New to the forum and questions about commuting
 

Hello all!

My name is Mark and just recently I've been playing around with the idea of commuting to work. As I'm just beginning the process, I figured I would ask the opinions of some seasoned vets around here for advise. My commute is 11 miles one way. There's a pretty good chunk of hill work through out, and a few rough roads. What I currently have is a Hybrid Schwinn Avenue bike I bought from Wal-Mart a few years ago in college. Now, I've read a few mixed things about this bike, that it may not be suitable for commuting, but I honestly have no idea. I haven't used the bike in probably two years after graduating and my commute was about an hour driving (yuck!) Within the past year I got a new job, and with the help of some unexpected expenses, thought about biking to work to save money and get a good workout. I just took the bike out of the basement yesterday, and replaced the inner tubes. I did notice that my wheel seems like it may be a bit bent out of shape, as it rubs on the brake pads in a few spot. Is there a way to take care of this myself, or will I have to get a new rim? For my commute would it be better for a hybrid or a road bike?

I really do apologize for all the questions, but I really have only just begun and haven't had the time to search through everything.

Thanks for any and all help/advise!

Take it to a lbs (local bike shop) that specializes in restoring old bikes to rideable condition. Anywhere else will try to talk you into a new bike. Lurk on th Commuter sub-forums for all the info you can get and most importantly RIDE. Everything else will fall into place. One can avoid a certain amount of the difficulty in the trial and error method, but the satisfaction of toughing it out soaked to the bone through a rainstorm will build an inner strength unlooked for. Your Wal-Mart bike is fine. Probably just needs a tune-up including truing of the wheels. Ride it and as your experience grows your taste will change. Good luck! :thumb:

Btw, 22 miles rt is a solid commute of approx. 4400 miles per year figuring a 4 day per week commitment @ 50 weeks. That's layin' it down my friend. Good on ya!

Easy question first: if the rim is not too warped it can be "trued" back to roundness by using a spoke wrench to tighten/loosen the spokes. This is pretty easy to do as long as you're careful and make small adjustments - there are several video tutorials online that will all explain the process in detail. You could pay a shop to do this for you, but basic wheel truing is a good skill to have for commuters.

And the more difficult issue: an eleven mile commute when you're not in shape or experienced with commuting is going to be tough to start. Certainly doable, but for the first couple weeks you'll really have to persevere. Odds are you would be able to commute more quickly using a road bike, but your old hybrid will suffice as long as it's mechanically reliable.

One thing you might consider trying at first is an on-off schedule: drive your car to work in the morning of the first day and bring the bike along, leave the car there and ride home that evening, ride to work the morning of the second day, and drive home the second evening. This would give you a chance to try out routes and establish how long it will take you to ride, without risking total burnout.

Cheers Mark, welcome to Bike Forums!

Any bike can be used for commuting. But the more you ride, the more you'll appreciate a reliable quality bike. Regarding what you have now: straightening the rims is called truing and it's something you can do yourself. Googling bike wheel truing instructions will give you a lot of reference on how to do it. However, if the rims are severely out of true, or if you have a lot of broken spokes, you may have to replace the rim(s) and/or wheels (or rebuild them). At that point it may make more sense to start searching for a used bike in good condition instead of throwing money at your old bike.

As a commuter, it's good to know how to fix certain basic things in your bike. Flat tyres, broken spokes, replacing brake pads and such. Knowing how to adjust brakes and shifting will make your commuting more enjoyable. Bikes are simple machines, so it's quite feasible to even do all the maintenance yourself, if you're so inclined. Some special tools are required, but it's not a huge investment.

As to hybrid vs. road vs. something completely different... nobody can really answer that for you. If you can get your old bike to rideable condition, test ride your commute for a couple of times, and you'll have an idea of what you need. Some things to consider:
- How much stuff will you be carrying? Change of clothes, lunch, laptop, maybe room for groceries on your way back home? Some people prefer panniers, others simply carry a backpack. I prefer panniers myself, but they require a rack. You can fit a rack in most bikes, but it's easier if the bike has the necessary mounting points ready. Hybrids usually have those.
- Weather. Hybrid / city / MTB bikes will give you more room for full fenders, mudflaps and even studded tyres should you need them. I do.
- Road conditions. Again, hybrid etc. bikes give you more options on tyres (width, puncture protection etc) because they have more tyre clearance.
- You will need some accessories, such as lock, helmet, lights, riding clothes. What kind exactly again depends on your preference and local conditions.

--J

to be honest, ride what you have and dive in. you'll learn your particular needs the best that way. you could also set it up to ride just the 11 miles one-way at first.

sun: drive to work in the evening and ride home ...
mon: ride to work and drive home ...
tue-sun: repeat

good luck

+1
"diving in" will allow a better informed buying decision later.
And a gradual schedule is a very good idea.

