Want to ride to work but on a tight budget + outside storage

[jamin100]

Hi everyone,

Joined this forum as im looking for some advice. Im 28 6ft and 210lbs (so pretty unfit ) I used to go swimming 4 times a week until the local pool closed for refurbishment. I'd swim for about an hour each morning before work. Well since that has stopped i am feeling myself getting unfitter by the day. I play squash once a week but thats it.

I'd like to try riding to work but firstly dont know if i'd make it and secondly dont have a bike. My commute would be 10 miles each way. I have to be in work at 730am and leave at 4pm. obviously I'd only attempt this when i felt ready and I think after I had brought my fitness level up a bit.

On the bike front, I think id want a hybrid. I had racing style bikes as a child but didn't really get on with them. My budget for buying a bike is really low for now until I can prove to my other half that im actually saving money by not using the car. I have been looking at the Claud Butler Urban 200 on eBay. There is a nice one on there at the moment for £150. This is the top of my budget and couldn't afford any more.

Storage. Obviusly it would be better to store a bike inside but I have 3 young children so this isnt possible. The side passage of our house is pretty secure and i'd be able to store the nike there no problem. I'd sill lock the bike to the wall for added security. My question though is how can i protect the bike from the elements if its being kept outside. In the snow & ice etc when i wouldnt be using the bike it can go in my parents garrage.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ben

 

[akb]

You should be able to easily achieve 10 miles in about an hour as a starter.

You will save money on running a car. I am saving £60 a week on petrol alone by cycling my 12 miles commute every day.

Bike depends on the sort of terrain you are going to be using. Racing bikes are good for road only, although you could adapt with wider tyres if you are going to be using it off road. In my experience, Racing bikes are the expensive option.

Hybrids are good for both road and track. Thats why I use to commute. Ebay/second is the way forward with your budget.

In terms of financials, have you considered the Cycle to Work Scheme? http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cycletoworkguidance/

Sorry, cant help with storage.

Hope this helps.

P.S MTFU and put your foot down to the OH!

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi Jamin and welcome.

As far as protection I'd look at a bike cover or possibly even a cheap tarpaulin (I left mine outdoors one winter under a barbeque cover (like a green tarpaulin with a felt liner) it was fine.

I would suggest you keep the bike well lubed and perhaps spry on some protective weatherproofing stuff (muckoff and the like) although I (personally) would avoid WD 40 especially around the lubed areas.

As far as the bike selection is concerned, I rode a claude Butler MTB for 3 years (up untill two weeks ago in fact) and she did me just fine...better than fine actually, she did me proud.

a 10 mile commute is reasonable for most bikes to deliver I never really performed any major service stuff to mine in the 3 yars other than keeping an eye on the gear indexing (keept it in trim as the cables stretched).

as far as your condition, you WILL make it, it just depends on how fast you want to make it in, you will be surprised by a few things when you ride to work (I was shocked at how big speed humps were) and in particular you will find that the distance isnt really as far as you think. Travelling by bike ...at your own speed...is a pretty efficient way to move about the place and i suspect you'll soon bee completing that 10 miles in under 40 minutes...but allow yourself an hour to be sure. (or perhaps more if you want to make stops along the way).

Lastly, check out our guide

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12757785/revamped 2.pdf


its full of usefull tips to keep yourself safe on the city roads.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

 

[jamin100]

Thanks both
@Jonny thanks for that, I have already downloaded that guide and will give it a good read tonight.

 

[Piemaster]

Just had a look on ebay, theres 2 on there at the moment, one with suspension forks, one without.

Unless you are going to do a fair bit off road on your commute you really don't need suspension. Its just more weight and complexity and without spending as much on them as the bike they won't be a great benefit. The bike will probably be ok for awhile, but 20 miles/day is a fair bit so start putting the money you're not spending on petrol in a jar for the inevitable upgrade. Gets addictive this cycling thing.

Distance. 10 miles each way is a fair bit to start off with. Take it easy on yourself, you don't have to do it by bike everyday, build up to it. But it will be worth it as eventually you'll feel great rolling into work - awake and alert.

Winter is on its way and with a start time like that PLEASE get some lights. You may also want to consider mudguards for inevitable wet commutes. Water from the sky is nice, water from road spray is

Storage. If its a covered passage (between terraced houses) shouldn't be too different for a shed/garage, otherwise some sort of cover over it should do. Just keep the drivetrain lubricated and it should be ok.


WARNING: Cycling is addictive. It will cost money for upgrades and that nice jacket you just spotted. You will accumulate a collection of lights. You will become a cycling bore and spend all your free time on here. You will find yourself smiling as you pass stationary cars. It's all good

 

[MontyVeda]

if you could swim for an hour before work then cycling 10 miles wont be a problem... and you can always practice the route on weekends or evenings if you don't want to jump straight in at the deep end.

