Commuting - Mountian bike guy is commuting-curious...

Ahoy,

I've been an active mountain biker for years, but I want to try commuting.

Right now I don't ride on the street, I drive my bike to the trailhead and back home again when I'm done. My new job is only a few miles down the road and I'd like to try commuting by bike.

Oh, but I have questions.

I have a hardtail 29er, the Specialized Rockhopper Expert. Can I use that to commute with or should I look for more of a road bike?

Will I need a shower when I get to work or can I get away with splashing some water around?

How did you prepare to start commuting?

Just a few miles, depending on where you live (hot climate vs cool) shouldn't be too bad. You might want to wash up in the sink, maybe change your shirt. I'm going to assume you've already got spare tubes and stuff since you're riding trails. Seems like you're set already. Rockhopper should be fine to get you there and back, if a little slow-ish on the road (due to the knobby tires)

Just a few miles, depending on where you live (hot climate vs cool) shouldn't be too bad. You might want to wash up in the sink, maybe change your shirt. I'm going to assume you've already got spare tubes and stuff since you're riding trails. Seems like you're set already. Rockhopper should be fine to get you there and back, if a little slow-ish on the road (due to the knobby tires)

And drive train ratio.

Ahoy,

I've been an active mountain biker for years, but I want to try commuting.

Right now I don't ride on the street, I drive my bike to the trailhead and back home again when I'm done. My new job is only a few miles down the road and I'd like to try commuting by bike.

Oh, but I have questions.

I have a hardtail 29er, the Specialized Rockhopper Expert. Can I use that to commute with or should I look for more of a road bike?

Will I need a shower when I get to work or can I get away with splashing some water around?

How did you prepare to start commuting?

I prepared for commuting by just going out and doing it. I looked at the distance to work and thought, what the hell I recreationally ride a lot further than that. However, I had to look fairly presentable once I got there and made some modifications to my bike to make it a little more useful on the commute that you may not want to do to your Specialized. Namely, fenders and a rack for taking paniers to get rid of the backpack. As far as cleaning up on the other end, a shower is ideal but not always available. I generally shower before leaving home and carry a spare shirt along with anti-perspirent. I will wash my face to clean off sweat and road grime in a bathroom once I get to work. It also depends on the person. I can get away with the procedure mentioned above but a good friend of mine NEEDS a shower at work.

One thing I might worry about is the security of your bike on the other end. Specialized is a recognized brand and might be a really good target for thieves. If security is an issue I might think about getting a cheap used ATB and put some roadish tires on it and use it rather than risking your nice bike.

Give it a go, it makes work so much better when you can cycle there and back.

Thanks everyone. Do you usually bring a change of clothes or do you just bike in your work attire? My office is pretty casual so it isn't like I need to wear a suit.

Thanks everyone. Do you usually bring a change of clothes or do you just bike in your work attire? My office is pretty casual so it isn't like I need to wear a suit.

It Depends. How sweaty will you be after? How far is it? How messy is the road? It's hard to say without riding the route a couple times, and even then the answer may change as the weather changes.

FYI, you may want to consider swapping your knobby tires for smoother tread before you start. It will have a noticeable impact on the ride.

I started out riding my cheapo Trek MB. I still have not changed the tires and I still ride it fairly regularly. I ride my totally dorky Electra the most, but every now and then I ride my husband's downhill rig or his street trials bike. Both have very burly tires. They are fun bikes to ride.

Nevermind new tires for now, just do it. You can buy new tires if you decide they will make a big difference in your experience.

I mountain bike as well, and have a Klein Attitude. I would never subject my baby to constant abuse of commuting, especially in rain. My 94 cannondale road bike, on the other hand, is perfect for abuse and I ride it into the ground.

I think ultimately you would want to think about a commuter dedicated bike, but for starters like others have said, just go for it. I've been using some cheap fenders that strap on and off very easily, that helps reduce the rain. My guess is if you're just starting out you can skip rainy days altogether (you won't need raingear, flaps, and your bike won't get the abuse) until you get more familiar with the ins and outs of commuting.

I basically ride in my work clothes, my work is also rather casual style. First, I never ride full out since I don't want to soak myself in sweat before my work day. I ride very differently when mountain biking. Second, I wouldn't ride knobby tires as they'll wear out quickly. One option is that I use a cheap old set of wheels I have for training rides on my MTB that have slicks on them, which is easier than changing tires off the wheels for me.
Good luck!

Thanks everyone. Do you usually bring a change of clothes or do you just bike in your work attire? My office is pretty casual so it isn't like I need to wear a suit.

