Would you recommend cycling to work?

[Norm]

Halfords seem to have the cheapest bikes anyway, and this is the only other viable option - http://www.halfords....99#BVRRWidgetID . However, I'm guessing mountain bikes on roads and carrying about on trains arent as good as hybrids. The hybrid link I posted originally is really the only bike in my price range at the moment.

I can't agree with much of that.

Halfords bikes are cheap for a reason but they still have plenty of options at or close to the prices of the bikes you've posted which will be so much better on the road.

At that price, avoid suspension like the plague. It will add weight, it will make it harder to pedal and it will fail and need replacing anyway.

At that price, you can get onto a Carrera Subway, a bike that a few CCers have and generally well regarded. Much more suitable for a road commute, especially as it has no front suspension.

I've re-done the route on google maps, its actually 15.7 miles from my house to my work (so a 35 mile round trip basically) which doesnt seem too bad (looking at it on google maps). Does anyone have any ideas how long that would take on an A road, taking traffic into account? My work starts at 830, and i leave the house at 630... do you think cycling would be quicker?

Obviously I'd love a road bike but unfortunately I can't afford one... unfortunately it's between the hybrid bike and mountain bikes I posted up the thread a bit? I'm really considering cycling now, anyway, I know I've said it before but I really do appreciate all the feedback. Now my only concern is being a bit sweaty arriving at work... maybe a small price to pay in saving £50-£60 a week?

Thanks again

I cycle 10 miles each way at the moment, and it takes 35-40 minutes. Depending on the number of hills, I would say that most people could do 15 miles in under 90 minutes so yes, that would save you a fair amount of time.

We also have no showers, but using baby wipes or using a paper towel when you get to work followed by changing your shirt should be all that is needed.

16 miles each way is a fairly significant distance, but I would think that you'd be happy with it after a week or two, leaving you 3 months in which you will love your commuting time.

 

[rusky]

If you can up your budget slightly one of these would be ideal http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/triban-3-173178017/

 

[rusky]

My commute is only 5 miles but its hilly so I only manage a 13mph average & that's not balls out riding

 

[jonny jeez]

This pdf file was put together by forumites and contains a lot of usefual stuff to do with cycle commuting ..

http://www.cyclechat...&attach_id=1153

Updated version available

here

takes a few seconds more to download.

As others have said, the vast majority of road users are just like you and incidents are far anf few between (I've had one near miss in 3 years with literally thousands of miles of uninterupted riding).

Dont be put of by our own bad press.

Good luck

 

[david1701]

sorry I missed the part time thing, but yeah everyone has given good advice, no suspension, consider secondhand and get the weight on the bike not your back

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Re distance and time I agree with Norm. 90 minutes should be fine for covering that distance.

 

[davehann]

yes, but invest in a good bike

when i started i got myself a genesis road bike

i have moved up to doing 60 mile + rides for fun and now want to get myself a spanky new carbon bike

+ i am no longer having got fit and loosing 2stone in weight

its good
and i plan on commuting on my bike for evermore!

 

[davehann]

think of the petrol costs and or public transport bills you will save and spend more on your BIKE

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

It's been said already, but I agree that you should ditch the front suspension. It adds little or nothing on the road, even with the potholes, and will drain some of the energy that you are working hard to put into the bike.

I have been very happy with a hybrid, but I'm in my 50s and have arthritis in my hip that makes using drops impractical anyway. My new bike is a Dawes Discovery and, after just 1000 miles, I'm really pleased with it. Had to buy a rising stem to bring the bars up a bit though, and am replacing the saddle to take pressure off the perineum.

My daughter has bought a cyclo-cross bike from Edinburgh Cycles and that seems a good compromise with an aluminium hybrid type frame, 24 speed gearing and drop handlebars. It has secondary brake levers on the flat part of the bars, which we though would be useful, but she says she hardy ever uses them.

I started commuting regularly in September. It's slightly less than yours at 12.5 miles each way, but I was doing it in about 2 hours round trip (slightly longer coming home than going as there's more uphill). I've got that down to about 1hr & 45mins now. That's with quite a bit of waiting at red lights as well.

