Would a different bike be that much better?

[Maizie]

Hello...I've been lurking for a few weeks, and been determined not to make my first post a 'what bike?' post...so here's a slight twist on the old chestnut!

I commute 10 miles each way. Currently I aim at twice a week, but I'm intending to up that soon, and sometime get over the dreaded 'consecutive days' hurdle! The commute is entirely on-road (I can do about two thirds of it on NCN tarmaced cyclepath next to the road, but generally don't as it is much more convenient to stay on the road).

My bike is a Trek 800. I bought it in 1999, and probably did about 10 miles in total up until May this year. Then I pulled it out of the garage, started pootling, got it serviced, and started commuting. I finally managed to work out the gears business which so confused me when I first got the bike!
I've had slick tyres fitted to it, and a rack added so I can carry my essentials. I don't have mudguards yet, but I'm guessing the weather might be heading that way. I'm on SPD pedals now, too, which I adore (no paranoia about laces or slipping!) I certainly haven't been saving money, as on top of all that, I didn't own any sporty-type clothing, but I haven't spent money in so worthwhile a way in ages (padded shorts, proper top - so much better than old-gym-trousers and a t-shirt). Sorry, wittering...

Anyway, my company uses Cyclescheme. They only open it once a year (in March), so I can't impulse buy anything, and can make sure I stick at it over winter. So I'm using the intervening period to ensure I drool over the right things! I don't have any intention of doing any off-road stuff, it will be 99% commuting (the other 1% just being leisure pootling round the roads or in to town or wotnot!)

I am considering ~£500, on a hybrid (e.g. Trek 7.5, Specialized Sirrus Elite, etc).
Question 1: Is this worth doing? As in, will I notice the difference between what I am on now, versus what I am looking at, for the use I have?
Question 2: Am I looking in the right direction? I've never ridden a road bike, is there any reason to prefer a road bike over a 'roadier-hybrid' for my commute?

Not that it probably makes much difference but: I currently average about 12mph over the two journeys of my commute - I'm in the Herts/Essex borders, so no hillage of significance (to anyone other than me, newbie exhausted unfit cyclist!) This is way up on my first commute, which was just over 9mph (including rest/drink stops - which I now don't need!)

I may well be in Cambridge on Saturday, on my own, so I can have a poke about at real bikes and spend more money (a top with long sleeves, perhaps, and definitely an obnoxiously visible jacket for the upcoming darker/cooler days, and perhaps those mudguards, and...)

 

[BentMikey]

Given that you're riding almost purely on road or other good surfaces, my personal preferences would be for a full road bike with drops. Drops are generally better for road use, but that's not the case for every situation. That said, what's more important is for you to try lots of bikes and find out which one and type of bike gives you that special magic feeling.

 

[Willow]

ooh watches replies with interest same as me - twice a weeker but do have a hybrid which is much faster than my old giant but.... I find myself looking at bikes now as they go past the house, I pass them in the car or see them on my commute. Mind you those road bikes have mega thin wheels don't think I'd cope with them on the gravel cycle path.

 

[Maz]

I have a Spesh Sirrus Elite and I would definitely recommend it. I have just bought an Allez road bike (not had a road bike before) and am still trying to get used to the new layout of brakes/gears and body position. On a road bike I find that checking over my shoulder is more of an effort than I realised - a lot easier on the hybrid. Brakes on the roadie don't seem half as effective as the hybrid either.

Someone will come along and shoot me down in flames now...

 

[Maz]

I may well be in Cambridge on Saturday, on my own, so I can have a poke about at real bikes and spend more money (a top with long sleeves, perhaps, and definitely an obnoxiously visible jacket for the upcoming darker/cooler days, and perhaps those mudguards, and...)[/SIZE][/FONT]

You might want to check out Hawes (Howes?) on Regent St. I've been there a few times and bought stuff. Pretty good range.

 

[andylaw79]

The best thing to do is get to your LBS and test ride a few before buying, at the end of the day its better to get a bike you're comfortable on and enjoy riding. Whether that be drops or flat bar. Personally I prefer a flat bar.

I can vouch for the Trek (although I've got the 7.3) really nice bike to ride and as Maz says the Sirrus is well rated.

 

[Crackle]

I have a Spesh Sirrus Elite and I would definitely recommend it. I have just bought an Allez road bike (not had a road bike before) and am still trying to get used to the new layout of brakes/gears and body position. On a road bike I find that checking over my shoulder is more of an effort than I realised - a lot easier on the hybrid. Brakes on the roadie don't seem half as effective as the hybrid either.

Someone will come along and shoot me down in flames now...

There's a certain amount of getting used to a roadbike to do but you have more riding positions and ultimately it will be better (honest Maz).

That said a flat bar bike with 700c wheels will give you a big improvement as well. It's not so much about the speed but just extra efficiency you gain which will make your commute feel whole lot easier and 700c wheels will still cope with quite a lot of off-road surfaces if you do want to mix it up a bit.

 

[HLaB]

I used to commute 17.5 miles (oneway) on a Sirrus sport '06 I prefer it to the drop bars in traffic; mine has a 52t chain ring therefore has good acceleration and I like the stopping power of the V brakes. Having said that if I was facing that commute again I'd prefer to do it on a road bike.

