So many questions....

[fourmonkeyfeet]

Good morning one 'n' all....

My very first post on here. Sleep to me is somewhat elusive sometimes so here goes....This forum was recommended by the mighty Chipmonster who is a close friend and has got me back in the mood for cycling...albeit to work. I currently own no bike. My company is about to do the 'cycle to work ' scheme so being a bloke, research has begun in earnest....but I'd like to pick some brains before I set off a purchase.

My ride into work would be mostly in 50 and 70mph (dual carriageway) zones between Blackburn and Preston. It is 13.1 miles downhill on the way in and uphill obviously on the way home. I'm confident rider in and amongst traffic but I am somewhat concerned about fast traffic speeding past me. I can't decide what to do....do I go for a drop handle and thin tyres or a flat bar hybrid with maximum cyclo cross tyres? I'm pretty sure I want 'proper' pedals (clipless ones in my mind) and a bike that can have mudguards fitted if I choose later on. I'm also supposing that I will ride thru the odd grate every now and again so I don't want to be overly concerned with doing damage to my wheels if that happens. I'd like to support British manufacturers and having looked round 'buyabike' in Chorley and Evans in Manchester, I'm not sure what I should be going for. I reckon my budget is GBP 1,000 which would be GBP 800 for bike and GBP 200 for extras (clothes, locks, lights etc). Ribble are just a two minute stroll from where I work but they look very specialist to me. Has anyone any ideas on 1 or 2 models that might be suitable for me? Once my missus has got pregnant with our second baby, it's bye bye to our second car and hello to finess, weight loss and enjoyment at being back in the saddle.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can spare any time to answer my basic questions.

Matt (aka fourmonkeyfeet...don't ask where that name came from!!!! although I will tell ya if you really want to know....!)

 

[Keith Oates]

Welcome to the forum, fourmonkeyfeet, no doubt you tell us of the origins of the name in your own time.
My first suggestion would be to try and find another route than the one you've mentioned, it may not be the most pleasant way of riding to work if it has heavy fraffic.
I'm a fan of the drop handlebar road bikes and so would say go for that on a reasonable journey such as you've mentioned. If you are planning year round commuting then a bike with mudguards is what I would select. Go for tyres 25mm or above to also get some comfort and any loss in speed when commuting would not really be noticeable. Which bike to buy is very much a personal choice as it's important to have one that YOU thinks looks good. The only firm advice I can give is make sure you get one that fits and no doubt Chipmonster can help in getting that part correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[upsidedown]

Hi

Does the dual carriageway have a path along the side ? My commute makes a 60mph dual carriageway unavoidable, but there's no way i would ride it.
Worth checking out, it may be a bit bumpy and only a foot wide, but a decent CX bike or tourer will handle it no problem.

 

[Amanda P]

On the other hand, dual carriageways do at least usually have a decent road surface. They're no fun, but it's the junctions that are probably the most dangerous, not the open, unobstructed highway.

You won't want to spend any longer on those roads than you have to, so I'd second the drop bar bike plan. I'd go for 28 or 32mm tyres just for a bit of comfort and robustness - may be 32mm Marathons.

Otherwise, you're on the right lines. You will want mudguards if you're riding every day, and you'll want a rack or something to carry your bits and pieces on (spare tube, puncture kit, basic tools, waterproofs), so get a bike that's got one or will take one. An audax or fast touring bike may be a good bet for these points.

Riding that sort of distance anywhere near a 60mph road is going to be very wearing - just the noise is tiring, especially on a wet day. Find alternatives if you can and it'll be a lot more enjoyable.

 

[Amanda P]

Oh yes, and if you plan to ride those roads in winter, budget some serious money for lights.

 

[fourmonkeyfeet]

Thanks for your answers especially re the tyres. The dual carriageway has a pavement down one side so I guess I'll use that - depending on time of day and weather conditions. I'm going to be doing a mix of cycling and getting the train but I'll bear in mind about the lights. I have a GBP 200 scuba diving torch that has a HID bulb so maybe I could use that on the front if I can find a way of securely attaching it!! People will certainly see me coming!!!

 

[Amanda P]

That sounds like an adequate headlight!

On a dual carriageway, you want to make sure traffic approaching from behind sees you, so invest in one or more tail lights. One steady, one flashing is a common ploy - you have a backup, and the flashing one is instantly recognizable as a bike. On this kind of road, hi-viz is probably worthwhile too, and the more the merrier.

If you haven't already, read through Cyclecraft. Some of the advice (primary position) can seem counter-intuitive, but it works.

 

[Andy in Sig]

Consider getting a touring bike which will have absolutely everything on it you could need and still be within budget e.g. Dawes Galaxy or one of the Edinburgh Cycles tourers. Tourers are fast, robust and have the advantage that you can stick panniers on them and so lug stuff around.

 

[fourmonkeyfeet]

Thanks 'Uncle Phil'! I hadn't heard of the book but I shall get it the next time I'm in a book shop. It's certainly got a very good write up on the reviews on Amazon.

Andy - do you mean edinburghbicycle.com? Thanks for the advice too.

 

[RedBike]

A 70mph duel caridgeway? I've done a few time trials down duel caridgeways but I wouldn't like to try cycling past an entry / exit.

Ribbles winter bike (start at about £500) would make an ideal commuter. It will take full guards and panniers.

 

[Ludwig]

A 26.2 mile round trip doesn't sound like much fun with all the rush hour idiots. It is a long commute even by driving standards and you've got to think of all those evenings when its wet, windy, freezing and you're really tired. I would personally find work that is a lot nearer or set up on your own.
It sounds a bit harsh but I don't know why so many people put themselves through the grind of a long commute.

 

[fourmonkeyfeet]

At the moment the work I'm doing is enjoyable and well paid and I'm not looking to move. So I'm thinking of cycling twice a week in the winter months and commuting by train / folding bike on the other days. But I take your point with the long-ish commute although sometimes I reckon I could cycle in as fast as I could drive in especially if I drove in at 8.30 in the school week!