Advice from cyclists please
I am currently mulling/pondering the idea of getting a bike to commute.
Now, while I am pretty active, I have not been on a bike (other than a stationary) since I was a kid, and don't know anything about them.
I do plan to go into a local store and ask questions, as well as continue doing the internet research that I am starting to do now. But, since I know we have some incredibly knowledgeable folks here, and I think you can never do too much research, I wanted to ask for some advice.
It's 4 miles one way from my house to either of my two jobs. From one job to the other is 1.5 miles. With that, these are the questions I'm researching:
- Not counting stop lights, what is a reasonable expectation of commute time for 4 miles or 1.5 miles?
- If all I am looking for is a commute bike, are there specific recommendations? I imagine this will be mostly street, with some sidewalk. But mostly street.
- What do I need to know before I go into a local store so I don't look like a complete idiot with my questions? :)
- I would have to carry two, sometimes three changes of clothes with me (business dress, personal trainer attire, workout gear) - is that even marginally practical on a bike?
I would be more than happy to receive any thoughts or advice you guys have. Thanks!!
Now, while I am pretty active, I have not been on a bike (other than a stationary) since I was a kid, and don't know anything about them.
I do plan to go into a local store and ask questions, as well as continue doing the internet research that I am starting to do now. But, since I know we have some incredibly knowledgeable folks here, and I think you can never do too much research, I wanted to ask for some advice.
It's 4 miles one way from my house to either of my two jobs. From one job to the other is 1.5 miles. With that, these are the questions I'm researching:
- Not counting stop lights, what is a reasonable expectation of commute time for 4 miles or 1.5 miles?
- If all I am looking for is a commute bike, are there specific recommendations? I imagine this will be mostly street, with some sidewalk. But mostly street.
- What do I need to know before I go into a local store so I don't look like a complete idiot with my questions? :)
- I would have to carry two, sometimes three changes of clothes with me (business dress, personal trainer attire, workout gear) - is that even marginally practical on a bike?
I would be more than happy to receive any thoughts or advice you guys have. Thanks!!
15
Replies
(last)
** long reply**
Cool that you want to try bike commuting!! I commute to work by bike about 3 days per week, 15 miles per way, and have been doing so for a few years. Hard to say what's normal, because terrain, weather, equipment requirements vary so much, but here's my attempt to answer your questions. My 15 miles takes me about 65-70 minutes. 4 miles is do-able in 15-20 minutes, less or more depending on stoplights, traffic, road conditions, hills & terrain, etc. 1.5 miles will probably take between 5-10 minutes.
Rule #1 is safety. Be sure you have a safe route. Be sure you practice your bike handling skills if you've been off the bike for a while. Get comfortable with riding before you ride on roads with busy traffic. Be sure you are visible - seems easy enough during long summer days, but wear bright colors, reflective gear and use lights in early or late hours. Wear a helmet - your local shop will fit you with one.
Next, bike shopping. Your shop folks should NOT make you feel like an idiot. They should be totally willing to start from square one with you & not talk down to you, so don't be intimidated. You need to shop for a bike that fits you and suits your needs. The shop should be able to fit you properly. This is the most important thing about buying a bike,so spend some time making sure it's right. If the bike doesn't fit you won't enjoy riding it & therefore you won't ride it for long. Plus it's not safe to ride a bike that doesn't fit you. The shop should be totally committed to getting you on a bike that fits.
There may be some flexibility in what you need. There are many types of bikes, mountain, road, cruisers, hybrids, etc. I won't go into all of them here, but you're probably looking for either a hybrid bike or a touring-style road bike.
A hybrid is a bike that has features from road and offroad bikes - typically they have a flat handle bar, wider tires that have a slight tread to them (not knobby tires like a mountain bike), a wide range of gears for riding well-manicured trails & on pavement, and offers a more upright riding posture. Shifting is done by twisting a gripshifter or ratcheting a thumbshifter mounted on the handle bars.
A road bike has the curvy "drop" handle bars, skinny tires more suitable for only riding on pavement, and a more bent-over riding position. I say you may want a touring model because those have midsize tires, and the frame has features to add racks (for carrying a bag or panniers with your stuff in them), and fenders for sloppy days. Road bike shifting uses levers integrated into the brake levers, which you push sideways to shift gears.
