Buffalo Buff

I've never seen other bike commuters in my area, but I still like to go fast and push myself on commutes. I simply enjoy the ride more at 20mph+ than at slower speeds.

mstateglfr 

The cassette isnt the issue typically, it’s the crankset. Adding a road triple to a mtb works, but then you will for sure need a new chain and will often times need a new front and rear derailleur since more chain slack will need to be taken up.


New crankset and chain- $60-120 if you do it yourself.
New crankset, chain, and derailleurs- $100-200 if you do it yourself

Wide range in cost since it all depends on components.

Just saying- its hardly just a matter of changing the cassette.

InTheRain

If the weather is fine, it's fun to take the road bike, and have a fast ride. However, if it's raining, I prefer my touring bike with it's fenders, rack, and panniers (to carry extra clothing - rain gear) and... in fact, with the electric motor, it's actually a faster ride than the road bike. I'd hate my commute on my road bike in wet and cold weather... even with rain gear things would be a mess. I don't believe the road bike would have the capacity to comfortably carry all the rain gear if it's not raining. Wearing rain gear... when it's not raining... not fun. There is nothing to say that you can't "push yourself" on a commute on a heavier bike... you can, you're just not going to be as fast. Speed is not a true reflection of effort.

Jim from Boston

Thanks for reading my post, and comments. Though I ride a carbon fiber road bike, with Spandex and clipless pedals, I’m not a haughty, fully-kitted roadie, and even wrote a “Fred Manifesto."

Soon after my above post, I added,

The OP was asking, “Is it worth it for me to get a "Road Bike"?,” and though “reasonably happy with my current configuration but was wondering – if I buy road bike, will it make much of a difference? Would it be worth it? I would be willing to spend between $1000 and $1200…” This seemed like a substantial investment.

Furthermore, his one-way commute is 11 miles. That is IMO also a substantial commitment of time. I know many commuters post about riding far less, and even riding slowly to avoid sweating. I mainly do my 14 mile one-way commute for fitness. Without a lot of time to dawdle, and I suit up for a fast energetic ride, using all the advantages I can.

The OP described his riding attire as:

I personally find wearing (loose fitting) long pants to cycle a detriment not just because of drag, but I find them constricting and inflexible, especially as the legs sweat, compared to long legged Spandex tights. I describe my own personal dressing philosophy as “utilitarian, but appropriate.” So perhaps I was applying personal standards to provide some sought-after advice, admittedly off the “top-of-my-head,” and freely given to put the desire for a road bike in perspective with the perceived benefits, FWIW.

VinceB

Besides the speed improvement (2-5min on my 15 mile ride), a much bigger difference for me from going to the road bike from my hybrid is that I find it much _easier_ to got fast, allowing me to ride 4 days a week, where before 2 days a week would kill me.

john4789

How many other bikes do you own? If just 1 right now than yes, get a road bike. Your current bike can be the backup/rain/winter/barhopping/loaner/beater bike and keep your other bike nice. Many commuters have that kind of setup.

You only live once, why not get one if it serves a purpose?

Notgrownup

Cyclecross Tabarnak ...best of both words, speed, semi big tires. Comfort,

Buffalo Buff

I'd rather go faster, rain or shine. I don't use motorized bikes and have no interest in them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ustomerReviews

If there is going to be rain I usually just use that and store rain gear. I can stuff my rain jacket in a small seatpost bag too if it looks bad out.

If I have that rack and bag on my road bike I have no use for fenders. My downtube is wide enough to block spray from my front wheel, and the rack/bag block the rear. My feat might get wet if I turn the handlebars while going through a puddle, but if I'm riding in the rain they already are anyways because I don't bother with shoe covers.

I just toured on my road bike and not only did I comfortably carry rain gear, but a tarp, hammock, sleeping bag, food, bug net, various electronics, some disc golf discs and more. It can easily carry just a jacket and some rain pants.