I bring a change of clothes, except in very cool weather I work up a pretty good sweat but I'm also commuting about 17km each way. If you're one of those lucky people that doesn't perspire heavily and it's only a couple of miles you may be able to get by wearing your work clothes (I occasionally see one guy on my commute wearing a suit and tie)

Thanks everyone. Do you usually bring a change of clothes or do you just bike in your work attire? My office is pretty casual so it isn't like I need to wear a suit.

I ride in my work clothes, but I don't have far to go and I have a casual office. I even ride in skirts and low heeled street shoes (but not on the mountain bikes).

Thanks everyone. Do you usually bring a change of clothes or do you just bike in your work attire? My office is pretty casual so it isn't like I need to wear a suit.

When I started commuting, I rode in my work/street clothes, and it was okay. I rode a mile to the metro/subway, then had a 40 minute subway ride to cool down. This worked okay until the weather got hot, and as long as it didn't rain. Hot weather, and a desire to ride further/more led me to start wearing shorts/t-shirt for riding, and carry my 'business casual' attire. I left shoes and belt at the office, to avoid having to carry the heavy and/or easily forgotten. I have no access to a shower, but some the cool down time is usually enough, and the occasional sink bath takes care of some of the 'sticky' feeling left behind after the sweat dries. I work in very close proximity to several co-workers, with no complaints, and they all know I ride, and have promised they'd let me know if I was stinking up the joint.

As to other commuting gear: the dirt stripe left on my pants and backpack after some rain led me to get fenders, though as a casual commuter, I might consider quick release type unless you get lots of rain, and/or are committed to riding no matter what. I do a multi-method commute - bike and Metro -- so panniers are not attractive to me. A backpack does me just fine, though the few times I've done a longer ride, I started to understand folks who complain and advocate panniers. For a short (8-10 miles or less) commute, esp. if it isn't every day, you could live without, depending on how much stuff you carry (my backpack holds a large lunch, two or three books, lights and blinkies, MP3 player, PDA, headphones, phone charger, notary seal, pens, slacks, shirt, undershirt, socks and underwear, patch kit and tire levers, extra tubes, reading glasses, sunglasses and clear glasses (for evening riding). I have more space in my backpack, and could carry a modest size laptop or shoes, etc... if needed.)

Best advice is "just do it" and see how it goes. In a few weeks you'll start to decide what matters to you.

Just a few miles?
ride in slow so you don't sweat too much.
Have fun on the ride home, for just a few miles, tires and bike won't make much of a difference.
Just put some lights on when it starts getting dark in the morning.

The advise here is pretty good. For a short commute, start with what you've got and then decide if you need something different. I commuted for years on an old MTB, knobby tires and all, before getting a good deal on a touring bike. Yes, the new bike is a wonderful improvement over riding an MTB, but not so much that it's something you need. The only thing you really need is lights...cheapish lights (around $30-$40 for a front and back set) will do, though the sky is pretty much the limit on how much a lighting system can run you.

If you're riding every day, rain or shine, things like fenders are a godsend to a commuter and probably aren't a good mix with a 29er.

I have never changed my clothes at work or showered on arrival. I used to come further than I currently do, and so I did sweat a bit...I applied additional deoderant on arrival, and that's it. Now I live less than 2 miles from work, I don't even find I need that most days.

It seems that everything that needs to be said has already been said. Though I don't agree with not showering when getting to work. It is getting cooler now so I personally am not sweating much, but it seems a little gross not to shower after exercising. I only have three miles to go and I still shower when I get to work. We have a locker room with showers so that makes it easier. Just ride into work in shorts and a t-shirt, take a shower, and change my clothes. I realize that some people don't have that option though. If you don't, bring a bar of soap to wash up some.

Mountain bikes are fine for commuting. I have a Marin Bolinas Ridge with knobby tires. I average about twelve to thirteen mph for a nice cruising speed. I don't use panniers, racks, or fenders. Just me, the bike, and a backpack. Maybe I am the commuting version of a neanderthal, but I don't see the need for extra stuff on my bike.

Edit:


Best advice is "just do it" and see how it goes. In a few weeks you'll start to decide what matters to you.

+1 for this.

When you overthink it or overprepare for it, commuting seems dauntingly complex. Just get on your bike and ride to work. You will inevitably encounter some challenges (such as dealing with rain, or carrying stuff). Focus on solving each of these problems one at a time. In a relatively short amount of time, you'll have it all figured out.

I commute on a mountain bike. It's a little more work for me than it is for the roadies, but I like that I get more of a workout.