As an aside, a mountain bike isn't totally out of the question, but the suspension and the knobby tires wouldn't make for pleasant road riding in my opinion. If you look at mountain bikes, look for one where you can disengage the suspension and replace the knobby tires with slicks or hybrid tires.
Bike wheels can be confusing. They're not all the same size. You don't have to know the intricacies, but do make sure you understand what the measurements mean enough to know how to knowledgeably buy replacement tubes. Here's a 2 minute lesson:
For road bikes, wheels & tires come in sizes like 650c and 700c (that's the "wheel size") and widths ranging from 20mm (very skinny!) to about 32mm. Most avid roadies ride 23s or 25s. I have 28s on my commuting bike, meaning I have 700c wheels, and the tires I have are 28mm wide. Most 700c rims will fit the full spectrum of tire widths, but unless the bike frame and brakes give you sufficient clearance you may not be able to ride a tire wider than 25mm. A touring model road bike usually has plenty of clearance for tires up to 32mm wide.
For hybrid bikes, wheels are 26 or 27inch and the tires often start around 32mm wide and get bigger.
Then there's the innertubes & pumps - 2 different valve types are common. Like beta and VHS, different standards emerged in bike tire tubes. "Schraeder valves" are the kind of valve you have on your car tire and those are common on mountain bikes & hybrid bikes; "Presta valves" are the ones you've probably never seen or heard of & they're common on road bikes & some high end mountain bikes. Which type you have will be dictated by the little hole in your wheelrims where the valve sticks through. Most pumps they sell these days will work on either type of valve, just be sure you know what you are buying so you're equipped with the right spare tubes.
I typically leave my work shoes in my locker at work and take one or two outfits and my lunch in my rectangular trunk bag. The clothes aren't much problem once you learn to travel light, but having to carry 3 pairs of shoes would probably be too much unless you are outfitted with 2 rear panniers and a trunk bag.
Sorry this is so long. I could ramble on indefinitely, so I'll stop here & invite you to PM me questions if you want to hear more or if you have specific questions on what I've said here.
Cool that you want to try bike commuting!! I commute to work by bike about 3 days per week, 15 miles per way, and have been doing so for a few years. Hard to say what's normal, because terrain, weather, equipment requirements vary so much, but here's my attempt to answer your questions. My 15 miles takes me about 65-70 minutes. 4 miles is do-able in 15-20 minutes, less or more depending on stoplights, traffic, road conditions, hills & terrain, etc. 1.5 miles will probably take between 5-10 minutes.
Rule #1 is safety. Be sure you have a safe route. Be sure you practice your bike handling skills if you've been off the bike for a while. Get comfortable with riding before you ride on roads with busy traffic. Be sure you are visible - seems easy enough during long summer days, but wear bright colors, reflective gear and use lights in early or late hours. Wear a helmet - your local shop will fit you with one.
Next, bike shopping. Your shop folks should NOT make you feel like an idiot. They should be totally willing to start from square one with you & not talk down to you, so don't be intimidated. You need to shop for a bike that fits you and suits your needs. The shop should be able to fit you properly. This is the most important thing about buying a bike,so spend some time making sure it's right. If the bike doesn't fit you won't enjoy riding it & therefore you won't ride it for long. Plus it's not safe to ride a bike that doesn't fit you. The shop should be totally committed to getting you on a bike that fits.
There may be some flexibility in what you need. There are many types of bikes, mountain, road, cruisers, hybrids, etc. I won't go into all of them here, but you're probably looking for either a hybrid bike or a touring-style road bike.
A hybrid is a bike that has features from road and offroad bikes - typically they have a flat handle bar, wider tires that have a slight tread to them (not knobby tires like a mountain bike), a wide range of gears for riding well-manicured trails & on pavement, and offers a more upright riding posture. Shifting is done by twisting a gripshifter or ratcheting a thumbshifter mounted on the handle bars.
A road bike has the curvy "drop" handle bars, skinny tires more suitable for only riding on pavement, and a more bent-over riding position. I say you may want a touring model because those have midsize tires, and the frame has features to add racks (for carrying a bag or panniers with your stuff in them), and fenders for sloppy days. Road bike shifting uses levers integrated into the brake levers, which you push sideways to shift gears.
