thiocyclist

I do 15 (somewhat hilly) miles a day (round trip) for a commute and it got to the point where after a few months I was pretty exhausted. I currently ride a 35 lb 3-speed Windsor Oxford (weight includes accessories). The commute can be so exhausting at times that it doesn't seem sustainable in the long run (because of sweat and fatigue when I get to work), but I actually really enjoy it. I want to keep commuting and I have two ideas to make it happen but I don't know which is better:

1) Get a lighter bike (what would this be? looked at a Fantom CX for a while). But having never owned anything <30 lbs, I have no idea if this will really help me that much. Would a lighter bike make the ride easier, causing me to fatigue and possibly sweat less? I weigh 160 lbs for what it's worth.

2) Convert an existing bike to an ebike or get an ebike. This option seems cool but I have no idea if it will help that much with all the weight added, and could take the fun out of biking possibly. Also, it's a more expensive option than the first.

What is the more effective solution of the two? It isn't going to be to keep doing the same thing, because if nothing else I can't handle the large amount of sweat it incurs (summer: because it's hot; winter: because I layer).

Rick@OCRR

Since you're in CO your commute is probably more elevation sensative than mine (living in Los Angeles . . . about 500 ft. of elevation per day) but yes, I did notice a big difference, and less fatigue + faster average speed when going to a lighter bike.

My switch was from a DaHon folding bike (about 29 lbs.) to a chro-mo road bike (nothing fancy) at 26 lbs. when they put "bicycle cars" on our local Metro train. So I would vote for the lighter bike.

Another plus (not sure how it's related) was fewer flat tires. I went from an average of one flat per 13 commutes (round trips) to a flat per 41 commutes after switching to the road bike.

Rick / OCRR

ThermionicScott 

I think if you were able to arrange things so that you could ride a light road bike with no attached weight a couple times a week, that would help your enjoyment, if not your energy levels.

I'm able to stash a couple day's worth of clothes and things at work, so especially during the summer, I'm often able to take the roadie with nothing extra except my lock on board.

imi

What are your typical routines before riding as regards to food, water, sleep, stress etc?
Are you wearing too many clothes, hence sweating too much and dehydrating? Have you tried stopping in the middle of your commute for a short break, a banana or trail snack and water?... Just some thoughts

Leebo

15 miles a day? Mine is 18 miles one way, I however only do 2-6 trips per week. Does not seem like that far. Elevation gain? Easier routes? How long have you been doing this? What about trying a multi modal commute? Train, bus or car ride some of the way. Try this, drive to work with bike, leave car at work, pedal home and then pedal back to work. Only 1 trip per day by bike. Lots of options available to you.

jyl

A 7 mile, somewhat hilly, ride is not a real lot, but using a 35 lb upright bike with only three gears definitely makes it harder than it has to be.

I would get a road bike, and it need not be an expensive one - a Bikes Direct model for $350 would be fine, or a $800 bike bought for $300 on Craiglist would be fine too. A road bike will get you low gears so you can spin up hills without working too hard, high gears so you can zip on the flat without pedaling too fast, a more aerodynamic position so you don't have so much drag. Mount inexpensive fenders if you ride in the rain.

I would also drive in a couple days a week, bringing clean work clothes. Riding a 27 lb bike up hills is noticeably easier than riding a 35 lb bike. Also nothing wrong with giving yourself a break now and then.

tjspiel

3 speeds doesn't give you a lot of options for hills. That may be more of a problem than weight. Any bike rental outfits in your area? If so you could rent a road bike (or flat bar road bike) and see if it makes a difference.

icepick_trotsky 

The quickest fix might be to change your gearing if the hills are getting to you. Either get a smaller chainring or a larger rear cog.

Your position on the bike also has something to do with it. The Windsor has upright Northroads style handlebars, right? That riding position can wear you out quickly as it doesn't give you much leverage climbing. Try picking up an old Cro-Mo steel roadbike on craigslist to see if you like the difference.

gregf83 

You shouldn't be exhausted from a 15mi ride. Suggest getting a more suitable bike with wider gearing, less weight and tires with lower rolling resistance. I commute about 40 mi round trip and if I get tired towards the end of the week I deliberately ride easier for a couple of rides. Knocking off 20w creates a big drop in HR but not a huge change in commute time. 15% less power drops your speed by only ~5%.

modernjess

I have done my 15 RT commute a few times on my old Schwinn speedster 3 speed - I hated it. Mostly because I am so used to doing it on other bikes that are so much more efficient and the seat was like riding a tractor. Hell, my single speed CX bike was 10 times easier and faster than that old pig.

Yes, you can commute on any bike, but if your goal is to make it a long term sustainable activity then getting the right tools for the job are well worth it. What is right for you only you can decide, I would suggest trying a lighter bike with a better riding position and more gears first. The e-bike is a good option perhaps too, but has it's share of downsides as well.

InGrained

I would say it's more your gearing for the hills. I couldn't imagine just using three gears with my hills lol. And hills are what wear me out not flats. So my best guess is it's your hills. Weight will help some but I think gearing would help a lot more.

CliffordK

I'm surprised you seem to think you're getting slower, not faster with more time. I would think you would start getting more fit, although perhaps getting bored with the ride, especially as winter and dark days set in. Are you using battery lights or generator lights?