Thank you all! I'll give truing a shot. I'm in fairly decent shape, I run a few times a week 3-4 miles each time an am in the army, so I can't be too out of shape:thumb: I'll let everyone know how things go as I progress! Once again thank you for the advice!

I'll third the "dive in" comment. But make sure you have what you need. Will you be riding in the dark (get a white light for the front and flashing red for the rear)? In the rain (get some fenders)? Do you know the local road laws for bicycles (look them up online)?

Also, while you're debating cycling in, look at maps and test out new routes to work with your car. Pay attention to traffic levels, road width, hills, etc. Often the best bike route is not the best car route. My route takes me on mostly back farm roads, but it's worth it because I don't have to battle with angry commuters stuck in traffic.

Don't worry about your bike until you've been riding a while. You'll quickly learn what works for you and what doesn't.

First off, welcome. This website has a wealth of knowledge that really helped me when I began. Dive in and dig through. This forum (commuting) alone has a very large history with many helpful threads. You may be surprised how much you can learn.

Second, what is your experience level with riding? Have you riden in traffic in the past? I only ask that because for many people, the hardest part is getting over the fear of being out there with motorists. It's natural, so if that's new for you, understanding some basic rules of the road can help tremendously. Many things we all never agree on, but a few things are pretty universal; ride with the direction of traffic (right side), be visible, and ride in the way that YOU feel comfortable. Many members here (most?) will tell you to "take the lane" when you ride, as opposed to riding on the sidewalk or in the gutter. Personally, i agree, but most members here will also tell you that they have found, through experience, what level of traffic/speeds/road conditions are outside of their own comfort zone. Don't do something just because others said its the only way. There are a few good guidelines to follow and the rest you develop through experience. Again, dig through the forums and you will find lots of useful info and many different opinions.

Third, your bike. Obviously, handle any major concerns (like the wheel) first. After that, just get out and ride! In time, you will find what you like. I love my hybrid for commuting, but to each his own. Personally, I would suggest riding what you have long enough to see if you will stick with commuting. By then, you will start to learn of the upgrades you want to make.

Finally, it's always a good idea to have a plan B. A good cyclist knows how to make minor repairs on their own ride, but just in case, most of us have some form of backup plan (and may use it periodically). Get familiar with your local transit system. Have a general awareness of the local routes/timetables and it's a good idea to carry a transit pass with enough value for a one way fare (or just keep a few bucks tucked away). Or at least have someone you can call. People here always talk about the "freedom" of cycling. It's true! Part of that freedom is the confidence that you know how to get yourself out of a jamb.

Get out there and enjoy!

Hello all,

I found this bike while searching around for fun. http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/3198207682.html

Does anyone know anything about these bikes and if that price is worth it? Going to try and trade if I can.

Thanks

YMMV but... IMO that bike is more headache than it is worth. First of all, $225 is a significant fraction of what that bike cost when new. It might even be what that bike cost when new. At a garage sale you would pay ~$50 for that bike. At that price it might be worth having to scrounge to find: tires that fit, brakes and/or pads that fit, anything else that you might want to upgrade that is difficult to find because a). the bike is Franche and b). old. Harris Cyclery is your friend here, as well as Velo Orange.

H

Normally, I feel like people are better off building a wheel from scratch before trying to true a wheel that's wobbly (because it's easy to ruin the wheel if you do it wrong, and even adjustment that make the wheel seem true can be a step in the wrong direction). However, in this case I think it's a great idea and something you should try regardless of whether or not you get a new bike because (a) the wheel is pretty cheap and not a great loss even if you do ruin it, and (b) the wheel isn't very old so you actually have a decent chance of saving it.

Wheel truing is a very good skill to have as a bike commuter, and you can get a spoke wrench for under $10. (If possible, go to an LBS and make sure you get the right size, probably 3.2mm.)

Check out this article by Sheldon Brown (but don't let his preliminary warnings scare you away): http://sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/truing.html




Peugeot made some really good bikes and some OK bikes. I think this is one of the OK ones. If it's in good shape at it fits (are you around 6'1"?), I would probably pay around $150 for it. I would expect that the wheels are actually 27" not 700c (unless they were replaced at some point). It will say on the side of the tire either way. If they're 27" you'll have fewer options for replacement tires. Take a magnet to see if the wheels are steel, which would make them unsuitable for use in the rain.

Way too much money. I got a similar "vintage" bike for $25 at my LBS ('78 Kia). You will have trouble finding accessories that fit, but it's not impossible.