As an aside, a mountain bike isn't totally out of the question, but the suspension and the knobby tires wouldn't make for pleasant road riding in my opinion. If you look at mountain bikes, look for one where you can disengage the suspension and replace the knobby tires with slicks or hybrid tires.
Bike wheels can be confusing. They're not all the same size. You don't have to know the intricacies, but do make sure you understand what the measurements mean enough to know how to knowledgeably buy replacement tubes. Here's a 2 minute lesson:
For road bikes, wheels & tires come in sizes like 650c and 700c (that's the "wheel size") and widths ranging from 20mm (very skinny!) to about 32mm. Most avid roadies ride 23s or 25s. I have 28s on my commuting bike, meaning I have 700c wheels, and the tires I have are 28mm wide. Most 700c rims will fit the full spectrum of tire widths, but unless the bike frame and brakes give you sufficient clearance you may not be able to ride a tire wider than 25mm. A touring model road bike usually has plenty of clearance for tires up to 32mm wide.
For hybrid bikes, wheels are 26 or 27inch and the tires often start around 32mm wide and get bigger.
Then there's the innertubes & pumps - 2 different valve types are common. Like beta and VHS, different standards emerged in bike tire tubes. "Schraeder valves" are the kind of valve you have on your car tire and those are common on mountain bikes & hybrid bikes; "Presta valves" are the ones you've probably never seen or heard of & they're common on road bikes & some high end mountain bikes. Which type you have will be dictated by the little hole in your wheelrims where the valve sticks through. Most pumps they sell these days will work on either type of valve, just be sure you know what you are buying so you're equipped with the right spare tubes.
I typically leave my work shoes in my locker at work and take one or two outfits and my lunch in my rectangular trunk bag. The clothes aren't much problem once you learn to travel light, but having to carry 3 pairs of shoes would probably be too much unless you are outfitted with 2 rear panniers and a trunk bag.
Sorry this is so long. I could ramble on indefinitely, so I'll stop here & invite you to PM me questions if you want to hear more or if you have specific questions on what I've said here.
I am not a biking expert, but I have done the bicycle commuting thing at various times and here are my tips, based on my personal experiences:
- Tires: thinner, road tires mean more speed, but also more likely to get caught in cracks, grates in the street, etc. I think hybrid tires are most practical for commuting for this reason. Also, learn to change a tube yourself and carry the gear with you to do it. (Unless taking your bike on public transit is an option in the event of a breakdown.)
-Time: 4 miles no traffic I say maximum 20 minutes. I commuted 3 miles last summer and in the mornings my ride was 10-15 from door to door. Add in time, obviously, if you are going to be changing clothes.
-Clothing: I would carry my work clothes in a bag, and would usually go to the gym in the morning so I would get in a shower there. But I've also in the past biked in my work clothes and didn't really sweat in the short ride, and it was not a problem. The sweat factor is obviously personal. :) If you are wearing work pants on a bike, get one of those reflective velcro straps to cinch your pant to your leg, so it doesn't get greasy or torn up from your chain.
-Panniers: something to consider if you are going to be carrying a lot of stuff to and fro each day. (They are the sacks you can attach to a rack on the back of your bike.) Ask at your bike store to get ideas. They can get rather pricey however.
-Other: I totally have a loud bell on my bike because drivers and other people can be very ignorant of the fact that bikes are allowed to share the road. In many states the law actually says that bikes are to be treated as slow moving vehicles in the right hand lane or shoulder. Also good to have adequate reflectors and lights if you are stuck out after dark. And a helmet! :)
If I think of anything else, I will post again. I'm trying to decide myself if I will bicycle commute again this summer or stick with the bus!
- Tires: thinner, road tires mean more speed, but also more likely to get caught in cracks, grates in the street, etc. I think hybrid tires are most practical for commuting for this reason. Also, learn to change a tube yourself and carry the gear with you to do it. (Unless taking your bike on public transit is an option in the event of a breakdown.)
-Time: 4 miles no traffic I say maximum 20 minutes. I commuted 3 miles last summer and in the mornings my ride was 10-15 from door to door. Add in time, obviously, if you are going to be changing clothes.
-Clothing: I would carry my work clothes in a bag, and would usually go to the gym in the morning so I would get in a shower there. But I've also in the past biked in my work clothes and didn't really sweat in the short ride, and it was not a problem. The sweat factor is obviously personal. :) If you are wearing work pants on a bike, get one of those reflective velcro straps to cinch your pant to your leg, so it doesn't get greasy or torn up from your chain.
