Author Topic: Anybody started bike commuting yet? (Read 12491 times)

dorin · « **Reply #80 on:** March 26, 2007, 10:54:58 am »

Quote from: Wolfe on March 22, 2007, 01:17:17 am

Quote from: quadzilla on March 21, 2007, 09:50:17 pm
Quote from: y2chuck on March 21, 2007, 09:21:13 pm
I need to get a new road bike. 15K each way, can't wait! Soooooooooo nice to not work downtown anymore...

I'm sure there are still lots of good deals to be found as some bike stores still have stock left over from last year.

Quad (or anyone else), do you have any advice for buying a new bike?

I've been doing a bit of research on the internets but the range of different models and manufacturers is mind-bogoogling. I haven't owned a bicycle since I was a kid.

I plan to use the bike on road for commuting and such. I'm looking for something above the bargain basement but something approaching $1k is too much. It depends on what I feel is the best value $:-\$ .

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

1) How long of a commute do you have?
2) How much are you actually willing to spend?

If you're only commuting, then I'd go for a higher-end hybrid. The flat bars are more comfortable for city riding and the larger-diameter wheels (compared to a mountain bike) are faster on smooth surfaces (like pavement and gravel).

As a general rule, steel frames are heavier but ride smoother than aluminum frames at the same price point. If anything, spend your money on a good frame and good wheels since lighter wheels mean you can accelerate much more easily.

safristi · « **Reply #81 on:** March 26, 2007, 12:09:28 pm »

accelerate more EASILY...........watch out fer Dr,FUZZ.....

...Cops in Spandex Division....looking fer HARDENED CRIMiNALS...

quadzilla · « **Reply #82 on:** April 09, 2008, 04:05:48 pm »

A new year any new/old cyclists riding to work?

It's my second week of biking to work. Thanks to an extended winter this year I had a late start to my season and am 150+ miles behind already.

So far great weather but the wind has been crazy strong making getting home a really tough ride.

I feel that I was in better shape this year before starting which is nice for a change. Not having to try and lose 15 pounds in the first couple of weeks is a nice feeling. Now to get my endurance back to where it was last year.

ktm525 · « **Reply #83 on:** April 09, 2008, 04:20:24 pm »

Started this week. Typically I ride in 2-3 times a week. I will drop back to 2 times a week because I will start to cut work early on Wednesdays to go dirtbiking.

My bike is a 5 year old low-end Trek hardtail mountainbike.
My commute is 12 km each way. All downhill in the morning to work and all uphill into a headwind on the way home.

I have a steep climb out the river valley through a coulee and up to my neighbourhood on top of a hill. That climb is a real b$tch.

I must gain about 500' in a couple of kms. I am in my granny gears all the way.

I need to get my weight down to match the suspension settings on my dirtbike.

safristi · « **Reply #84 on:** April 09, 2008, 04:21:19 pm »

Olde cyclists don't DIE they JUST GET CRANKY..........

dr_spock · « **Reply #85 on:** April 09, 2008, 05:28:30 pm »

I finally got around to taking my bike off the ceiling hooks. I rode for 1/2 km and realized I'm better at driving.

Winklovic · « **Reply #86 on:** April 09, 2008, 07:54:36 pm »

The bike chain is greased and the tires are pumped up but I'm completely lacking in motivation.

Railton · « **Reply #87 on:** April 09, 2008, 08:30:37 pm »

Old red and I have been getting acquainted the last couple of months...
Railton

tortoise · « **Reply #88 on:** April 09, 2008, 09:23:12 pm »

I've moved to a ten minute walk to work. I'll occasionally ride, or take my longboard. Ahhh, 30 years old and I recently bought my first skateboard.

johngenx · « **Reply #89 on:** April 09, 2008, 11:05:17 pm »

I've been getting several 25-30km trail rides per week, and when I go back to university for spring session, I'll do as last year and ride the 30km return trip each day. Nice no-impact workout in addition to my running, etc...

Leviathan · « **Reply #90 on:** April 09, 2008, 11:10:56 pm »

I rode to work last Wednesday

It was about 2c on the way in and 10ish on the way home. I was 10 minutes off the pace of last year going to work and I just about locked the bike up and took a cab the rest of the way home on the way back

Gotta long way to go to get back to something approaching fitness

quadzilla · « **Reply #91 on:** May 11, 2009, 11:28:04 am »

A new year.....any new or returning bike commuters?

I was able to have my earliest start this year (March) but the winds feel the strongest of the last four years. Since I ride along the lake it can be brutal trying to fight the head winds some days. Nothing like struggling to maintain 22kph into a 30kph wind and only have a gust knock you back to 15kph (or worse) in seconds.

Can't say that I miss riding public transit every day.

Hey mod, can you move this to the new section.

EDIT: Looks like it already was done. Great.