Thoughts:

- mount fenders

- mount a rack and use a trunk bag or saddle bag. Don't backpack, it affects your center of gravity more than saddle bags, makes your shoulders tired and makes you sweat more than you have to.

- change to smoother, narrower road tires. Makes it a lot easier to pedal and lot less rolling resistance. Using a mountain bike is fine. Don't change the bike. If you don't have steep hills, consider making it a singlespeed.

- Leave a pair of dress shoes and dress pants at work. I only bring in a folded dress shirt everyday.

- I wash up at work in the washroom using a small towel and the sink. Using a little isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol on the wash cloth, I wipe my underarms thus killing any bacteria that creates odor after toweling the body clean. I don't use deodorant and I don't stink.

Rinse, repeat and enjoy.

If its only a few miles you really don't need to do anything. Just wash up in the sink when you get to work and/or bring baby wipes if you get sweaty.

If you plan on commuting daily you can do some small changes to make your commute easier, although not really necessary. Slick tires will help you roll faster and easier. Fenders so you can ride in all types of weather and not mess up your clothes or bike. A rack if you have to carry stuff. If you get more into it you can get a second beater bike you can use a as a dedicated commuter.

Also, like another poster mentioned, have a good lock and place where you can lock it for such a nice bike.

And drive train ratio.

Wow, you must fly to work! I mean in 44x11 @ 80rpm, I'm going 23.6 mph on 26x1.5 slicks. ;)

I'd recommend replacing the knobs with slicks. I have the Kenda Kwest Hi-Pressure (100psi) 26x1.5" and they roll soooo much easier than knobbies.

If your commute distance is short, take it easy on the way in so you don't work up too much of a sweat. Luckily I have showers and lockers in our fitness center at work if I do need to shower.

Just a few miles?
ride in slow so you don't sweat too much.

This makes sense. Also some clothes smell more than others when they meet sweat - polyester wicking tops can turn nasty very fast, while you can wear a merino T for a week before it develops a real level of "pong".

Wow, you must fly to work! I mean in 44x11 @ 80rpm, I'm going 23.6 mph on 26x1.5 slicks. ;)

Someone always insists that MTBs aren't geared high enough for commuting in these threads. Either there are a lot of people who can't spin properly or a lot of people who can't multiply.

Adequate wheels for commuting don't cost much bought on ebay if you want a pair of wheels just for slicks.

Dry runs, goto work on a sat.. see how it goes. Stop pestering us and just do it already! Do you need a shower? Why ask me! Are you concerned about riding on the road? Don't worry, be happy! :p

My only advice is to put fenders and reflectors/blinky lights on your mtb... you'll wear the knobbies down on pavement, so maybe smaller slick tires will help.

Enjoy!

Someone always insists that MTBs aren't geared high enough for commuting in these threads. Either there are a lot of people who can't spin properly or a lot of people who can't multiply.

Adequate wheels for commuting don't cost much bought on ebay if you want a pair of wheels just for slicks.

Yup, I am most comfortable at between 90-100rpm myself. So at 44x11 w/ 26x1.5" tires, that's 26.6-29.6mph. Plenty fast for a commute. Sigh... if only I could sustain that pace. :o

Doing a practice run might not be a bad idea. One thing that hasn't been said is look for a nice bike friendly route. I have a number of different routes I can take to work and its only about 4 miles each way, but the one I have found most recently I like the best. Also if you are in decent shape don't ride hard and you won't sweat a ton. I sweat like crazy normally, but on my bike (mountain bike with narrowish tires) I just have a solid pace and its not a big deal unless its really hot. Like many said try it a couple of days and see if you think you might like to do this more often. Try to avoid a backpack becasue you will sweat where it is. A messenger bag is better, but adding something to the bike like a rear rack (gives you plenty of options) is the way to go.

If you have an expensive bike and can't bring it inside with you I would suggest getting a crappy bike for commuting ASAP. Either way you need to get a bike lock if you can't bring it inside with you. Nothing will make you hate commuting more than you bike getting stolen one of the first couple of times you ride to work. Maybe it won't happen, but I am a paranoid type about that becasue I have had crappy half working Huffys stolen back in the day when I was really poor. For $100 you should easily be able to find a pretty solid mountain bike, hybrid, road bike or whatever that should fit your needs to get you to work without hating riding it. Its very possible you could find a nice bike for $50 or less on Craiglist. Commuting is fun and it will make you a stronger rider as well in whatever else you do. Its also a great excuse to get another bike. =)

Put some slick tires on your RockHopper and you have a decent commuter mtb. Enjoy!