Commuting - I Love Commuting w/My Wife ...

but she is just so darn slow. We have about 5 out of our 6 mile commute in common. This morning we had a no pedaling race down a hill. My bike is quite a bit faster. I gotta talk her into a new bike. I think the no pedaling race might have been pretty persuasive. She's not to keen on road bike though. She likes 'comfort' bikes. Wish I could talk her into liking road bikes.

i've pretty much given up on this with my wife.

maybe you need a nice, stylie cruiser...

after all, it's only 6 miles.

I wasn't keen on road bikes until I really started riding my MTB on the road. I bought slicks for it and everything. Then I put big ole bar ends on it to give me more hand positions...then I started to think I should just get a road bike. and I'm really glad I did.

she might not be the same though. Maybe she likes her bike, maybe a new bike would be a waste of money. who knows. I think it's more important to ride what you wanna than ride X type of bike for Y purpose.

oh, and I'm not very much faster on my road bike than I was on my MTB with slicks. But the road bike is more comfortable and more stable at high speeds. especially when cornering.

Just be happy she is riding. I'm sure her speed will pick up in time, but whatever you do, don't pressure her into something she doesn't want. Above all else it's got to be fun for her. Unfortunately I learned too late, and I'll probably never get my wife back on a bike again.

I wish my wife were more into riding. She claims to like rollerblading better, and unfortunately these two sports are virtually incompatible.

i bought my girl a nice bike and she still isn't riding it to work with me (we work across the street from one another). i am not going to pressure her and think that maybe she'll start someday when shes good and ready but that time hasn't come yet.

so, just be happy she rides to work at all! maybe get her some skinnier tires with higher PSI on the old bike as a step in the faster direction?

I got my wife out on a Sunday ride that was about 2mi. That took a great deal of effort. Just be glad she is on the bike.

i second that...just be happy she's riding.

it took me about 3 years of gentle suggestion while i served as a shining example of commuter virtue before she started riding to work.

when we ride together, i just ride a bit slower. nothing wrong that, since any kind of riding is good.

This morning we had a no pedaling race down a hill. My bike is quite a bit faster.

If you weigh more than your wife that might be why you're faster on that downhill.

I had to learn to go slow when riding with my wife. Instead of me trying to make her change, I'm the one who changed. Because of that, she's a little more willing to try what I want to do.

RFM

Hehehe jeff-o... My first date with my wife was in college... she biked, I rollerbladed. Just thought that was funny since you said how incompatible they are.

I will admit that chatting on the way to the movie was a bit difficult. But we've been married almost 7 years now...

My wife has an old Italian cruiser style bike that has 24" wheels, and is geared at 32 x 20. It is pretty funny watching her try to keep up. I usually let her go in front and I just stay behind her, trying not to tip over.

I'm jealous that you can get her to bike w/ you. My boyfriend hardly ever rides w/ me, and when he does it's such a rare thing and I'm so excited that I don't mind going really slowly so he can keep up. He's usually so grumpy about it, and complains so much that's it's almost not even worth it (must be some weird man ego thing. ugh.).

Maybe it's just best to be patient and enjoy the time that you are able to spend together on bikes. Don't pressure her, whatever you do, or she'll hate it! Would she be mad if you rode your common commute separately a few times a week so you can ride at the pace you enjoy?

After my wife complained about the awkward riding position of her MTB, I comfortized it (more upright position, bigger seat w/ suspension post, road slicks, slightly swept back handlebars) and then she complained it was "OK for short rides but now was uncomfortable for long rides and too heavy." So, just to eliminate all possible arguement, I picked up an interestingly configured KHS comfort/road frame combo (straight bars, AL frame and carbon fork, 700C race wheels) that is super light at barely 20lbs. I replaced the 25 tires with 28, added a suspension seat post and her favorite saddle, and put on some old-time wide handlebars. I swapped the rapid-fire shifters for gripsters. It rides extremely easy and is very comfortable.

The real innovation: I recently rebuilt the bars again. I slid on some longer, curved bar ends way down in front and put nice rubber grips on them. It offers an excellent low/forward riding position. I'm planning to add in line brake levers to them as well. The handlebars look like antlers with all the posts and levers, so I call it the antler bike. I'll post a picture as soon as it's done. I don't know if the wife will like it but I'm amazed at how well it does both the city cruiser thing and the low aero spinning thing. Maybe I'll use it myself on the next long family trip.