Leviathan · « **Reply #92 on:** May 11, 2009, 12:29:46 pm »

Haven't gone to/from work yet but have done one 37km ride (first ride, ouch) and a few 9-10kms ones. The weather has been too crappy to get serious yet. Last year I was able to get both to and from trips under 30 minutes (10km ride each way) with the best being 28minutes. I'm going to see if I can get to 25 minutes this year. Crap, better step away from the chicken wings....

huota · « **Reply #93 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:45:47 pm »

I am on my second week now. This is my first season of bike commuting, this is because I my moved offices in the beginning of the year. So far I have been taking the bus & train to work, but it just takes too long, around 55 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the afternoon, or 20 minutes by car.

The commute is 11km each way and takes me 35-40 minutes by bike, depending on how lucky I get with the stop lights and how strong the wind is. I am hoping to cut the time down to 30 minutes once I get in better shape. I should also get my bike fixed since it can be real a pain when the gear change does not work properly, as I have learned.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #94 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:56:36 pm »

I live in the country and even though my workplace for the summer is a lot closer than some other places I've been, it's still 30 km. from home. Fortunately there are several park & ride lots between my house and work and this morning I drove 18 km to one, and rode in the last 12 km to work on my bike. This is the first time that I've taken my bike into work in a while. The commute took the same total time (~ 45 minutes) that it was taking with the car only.

"Smug" is probably too strong a word, but it was very satisfying riding by all the cars that had just a little while ago zinged by me (sometimes very close!) as they were mired in traffic. It also gives you a chance to look at the scenery and also the cars! I saw my very first Audi R8 today on this morning's ride in. Gunmetal in colour with those cool aluminum side accents. I saw a red 2009 Audi TT (like the last model better) and a brand new red Mustang convertible. Really looking forward to this afternoon's ride back!

(edit: removed duplicate post)

huota · « **Reply #95 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:10:14 pm »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on May 11, 2009, 02:56:36 pm

"Smug" is probably too strong a word, but it was very satisfying riding by all the cars that had just a little while ago zinged by me (sometimes very close!) as they were mired in traffic. It also gives you a chance to look at the scenery and also the cars! I saw my very first Audi R8 today on this morning's ride in. Gunmetal in colour with those cool aluminum side accents. I saw a red 2009 Audi TT (like the last model better) and a brand new red Mustang convertible. Really looking forward to this afternoon's ride back!

Yes, racing is all about the average speed

This afternoon I spotted a white Maserati GT, not that is a very rare car, but it sure is gorgeous. This morning I thought I was going to be overtaken (or run over) by an SUV behind me, turns out it was just an A5 with some big rims, which made so much noise to make me think it something much bigger.

WpgMonty · « **Reply #96 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:17:00 pm »

Been at it for two weeks already; normally I get started sooner, but the early morning temps have been below zero with all the crappy weather we've been getting.

I do a 22 km round trip, plus this year I am going to the gym at lunch three days a week, so it's now adding up to 150 kms just for going to and from work, plus the thirty minutes each morning on the bike trainer (I rode it all winter, and just didn't see the sense in stopping now that nice weather is here, because I just feel better every morning!)

I'm already in June riding condition!

dorin · « **Reply #97 on:** May 11, 2009, 09:56:45 pm »

I rode through the winter until the good weather did me in. I haven't been on a bike in the past 4 weeks, but that's because I was stuck inside the house for the first 2 and I was told to take it easy afterwards. I think I've healed well enough that I'm going to start bike commuting again this week.

huota · « **Reply #98 on:** May 12, 2009, 01:41:20 pm »

I am forced to drive the car to work for a week due to family duties. It was the first car day today and I could immediately tell my blood pressure rising in the rush hour traffic. Not good.

hoss · « **Reply #99 on:** May 12, 2009, 04:02:53 pm »

Hey this is a great thread, I thought I was the only bike nut. I try to ride most days to work about 40 kms round trip. I also try to do about 4000 kms a year, (not bad for a old fat guy). My commute is 1/2 on back road (both paved and gravel) and 1/2 on a 2 lane secondary highway with no shoulder. The highway can sometimes scare the sh#t out of me, it's got so most times I won't ride on Fridays, just too many people heading to the cottage, after a few.

I've been ridding for a several years so I have a bit of advice,

-Get the best bike you can afford from a bike shop. They will set it up and service it.

-After a certain price point, you will be paying for weight savings not strength, or durability. Unless you are a racer Carbon Fiber is not your friend.

-A touring bike is a great thing to ride on roads. Much faster and less tiring then a mountain (even with slicks).

-Sometime, go on a bike tour, at least a week.

-And if you can ever afford it, and are really into biking, get fitted for a custom bike, I did it 3 years ago and it is the absolute best purchase I have ever made.

-And wear a helmet, even if you don't fall on your head, you might inspire some kids to weat their's.