Hypno Toad

I have a lot in common with you, 46 years old, 6 ft tall, 165 lbs, good condition. My commute over the last 8 years has been 8.5 to 11 miles one way. Since I started bike-commuting, I've gone from one bike (mountain bike) to six bikes. I've used all six bikes for commuting, based on conditions and mood.

Here's the stable:


The Kona Dew Drop (red bike on the right) is my primary commuter bike. It's not a pure road bike, it's more durable than a typical road bike, can accept wide tires (I ride 28c tires) - it is heavier and slows than a pure road bike.

I ran some speed analysis earlier this year and gives you an idea of the same rider over the same road (Strava segment *) with different bikes (from right to left) - this is the average for each bike:
Kona Dew Drop - 15.5 mph
Mondonico - 18.9 mph
Felt Z85 - 19.2 mph
Marin Nail Trail (SS winter-commuter) - 14.3 mph
Surly Pugsley - 12.9 mph
Globe Daily - 15.2 mph

There are some real differences in speed. The Kona was my second bike, bought for commuting and is still my go to bike for most riding. It's comfortable, reasonably fast, and bomb proof. Sadly, Kona doesn't make this bike any more, but there are a good number of other bikes like this on the market.

The Globe is not much slower than the Kona, both bikes have 28c tires, so the biggest difference is the bars, gearing, and the Kona does ride in much nastier conditions (including some snowy/icy rides). Te Globe is amazingly comfortable for a small sacrifice in the speed.

A commuter road bike is a great all-round bike, something like a Surly Long Haul Truck (LHT) or a Kona Rove. You should be able to find something in your price range.

* I've ridden this segment at least 250 times in all conditions. Clearly the Felt doesn't ride in the snow and the Marin rarely rides summer days. Therefore, this is not an honest apple-to-apple comparison.

lanahk

The correct number of bicycles is N+1, so you definitely need another bicycle. A road bike brings a different way to ride, and you feel faster (even if you aren't faster). Will it make a difference? It depends on what you want to be different. It won't automatically make you faster, but you may get a different thrill on a different bike.

There are plenty of option in the $1000-$1200 range. Try some out, see if you like them.

jade408

love the orange bike! Looks like a perfect around town bike. The color matched accessories are very classy!

kickstart

As fate would have it, I just bought a road bike.
Found a 74 Schwinn Continental in almost like new condition exactly like my first new "real" bike I had as a kid. Its 100% original down to the seat and bar tape, and in such nice condition I doubt I'll use it for commuting.

Notgrownup

I wish I could commute to work, it's way too hot n humid here and we have no showers at works...I can just smell myself thinking about it.....

InTheRain

"Rain gear" in the Pacific Northwest doesn't just consist of a jacket and rain pants. I carry more than just rain gear on my commute. "No use for fenders"... apparently it doesn't rain as often or as much in your neck of the woods as it does in the Pacific Northwest. When it rains here, we don't have puddles... the roads are rivers - you would get soaked here. I checked the amazon link for your trunk... I have a system that stores more and is lighter than that one and is much more convenient ... yet, it still won't carry everything I need for a good soaking day. By the time you put that rack and bag on your road bike, stuff it with everything you're going to carry, you really don't have a "road bike" anymore. Road bikes weren't made to be everyday commuters... sure you can do it, but I can do that on a skateboard, too... if I had too.

No fenders, no shoe covers, you don't mind getting wet... ride naked - it will make you go faster... since that's what you'd "rather."

I happen to have interest in all types of bikes. There isn't a bike out there that is made for every need. In fact, most bikes are made for a specific need or specific type of riding.

HardyWeinberg

I think if you want to speed up your commute a lot but keep a chair on your bike rather than a saddle, you should be checking out recumbents. They are faster than diamond frames under all conditions (except climbing) and offer much mellower posture options.

tjspiel

The term "road bike" covers a lot of territory including touring bikes which are designed to carry more stuff than people would bother with on a commute. And they're still road bikes no matter how much crap you load on them.

