Commuting - Introduction & New Commuter Questions

Hey,

Been lurking here for a bit, but thought I'd say hello. I've been commuting (short distance, 3-8 miles / day, every day) for two and a half weeks now. To be honest, I hadn't ridden a bicycle much since mine was stolen back when I was an undergraduate student. I mainly started commuting via bike to help build leg strength (on advice of my physical therapist) that I lost while I was laid up / on crutches for a month recovering from getting hit on my motorcycle a few months ago.

Right now I'm riding a wheeler hardtail mountain bike that I bought from an old coworker. I'm intentionally riding harder/faster than I need to for my short commute (and some recreational rides on bike paths), and I'm really feeling the burn. My thighs are sore basically everyday, not real sore, but I'm feeling it. I was thinking it would start to lessen at the two week mark, but so far it hasn't. Should it get better, or will I just get used to it?

I also understand that the wide (1.95?) knobby tires on this bike aren't the most efficient for commuting. This doesn't bother me right now as it's supposed to be hard, but I'm wondering about the long run.

Are there truly slick tires available for mtb rims? Is it worth putting them on this bike, or should I think more about finding a beater roadbike to commute on someday?

Anyhow, just thought I'd drop in and say hello.

-Ryan

Hey,

Been lurking here for a bit, but thought I'd say hello. I've been commuting (short distance, 3-8 miles / day, every day) for two and a half weeks now. To be honest, I hadn't ridden a bicycle much since mine was stolen back when I was an undergraduate student. I mainly started commuting via bike to help build leg strength (on advice of my physical therapist) that I lost while I was laid up / on crutches for a month recovering from getting hit on my motorcycle a few months ago.

Right now I'm riding a wheeler hardtail mountain bike that I bought from an old coworker. I'm intentionally riding harder/faster than I need to for my short commute (and some recreational rides on bike paths), and I'm really feeling the burn. My thighs are sore basically everyday, not real sore, but I'm feeling it. I was thinking it would start to lessen at the two week mark, but so far it hasn't. Should it get better, or will I just get used to it?

I also understand that the wide (1.95?) knobby tires on this bike aren't the most efficient for commuting. This doesn't bother me right now as it's supposed to be hard, but I'm wondering about the long run.

Are there truly slick tires available for mtb rims? Is it worth putting them on this bike, or should I think more about finding a beater roadbike to commute on someday?

Anyhow, just thought I'd drop in and say hello.

-Ryan


There are lots of good slicks for MTB wheels. For commuting I would recommend anything with Kevlar, and a tire pressure of 85 psi or higher. You might look at some Specialized Nimbus Armadillo tires. They should be about as puncture resistant as any tire. They are a bit heavy, and will ride with some vibration due to the heavy duty sidewalls.

I agree with Dchiefran as well. If your commuting to work you should ride on the most flat resistent tire on the market and the Armadillo is that. The last thing you want to have happen to you on the way to work is a flat and be late getting to work-that stuff dosen't look good when promotions come around! Also the tires ride quality can be softened by not putting in the max psi on the tire, but rather about 15psi less in the rear and 20 less in the front, but you will have to play with it.

Also the leg burn situation will go away after about 3 weeks tops.

"It never gets easier, you just go faster." -- Greg Lemond :)

Seriously, after awhile, you'll feel like your commute is a stroll around the block. Especially if you switch to a smoother-rolling tire. Good luck and welcome to the lifestyle.