-Panniers: something to consider if you are going to be carrying a lot of stuff to and fro each day. (They are the sacks you can attach to a rack on the back of your bike.) Ask at your bike store to get ideas. They can get rather pricey however.
-Other: I totally have a loud bell on my bike because drivers and other people can be very ignorant of the fact that bikes are allowed to share the road. In many states the law actually says that bikes are to be treated as slow moving vehicles in the right hand lane or shoulder. Also good to have adequate reflectors and lights if you are stuck out after dark. And a helmet! :)
If I think of anything else, I will post again. I'm trying to decide myself if I will bicycle commute again this summer or stick with the bus!
Panda, Those are two excellent posts for you!
Based on what you are saying you want the bike for, I would have to agree that a hybrid is what you probably want. It will be more flexible to your needs.
This might help with your time though, 10 mph=6 minutes a mile)this is kinda on the slow side), 15mph=4 minutes a mile(easily doable after you have been on the bike a little), 20 mph=3 minutes a mile(on the fast side of things)
Just to give you an idea, you are probably going to spend around $400-$600 and that will get you a very nice ride! Lots of shops are running close outs right now, good time to be looking.
Good luck, DAN
Based on what you are saying you want the bike for, I would have to agree that a hybrid is what you probably want. It will be more flexible to your needs.
This might help with your time though, 10 mph=6 minutes a mile)this is kinda on the slow side), 15mph=4 minutes a mile(easily doable after you have been on the bike a little), 20 mph=3 minutes a mile(on the fast side of things)
Just to give you an idea, you are probably going to spend around $400-$600 and that will get you a very nice ride! Lots of shops are running close outs right now, good time to be looking.
Good luck, DAN
Wow, that is some fantastic info!! Thank you all three! And carrihound, that had to have taken a while, I really appreciate the extra time!!
I found several shops in my area that look good, besides the one that's within walking distance. We're going to go there today to ask some questions. And, I found this fantastic pannier that I will definitely have to get, unless I find something similar in a local shop.
And I found a couple of great articles, here and here. Definitely some great info, both what you guys so kindly posted and what's out on the web.
It just seems the logical thing to do, what with the commute so short. It's just a matter of convincing myself to spend the money right now. But I suppose gas isn't getting cheaper, now is it? :)
I found several shops in my area that look good, besides the one that's within walking distance. We're going to go there today to ask some questions. And, I found this fantastic pannier that I will definitely have to get, unless I find something similar in a local shop.
And I found a couple of great articles, here and here. Definitely some great info, both what you guys so kindly posted and what's out on the web.
It just seems the logical thing to do, what with the commute so short. It's just a matter of convincing myself to spend the money right now. But I suppose gas isn't getting cheaper, now is it? :)
Your welcome and good hunting.
you're welcome :-) have great fun shopping & riding!
Well, I went into this great store that's less than a mile from my house yesterday. They were very nice, walked me through a lot of stuff. I'm still deciding, but more likely than not I will go in on Wednesday to get a Trek 7.2 or 7.3 FX. They are technically considered 'fitness' bikes from Trek, not hybrid. But, doesn't seem like there is a ton of difference. (Although I readily admit I'm still quite uneducated!)
I like the fact too that this shop is so close, and they will be able to do any needed maintenance. So, I'm thinking later this week I'll go in to get fitted, and to learn how the heck you ride one of these things. :)
I like the fact too that this shop is so close, and they will be able to do any needed maintenance. So, I'm thinking later this week I'll go in to get fitted, and to learn how the heck you ride one of these things. :)
good work! it's great to establish a relationship with a nearby shop you trust. you'll always be needing new tubes, or some quick adjustments and it's wonderful to know the mechanics & to have them nearby. "Hybrid" model bikes have lots of other names, so the "fitness" models probably are functionally equivalent to a hybrid, as you said.
get a good fit, and make sure you are comfortable with the seat (called the "saddle", technically, because it's not intended to bear all of your weight - 5 points of contact spread the weight out across the bike some). many shops will let you swap the saddle if you ride the stock model and want a different one that makes your ride more comfy. note that comfort doesn't always mean cushy & soft. a firm saddle can be very comfortable & a cushy one can be a bother, so try several & get one you like. it may be an acquired taste, but i like the ones with the cut out in the middle made by Terry (a manufacturer of women's-specific cycling products).