 

[domtyler]

Go for a touring bike for on road commuting, either drops or even better butterfly bars. Features to look out for for an all year round, speedy, on road commuter/touring bike are:

Built in lighting, i.e. dynamo hub
Mudguards
Front and rear rack
Strong wheels
Narrow (~28mm) slick tyres
Carbon (or steel) fork
Good reliable brakes
Comfortable saddle
Clipless pedals

Here is a picture of my winter commuting bike loaded up with front panniers and child seat.

 

[andylaw79]

Go for a touring bike for on road commuting, either drops or even better butterfly bars.

Where did you get the butterfly bars from? Been thinking of putting bar ends on my flat bar but this might be a better option. Is there enough room next to the stem clamp to fit a standard bar mounted light?

 

[domtyler]

Where did you get the butterfly bars from? Been thinking of putting bar ends on my flat bar but this might be a better option. Is there enough room next to the stem clamp to fit a standard bar mounted light?

Hi Andy, got them from www.cyclestore.co.uk, there is loads of room for whatever accessories you want, just make sure you plan out what is going where before putting the bar tape on.

 

[bof]

I use my road bikes for leisure, for commuting I bought one a couple of months ago with:

• flat bars (easier to react fast, more stable and easier to turn head round),
• hydraulic disk brakes (can stop in the wet on a sixpence)
• widish (32mm) puncture resistant tyres (smoother ride on Cr*ppy London roads, less p's)
• only rear deraiileur (not enough hills)
• fitted mudguards and rear rack for panniers immediately (I dont like the cack in the pants fashion look and wanted to stop getting rucksack sweat)

I wanted the Boardman one at around £520, but Halfords ability to only sell me one if I went to Slough on a Monday evening meant I ended up with a Pinnacle from Evans for £500 including the rack and guards. Happy with it but three minor problems

1. the clearance between the front wheel spokes and the reservoir of the brake is too small - the back is fine
2. handlebars too wide - tho' used to it now
3. the guides for the brake cable in the top tube make it impossible to mount my D lock.

Of course the trade-off for the above features is a heavier slower bike than a road bike, but to be honest with an 8 mile each way commute we're probably talking an extra 4-5 minutes for a given effort level.

 

[andylaw79]

Hi Andy, got them from www.cyclestore.co.uk, there is loads of room for whatever accessories you want, just make sure you plan out what is going where before putting the bar tape on.

Thanks Dom, pay day at the end of the week so more bike goodies to be bought

 

[Maizie]

Cheers for the responses - it's good to know that opinion is split, as it means me being unable to decide wasn't just down to me being a muppet and not understanding something obvious

I shall try to find a half-decent LBS and get trying some things. That's a whole different area of ranting though...

LBS1 (in home town) - stockists of Trek, Bianchi and Saracen. They are tucked away from the town centre and I have never been in the shop (though I have been past; I just wasn't brave enough to go in as I didn't need anything). They aren't a member of Cyclescheme, so I would feel a bit rubbish taking all their advice and then buying elsewhere (and then going back to them for servicing, etc...) Though it would do no harm to pop in, check them out to see if they are nice people, and so on. Hmm, maybe I'll do that at the weekend too - you never know, it might turn out they're happy to 'merely' advise, or they can offer me a better bargain than Cyclescheme(!), or they'll want my money so much they'll join Cyclescheme(!!)

LBS2 (on commute) - these people supplied my bikes as a child, and did my recent service. They are in Cyclescheme. They stock Professional and Amacco bikes, plus the odd Raleigh I think - nothing seems to come as high as my price range, maybe it's because they are a bargain but perhaps not! They stock one of each thing - when I got the rack fitted, my choice was 'black' or 'silver' (I'd been browsing websites, so I was expecting to have to choose between a bit more than that...) I'm sure they are fine, it's just I'm not quite happy with them yet...from online reviews, it seems they cater for the lower end of the market. That's not a bad thing, but...I dunno. The staff haven't been the friendlist either (service-bloke was fine, but behind-the-counter-bint seemed deeply affronted that I'd interrupted her day, all three times I've been in there).

In my work town - well, it's Halfords or a couple of MotoWorld-type shops which also have bike-shaped-things. One of the latter is actually in Cyclescheme, but I'm unable to get close enough to the door while brandishing a bargepole

So it looks like the most reasonable place for me to spend my money via Cyclescheme is to go up to Cambridge. It will give me range of shops to look through and consequently a lot of different bikes which can only be a help in finding the right one (other slightly closer towns have only got one LBS each. If I'm going to have to travel, I might as well travel a tad further to somewhere I can look in LOTS of shops!) Longer-term, I will be able to use LBS1 for servicing, etc.

Cool, looking forward to browsing on Saturday now, as I'm more confident in my not-a-muppet status

 

[Downward]

What's your fitness levels like ?
I have a Kona Dew Deluxe and coming home (only slight hills and 3/4 mile down hill I average 12mph.
I ain't as fit as I could be but have only been riding for 2 months 2 or 3 times a week and I can't seem to get any faster.