gcomeragh12345

Hi all - am new to this board. Basically I'm looking at starting to cycle in and out of work a few times a week (probably once a week each way to begin with). Its a 65km journey, on good enough roads. There are very little cycle paths (it's Ireland those things are few and far between here!). I won't be carrying much with me, can change etc in work. Maybe a small back-pack just.

I used to cycle when I was younger, nothing serious, but was always quite handy on a bike. I'm 31 now and have very good endurance, I compete in ultra-endurance swims, and cycle a bit in the gym. I find 60 mins on an excercise bike at high intensity do-able. Now, before you all point it out (I would if I were you) I completely get that this is different and that I am talking about a pretty serious cycle! But if I work a bit more in the gym in the next few months and then get myself out on the bike in the evenings / weekends I can build up to it. Don't think I'll ever get to the stage of cycling in and out everyday (700kms a week is a wee bit too much, I'd disappear!), but think doing it once or twice a week at the start could be great for my fitness, and also a new challenge!

My question is in relation to what sort of bike to get? I'm quite confused as to which type would be best - race bike, race sport, cruiser, hybrid, MTB etc. As I'll only be trying it I can't spend much. Prob < $400 / €300 worth. I know this is very little, I have seen bikes costing 1000s on the net, but if this was the budget and this was the aim, and I could buy new or 2nd hand - which type would you go for?

UberIM

WOW!!! Impressive..........

My first thought was to move closer?! Just kidding..........

You have to think about what you want to carry with you. What will you wear at work?
At best, it would take you 2 hours one way? So four hours on a bike......and work.......the ride home will be looooong.... The quick answer, obviously, is to get a bike that fits well.
I would obviously go with either a road bike geometry (touring bike perhaps) or with a comfy mtn bike with slicks.........you'll need reflective gear and lights, etc.......and repair stuff.....esp flat tire repair stuff.
I am probably just telling you what you already know....

Why are you doing this? Not trying to dissuade you........

Why not drive your car, say half way, and commute to and from the car on a more regular basis?

I guess I am just flabbergasted.......

Go for it....

modernjess

Figure out your size, then buy a used cyclocross bike. Put some fenders and 25mm ultragator skins or schwalbe marathon tires on it. Ride it. Repeat.

It's not an unheard of distance at all I know several people that do that and they're all riding cyclocross bikes. They've dedicated them as commuters. You can set them up with fenders and wider tires and some takes racks as well. They're a bit beefier and heavier than road racing bikes but are generally more durable without a big speed penalty.

I dont' know if that works for you but that's what I'd recommend

squirtdad

Based on what co workers in Ireland (Citywest area of Dublin) say....you will get rained on. so fenders of some sort are probably a requirement.

Your budget would help

First thought is road bike, with drop bars, not a mountain bike

Do you have any ideas of doing triathalons (you noted ultra distance swimming...might be a natural progression)

Quick options:

Touring bike (already mentioned)

Road bike, good quality components but not full race....various ways to fit fenders or smaller fenders (sks race blades)

Cyclocross bike (aready noted)

Bike clothes, clipless pedals, and good fit will make your life better.

go for it

Fantasminha

I'm no expert (commuting less than a year myself) but from what I've seen on this site as long as it's a good quality bike (ergo, not a Wal-Mart bike--if you have WalMart in Ireland) fit is the most important. You're going to want a backpack or pannier setup that makes you comfy, loads-o-lights & reflective gear, a comfy helmet, and weather appropriate clothes.

40 miles is a long way to pedal if you're uncomfortable.

Good luck and keep us posted!

chipcom 

65km each way a couple of times a week is perfectly doable (I used to do almost 75km three times a week). I'd recommend a 'fast touring' bike for the job...in your neck of the woods I'd consider a Thorn Audax or a Trek 520.

You won't want to use a backpack for that distance...you might consider a rear rack with panniers and/or trunk bag and a small handlebar bag. Fenders are a must too, as well as good tires...I'd opt for the Conti Top Contacts in 700x32 if it were me.

MNBikeguy

Took the words right out of my keyboard...
Panniers, touring geometry, fenders, yup..yup..

InfiniteRegress

Way to go!! Very impressive, but I definitely think it's doable. I do a similar commute a couple of times each week (about 60km each way) and it's not bad. The only thing I would really recommend is doing the commute a couple of times when you don't have to be somewhere on time (i.e., on a weekend or slow day at work). Experiment with different routes if you can on the weekends and make sure that you have the necessary tools to make a roadside repair. In my experience, the longer the commute, the more opportunities you have to get a flat far away from any repair shop!

Other stuff to consider - I use a backpack because that's what is comfortable for me, even over distances like this. However, some people prefer messenger bags or panniers. Even a small load can become quite the nuisance when traveling longer than a few kms. You'll have to experiment to find what works best for you. Make sure you get some decent lights if you'll be traveling in dark.

