commute to work 6.6 miles in 40 minutes, is this ok?
 

Hi everyone,

Glad to find a forum dedicated to folders. I just have started cycling to work since last week. My journey is first cycle to a tram station (3 minutes), take a tram to a train station (10 minutes), take a train (15 minutes) then cycle to office (40 minutes), I ride a Decathlon b fold 7 (20 inch wheels, 7 speed). It takes around 40 minutes for 6.6 miles one way. Mostly flat, many traffic lights (London zone 3 to zone 1). My bike is kind of cheap compared to the big brands, so just wondering whether the expensive ones can perform better? I do got overtaken by most big bikes but often can catch them at the red lights:lol:

Sounds good to me..

just start early enough to arrive on time , even if you have to fix a flat tire, on the way .

I have no problem to arrive on time with current schedule. But if some better folder can make me faster or save some effort so I will be less sweaty on arriving work that will be very good.

A different bike is not likely to make a meaningful difference in terms of time or perspiration, unless is has electric power.

It's not the bike but the motor on top. A more expensive bike might be nicer, fold easier, be lighter but it won't change your commute time dramatically or make you less sweaty. Stick with what you have until you absolutely need something else.

I am impressed in your desire to use a folder into your commute.

I'm of the opinion that if you commute daily, and you have the money, there are a lot of advantages to a reasonable upgrade. From a less practical perspective, I spent more for my vector p8 because I love the way it looks and the drive train is very lively and reliable. I love to go fast and really enjoy my commute.

From a more practical perspective, by spending more money, I got a seat post pump, quick release wheels, a solid reliable light aluminum frame, and a quick compact fold making quick trips to a small market our a ride on the subway a breeze which is why I have a folder in the first place. I figured I use it every day so why not splurge? Just consider your priorities and weigh the benefits and drawbacks. 40 minutes I'd pretty good but I enjoy breaking my own records!

I'm never in a rush to get to work.

I think DDD had the right idea. Get a folder with an electric motor, or a motor kit to fit the bike you presently own for those days when its really hot and sticky. Just glide along with the full motor or use it as an assist to your pedaling. Either way there will be less perspiration and perhaps you might arrive a few minutes earlier at work. The electric motor will allow you to scoot along a bit faster than pedaling. Something to consider.

My guess is your average speed is around 7-10 miles an hour,not bad for city streets.I ride a Brompton and I use a speedometer that measure everything,the average speed for 6 miles is around 10 miles per hour,even though I can do up to 15-20 on down grades.Most of the time is taken up by stop and go,slowing down to avoid other,etc.Don't forget you just started riding to work, in time ,your average speed will improve with practise.

I am a new commuter and I have a Brompton folding bike. My pace is about the same. I suppose I could do it faster, but it is not a race and I can't control the lights. My commute is just under four miles each way. It takes me about 19 minutes on the Brompton and 18 minutes on my full size bike.

Since you are riding in traffic, a faster bike might give you faster speeds, it won't get you to your destination sooner. You'll just get to the red lights sooner.

I sell faster bikes
but it all depends how fast you pedal ....lol

sure a lighter faster bike will get you there a little faster, but you can beat me riding the fastest bike with yours any day

it all depends on if you having fun
that's more important than fast ( or a 4000 dlr bike )

thor

Considering that you are possibly biking nearly 90 minutes daily to and from work, 5 days a week, if you enjoy riding your current bike stick with it. When I was searching for my bike for commute, which is approx 45 minutes each direction, I decided that I might as well get something nice, light fast and fun.

Realistically, getting the new bike didn't improve my commute time by anything significant, but I look forward to the rides to and from work... Now if only there wasn't the totally boring 8.5 hr wait in between the To and From!

Spending money on a different bike could potentially get you some combination of much lighter weight, a better fold, a more efficient riding position, better handling, more comfort, more gears and less rolling resistance.

This is likely to translate into more pleasure, faster acceleration, greater speed and some reduction in travel time.

If you want to maximize the benefits, the cost will be a lot more than your current bike (though vastly less than a car) so you would need to decide whether its worth it to you.

You actually have a pretty decent bike. I'd say stay with it. If you want just a little more "oomph" get different cogs/cassette on the back wheel. Personally I'd say your speed is just fine,... I'd keep what you have.

I say customise..
Drop bars and slick tyres. A road race orinatated folder airminal or fast folder will be quicker at a cost. I have the best of both world a fastcompact folder. It's a lot of hassle ,expense but sometimes custom is the way.
maybe.....maybe not
Sorry just messing withmy bike again......

If you are enjoying the ride, getting to work on time, and find the bike comfortable and safe, keep on doing what you are doing.

You lack ambition pingis.
What about upgrading headaches disappointments, broken dreams, empty wallets.....

My commute into work is 15.8 miles with only 321 climbing feet. I can do it on my CF road bike in about 54 minutes. I can do it on my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro STI in 52.

Yes, upgrading can help a lot. I can't fold my BF PR Pro quickly though. My commute is Suburban, Rural, Seaside, Bridges, Urban, and industrial. From home to work no multi-mode available. I was just thinking about commuting on my Dahon Mu P24 today as it has a rack and fenders, however, it doesn't have a decent seat or SPD pedals so that would be a fool's errand to undertake without a little prep work.

No, it's absolutely unacceptable.

Let's say you wait at lights/intersections for 10 minutes during your ride. If you average 13 mph when moving (that includes accelerating and decelerating at stops), then you will arrive in around 40 minutes total time. At 16 mph, you save 5 minutes. Bump it up to 18 mph, and you save 8 minutes. To get to an 18 mph average, you would need to be going at least 20 at steady cruising speed. It might not even be feasible to sustain that speed consistently in the traffic conditions you are encountering.

With real-world commuting, especially in a metropolitan area, the bottom line is that as you get faster, the route itself becomes the limiting factor on your overall time. Over time I've experimented with my route to find one that minimizes the time spent stopped.

A different bike, with better aero or geometry or just being lighter, isn't going to get you much more than a couple of mph, which translates to a few minutes in reality. I would say if you try another bike and enjoy the ride more on it, then it's worth getting. The more you enjoy, the more you ride, and the faster you'll get.

If you're catching the faster riders at the lights, getting more speed will just get you to the lights faster. While you may want more rest stops on your journey, I find it rather irritating to have lots of stops and starts. It sounds like you could even go a tad slower between the lights so you catch all the greens and enjoy your ride without having to work as hard. YMMV.

After 3 weeks commuting I now find the bottleneck is truly the traffic itself. Recently I have been cycling in a more relaxed way, mostly on lower gear (except downhill or flat, though London is never really that flat), stop peddling when I see a red light from a distance. I spend about the same time as when I worked really hard, sometimes even earlier depending on the red lights I got. Next year I may try cycling the whole route using my big bike when there is more daylight.

Enjoy your ride, but for many it's also fun to imagine how to upgrade your bike to make it faster, safer, more lively, comfortable, etc.

The more you experiment, the more you'll learn, and if there ever comes a day when you have (or want) to get a new bike, you'd know exactly what you need.