I second, or third the idea of buying a "road bike"... Low 20 lb range, with the gearing you need. You do need to be prepared for flats, and try to avoid obstructions in the road, although there is a group of road-ish bikes with a bit heavier duty tires which might be considered.

You could also get a commute/light touring bike like Surly, but it isn't needed.

I've used toeclips for years and years. Excellent for commuting, and gives you a little extra edge. This year, I finally converted to SPD clipless bike pedals (also allowing some walking, but perhaps not all day shoes). I think they made a significant difference in my biking, and I have put them on everything I ride.

rumrunn6

N+1! :-) get the gears, man

GhostSS

When I first started commuting to work I rode a 35+ pound single speed Sun Cruiser with high handlebars. The positioning (aerodynamics), the weight (inertia), the cruddy drive (loss of efficiency), and wide heavy tires (high rolling resistance and inertia), all added up to a slow and exhausting ride.

I switched to a single speed track style bike that had 23c tires and was 11 pounds lighter with a nice new drivetrain and drop bars, it was the difference from slow and exhausted to relatively quick and slightly tired.

A lighter bike with low rolling resistance tires will make a difference, especially if you're in the 30+ pound range dropping down to low 20's.

thiocyclist

I've been commuting by bike for years. I think whatever extra fitness I'm going to get out of it is already there for the most part, so now I just feel the wear and tear. However the new commute certainly has a lot more hills. No dynamos or anything.

One thing I should add is that I commuted 8 miles a day for years on mostly flat and never had to change clothes.

People seem to be confusing exhaustion for regular fatigue in my story. The reality is if it wasn't for social grace this wouldn't be an issue at all -- I would just walk into work being sweaty and gross and in 10-15 minutes I'd feel fine. Maybe some chronic fatigue would catch up by Friday but other than that no big. The biggest driver for this thread is that I miss getting to work with a minimal amount of sweat and no need to clean up or change. As physical exhaustion goes things aren't so bad except perhaps at the end of the week when I might be a little more tired. It doesn't affect work performance at all.

yankeefan

The quick fix would be to get a smaller chain ring and remove some links from your chain. Of course if you are not very savvy this might not be as quick as fix especially if you have a chain guard. You haven't mentioned whether or not you have a rack/basket, but riding with a backpack will definitely make you sweaty (if you do ride with one). I think you're better off getting a bike with a wider range of gears; a lighter bike won't necessarily fix your problems if the gearing prevents you from spinning up a steep gradient. I'd recommend getting my current commuter off BD (for only $300!) and it has a triple crankset as well as fender and rack mounts. It's a rather heavy bike but the granny gear gives it good climbing capabilities.

thiocyclist

Well it sounds like the major consensus is gearing so I will definitely look into that. Better to buy a new bike or mod the Windsor?

ThermionicScott 

NEW BIKE!

noglider 

When you have more than one bike, you can use them for different purposes, even if they are able to serve all current purposes. For this reason, I say get a new bike if finances allow. You'll be glad you did.

I say also get a bigger cog for the three-speed. I'm impressed that you ride a three-speed in Colorado. I don't think I could manage that. I lived in Maplewood, NJ, which is hilly but not as hilly as most of Colorado. I put a 24-tooth cog on my three-speed. (The chainring has 48 teeth.) The cog gave me three very low gears.

cyccommute 

Just gotta say, you live in Colorado. A heavy three speed boat anchor may work just fine in Amsterdam but they don't have a hill taller than your average kitchen table. Colorado's roads aren't the steepest ones around...go to the eastern US, they have really steep ones there...but we don't have that much in the way of flat either. Get a bike with gears, especially low gears, and you'll find riding easier. A bike from Bikes Direct would work or, better yet, get one from a local shop...we have about a thousand of them along the Front Range...so that you can actually ride it before you buy it.

Personally, I kind of "meh" about ebikes. I wouldn't own one because it's cheating.


There's not much you can do to modify the Windsor for more gears. You could go to a wider range internally geared hub (IGH) but that's not that cheap of an option. You may also have some problems with fitting it to your frame...depends on the width of an IGH.

RoadTire 

You own a 1974 Schwinn Continental, right? What happens when you ride that bike? You could put a rack on it, good seat, and your relatively short commute should become a fun sprint.

CliffordK

As far as the E-Bikes.
Many are supposed to be an assist so you still have to pedal.
< 20 miles should be within their range, as long as you are pedalling.

They are getting more popular. They do seem to be cheating a bit, but unlike mopeds, you are actually pedalling as part of keeping them going.

I'd still go with the good road bike though, or perhaps a high quality cyclocross bike. Not the cheap Hybrids.

ClarkinHawaii

1. more lower gears
2. lighter bike
3. readjust your layering so you can remove some outer layers when you overheat.

CliffordK

Also, if you wear a coat, get a bike specific coat with good ventilation.

thiocyclist

I was just going to mention it... I got it out tonight and I actually feel faster on the Windsor!! Do the low gears on the Conti just not get that low or something? I was in the granniest of gears on some pretty major hills and I still missed the Windsor. The two bikes weigh almost exactly the same. (The Windsor has accessories on it at 35 lbs, the Schwinn with nothing weighs 32 lbs.)