As for the bike, I would definitely get a road bike with road tires. Traveling this distance, you don't want anything to slow you down. Figure out what size you are and see if you can find something used. I know here where I live we have quite a few bike shops that carry really nice used road bikes that people sell back when they want to upgrade.

Finally, use this listserv. With bike commuting, you have to be willing to be patient, experiment, and put questions out there to others. The first few rides might be a bit rough or frustrating, and you just have to work through that. After a while, once you really know your route and how your body responds, it gets far more enjoyable.

slcbob

Whatever you decide on, and lots of good advice so far, I would encourage you to ease into it with some work-up distance road rides, etc. before diving in on a work day when you have to commute.

Cead mille failte.

UberIM

you folks are amazing actually.....65km one way....
just for my edification-to all you folks/superheros (not being sardonic but truly admiring) who do that length of a commute-do you have home lives and work lives which are equally as demanding? My goodness, I couldn't function at home after commuting 4 hours and putting in a full day's work - for me a full day is at least 13 hours @ work.....I would barely have enough time to sleep....
I am totally impressed.....

Godwin

I did a 60km each way commute this past summer but I did find it draining by the end. I used a good road (race) bike. If don't want to buy from a shop and you have any mechanical know how and patience, it might be good to try and build your own. You can get a lot of good parts off of ebay and sites like chainlove.com and probikekit.com. It takes a lot of research but it can pay off both by having a cheaper bike and knowing your bike a lot better. For getting stuff to work, I mainly left it there, I left a few shirts and pants and brought the smaller things in my saddle bag or sometimes my spare empty water bottle.

You'll also have to budget for other things such as a few pairs of good bike shorts, jerseys (you can use other athletic shirts but they make sense for having a mid ride snack), bike shoes, helmet, lights...

It took me exactly two hours to make the trip each way and I had done a lot of road riding before, so you're probably looking at 5 hours+ each day and you won't feel like doing much else but sleeping when you get home. I'd recommend that you start riding right away, doing any other activity won't prepare you're muscles or your mind the same way riding will.

chrischross

65 Km? wow.

Can you combine your trip with Dublin's light rail?

https://www.luas.ie/network-map.php

I'm making a broad assumption that you're commuting to Dublin. Beautiful city.

kenmc

Come on over to here for some more ireland-centric discussion.
For that sort of distance defo go for a racer or flat-bar racer, you can use any speed advantage you can get over that distance. Contrary to popular belief it only rains about 10% of the time in Ireland - which means that if you commute both ways each day you will get wet on average one commute a week.
Where are you cycling to/from? If you're coming into Dublin you will really need to pick your route carefully, as some of them have terrible cycle-tracks, terrible drivers - commuting in Dublin is really an adventure. Stupid people are allowed to drive cars. It boggles the mind. But as I said come on over to boards and there's a wealth of info there, and we can give you more specific deets.
Would it be an option to drive halfway in for a bit and dump the car before jumping on the bike for a 30km commute?

InfiniteRegress

I found that the distance isn't too bad once I got used to it, although it is definitely something that I can't do every single day of the week. When I do this, the biggest problem I have is that I am tired when I get to work. I have to have about two cups of coffee to perk myself back up. However, by the time I'm ready to leave, I seem to get a second burst of energy. Needless to say, on the days that I do this, I am in bed by 9. I also have a very nice, flexible job with standard 9-5 hours and no one watching the clock. So, to answer your question, no, I don't have a demanding job that requires me to be there all hours of the day. If I worked your hours there's no way possible that I could even consider doing a commute of this distance.

gcomeragh12345

Hi all, wow thanks for all the information!

Let me answer some of your questions:
1) Why do I want to do it - well at the moment the commute takes about 60-75 mins by car, so not too bad. But as mentioned I do ultra endurance swims 5 hours - 17 hours sort of length. My main season is July - Sept so am thinking if I could get some general endurance training done in this time, which would only really add an hour to me (working off the basis that drive would take 75 mins, and cycle take 2-2.5 hours), twice a week, why not? I get quite sick of swimming in the summers, can be 7-8 times a week, so something else, which still keeps the heart going (all be it different muscle groups) and helps with endurance is a good thing

2) Where I'll be going to / from (for the Irish guys on here) - I'll be going from crumlin to drogheda. by car is a bit more direct with the motorway, but by bike are a few options of getting there all about the same length. Pretty much busy roads for first 4-5 miles (until I get in / around the airport direction) then secondary roads like the old Swords road, or N2 etc.

