Newbie

chromedome · June 2007

Hi all,i have just had a change of job & got rid of my company car.So i am thinking about riding to work (about 5miles each way)Its quite a busy country route,buses,cars etc.
I have an old Cannondale M600 MTB (about 10ish years old) i use it quite alot off road & i was wondering if i should try that with maybe some slick tyres on (Conti Contacts etc) or spend on a cheap *cough* Halfords *cough* road bike.

Cheers for any info or ideas

Ian

el_presidente · June 2007

might as well stick the slicks on and see how you go.

I use a slicked up MTB for my 6 mile commute, it is singlespeed anyway so will never be a massive speed machine & it's fine for me. If you've got suspension forks might be good to go rigid though

halfords wizzkid · June 2007

One word of advice don't even think about buying cheap tyres from halfords as they are bloody rubbish!![xx(]

Go for a set of contis or michelins and you cant go wrong![:D]

Oh and welcome to hell sir![;)][}:)]

http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z241/ashh2_album/

cupofteacp · June 2007

Chrome I've a 12 year only Orange P7 with susp forks and all I've done is put slicks on it for my 15 mile commute each way.

Oh and during the winter loads of lights

15 * 2 * 5
* 46 = Happiness

rothbook · June 2007

Schwalbe Marathons. If anyone suggests any other tyres thay are an idiot and probably a sex criminal.

Cheap computer might be handy to guage your improving fitness cos I think a ten mile daily commute results in fitness l;evels of someone ten years younger.

Unless they're ten years old I guess..

Tynancp · June 2007

Schwalbe Marathons

ltb made me fit those, bloody good they are too, roll real nice

chromedome · June 2007

thanks for thr replies so far,the Schwalbe Marathons looking on their website seem to come in a few flavours Cross,Plus,Racer,Supreme any part one to go for?

dondare · June 2007

Schwalbe Marathon Plus and the fairies will forget where you live.

This sig is under construction.

emu · June 2007

My 10 year old rockhopper has Specialized Nimbus tyres, no suspension and does a 26 round trip just fine. Sure I could have a lighter bike but whilst it's still in reasonable condition there's no point buying a new one - or is it because I bought a Brompton and can't justify buying yet another new bike[:(]

pw1brown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">From dondare

Schwalbe Marathon Plus and the fairies will forget where you live.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Completely true.

And, yes, the old Cannondale should be good for 5 miles each way.

Unknown · June 2007

I have some 26x1.95 schwalbe city jets on ebay at the mo, they are like new and likely to go fairly cheap as I put them in the pedals catogory doh!!

I had a few sets of these and found them very good, just dont have a mtb at the moment.

Work
Play

chromedome · June 2007

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/605421/

A pic of my Cannondale

el_presidente · June 2007

Old school!

I like the paint job and the cantilevered chainstays or whatever they call them

Hairy Jock · June 2007

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycle commuting. Slicks are definitely the way to go. If you are happy with your Cannondale, it is not worth buying a road bike for a 5 mile ride.

A hirsute Scotsman.

**************

Best advice I ever got was "better get a bike then"
Cycle commuting since 1994. Blog with cycle bits.

Roastie · June 2007

Don't forget a good lock!

chromedome · June 2007

I have a lock,the bike will be in a secure room at work

The Endorser · June 2007

My 2 or 3 times a week communter is my oldest bike - a 10 year old raleigh max cromo MTB frame (and what a gorgeous frame it is too!) on slicks from Wiggle. Fast, comfy, but meaty enough to survive the potholes and bridleay stretches of my commute.

It also looks kinda sinister set up like that. It's the set up mad max will ride when the petrol runs out!

Eating baby elephants since 1969

chromedome · June 2007

Which size Marathon Plus should i be looking at 26x1.75 or 26x1.35...?

el_presidente · June 2007

I've got the 26x1.35 and they are fine round London. I would only go for the wider ones if you have some very rough roads eg towpath on your route.

You will have a nightmare putting them on the rims when they are new but it is well worth persevering and once they are fitted they stretch a bit meaning you should be OK in the rare event of a puncture

FatBlokeFromFelixstowe · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rothbook

Schwalbe Marathons. If anyone suggests any other tyres thay are an idiot and probably a sex criminal.

Cheap computer might be handy to guage your improving fitness cos I think a ten mile daily commute results in fitness l;evels of someone ten years younger.

Unless they're ten years old I guess..
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I suggest continental sports contacts and I fit into neither of those catagories suggested by you. My theory is based on 5 years and now 6000 miles p*ncture free. Who's the Peter File now noncy boy?

My e bay bargain œ 31.05
http://tinyurl.com/366awv

FatBlokeFromFelixstowe · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by starseven

I have some 26x1.95 schwalbe city jets on ebay at the mo,
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Are you the one selling the fixed / single as well ?? I was watching that one.

My e bay bargain œ 31.05
http://tinyurl.com/366awv

Unknown · June 2007

Yes, It rides lovely that bike and has some nice parts. Sometimes I like putting the bikes together as much as riding them. Just need some space now. If you want to have a look at the bike let me know Im on grange farm, kesgrave. There is quite a bit of interest in the auction though.

Work
Play

FatBlokeFromFelixstowe · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by starseven

Yes, It rides lovely that bike and has some nice parts. Sometimes I like putting the bikes together as much as riding them. Just need some space now. If you want to have a look at the bike let me know Im on grange farm, kesgrave. There is quite a bit of interest in the auction though.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks, I think the frame size may just be too big though as I am 5'8" and I think I calculated that it was a 58 cm.

My e bay bargain œ 31.05
http://tinyurl.com/366awv

515mm · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ChromeDome

Which size Marathon Plus should i be looking at 26x1.75 or 26x1.35...?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Haven't tried those but have 26X1.0 Hutchinsons on my 20yr old 'dale - very fast and supremely comfortable (I'm not exactly svelte at 13stones). Don't be afraid of narrow tyres - just look for a high Threads Per Inch count (75 or above). This gives a good indication of suppleness - which, in my admittedly limited experience I've found helps enormously with comfort on my 14mile each way commute. These are miles better than the 26x1.6s my ex local bike shop sold me.

Then save up for a really nice road bike next year. Or try www.cyclescheme.co.uk for a way to buy a tax-free bike like my new one!

Si homini ignem das, unem diem ardebit; si hominem incendis, reliquem vitam ardebit.

chromedome · June 2007

Well i went for some Marathon Plus tyres in 26 x 1.35,will i need a different inner tube do you think or could i stuff my old ones in (i think they are 1.5-2.1)

I knew I was going bald when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face...

el_presidente · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ChromeDome

Well i went for some Marathon Plus tyres in 26 x 1.35,will i need a different inner tube do you think or could i stuff my old ones in (i think they are 1.5-2.1)

I knew I was going bald when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

just squeeze 'em in

515mm · June 2007

Aye, what el presidente said. Put a touch of air in'em first and you'll soon find out if they fit.

Si homini ignem das, unem diem ardebit; si hominem incendis, reliquem vitam ardebit.

chromedome · June 2007

Cheers for that..

I knew I was going bald when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face...

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