Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Wonder if those people you see are like the near mythical Experienced, High Mileage Road Cyclists™ of the US Sun Belt cities and suburbs who think they know better than everybody else what Real Cyclists should do?
I really don't think so. (well, except that I of course never met a roadie who didn't think a road bike was the only thing to ride, but thats just like asking the Pope if he likes to be a Catholic, - an obvious answer ensues.).
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Seriously. I only spent one day in Denmark so obviously I won't speak of what you see. I had thought the Danish commuting, city cycling environment was supposed to be like other Northern European cities, especially the Netherlands. I have 10 years experience in Germany and the Netherlands. I seldom saw anyone ride a derailleur bike in Germany except on the weekend; and NEVER saw a derailleur bike used in the Netherlands on a weekday.
Definitely not like the Netherlands if Amsterdam is anyhing to go by (except that lots of people uses bikes). Been some years since I was there last though. I must admit that I have never given the subject a single thought when in Germany.
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Who are these high mileage, high speed, all weather commuters of Copenhagen? Are you saying all those hordes of your countryman who cycle commute do not do so in all weather? Only the derailler boys do?
Let me try to explain; A lot of people here in Copenhagen commutes all year, however, as the weather becomes worse during fall, more people start to use public transportation. (fair weather cyclists. Nothing wrong with that). "Serious" commuters of course tries to slog it through the winter. (I am one the wimps, I take the bus when snow and ice makes the road slippery). It is just that a most of the fair weather cyclist tends to be internal gear hub users, so when they get off the road, the relative share of derailleur riders seems to rise.
Among those who commute all year, and commute long distances, the tendency to use derailleurs rises dramatically, if nothing else, then because road bikes are a common choice, and because derailleurs gives a wider range of gears, enabling one to ride very fast.
I hope this explains better what I meant. The above is just based on my own observations, people I know, web boards I frequent etc, but I honestly believe it to resemble some kind of true, though generalized picture of how commuting is done in my home city of Copenhagen.
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
That wouldn't even be true in the derailleur kingdom of the US, where there is little evidence that the Experienced, High Mileage Road Cyclists™ soil their pretty derailler bikes with commuting chores, especially in wet or cold weather.
The roadies I know here in Denmark really don't mind the rain or the cold when it comes to their equipment, road salt however really scares them, since salt corrodes their precious Dura-Ace and Record parts, and worse; their high end wheels. So everybody has a winter beater road bike. If they do group rides, then they have full fenders and mudflaps on (made by old water bottles).
I guy I knew even summer commuted on his very high end (+$7.000) Colnago; 20 miles everyday in 20 years, He was plus 50 years old, but was the fittest man I have ever known.
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Regards