get a good fit, and make sure you are comfortable with the seat (called the "saddle", technically, because it's not intended to bear all of your weight - 5 points of contact spread the weight out across the bike some). many shops will let you swap the saddle if you ride the stock model and want a different one that makes your ride more comfy. note that comfort doesn't always mean cushy & soft. a firm saddle can be very comfortable & a cushy one can be a bother, so try several & get one you like. it may be an acquired taste, but i like the ones with the cut out in the middle made by Terry (a manufacturer of women's-specific cycling products).
I just want to add a few points about the saddle. That cutout in the middle is more than an acquired taste. It serves a very important purpose. There are some very delicate parts of our anatomy that get exposed in the riding position. Numbness can result from loss of circulation due to your weight pressing you down against the bicycle seat. Along with the numbness you can develop scars that will lead to sexual dysfunction. The cutout in the middle is designed to minimize this effect by removing the part of the saddle that you would be pressing against. So you want a saddle that provides the cutout and a firm, slightly raised support for your sitbones. Now, none of this may be relevant for short commutes. I didn't have any problems with 10 to 15 mile rides. But you might as well get a good saddle from the start because no matter what saddle you get, you can expect to spend some time breaking it in and getting used to it.
Yes saddle are very important and I agree with both posts. I and my wife have had good success with a saddle made by Specialized, called body geometry. Terry are very good ones too.
Here is a way to determine the width you'll need for your sit bones, Get a nice hard flat chair (wood preferably), now sit on your hands and feel for the two bones on each side (you know what I mean), now place your fingers on the chair below those two points and measure the distance apart, (by the way this works best if a real close friend can help). Make sure the saddle is at least this wide for good support (measure in metric, cm is how the seats are sold).
Make sure the shop will swap saddles until you are happy with one, my wife had one that was very expensive and didn't work for her and the shop said as long as it isn't scratched up that would exchange it. DAN
Here is a way to determine the width you'll need for your sit bones, Get a nice hard flat chair (wood preferably), now sit on your hands and feel for the two bones on each side (you know what I mean), now place your fingers on the chair below those two points and measure the distance apart, (by the way this works best if a real close friend can help). Make sure the saddle is at least this wide for good support (measure in metric, cm is how the seats are sold).
Make sure the shop will swap saddles until you are happy with one, my wife had one that was very expensive and didn't work for her and the shop said as long as it isn't scratched up that would exchange it. DAN
I bought my bike tonight! I don't have it yet... I got to the shop about 5:15, and had to leave by 6:30 for my 7:00 client at the gym. We just finished up with everything at 6:30, and by the time I signed my receipt I literally had to run as fast as I could home so I could get to the gym on time. (I walked to the bike shop, so I had to go home to get my car.)
And, I've got clients right after my day job both tomorrow and Thursday, so I won't be able to pick it up until Friday. Grr!
BUT - I got a Trek 7.3 FX, and I think I'm going to really enjoy commuting with this. I also got a helmet, a helmet cover for the rain, bike rack, small seat bag, water holder, a tire air pump, some kind of lube spray, gloves, a front and rear light, and a garment bag pannier. Whew! I just looked at my receipt and they rang up the garment bag twice, which I know was just a mistake because she was rushing, knowing I had to run. (literally!) No big deal, I just have to remember to point it out. :)
So, I'm excited that I have it all picked out and waiting for me, although I hate that I have to wait until Friday! I guess that will give me plenty of time to practice over the weekend. The garment bag is on order, so I don't know if I will start commuting before I get that or if I will have to wait, since I wear a suit to work every day. If I can figure out how to not get it all wrinkly...
Anyway, thanks again for all the advice! Don't know if I will trade in my running shoes, but I'm excited to try something new. :)
And, I've got clients right after my day job both tomorrow and Thursday, so I won't be able to pick it up until Friday. Grr!