Just Curious? What constitutes rain gear for you?

gregf83 

How much rain gear do you have? I often commute in the rain and the only jacket I ever use is a J&G rain jacket with all the vents and pit zips open. I don't wear anything other than leg warmers or tights on my legs depending on temperature. There aren't many days of the year where it really rains hard on a morning commute although they do tend to be memorable. My winter bikes are an Alum Bianchi with clip on fenders and a carbon cross bike with full fenders. Wearing the jacket in the winter if it's not raining is not a big deal although if it's not too cold I just roll it up and stuff it in my backpack.

CrankyOne

Great summation of these various bikes. You should try a proper Dutch bike to compare to your Globe.

Hypno Toad

You think the proper Dutch will be faster?

I'm sure a proper Dutch bike will find me like so many bikes have - I'm the crazy cat lady with bike, they just keep finding me. I have to say to the wife, "It followed me home, can I keep it? please?" She rolls her eyes and I have yet another bike.

alan s 

A faster bike won't necessarily make your commute more enjoyable, and could actually make things worse. If you are passed on a slow bike, at least you have an excuse. If you are passed on a fast bike, you can no longer deny you are just slow.

Wilfred Laurier

I do not have any experience witht he Spiderflex seat, but my brother uses a noseless seat, and it makes putting power to the pedals difficult and uncomfortable. Standard saddles, while not for everybody, are designed the way they are for a reason. I am not suggesting you change the seat if you like it, but maybe change your expectation of speed while using it.

StanSeven

My average speed on a mountain bike on a 17-25 mile one way commute (depends upon how scenic a route and how much time I have) is 4 mph slower than with a road bike. So it's significant.

grolby

It kind of sounds like you DO care.

As for the road bike thing, will it make a difference? Sure, but it's not just about that difference. It's in how it makes you feel. The citizens of the commuting forum here often seem more obsessed with performance than the roadies and racers I know. Always, always, always saying "well it doesn't matter because it only makes X difference in speed," as though that were the only factor in considering a bike. But it's about the feel of the thing. What sounds like a small difference feels worlds apart. The bare facts are that a road bike is faster than a hybrid, but more than that, it feels faster and zippier and more maneuverable. The majority of people I've seen try out a road bike for the first time immediately feel that difference, and enjoy it. Road bikes are fun! Try one out. If you find it fun to ride, that's kind of the entire argument right there.

InTheRain

On a sub 40 degree morning and heavy rain I'll wear a long sleeve poly shirt that wicks moisture, a smartwool midweight sweater, and a goretex rain jacket. I'll also carry a water resistant, but very breathable jacket in my pannier for lighter rain. REI pants, goretex rain pants, wool socks, mtb cycling shoes, thermal bike shoe toe covers, waterproof shoe covers, goretex helmet cover, goretex full finger gloves or mittens. On the way home it could be sunny and 70+. Therefore, I'm carrying shorts, cycling jersey, half finger gloves, lighter socks, in my pannier. I carry extra socks and underwear for work. I carry a lunch, some tech things, diabetic supplies, cycling tools (includes a small foot pump), some work gloves, a rag, a plastic bag, and a few spare tubes. Once a week I'm carrying work clothes from home or clothes from work to be laundered. Once a week I'll carry a pannier full of groceries into work. I don't care about packing light - the touring bike is a workhorse that can carry a load, the electric motor makes it a breeze (and faster than my road bike.)

Great weather, the only clothing I carry is underwear and socks for work. A small saddle pack with a tube and tire levers. I'm not carrying a lunch either. Usually just a cell phone, keys, and wallet. Those are the days I ride the road bike. And those are the days that are much more frequent between mid-May and mid-September. I'm looking forward to them. But for late fall, winter, and early spring... I'm glad I have the touring bike. I've been caught out in the rain on many club rides on the road bike... it's not particularly enjoyable to be wet and cold. For commuting, the touring bike is much more versatile. I "can" go much lighter with it, but it's heavy by nature.

CrankyOne

Sometimes forgiveness is easier than permission. Oh wait, that's with work. Forget I said that...

I don't know that a Dutch bike would be faster but they are a lot more comfortable for the same speed and effort, handle better when carrying stuff, and much easier from a clothing and maintenance standpoint.