 

[fossyant]

Do make sure you get a good wall anchor and a good d lock - last thing you want is to be running late for work and the bike isn't there. Any bike cover will do for waterproofness - I used one at work for over 12 months until we got a proper bike shelter.

Just keep it well maintained.

 

[Sheepy1209]

I do a 10 miles each way commute - I was 45 when I started it and hadn't ever been one for exercise so if I can do it you can!

The bike: my stepson's friend has had an Urban 200 for a couple of years - seems a pretty tough bike, takes all sorts of abuse and he's never had any problems with it. Basically decent quality and anything that isn't is upgradeable. Rigid forks are best.
For commuting there's loads of tips on here - the main one from me is to buy decent tyres and keep them fully inflated - buy a 'track pump' to make sure.

Also - get down to Aldi ASAP - they've got bike stuff starting today so there might still be some left - take a look on their website under special buys. Personally I've found a decent jacket to be the most useful thing (Aldi's is £19.99, don't know what it's like) - I don't ride in if it's raining in the morning, and coming home I might get wet but the jacket keeps my body warm.

 

[peppyuk]

I hadn't done any exercise for god knows how many years until about June. Then I started doing the odd 5-6 miles ride 3 or 4 times a week, First one took about 45 minutes but that time soon came down to 25. After a couple of weeks of that I was more than ready to ride the 9 miles each way to work and back.
Don't forget to get some decent lights, I leave home about 6:45 and it's pretty dark that early.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

another tip - if just starting - you could build up to 10 miles by cycling some of the way and then getting the train / bus for the rest (if possible). You'll boild up to 10 miles in no time and within a couple of months you won't even notice it.. good luck

 

[TheBoyBilly]

A decent bike cover and a regular wash and lube should do the trick. Avoid jet washes though. You should be able to keep the worst of corrosion away with a 15-20 minute 'once over' per week, as using the bike and not leaving it standing is the best thing you can do. My motorbike lives outside and it is in really good nick for 9 years of age.

Bill

 

[jamin100]

Thanks for all the replies folks.
My mate has lent me his cheapo mountain bike full suspension thing with gripshift gears lol. Its horrible but I took it on a 5 mile ride last night and it seemed ok. I think I may try and use this a few times over the next couple of weeks too see if i'll actually get out of bed earlier and get to work on time. If I do i'll plump for a proper hybrid bike. This thing im on now bounces all over the place!

 

[fossyant]

Also you don't have to ride to work every day at first. Do two days for a wwhile, then up the days bit by bit.

See if the rear suspension can be stiffened up - I doubt it though. Make sure the tyres are hard.

 

[jamin100]

Also you don't have to ride to work every day at first. Do two days for a wwhile, then up the days bit by bit.

See if the rear suspension can be stiffened up - I doubt it though. Make sure the tyres are hard.

Thanks, Yes, im going to give it a go Monday morning hopefully and if successful maybe Thursday or Friday. I doubt the suspension can be altered as he said the bike only cost him £70 new a few years back as it was just to go out on with his kids. We pumped the tyres up last night so at the moment they are rock solid.

 

[I like Skol]

Hi Ben.

You might have the worst possible bike for the job (a full suss MTB.... YUK) but you have started now and there is no turning back!

If it makes you feel any better here's a few things to consider.

You are young. (only 28 lol!)

You are not fat. at 15st and 6ft tall, not very heavy at all imo. I am 6' 1" and have been between 14-16 st for most of my adult life and would not say I was ever fat. Currently hovering around 13st12lb and 14st2lb thanks to all the cycling.

You sound quite active already with swimming and squash so you will quickly get into the cycling routine. I barely rode my bike for 10 years, probably less than 250 miles a year but had an active job so when I started to cycle commute I was straight back into it and have covered nearly 2000 miles so far this year which is my first full year of cycle commuting.

10 miles each way is a good commute distance, not too far but enough to challenge you and provide great exercise.

I commute the same distance and with a car that does 30mpg I save over £4 just in fuel everytime I ride to work and back. even if you/I only did it once a week (you will do more in summer than winter) that is still at least £200 towards your bike spending.

Do it! You will feel great. You will feel great when you get to work. You will feel great when you get home from work. You will feel great when you step on the scales (although this is just a side effect and not the only reason to do it!).

When the petrol finally dries up you will be ready...... maybe?


If you can get a bike then (and this is only my opinion) a hybrid is ideal for commuting. Get one without suspension though, it really isn't necessary. Start off with your daily belongings in a rucksack and if you stick at it then consider a pannier rack and bags and maybe some mudguards incase you get caught in any rain. Don't feel you have to go straight to doing 5 days a week from the start. Do 1 or 2 days a week and build it up to a level that works for you, perhaps start by riding to work on Tue + Thu then swap to Mon/Wed/Fri when you are more confident. Don't feel you HAVE to ride if it is raining or you don't feel great (but don't make excuses, you will often find that once you are on the bike and moving you will wonder why you were hesitating).

The best advise I can give is just do it! in just a few short weeks you will wonder why you were worrying.