New LOOOONG commute !

[Paulwakefield]

Hi all,
I've been commuting on and off for years now, and used to ride a 14 mile round trip, anyway nearly a year ago I got relocated to another office and now that we're approaching spring want to get back in the saddle.

Problem is it's around 23 miles each way, now I don't have an issue with fitness here, and even if I only go twice per week, it will be such a diesel saving, plus I love cycling, also my office has changing facilities/ showers/ I have a desk job so not too physical. The problem is I have a Scott Sportster hybrid with 700x37 tyres, it also has front suspension, now this was OK back in the day when I did 7 miles to work, but now I'm thinking I'd be more suited to a road bike (used to have a Trek 1.2, loved it but sold it)

The second problem is the better half won't let me buy a new bike lol, so I'm wanting suggestions on making this one a little roadie style (I will buy a road bike, once I can convince her that I'm going to do this commute on the bike)
Now I know some will say just ride this and see, which I will do to begin with, but just after some advice, I heard throwing some slick 28s might help? The rims are Zac 19s.

Plus many others ride 20+ mile each way ? How do you all find it ?

Many thanks

 

[Sobrique]

Can you replace your front forks, swap the tyres to slicks, and (maybe) swap to some drop handlebars?

 

[jonathanw]

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

I ride over 150 miles per week on these

very light, puncture resistant and very durable. They weigh less than marathon plus 25x700

 

[HovR]

The best thing you could do at the moment is to swap the forks out for rigid forks, followed by narrower/slicker tires.

 

[Paulwakefield]

Oh, the old suspension forks, I thought that might be a problem. Any suggestions where some cheap rigid forks could be found? Are they universal?
Thanks,

 

[Bluenite]

Why don't you use your road bike.

 

[Paulwakefield]

The road bike has long gone, what a mistake-a to make-a !

 

[smokeysmoo]

Why don't you use your road bike.

You mean the one the OP loved but sold

[EDIT] oops, cross posted there

 

[Bluenite]

So sorry for your loss. Is it possible to Ebay your Scott then get a road bike. Tell your wife it will be less of hard slog on a lighter bike plus it will save money on fuel.

 

[Paulwakefield]

So sorry for your loss. Is it possible to Ebay your Scott then get a road bike. Tell your wife it will be less of hard slog on a lighter bike plus it will save money on fuel.

Already tried that one, the wife likes the scott bike, plus it has a baby seat on the back for my lad. She won't let me sell it haha

 

[DCLane]

I do a 10+ mile commute into Leeds and sometimes use the MTB with knobblies!

My suggestions:

- get thinner tyres, more suited for longer distance. Gatorskins / Marathon should do
- Change the front fork for one which you can lock out or without suspension
- Possibly include drop bars or bar ends

Me, I'd use it as an opportunity to explain you need a new bike on the Cycle 2 Work scheme to keep under the tax threshold for Child Benefit. Or at least that's what I'm about to do with SWMBO

 

[colly]

Drop me a 20 and I'll nick it for you.

Buy a road bike with the insurance.

Disclaimer: I totally dis-associate myself from the above spurious comments and should any members of the law enforcement agencies and insurance company fraud departments wish to speak to me ........I am staying schtum.




OH.........and it wasn't me.

 

[Bluenite]

 

[Jdratcliffe]

Already tried that one, the wife likes the scott bike, plus it has a baby seat on the back for my lad. She won't let me sell it haha

do the commute on the hybrid ( slogg it out) i did my 22miles each way on a old appollo phaze from halfords for a month before other half was sick of the 2hrs it took me to get home i explained it would be alot quicker on a roadie! se said ok then and i got to buy myine knock 35mins off stright away !! if you can get the thinnest slicks on it and lock out or pummp up the suspension to almost ridged

 

[400bhp]

Oh, the old suspension forks, I thought that might be a problem. Any suggestions where some cheap rigid forks could be found? Are they universal?
Thanks,

Try searching for Mosso forks. I bought a pair off Fleabay a while back. So far they have been up to the job.