Bike Forums - Is 12 miles too far to ride to work?

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- - Is 12 miles too far to ride to work? (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/792801-12-miles-too-far-ride-work.html)

Also, to Drummerboy, you'll get lots of advice about what bikes and gear work best, and it's all good. But everyone's commute is different, and everyone's personal subjective preferences are different. I like high drop bars, someone else likes low flat bars--telling you that won't give you the answer to what will work for you.

Here's my advice--ride your Fuji as is and then decide what you need to add or change before you spend the time and money to make major modifications. Vintage lightweights make good commuters, IMO. Things I like for a commuter are the ability to add fenders, wider than 23mm tires (I like 700 x 28--35, depending), and the ability to carry a modest load. Lots of different bikes can do that, including, probably, your Fuji. And some get along fine without any of those things.

If I could even remember all the bikes I've used for my 13.5 mile commute in the past 15 years, it's a long list--Raleigh DL-1 Roadster 3-speed, Raleigh Sports 3-speed, vintage Dawes fixed gear, Schwinn Collegiate, Schwinn Heavy Duty (coaster brake middleweight made for use in factories), vintage Raleigh Super Course, early 70s Bottechia Professional, Trek 400T, 2 different Trek 520s, Airborne Carpe Diem (CX), Mercian Pro, Bob Jackson Special Tourist, Lotus Eclair, Bridgestone RB-2, custom mountain bike, cheap hybrid, etc.--and I've left some other vintage lightweights out. I liked some better than others, but all of them worked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercian Rider (Post 13740004)

You old man! I'm only 53. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimattfrisbee (Post 13739652)

Yeah, I think so, and I'm not getting into that here, other than to say that I always wear my helmet. Road, woods, rail trail, run around the corner to the store. It doesn't take much of a fall to wreck your head, and as far as not wearing it on a leirsurely ride, I think it's possible the brain bucket will do you more good in just such a situation. You get hit by a car at 35 mph, you clearly want a helmet, but it might be inadequate to save you, and other internal injuries might do you in. You fall off your bike at 13 mpg and bang it against a root or a curbstone, and that helmet could be the difference between bruised ribs and road rash and being a vegetable. Doesn't matter to me what the law says: I'm wearing my helmet.

You have clearly swallowed the propaganda. Please come over to the helmet thread and let us skeptics educate you :P

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Originally Posted by hagen2456 (Post 13740170)

You have clearly swallowed the propaganda. Please come over to the helmet thread and let us skeptics educate you :P

My mother won't let me!

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Originally Posted by Mercian Rider (Post 13739385)

On the contrary, that's when it's the most fun.

All you need is the right gear, and that does not necessarily mean bike-specific gear. Wool sweaters, long underwear under jeans, wool hiking socks, off the shelf flashlights, etc., work fine for me. And my winter bike is a hybrid I got for $95 through craigslist.

Back in December riding on quiet residential roads with fresh fallen snow and lots of pretty Christmas light to look at was quite fun. :)

Now riding in traffic with icy patches, poorly cleared roads, 3 feet high snow banks and drivers that buzz by you even after I take the lane because there's no shoulder left to ride on... Not so pleasant. :notamused: