Long-ish distance commuting...

[b0redom]

Hiya,
First post, so be nice!

Last year I decided to give cycling to work a go. It's about 10.5 miles each way. I did what the sticky suggested and started on an old (about 10 years old) Giant mountain bike. It was steel framed, with nobbly tyres, but it got me there and back.

After I'd been doing that for a couple of months, I took the plunge, and bought a Trek 7.2 hybrid, which has made life FAR easier, but I could do with a couple more gears at the top end.

It looks like I may be starting a new job which is about 22 miles each way. For a commute like that should I be looking at a racer? I'll be on roads all the way. I popped into a local bike shop and they suggested looking at something like a Specialised Tricross.

What does the panel reckon? New bike time, or should I upgrade the parts on my Trek, and if so what should I be looking?

Cheers...

 

[Big T]

I reckon you'll need something with dropped bars on, for that distance.

Tricross would do the job, but I would also consider a road bike that will take mudguards and a rack. Trek 1000 or 1200, or a Ribble "winter" bike, or a Dawes Audax or Giro. You might also consider a touring bike such as a Raleigh Royal or a Dawes Horizon.

How much luggage to you tend to carry? what amount are you looking to spend?

I used to commute 21 miles each way to work, on an old road bike with mudguards and a rack. it's great in the summer, not so nice in the winter, but do-able if you get a decent rechargeable lighting system.

Used to take me about 1hr 15mins to do. The first 15 miles were on country lanes, the last 6 through the suburbs and city centre. For that distance , it's nice to have a shower and a change of clothes before you start work.

 

[b0redom]

I have no idea really when it comes to a budget. Showers are a necessity even now as there are a fair amount of hills etc on the way to my current job.

I'm not sure about luggage either, to be honest I usually just chuck clean underwear, lunch etc in my backpack, and leave a set of clean clothes at work.

I don't intend on doing it every single day, possibly twice a week to start with.

Is there a price sweet spot - ie, spend less than £500 quid and you'll get rubbish, spend more than £600 everything is much of a muchness until you hit £900 etc?

Cheers...

 

[PatrickPending]

road bike methinks, tho I've done my commute (24.7 miles each way) on my trek hybrid when the commuter needed a major service. How secure is your parking at work? Worth thinking about as something that looks flash may disappear when you're not looking. Consider second hand, though for new £500 plus will get you something pretty good

 

[b0redom]

Right, I need a pair of bar ends for my hybrid, so I might pop down to the LBS and see what they have in stock.

Is there anything I should pay specific attention to if I buy 2nd hand?

 

[PatrickPending]

Right, I need a pair of bar ends for my hybrid, so I might pop down to the LBS and see what they have in stock.

Is there anything I should pay specific attention to if I buy 2nd hand?

Frame size, type (steel 531, 631 etc, aluminium, carbon, titanium), condition of frame, look for accident damage, wear on transmission, quality of components an age - I'd advise a test ride if possible oh and beware of buying stuff that's nicked. There's a few places like Cyclemagic in Leicester who take old unwanted bikes renovate them and sell them on a good place to start.

 

[Watt-O]

Why bother with mudguards and all that crap? Get the lightest road bike you can afford and cycle as fast as you can (presumption: you have showering facilities at work).

 

[jimboalee]

Why bother with mudguards and all that crap? Get the lightest road bike you can afford and cycle as fast as you can (presumption: you have showering facilities at work).

In the meanwhile, the bike is in the sheds liberally splattered with road shoot all up the back of the seat, BB, brakes, mechs and cables etc, corroding merrily.

 

[RedBike]

Why bother with mudguards and all that crap? Get the lightest road bike you can afford and cycle as fast as you can (presumption: you have showering facilities at work).

So you don't have to spend 3hrs a day having cold water being spray up your backside and poured into your shoes. Full length guards also make a big difference to how mucky the bike gets.

My votes for the Ribble winter bike. Loads of similar models out there. Normally marketed as 'audax' or 'training'

 

[jimboalee]

In the meanwhile, the bike is in the sheds liberally splattered with road shoot all up the back of the seat, BB, brakes, mechs and cables etc, corroding merrily.

Oh, and when you come to the hill on the return home, the front mech does nothing.

 

[Watt-O]

So you don't have to spend 3hrs a day having cold water being spray up your backside and poured into your shoes. Full length guards also make a big difference to how mucky the bike gets.

My votes for the Ribble winter bike. Loads of similar models out there. Normally marketed as 'audax' or 'training'

The water keeps you nice and cool, and your shoes will get wet with or without mudguards. Seriously, I use my road bike for a 10mile commute during the summer, but will use my trusty old MTB with mudguards and slicks in the winter. A roads in the summer, cycle paths in the winter or if the weather is particularly foul.

 

[b0redom]

My votes for the Ribble winter bike. Loads of similar models out there. Normally marketed as 'audax' or 'training'

Looks OK, but there's too much choice with cassette sizes, chain sizes etc. Do these things get delivered fully built? TBH at £600+ I'd really want to get it properly fitted at a bike shop.

 

[HJ]

It is best to ride it before buying, that is really the only way to find out if it is the right bike for you...

 

[RedBike]

Looks OK, but there's too much choice with cassette sizes, chain sizes etc. Do these things get delivered fully built? TBH at £600+ I'd really want to get it properly fitted at a bike shop.

I think Ribble are about to close their shop but if you can get to Lancashire then you can try one.

There always used to be an option to buy one 'off the shelf' with a standard spec that is a bit cheaper.

Have a search for the reviews. Absolute cracking bike.

 

[b0redom]

What recession?

I just went down to the LBS here in Leatherhead, and asked for some advice. The guy there suggested that I look at the TriCross again as commuting 40 miles with a backpack on isn't great for your back.

We went around and priced up some other bits and pieces, including a new helmet, new lock, rechargable lights, mudguards, shoes and clip in pedals. etc etc etc. The total cost was around £1200.

So I said - presumably I'll get some sort of discount, as the bike is £800 and the extras amount to £400. The answer was a firm no.

Can anyone recommend a decent LBS in the Shepperton/Walton/Staines area of W. London?