Worth getting a road bike?

thamacdaddy

Ok so back in august I started cycle commuting to work as its really not far being on 11miles a day total although fairly good workout with the hills.

Anyways I manage a five days a week effort and my fitness has gone through the roof not to mention dropping 5 stones and 6inches off the waist so far. I am currently completing the trip daily on my 6 year old hardtail kona and I am getting itchy to get myself a roadbike possibly on the cycle to work scheme. I always push my cycling and don't simply edge along the route, I have been upgrading my bike each month replacing old parts that certainly needed it after going from no use to daily use.

My ride is roads all the way and although I do go out some weekends off roading and do enjoy mountain biking, I do like the buzz of getting the speed and heartrate up road cycling. Not to mention about 30mins north of me are some great quiet country hill roads if I ever feel the need on a sunday etc.

Are their any reasons why I shouldn't invest?

Clever Pun

2 bikes are better than 1

ratty2k

Have a look at the latest WMB mag- theres a good article on bikes there.
Slightly heavier duty than a pure race bike, and probably more use than just a pure roady, I have a Planet X Kaffenback for commuting, there's pics of it in my sig. 34mm tyres add a touch of comfort, and will take the potholes better than super skinny road tyre, and the bike while not heavy compared with a MTB will cope with a bit of light off road- canal tow paths and the like.
I'd recommend that type, a crosser or similar, but definately one that can be fitted with mudguards.

Chriscommuter

In 17 years of commuting i've gone from mountain to hybrid to road bike, and wouldn't go back.

If your commute is on roads you have to get one.

You may find that on the way home in the summer you are tempted to go for longer rides...

And as Clever Pun says...2 bike always better than 1

DavidTQ

Chriscommuter wrote:

In 17 years of commuting i've gone from mountain to hybrid to road bike, and wouldn't go back.

If your commute is on roads you have to get one.

You may find that on the way home in the summer you are tempted to go for longer rides...

And as Clever Pun says...2 bike always better than 1

Ive followed the same path, although there was a long gap between the MTB and the hybrid, and a short gap between the hybrid and the road bike.

The road bike I have is a Giant SCR 1.0 which is a comfort road bike, its definetely more comfortable than the dawes hybrid I had! It takes speed bumps and potholes no problem. Its so much faster and makes hills far easier. Once I got my road bike I changed my route completely to take a more direct route straight up hills I used to take winding routes round before. I dont enjoy hills, I live in a hilly area the road bike though makes it all more doable. Its also worth noting that on the hybrid I found myself acheing if I didnt do extensive stretching before and after every trip, as soon as I got my road bike I no longer needed to do that!

If the journeys all tarmac a road bike is the way to go.

Mog Uk

I went the same route, having done 2500miles + on my Rockhopper last year ( with slicks ) I have just swapped to a winter road bike, far easier and knocked 5minutes of the commute without trying.

Couple of niggles that I'll get over, the road bike just can't take the potholes aswell as the mountain bike, and I'm also not as nimble through heavy traffic on the road bike...

I'll still use the MTB when the mood takes me, but for now it's road bike all the way...

daniel_b

I only have a short commute, and mine is quite a bit of cyclepath and towpath, so I bought a hybrid which fulfills the role perfectly, when kitted out with full guards and a rack.

Sounds like a roadbike would fit the bill for yourself though, and then the beauty is you still have the, now much upgraded, Kona to go out as and when you feel for a bit of off roading.

It is spending more money, but the way I look at it, is it's less wear spread between 2 bikes (Or more in my case) and so it's not REALLY spending more money.

I love road and off road riding, and couldn't imagine doing one without the other, they are totally different, but offer the same level of enjoyment - well for me anyway

Dan

Bassjunkieuk

I'd say grab a road bike to :-) I'm in a very similar situation to DavidTQ - albeit with a slightly lower spec bike, I've got a GIant SCR 3.0!

My commute is from Croydon to London - the exact location usually varies from week to week as I move around half a dozen sites, but it means I get a different ride once up in town!

From where I am - being the wrong side of Crystal Palace and hence have some rather hilly roads in my area - getting into London was usually quite fun as I got to head down some fast hills but then had to climb them on the way home, hence I used to go home via Brixton and Streatham, effectively missing the big climbs! Getting the new road bike has actually meant I can comfortably tackle these hills and I don't need to go round them :-) If your commute is all on road then it makes sense to have a machine purpose built for road riding and as the previous posters have pointed out you can then keep the Kona for the off road riding :-)

thamacdaddy

Well glad to hear some positives. I thought about hybrid but its really not something I think is worth it as I could stick with my mountain bike otherwise (its extremely lightweight so its not the weight issue I want to change for).

I do not need mudguards etc as I would continue what I do now as I change at work.

Those giant bikes look like a decent buy any other suggestions? The money isn't a major issue only take two months to save up for it really.

Glad people think its a positive move rather than negative. THe hills are no issue although the ride home is a constant but steady hill I really enjoy the workout the only thing that worries me is today I came back and noticed how bad the road is at certain sections where 200m or more is full of bad potholed road.

