Machine for commuting

secretsam

Right, here we go, I need to make a shortlist

2 communtes:
1 - home to station, 2-3 miles or so, not busy, a bit slopey
2 - station (other end) to work, flat but busy busy busy central London

Me:
Formerly experienced cyclist, seduced by the dark side on passing test early 90s. Used to commute across Bristol in rush hour, no lid, overtaking cars, etc etc, too many near misses to remember!!

Bikes:
One battered old 531 sport touring (Audax style) frame, rusty but sound, cr@p 1989 bits on it but it works OK

Needed:
Bike. Refuse to use a folder, yuk yuk yuk. Budget £400 max, need some bits as well (guards, lights, etc). Drops or flats don't matter, am happy to use flats for a change.

Let's be 'avin' you.

Don't mention bike to work, may change job heh heh heh

RufusA

Guards, lights a modern/decent lock etc. are going to set you back £100. So your bike budget is around £300.

Unless you work at off-peak times it is extremely unlikely that you will be able to take a bike on your commuter train that isn't a "folder".

So for two journeys separated by a train, you'll need two bikes, and a lot of luck storing a bike at a central London station over night!

One other option (don't know how feasible this is for you) is to s0d the train. Get a bike rack for the car, drive to around 10 miles away from work, park up, and cycle the remainder in to the city.

HTH - Rufus.

secretsam

Nope, can't do the car thing, must be trains, and yes - we are talking 2 bikes. Already have decent locks so that's not a problem.

BentMikey

I think you're making a mistake to not consider a folder.

Hairy Jock

I'd go agree with BentMikey on this one, just a shame Origami has left the forum, he'd know the best arguments on this.

secretsam

Hmmmm...tell me more, then, but I want a bike I can use for purposes other than commuting

beanzontoast

I was amazed at the number of London cyclists I've seen using folders - they are certainly a popular choice.

Must be commuters on here with experience of what (else) a folder can do?

Hairy Jock

SecretSam wrote:

Hmmmm...tell me more, then, but I want a bike I can use for purposes other than commuting

Folding bikes come in a surprising range of shape and sizes, you can get folding 700c road bikes and 26" wheeled folding mountain bikes, check out foldingbikes.co.uk for more information.

secretsam

Hmmmm...been there, seen that...nein danke...really not my cup of tea and I need a bike that I can use for other purposes...a folder doesn't really tick these boxes

Plus they're expensive

Plus I'm vain

alfablue

Sorry to say folder as we;;. You can get a good Dahon or Kalkhoff for £400. The alternative of two cheaper bikes (one I presume left in London, may not lead to a happy ending. Why not get over the cosmetics and buy a folder for commuting and buy (or save up for) a nice bike for the other purposes you have in mind.

jedster

I'm with you - you've got an old hack bike so why buy a folder, just have a bike at each end. If I were you, I'd convert your existing bike to single-speed and leave it at the London end. I'd then buy something that you'd like to ride at the weekend and use it for the home leg - if you fancy a flat-bar, you could probably pick up this year's specized sirrus or similar when the new year's models go on sale.

I was in a similar position to you. Had a 1992 (rigid) specialized stumpjumper that needed new rings/cassette - nice bike but didnt look flash. I converted that to SS (low maintenance, less to nick, simple ride, no need for gears in central London) and leave it at Paddington. With a decent lock and guards/rack it doesn't look like a good option for thieves (touch wood, it's been 2 years).

I bought a road bike (well technically cyclo-x) for the 7-10 mile leg at the other end.

I don't find folders very appealing (anything that folds bigger than a Brompton would be a pain on the busy trains I use and I can't believe the 8-10 mile leg would be much fun on a Brompton).

Cheers, J

ScottDougall

well my work mate had the crappiest bike you have ever seen for the london leg of a 2 x bike + train commute and it only lasted 2 months

Ive ordered a Dahon MU XL for my 5 mile hilly ride to the station and the transit from Victoria to work - to be honest Im quite looking forward to it.

At first I was thinking I would get a full size folder - I was thinking about the Biomega one on www.biomega.dk - but Southern trains specifically say they prefer smaller wheeled folders and I was not keen to risk it

I plan to ride the whole route a few times during the summer months on either my fixie or my geared bike and I also plan to get off the train early on the way home to raise my mileage as I am dropping for 50 a day to 15 - Im looking forward to feeling fresher on the startline for the local TT's - so watch out...