Originally Posted by kf5nd
Hi all, I'm thinking about a more commuter specific bike, and I have some questions. I think these have been addressed seperately in various threads, but it would be nice to recap them all, especially for my specific needs.
I have a bit of a long commute, 35 mi / 56 km round-trip. So efficiency matters. Right now I'm using a mountain bike with slicks, and I make acceptable speed on it, but the fine touches are lacking. My question is, if I put down $700 for a "real" commuter bike, are the "fine touches" going to suck away lots of speed? If so, I'm not sure I want them.
Let's take the Breezer Villager as an example:
1. How much speed will the dynamo lights suck away? If I would normally cruise at 15 MPH, what could I expect? 13 - 14 MPH?
2. How much speed will fenders suck away, given a no-fender speed of 15 MPH?
3. Is the Shimano Nexus internally geared hub as efficient as derailleurs? If not, how much power loss is anticipated? I live in a climate without snow and ice, no road salt. So are there compelling reasons at all for me to select an internally geared hub?
Thanks for all of your help. I know that some of these questions have been asked many times, but a new summary may be useful to have.
Peter Great questions!
From what you have told us I would reply as follows:
1. I use a NightRider Storm HID on the helmet and find that better than any dynamo light. I have tried. My problem with a dynamo is tires. Here in MN it is nice to have summer wheel/tires and winter wheel tires and a dynamo can be a pain when you switch wheels out .
2. Finders will suck some speed no doubt. But if you live in a urban area with little wind it is not as bad as you can be if you are out on the plains. If you only have one bike the key for me is removable fenders. I might leave the back one on but I have a fender that works with a quick release bracket on two of my bikes. Do you really need fenders in Houston full time?
3. Haven’t gone to internal. Even with snow here in Minnesota gears are okay for the most part. But I have thought about the Shimano and the German 14 speed hub but haven’t heard enough to know for sure if they are for me.
What I would like to know from you is.
A. Do you carry stuff in your commute?
If so what is it backpack, bag on rack etc?
B. Being in Huston. What is are the extremes that you will ride in.? 40 – 110 heat? And rain?
When I read your post without knowing for sure what the answers are to my questions I would point you to a road bike if you are a no gear or backpack user and need finders (youll have to get a bike that will take them), or a cyclocross if you need to put both a rack and fenders on. I don’t think you need the internal gears for weather reasons but you might like them if the bike is stored in a place where external gears can get damaged