Prepping for First Commute Next Week
 

I have been lurking and training these last few weeks on this forum. My desire is to start commuting to work (a flat, very safe 15 mile round trip commute) beginning next week. I have been weight training and cardio training on my road bike and mtb these last three months. I have also started training with spinning classes before work.

I have a fuji ace road bike (04) and a Mongoose Virage mountain bike (05). I am still getting the hang of cycling and am considering commuting as a way to help boost weight loss (I have about 40#s left).

My question is this: the mtb is cheesy (components, weight, and frills wise) yet very comfortable. The fuji is a work in progress as far as getting used to. Should I begin this adventure on the mountain bike as I continue training on the road bike? Or, should I just bite the bullet and start with the road bike?

I hope you have enough background info to help me. I am here in Houston, it is very flat, and my commute is through three subdivisions. It is very safe.

Looking forward to an exciting week next week as I move towards a healthier way to work (as well as gas and environmentally better!).

Chris
Tomball, Texas

the mountain bike with street tires wouldn't be a bad idea. Commuting on knobbies, for me, would be horrible. As you're riding to work you want as few things possible to dread, and knobbies on pavement are certainly dreadful... hehe...

but if I had the choice I'd go with the road bike. Click the link below, the Raleigh Technium - thats the bike I ride to work. Not great, but it gets the job done.

I also would use the road bike. They are faster and more efficient. It also takes a little getting used to. You indicate that the road is safe and this is the best place to get your riding skills developed.

Hey, Chris, I graduated from Klein High School years ago! I passed through Tomball last weekend on my way to visit my mother (she lives in Cypresswood off of Kuykendahl Road.)

I'm still a newbie so not qualified to give advice but good luck and have fun on your commute! :)

That's right around the corner! I live close to Hwy 249 and work off of Jones Road. So the route is nice. The highest posted speed limit on my route will be 35 mph!

Next time you are in town, bring your bike, the Houston Bicycle Club has some great trails through Sam Houston State Park (23, 50, 100 miles etc).

Chris

Thanks, that sounds like fun! We thought about bringing our bikes this weekend but knew my mother would want our company the entire time. But it would sure be nice to find on flats for a change. ;) I'm just southwest of Austin. In the Hill Country, we like to say, "It's uphill, coming and going." :D

I think mountain bikes are great commuters. I use one as my sole transportation and I am on it 2 or 3 hours a day with no problem. I used to be pretty slow but I can book on it now. I have street semi-slicks (1.5 inch), but knobbies aren't that bad.

I also have a road bike, but I just like the smaller, nimble mountain bike better for the vagaries of urban riding. If you are in the wide open suburbs, you might do better on the road bike, once you get used to it. Could you try both and let us know the pros and cons?

Tomorrow I plan to ride the route I have mapped out to see how it goes. A recommendation I read on the sticky post in here on commuting suggested this and I completely agree.

Tomorrow morning will be the test on the road bike. Sunday afternoon will be a test on the mountain bike. I will give better feedback Sunday evening or monday morning.

I am still in the tool gathering stage, getting a light, and making sure my bike is in tip top shape. I have noticed my back wheel on the road bike is not true...guess it is time to learn how to straighten her up. I am also going to use a backpack in the meantime while I learn what works best for commuting.

Thanks again for all the great feedback and opinions. I do agree that the road bike makes better sense. I may need to look at a new set of tires that are more durable. Of course, I am sure I will learn a lot once I get busy and start riding to/from work!

Chris I would go with the MTB. You said it's very comfortable, and that's good!
It will make you feel safer. You said it's cheesy, but heck that could make it less
likely to be stolen. I prefer comfort over anything else, (well not safety) while
commuting. You state the "fuji is a work in progress" well bike communting for you,
right now is a work in progress. I wouldn't try to tackle to many things at once.
I might suggest biking 3 days a week for starters, leaving the other two days to
bring all your gear, clothes, etc, to the office, and to figure out, what work, what didn't. soon enough you'll be addicted enough to try the road bike.
truthfully, there are days I ride my plain jane hybrid because she's just fun!
take care, happy trails!

Here is a quick follow up:

The route I will take is 7.7 miles each way. Nothing like getting 15 miles in a day!

On Saturday, I rode the route to and fro on my mtb, took 35 minutes and averaged 13.1 miles.
On Sunday, I rode the route to and fro on my Fuji Ace road bike, took 30 minutes exactly and averaged 16.1 miles.

Doing the math...it is a no brainer...I am taking the Fuji!

So, this weekend I bought the quick release Topeak rail and the Topeak deluxe trunk bag with foldable paniers. I had it tuned up and it is packed and ready to go for tomorrow. While running errands today, I dropped off a week's worth of clothes, my laptop, shoes, wet wipes, and other nick nacks I don't want to lug back and forth.

For monday, I plan to run over to 24 hr fitness, do my spinning class, shower up, and then finish the rest of the commute. It is kinda nice having a gym on the way to work!

Your input, the newbie commuting thread, and this forum has helped me tremendously. Thanks!

Chris

ps - the guys at REI here in Houston (Willowbrook store) are incredible. They did everything they could to make a very happy customer and well-prepared commuter.

Good luck, have fun and be careful!!

TxBiker,

How did it go?