DavidTQ

thamacdaddy wrote:

Well glad to hear some positives. I thought about hybrid but its really not something I think is worth it as I could stick with my mountain bike otherwise (its extremely lightweight so its not the weight issue I want to change for).

I do not need mudguards etc as I would continue what I do now as I change at work.

Those giant bikes look like a decent buy any other suggestions? The money isn't a major issue only take two months to save up for it really.

Glad people think its a positive move rather than negative. THe hills are no issue although the ride home is a constant but steady hill I really enjoy the workout the only thing that worries me is today I came back and noticed how bad the road is at certain sections where 200m or more is full of bad potholed road.

The Giant SCR 1.0 is available at a bargain price here depending on what frame size you need.

http://www.ashcycles.com/power/index.ph ... cts_id=301

Bassjunkieuk

That's where I picked my SCR 3.0 from :-D highly recommend them, cheap prices along with free next day delivery - you can hardly go wrong!!

DavidTQ

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

That's where I picked my SCR 3.0 from :-D highly recommend them, cheap prices along with free next day delivery - you can hardly go wrong!!

I actually initially ordered the SCR 3.0 from another place, but they couldnt get hold of it with a medium frame, my original plan was to buy the SCR3.0 use it as is for a while and slowly upgrade to ultegra and super light wheels, I certainly considered the SCR 3.0 a good road bike to get going with. In fact it was the 3.0 which originally sold me on the range .

It was only because the place I was dealing with couldnt get the 3.0 in medium that I decided to jump upto the 1.0 at £600 and hence havent been able to upgrade to ultegra and still use the stock wheels (will get round to replaceing them in the summer) I dont see myself getting round to fitting ultegra gear now.

The 3.0 might not have the same brakes \ gears \ wheels as the 1.0 but the basic "fits like a glove" comfort was there from the beginning, the 1.0 feels faster and has a better gear shift, but the basic feel of the bike comes from that frame and forks thats there right from the 3.0

Had I waited I could have got my bike cheaper , But on the other hand the extra comfort and ease of using a good road bike has kept me cycling instead of using the car, and the money ditching the car has saved would have paid for several bikes by now . Even with the way I buy new cycling kit

Bassjunkieuk

Funnily enough Ashcycle's was the only place I found that actually had the medium in stock!!
I'm 5'6" so I was borderline S/M and thought it's better to have a bike that I can grow into rather then one that I'm on the limit's of!

I have to agree that it is a very comfortable bike, and I would have quite happily gone for the 1.0 but unfortunately I didn't have the budget to stretch that far :-( Still getting the same frame and forks as the 1.0 makes it ideal for upgrades!

Mettan

thamacdaddy wrote:

Those giant bikes look like a decent buy any other suggestions? The money isn't a major issue only take two months to save up for it really.

Yes:

All - £ 500-700 quid
All - 50/34 compact chainsets
All - Alu frames/Carbon forks
9 & 10 speed groupsets

You'd want to check and compare specs (and frame geometry) in depth though, on any bikes you're considering. Also, there are cheaper Sora-level 8-speed road bikes out there which if scuffed on a commute, should be less "bothersome" than ruining a more expensive bike - similarly you could get a 2nd hand 8 or 9 speed roadie as a cheap "replaceable" commuter.


Focus Variado 2008

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ado%202008


Specialized Allez Sport 2008 Road Bike

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86027


Bianchi C2C Via Nirone 7 Aluminium Xenon 10 speed Compact 2008 Road Bike

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=87037

flybywire

Bought an SCR 3.0 in July 07. Rides really well, better than previous Giant OCR in '05.

I alternate in the summer between mtb and the above. Winter/spring unless icey is always roadbike.

The roadbike is much quicker, 14.2miles in 38minutes.. (40mins average for usual commute route to Newbury)

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1682614/

The rear wheel was crap :? - replaced with shimano R500 (£35 Chain Reaction)

Next upgrade is hollowtech tiagra chainset & BB.

yes full guards not my thing but essential for everyday and the occasion Sunday club run! You & others keep alot drier & less muddy.

redddraggon

flybywire wrote:

The rear wheel was crap :? - replaced with shimano R500 (£35 Chain Reaction)

Front and Rear pair £45 from Ribble Cycles (Well they were when I bought them)

Shaky

Are their any reasons why I shouldn't invest?

In one word - No!

I've gone from a hybrid to 2 road bikes and haven't looked back!

thamacdaddy

Wow thanks for the replies guys I am defo up for getting a road bike I think I just need to judge wear I can store two bikes (possibly get a very secure unit in my garden for one) and store the other in my house like I do currently.

I had also looked at the bianchi and spec allez so I am glad someone else brought it up.

I think I need to do some reading up on components etc as I am all mtb centred so don't know much about the different components on road bikes. I am not looking for anything amazing although the better it is the better the ride and easier to maintain and although my mtb is old it cost me around 1500 back in 2001 but have to admit hayes minis back then were 500 quid for front and back.

the 500-600 range is probably where I am looking more than likely on the ride to work scheme.