BUT - I got a Trek 7.3 FX, and I think I'm going to really enjoy commuting with this. I also got a helmet, a helmet cover for the rain, bike rack, small seat bag, water holder, a tire air pump, some kind of lube spray, gloves, a front and rear light, and a garment bag pannier. Whew! I just looked at my receipt and they rang up the garment bag twice, which I know was just a mistake because she was rushing, knowing I had to run. (literally!) No big deal, I just have to remember to point it out. :)
So, I'm excited that I have it all picked out and waiting for me, although I hate that I have to wait until Friday! I guess that will give me plenty of time to practice over the weekend. The garment bag is on order, so I don't know if I will start commuting before I get that or if I will have to wait, since I wear a suit to work every day. If I can figure out how to not get it all wrinkly...
Anyway, thanks again for all the advice! Don't know if I will trade in my running shoes, but I'm excited to try something new. :)
Sweet ride panda!! I'm sure you are going to love it, very jealous of you. My commute would be down some dangerous roads so I just can't do it and I also start at 6 in the morning.
DAN
DAN
Sounds awesome pandajenn!! If you want to get started commuting before the bag comes in, you can try commuting with your stuff in a backpack. Provided you don't load it up too heavy, it's workable if you're only carrying an outfit & your lunch. I've found rolling up my clothes keeps them packed small and relatively wrinkle free. I also have a closet full of Chico's Travelers clothing, which doesn't wrinkle and folds up small (I don't even fold it actually, I wad it up and it just doesn't wrinkle). I find it's appropriate office wear, but I don't have to wear suits.
Panda:
I've tried panniers and backpack. They both seem to work okay. One bike has rear rack and trunk with panniers. That's my normal commute. I pack the night before and fold the clothes pretty carefully. But most of my clothes are wrinkle resistant. You might want to think about storing some clothes at the office. If you commute every day this isn't very helpful. But if you commute every other day, you can transport your clothes in the car.
Where are you going to store your bike during the day?
I am fortunate enough to have an office with plenty of space. When I commuted years (decades ?) ago, my workspace was a typical office cube. I managed to fit my bike in there. I have found that my office mates and bosses tend to be fairly tolerant of the side effects of my bike commuting. I hope that you have the same experience.
By the way, you get a "water holder". Does that mean that you got a water bottle or just an attachment for holding a water bottle?
You will need a water bottle in the near future.
I've tried panniers and backpack. They both seem to work okay. One bike has rear rack and trunk with panniers. That's my normal commute. I pack the night before and fold the clothes pretty carefully. But most of my clothes are wrinkle resistant. You might want to think about storing some clothes at the office. If you commute every day this isn't very helpful. But if you commute every other day, you can transport your clothes in the car.
Where are you going to store your bike during the day?
I am fortunate enough to have an office with plenty of space. When I commuted years (decades ?) ago, my workspace was a typical office cube. I managed to fit my bike in there. I have found that my office mates and bosses tend to be fairly tolerant of the side effects of my bike commuting. I hope that you have the same experience.
By the way, you get a "water holder". Does that mean that you got a water bottle or just an attachment for holding a water bottle?
You will need a water bottle in the near future.
Panda:
I just looked at your original post again.
Commute time, depending on what you count, could be as little as 15 minutes for 4 miles. At 12 miles per hour, which is a modest pace, you would need 20 minutes on your bike. You will need some additional time to cool off before you change clothes. I try to leave the house around 6:00 for a 9+ mile commute and reach the building in about 42 minutes. By the time I reach my office on the third floor, it's about 6:50. I usually do some administrative stuff while I am cooling off, change clothes and eat a working breakfast at my desk.
Three changes of clothes is a pretty big load. You may need a backpack and the panniers to hold everything. Put your heavy stuff in the panniers. You won't notice that weight except on hills. I keep a pair of shoes at the office because other solutions are impractical.
I just looked at your original post again.
Commute time, depending on what you count, could be as little as 15 minutes for 4 miles. At 12 miles per hour, which is a modest pace, you would need 20 minutes on your bike. You will need some additional time to cool off before you change clothes. I try to leave the house around 6:00 for a 9+ mile commute and reach the building in about 42 minutes. By the time I reach my office on the third floor, it's about 6:50. I usually do some administrative stuff while I am cooling off, change clothes and eat a working breakfast at my desk.
Three changes of clothes is a pretty big load. You may need a backpack and the panniers to hold everything. Put your heavy stuff in the panniers. You won't notice that weight except on hills. I keep a pair of shoes at the office because other solutions are impractical.
15
Replies
Advertisement
Advertisement
