled as they're rural so don't get any attention from highways- I really wouldn't want to be constantly a. in fear of damage or b. having to pay out all the time to repair/ replace damage.

When I ride ATM my steel frame steel forks and 700x 35c wheels/tyres can handle any ruts I throw at it.

Would I be wise to steer away from roadie? or consider a cyclecross style?

Any pointers greatly appreciated. Ta

 

[PpPete]

If you want a road bike, buy a road bike. The frame will be OK. Consider getting some handbuilt 36 spoke wheels (but still narrow-ish rims) for it as many road bikes ship with wheels which have rims made of cheese and/or a fashionable 20/24 spoke pattern which is less suitable for a heavier rider on pot-holed roads.

 

[ushills]

A road bike will be fine, get wheels with a decent number of spokes 32 or 36 and I wouldn't spend a fortune as you may be too precious about it for commuting on rough roads. Then get a better bike for the weekends.

 

[gaz]

I think the question is.. how hardcore are you?

 

[jim55]

pretty sure a road bike will b up to the job ,if theres a weak point its gota b the rims/wheels in gen ,reg 36 spoke rims well built using half decent tyres (gatorskins or something )are pretty much bulletproof .sure if u smack a pavement or a big pothole at speed then any rim will prob get damaged but theyr not as delicate as u think ,its worth paying for hand builts using good parts .
im running mavic open pro rims ,105 hubs and its butted spokes app,these are running on 25mm tyres ,,i paid recently to have them retrued and retensioned (they didnt really need it just a good check over really ,got the hubs regreased at the same time ),,this set up is more a kind of delicate "exotic "(kinda )youd see on a highly strung delicate looking roadie ,but they have took a few knocks and they have been fine ,im 14 st and they take a bit of abuse all the time and so far iv not had to fix /replace cos of roads ,just go 36 spoke built well and they l b fine

 

[jdtate101]

My current 12 mile all rural commute I'm doing on a hybrid which I already owned as I assumed muddy roads, occasional kerb and the ability to go off road when needs be.

However- after a few runs there are no kerbs, I'm not using the pannier rack as I'm leaving change of clothes in work and I can easily house my current bike for going off road so thinking of a road bike for commuting.

My question is how much abuse can they take? I'm a big 16 stone bloke and the roads are fairly pot holled as they're rural so don't get any attention from highways- I really wouldn't want to be constantly a. in fear of damage or b. having to pay out all the time to repair/ replace damage.

When I ride ATM my steel frame steel forks and 700x 35c wheels/tyres can handle any ruts I throw at it.

Would I be wise to steer away from roadie? or consider a cyclecross style?

Any pointers greatly appreciated. Ta

I'd go for a cyclocross bike. Should you want to go full roadie later, most have frame/fork holes for caliper brakes (just remove the canti's first...or if disc then not big deal). CX bikes are built tough, so can handle the rough and you can fit either 35c tyres with grip, or smooth 23c easily. Most have large clearances for mudguards and can take panniers etc... A CX bike is the perfect do it all bike.

 

[Aiden_23]

I bet he pays Road Tax!!!!

 

[smokeysmoo]

I wish I was only 16 stone! A road bike will be fine

 

[mcshroom]

A CX bike is the perfect do it all bike.

A tourer is the best do-it-all bike. It's a bit heavier than a road bike, but it can pretty much do everything a roadie or a CX bike can do, and then take a full touring load round when it's finished

Back to the OP - A road bike should cope fine. I'm 18st and they can carry me if I want them to. As others have said you may knock your wheels out of true a bit faster than the whippets so getting nice strong 32 or 36 hole handbuilt wheels might be a good investment, but you won't kill it

 

[Schooner]

Helston, you know you want a roadie so go get some speed!
Im 100kg (don't know stones anymore) and haven't done any damage to mine on a commute across all sorts of delights that the local council feels we tax payers need to enjoy. You are running a regular commute and so are well aware of all the rim crunching road treats that sit on your roads. You are avoiding them on your hybrid and so you know where they are already. You will start off being very delicate but pretty quickly realise that a nice speedy roadie isnt as weak as you thought and will sadly leave that hybrid indoors too often.

 

[gaz]

I'd go for a cyclocross bike. Should you want to go full roadie later, most have frame/fork holes for caliper brakes (just remove the canti's first...or if disc then not big deal). CX bikes are built tough, so can handle the rough and you can fit either 35c tyres with grip, or smooth 23c easily. Most have large clearances for mudguards and can take panniers etc... A CX bike is the perfect do it all bike.

If a rim can take 35c tyres, putting a 23c tyre on it will be pushing the limits and may well be exceeding them.

 

[mcshroom]

Probably. I have 17mm rims on mine, and 25s are ok (so are 40s) but I wouldn't want to go down much smaller

 

[Smurfy]

Get a light-weight tourer, or audax bike. It will have all the eyelets for mudguards, which will save you from a soaking and mud when it rains (think practical for commuting). Also, if you want comfort on poorly maintained roads, I'd stick with a steel frame and wide tyres (many racing bikes won't take wider tyres).

 

[Orange]

My current 12 mile all rural commute I'm doing on a hybrid which I already owned as I assumed muddy roads, occasional kerb and the ability to go off road when needs be.

However- after a few runs there are no kerbs, I'm not using the pannier rack as I'm leaving change of clothes in work and I can easily house my current bike for going off road so thinking of a road bike for commuting.

My question is how much abuse can they take? I'm a big 16 stone bloke and the roads are fairly pot holled as they're rural so don't get any attention from highways- I really wouldn't want to be constantly a. in fear of damage or b. having to pay out all the time to repair/ replace damage.

When I ride ATM my steel frame steel forks and 700x 35c wheels/tyres can handle any ruts I throw at it.

Would I be wise to steer away from roadie? or consider a cyclecross style?

Any pointers greatly appreciated. Ta

My commute is 12.5 miles each way, mostly rural, lots and lots of potholes and mud from the fields dragged out by tractors - and since December I've been doing it on my road bike. Must admit I'm impressed with how it has handled all of the abuse thrown at it.

However, I've just done the opposite and bought a hybrid, hopefully the better to handle the potholes that can't always be avoided. It will be interesting to see the difference.

 

[Peteaud]

I also went down the hybrid route, although i dont commute.

Potholes, mud on road, cattle grids and that nasty grity gravel stuff (cream / sand colour) put me off a road bike.