You should definitely go for it, it costs you nothing, is good exercise and you'll stil have the bike at the end as well.

 

[BrumJim]

Have you tried Edinburgh Woollen Mill? Sorry, meant Edinburgh Bike Cooperative? Heard good stories about good value, good bikes, and good service. Looking at other post, might be a good idea to have a look.

Again, support the "no front suspension" advice, especially if you are going to be on roads only.

And yes - 2 hours for 15 miles is pretty easy. You'll be down to 1 hour by the end of your summer job, and feeling really fit.

 

[Cyclist33]

Thanks for all the helpful tips and advice guys. Cycling to the station near the work is 19 miles which is a bit too far for me, its do-able but I'd be a sweaty mess arriving at work and unfortunately they dont have showers.

As for bike choices, I've been to some of the local shops and all decent bikes are a bit out of my price range. Halfords seem to have the cheapest bikes anyway, and this is the only other viable option - http://www.halfords....99#BVRRWidgetID . However, I'm guessing mountain bikes on roads and carrying about on trains arent as good as hybrids. The hybrid link I posted originally is really the only bike in my price range at the moment. Oh, and I've already got the route planned, I think its even memorised due to the number of times I've gone through the route on street view and looked at all the road systems.

Anyway, I think I'll do the cycling to work, I just got concerned after seeing the link where the bus overtook the cyclist and almost hit him.

Thanks again for all the tips/advice,

Dex

hi
sprung forks = waste of time if you're not trail riding. they cost money, are pointless and on your price range will be
a hindrance.

The "carrying onto a train" thing I wouldn't worry about --- unless you're literally a nematode, pick up the bike and put in on the train!!

This one is pretty light apparently, and you'll get good service and if there's an Evans near your home you can order in a test ride http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/neon-two-hybrid-bike-ec027468

stu

 

[Cyclist33]

Thanks for all the helpful tips and advice guys. Cycling to the station near the work is 19 miles which is a bit too far for me, its do-able but I'd be a sweaty mess arriving at work and unfortunately they dont have showers.

As for bike choices, I've been to some of the local shops and all decent bikes are a bit out of my price range. Halfords seem to have the cheapest bikes anyway, and this is the only other viable option - http://www.halfords....99#BVRRWidgetID . However, I'm guessing mountain bikes on roads and carrying about on trains arent as good as hybrids. The hybrid link I posted originally is really the only bike in my price range at the moment. Oh, and I've already got the route planned, I think its even memorised due to the number of times I've gone through the route on street view and looked at all the road systems.

Anyway, I think I'll do the cycling to work, I just got concerned after seeing the link where the bus overtook the cyclist and almost hit him.

Thanks again for all the tips/advice,

Dex

hi
sprung forks = waste of time if you're not trail riding. they cost money, are pointless and on your price range will be
a hindrance.

The "carrying onto a train" thing I wouldn't worry about --- unless you're literally a nematode, pick up the bike and put in on the train!!

This one is pretty light apparently, and you'll get good service and if there's an Evans near your home you can order in a test ride http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/neon-two-hybrid-bike-ec027468

stu

 

[Ste T.]

Hi Dex
When you come to the forums look down to the bottom of the page and check number of people who are online at that moment and compare that with how many post their epic disasters while commuting. It does happen but it's statistically rare and you can lengthen the odds by riding defensively

 

[4F]

Ignore the horror stories. There is nothing very interesting about a thread titled "It was a lovely ride into work today and every driver gave me loads of room" I have commuted now for the past 10 years and in all that time only had a few instances where I have had "interactions" with the driver.

My flat commute is 15 miles each way which takes me about an hour so the time you have allowed yourself is plenty. Just take it easy from the start and you will soon be into it.

 

[jugglingphil]

Commuting to/from work is the best part of the day, I would definitely recommend it.

You can get good deals on second-hand bikes (ebay, etc). If you do go second-hand, make sure you know that the bike you buy will fit correctly (ie go into a shop and work out the right size bike). In your budget allow for some clothing, helmet, lock.

If/when you do start to do a 15 mile commute, build up slowly, and give yourself rest days.