New commuter

levad

Hello all,

I have been keeping an eye on what is discussed here for some time and have now felt that the time is right to sign up.

I started commuting a 26 mile round trip in West Oxfordshire at the beginning of September, starting with 2, then 3 and finally 4 days a week. I have a Giant Cypress SE which I bought about 18 months ago in order to do the Coast to Coast route (Whitehaven to Tynemouth). Managed that, mostly on road, without the need to get off and walk (including Crawleyside Bank!).

My commute is taking about 55 minutes each way (800ft of climbing and 650ft of descents across 3 valleys). I use a rack with a single pannier to carry my stuff.

I am know thinking that a bike tailored more to road use will make my journey quicker and me more efficient. My LBS has pointed me in the direction of a Giant SCR 2. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I am thinking of getting it after the winter is over and through the Bike to Work scheme.

Regarding the use of helmets and high vis (maybe I shouldn't be going there!) but on country lanes in the pitch black I think both are essential. No "street" camouflage as I am not on the street, I have about 2.5 miles of lit roads to use, and I guess it would be very painful to be whipped on the head by an overhanging branch or bramble in the dark.

Anyway, enough of my waffle, what thoughts about a road type rather than a hybrid for single track, potholed, dark country lanes?

PhilTheFish

Having spent the last 4 weeks on my 15 mile round trip commute, I'm glad I went for the Hybrid type rather than a road bike. The bumps in the roads round here are horrendous!

I must admit I've only ridden a road bike a few times when I was younger but from what I can recollect, there's no way I'd fancy using one at speed on my route!!

As for Hi-Vis and Helmets, I agree with you. Be seen, be safe in my opinion (although I'll give it an hour before some dodgy middle aged person who wears lycra and rollerskates is on here to disagree!). No sense in not wearing a helmet as far as I'm concerned.

Let us know how you get on

Phil

whyamihere

I wouldn't bother with the road bike to be honest. With your commute, especially the potholes, it doesn't sound like a road bike would stand up to it as well as a hybrid. If you want to go quicker, it will probably be possible to fit some upgrades onto your bike to make it more like a road bike, while still retaining the stronger wheels and frameset. Road bike gearing for example, and you can probably fit drop bars, depending on what kind of brakes your bike has.

Gambatte

levad wrote:

Anyway, enough of my waffle, what thoughts about a road type rather than a hybrid for single track, potholed, dark country lanes?

Tyres 700 x 38C. Sounds like you wouldn't want anything thinner.

hamboman

I love the number of people who come onto this site saying 'new commuter', it's great. We need more people on bikes out there.

A question though. The number of bikes in London is increasing, so Ken says. How do they arrive at this conclusion and does that take into account people who just cycle in the summer? It seems there are as few people biking now it's winter as ever.

Sorry, hijacked your thread!

Chriscommuter

Been doing it 17 years now, mountain bike, then hybrid, now road bike.

Sounds like for your kind of commute a hybrid is as good as anything, you can get very very good ones these days or adjust the one you've got.

Hhamboman, are you sure? 10 years ago no-one and i mean no one(!) except a couple of head cases like me was on the road at 6.30cin the a.m. Now there's a handful at least and if i come in at 8.00 it;s a veritable peloton...

psychle

My commuting bike evolved over time as parts wore out and were replaced, I thus ended up with a completely bespoke bike to my own requirements. But I've always felt that if buying off the shelf then a touring bike was the best option. Sadly though they have always seemed to suffer from a fashion status point of view. Though what is a 'hybrid' other than a touring bike with flat bars? IMO something like the Dawes Horizon comes as fully equipped as any bike to fulfill the role of commuting. Just add dynamo (sic) lights and hi-power rechargeables for unlit roads.

Trudester

Hi Levad,

I have a Giant FCR 2 which is the same bike as the SCR with flat bars. I've had it for about 6 months now and I have to say I'm very happy with it. I used to use a mountain bike with slick tyres before and my commute times have dropped dramatically on the Giant.

The FCR 2 has 700 x 28 wheels which I find not too bad but you may want to get some wider tyres if the roads you riding on are quite bad.

pw1brown

The SCR 2 is ideal for country roads, in my opinion. I use mine for that, for enjoyment rather than commuting.

You're braver than me if you're going to carry on through the winter, though. As well as potholes in the dark, the salt/grit and wet weather will take their toll on you and the bike. I'd look for a shorter commute (train assisted, if it's an option?) - and maybe a tougher or more expendable bike - in the winter.

levad

Thanks for all the comments. I think I will stick with the hybrid over the winter, I guess I will have to be slower and more circumspect once the clocks change anyway, and will avoid any days when ice is forcast. My ride is out to the middle of nowhere. There is no public transport and I don't touch any 'A' roads (so no chance of the roads being gritted).