3) My job / working hours - I am on flexi time and only work about 35-40 hours a week. So I can start between 8am and 10am, and leave between 4pm and 6pm. The plan would be to leave about 6.30am, meaning I should get there in / around 9am.

4) Building up to it - my plan is to keep cycling a bit in the gym just, then when weather picks up a wee bit Feb / March start cycling at weekends. Start with even 20 miles and build up. As mentioned, my plan isn't to cycle in and out of work every day, I don't think this will ever happen, probably two trips a week. I could cycle in, and get the train home with bike, or use car etc. I can get into work by car, train, bus etc in in or around the same time, so cycling 1 way is no problem at all.

I will probably just start cycling a bit on my existing mountain bike to get back into it. It is a complete no-name brand which I got for about €150 a few years back. It is heavy and has big tyres so I know it wont be right for what I'm talking about, but will do to get the legs / heart going until I sort something better.

5) What I'll be carrying - I won't need anything with me bar a set of keys and whatever I need for myself snacks, fluids wise. I'm quite used to exercising for this length of time and would expect I'd need 2 water bottles and maybe a banana or something. Then the usual puncture kit and whatever else, but nothing for work - I can leave clothes, laptop etc in the day before in preperation.

A few points I picked up one:
- YES I will definitely get the right gear - lights (although in Spring I should be in daylight most of the time), safety etc. I have a list of this stuff.

- The bike - from what you're all saying it seems my options (in order of which people think would suit best to get there quick enough and in some comfort are)
- some sort of non-race road bike (cyclocross, touring bike, straight handle bar road bike)
- a mountain bike with slick tyres

My new questions are:
1) What are the main differences between cyclocross, touring bike and straight bar road bike? So knowing what you know, which do you think I should go for. As mentioned I am looking at spending €300 / <$400 on something new / 2nd hand

2) If I were to start on a MTB with slicks, or semi slicks roughly (and I know it depends completely), how much time would I add to myself over a distance of c. 65km. Would this be the main drawback, or are there others in terms of comfort etc?

samsmeg

Most cyclocross bicycles have centrepull cantilever brakes (they are separated both sides of the wheel and have a small cable that the main cable pulls on- https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cantilever-adjustment.html). This is because they don't clog with mud as much as other brake types. They are very similar to touring bicycles regarding the frame design/geometry (although cyclocross tend to get away with as light frame material as they can for the purpose) and there are clearances for larger/wider tyres like touring bikes. Cyclocross bike pretty much always have drop handlebars

A touring bike (lets say the Koga Miyata that Mark Beaumont used to cycle round the world with) are for very high mileage and are built for comfort, utility, low maintenance and are still quick enough to keep up a good pace. Touring bikes can have trekking bars or drop handlebars.

A straight bar road bike is what it says- a road bike frame/wheels/components but with a straight bar. These 'straight bar road bikes' are also called 'hybrid' bikes. To my knowledge they are the same and seem to be popular with people who prefer straight bars. BUT the drop and trekking handlebars you see on touring/racing bikes have more hand positions and will keep more comfortable on the ride you're wanting to do.

So I say, stay away from straight bar road bikes and go for the touring/cyclocross bicycle. You will get your different hand positions for comfort, the speed and the durability all-in-one with these bikes.

You could probably start off with a MTB with slicks but the geometry of the frame and gearing is still not built for the speed you want. You'll probably add another 15-20 mins with that kind of bike.

To be honest there are too many 'types' of bicycle now! I get confused about the differences as well and what i've said is to the best of my knowledge.

Sorry if what I've said sounds boring, it kind of is and the main thing is the FIT of the bike with you!

Good luck and keep us informed

Sam

ps check out the BBC info page of Mark Beaumont's kit! https://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/outdoo...ng_around/kit/

samsmeg

just had a look at google maps and put the route to avoid motorways/highways and its about 76 miles?? You sure its 65km? Just wondering, maybe the maps are wrong or something?

Sam

gcomeragh12345

Hi there - no is 52km using motorway / most direct route, OR c.65km without.

Are quite a few routes which I can use, guess google are using a slight more long way one.

samsmeg

Fair enough then , I don't live there so I have no idea apart from the maps,

Sam

trekker pete

Sounds like you are in very good condition, so this shouldn't be too difficult.

How hilly is the ride? Is road condition generally good?

My recommendation would be something fast and comfy. I would skip the full fendered tanks that many here use. Those go anywhere no matter the weather bikes are great when your ride is 8 miles and you do it in all conditions.

You have different needs. You want to go a looonnnnng way and you can pick and choose days. I am certain that even in Ireland, there are days when the weather is decent

You should be able to find a good quality used steel roadie. Maybe aluminum if you get lucky, but, I am not sure that you'd gain much.

