Hey all,

My first post. I've just recently got into biking, and actually started mountain biking about a year ago. I'm now interested in starting to commute to work to save some money and get some exercise. My ride to work is about 7.5 miles each way, and I've decided to not use my Gary Fisher X-Cal 29er, as its a little too much bike to ride to work. Just had a few questions:

- I'm not overweight by any means, I'm 5'8 and 150 lbs, but I'd still like to tighten and tone up a bit. I eat fairly well already, but my question is this: will 15 miles a day riding (7.5 each way), get me into shape? I hate working out and I love riding bikes, so I was curious as riding to work is something I'd really like to do.

- I want to get a solid bike that will last me a while, and is good for both commuting and fitness. Not necessarily a road bike as I dont care much for racing it. I'd like to buy New as I havent had great luck with craigslist. I've saved a bit and my range is around $500-600. I've had good experiences with Trek, so right now I'm really leaning towards a Trek 7.2 FX or 7.3 FX. Anybody know anything about those? Any good? Link below:

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/73fx
Thanks in advance!

It'll be much better than driving. It will probably tone your muscles pretty well (at least your legs). It's probably not going to do a lot for your cardiovascular fitness, though a few longer rides (on more open roads/non-roads) will take care of that.

Yeah, those look like pretty decent bikes.

Agree with the above. You can encorporate some intervals into your commute to mix up the conditioning. Looks like the bikes have rack mounts and decent component mix so they'll work fine.

Seriously, a 15 mile trip would get you into shape, but not make you look like a stud muffin or make you loose and weight. Not like you have to.

A always go for used. A good road bike frame on craigslist. Make sure it fits you and research the bike around the net for the pricing. I can usually find a 2 year old trek for $300-500 and a older 10 speed for $100-200. I would build a bike for city commuting, single speed with everything you need. riding your 29er is good for a time, and good for a back up, but make sure your going to lock it up where you're not going to lose it. I ride a Trek 220 girls bike to work because no one would steal it rather then my road bike with $700 into it.

My plan for you:
1.Find out about parking your bike, or can you have it placed inside with your job?
2.Ride 29er to work, lock with loose cable and u-lock
3.Build roadbike, prefer singlespeed.
4.Collect helmet, safety vest, and light if at night. You're a grown man on a bike in heavy traffic, just add a couple more embarrassing parts and wear something for safety. And any racks and panniers you might need.
5.Learn traffic rules and regulations
6.Learn about bike routes and less traffic areas to in your commute.
7.Start riding the built road bike.

15 miles a day may not be much to the pro's, but it sure will keep you in better shape than your car will. Is your commute flat, hilly, or a bit of both?

I had a Trek 7.3 fx. It was my Chicago city bomber and held up very nicely to the rough city streets. Mine just got stolen and I'm graduating from a hybrid to a road bike (actually 2 road bikes - one for long rides and one for the city). I thought my Trek hybrid was good for getting into riding but I could see if the bike gets a little 'old' and you want to get a road bike.

My suggestion is you can probably find a used one on Craigslist for a few hundred cheaper than brand new. You will be saving on the depreciation that would cost you if you went and bought brand new and then decided you wanted a road bike instead.

YEAH!!! You don't have to ride a whole lot to get in shape, you just have to be consistent about it.

Thanks everybody for all the replies. Yah Im not in great shape by any means, im just not in bad shape. It hasn't helped that Ive had a broken hand for a month and a half and havent been able to do any riding! Given that, I could probably lose 5-10 lbs and tone a bit. I also plan on continuing my mountain biking on weekends for around 7-10 miles of tough, rocky riding trails both Sat and Sunday (they usually whoop me). I'm thinking all this will hopefully get me in shape.

The trip to work is on mostly flat city roads here in Tucson, AZ. But it also would like something I could ride around town or on outskirts of town on weekends or after work for fun/relaxation/exercise.

BotByte, to answer your questions:
1. My work has bike boxes outside, which are in the parking structure. They are metal boxes that you put your bike in and put a lock on the outside. Kinda look like big, long lockers.
2. Still not sure about riding 29er to work. Its big and expensive and I'd like to keep it in great shape for my trail riding.
3. Not sure if I want a roadbike. The commuters seem right up my alley as they seem a little tougher and more of a hybrid type. I'd never be the one to go on a 50+ mile ride. Why singlespeed?
4. Thankfully, I already have a lot of the accessories.

Cheers.

Basically any bike can be used for commuting. Depending on how much you MTB you may want to get different tires, or a different wheelset and tires.

You will get in better shape if you cycle instead of drive, but you need to define what "in shape" is. I commute year round however my shape is still round .

If you want a new bike then check out some LBS. My suggestion is to be open to trying road bikes. After distances of 5 miles I do prefer more hand positions. Again, people commute on all types of bikes.

If you are worried about theft, then get some locks or use the bike locker at your job. If you do want a dedicated commuter, There are a lot of options. I like the late 80's to mid 90's rigid MTB myself.