Look for the lighter aluminum bike if you have a hilly ride. Steel may be better if there aren't many hills as they tend to ride nicer. And make sure you've got a very comfy saddle.

For accessories, a PB superflash rear blinkie or two would be nice. A seat bag should provide all the cargo carrying space you need. Skip the full rack. Remember, you wanna stay as light and fast as possible.

I would also recommend you have a look in the ebike forum. One of their selling points is that they can greatly extend commuting range. There are some there that do commutes in excess of 20 miles on a daily basis.

One other thing. IMO aero bars are a must. Not so much that they make you faster as they make you more comfortable. My aerobars are a godsend for my wrists and back.

Good luck.

macteacher

I would suggest this bike. Marin Fairfax. it's what I picked up this year and it is awesome. For 65km, I would put on a brooks saddle. Add fenders and a rack and your laughing.

Check it out.

https://www.marinbikes.com/2008/us/bi...cs_fairfax.php

gcomeragh12345

hi all - again problem is my budget is €300 / $400 or so. But there is a new scheme coming in in IReland in 2009 to encourage more people to cycle to work. In essence, if you are going to cycle to work a decent amount of the time, you can buy a new bike / equipment up to the cost of €1000 and get 40% off. The scheme only applies to new gear / bikes though

So in essence, I can get a bike and the gear for 60% of the retail price. So if my end budget is €300 working backwards, that means a total of €500. So I could spend €400 on a bike and €100 on helmet, gear etc.

cheers for all the advice, I now have a far better idea of what it is I'm looking for. Like I say won't be in the next month or two, plan is still do a bit in gym, then hit MTB in Feb / March, with a view to maybe trying it in April time!

Cheers again

UberIM

Ans 1: The road bikes cyclocross, touring and road bike have a more "aero" geometry. Many folks like cyclocross bikes for commuting cause you can ride on rougher terrain-they generally have a wider tire and more bite to the tire.......touring bikes are made for long distances-longer wheel base so more stable and less "twitchy" or fast responding.......they have longer chainstays (the part of the bike which goes from the pedals to the hub of the rear wheel and the wheel sits between the two chainstays-longer the chainstay easier it is to put on panniers on a rear rack........I don't like aluminum frame bikes-to stiff for me: at age 52 steel is real-heavier but more comfy........but as everyone suggested: comfort is the key

Ans 2. MTB with slicks will work......you just won't go as fast but if you are comfortable it certainly will work.........MTB is probably the most versatile bike-knobbies and it is off road.........slicks and handles the road.........

GOOD LUCK........Please keep us up to date......I am excited to hear how you do and please be safe (as we all try to be)........

BTW: my weanie commute is 15 miles round trip.......I use a fuji touring bike made into a single speed for simplicity sake (would not recommend this for your journey)...........I carry much crap in my two rear rack panniers and fanny pack-got to feed my staff..........

gcomeragh12345

sorry - thought I understood it all, but I don't! sorry did some more looking around on the internet into what type of bike would best suit me, taking onboard your advice from what I can see we're saying:

MTB with slicks - fine to start, but will add 20-30 mins to the trip, not ideal. Will start with this, cause I have one and see how I get on. I'm also ruling out a true road-race bike due to the lack of comfort, and "twitchyness" which might not lend itself to my commute.

This sort of leaves me with 3 options -
1) Hybrid / Road Cruiser - I fully get that the straight bar will be less comfortable / dynamic than other options, but on the plus side they tend to cost a lot less. Also I'm more used to cycling straight bars, but sure I could adapt as needed. I think these give you a lot of the benefits of a more traditional road bike, with straight handle-bars, would this sound about right?

2) Cyclocross - from what I can see are like racers that can take wider tyres, and have a more stable frame. These look to be ideal for what I'm considering BUT they seem very pricey. The cheapest I can find, start at about £500, so this might be out of my budget, unless I buy 2nd hand. If I do, then I can't get the 40% off option.

3) Touring bike - are more durable / stable versions of race bikes. They are built to take more weight / gear on them. They seem to cost about £400 + too, slightly less than cyclocross, but still up there. Might be at top end of my budget too.

Suppose what I'm trying to get my head around is if these are my criteria, which is the best bike for me:
- Max spend £300
- always used on roads only
- won't be carrying much gear with me
- needs to be comfortable enough, spending 2-2.5 hours on it
- needs to be sturdy enough, dont want to get knocked off too easy

Would a hybrid / city bike like in point 1 maybe do me, or would the benefits of having a traditional handlebar be that big. Sorry if this is a stupid question!

somnatash

Can you also use your "40% off option" only for accessories like decent lights, new tires or a new saddle? If yes, and if you are willing to learn/do your own maintenance, with your budget, I strongly suggest that you buy a decent second hand bike. You will probably win more than 40% compared to a new one.