To buy or not to buy....please help!

thegeordiewookie

Hi all.....firstly i have not commuted to work yet (!) but looking seriously into it.
The ride would be 14 mile there and back.

I use a Cannondale F4Z mtb for recreational single track jaunts and have completed the C2C last year, so i am used to reasonably long rides.

I have seen the Specialized Centrum Sport 08 at what seems to be a great price of £199
http://www.cyclesuk.com/139-258249

What are peoples views on this bike? Should i go fo it or is the cannondale suitable for this commute? (do i change the tyres if so what do i go for?)

Many thanks in advance
Graham

Nifkin

Howay Georgie,

Now then, can the fork on your Cannondale be locked out? For the benefit of speed and reducing overall effort this would be a good thing on a commuter, especially if you have to climb any hills. If it has, then you could chuck some slicks on it and it'd be pretty much on a par with the Centrum, which I understand is one of those "urban" hybrids, i.e. a 26inch-wheeled rigid MTB-style frame on slicks? A workmate of mine has spotted that same bargain and is going for it; he has a ten-mile (i.e. relatively short) round trip of a commute through London, which I think a 26er would handle quite well. Essentially, there's nowhere near as big a difference between your Cannondale and the Centrum as there would be if you were comparing an MTB to a fast (29inch wheeled) hybrid, or a road bike, say.

Much love,

Nif :twisted:

tardington

Also, if you used the cannondale, is there somewhere safe to put it? :shock:

thegeordiewookie

The fork can be locked (rock shox Tora) but.....get this....the have alredy been repaired for locking them out on the flats!! Evans cycles claimed that the lock out should not be used on the flats only climbs!!

Also the cannondale would stay in the office cupboard.

Nifkin

Ah what the hell... get the Centrum, it's a snip! And not too much of a loss if it does get pinched.

And while we're at it; Evans' advice on your forks doesn't make a great deal of sense...

soy_sauce

use your MTB for the first couple of week then decide if you need a commuter or just a pair of good (semi or full) slick tyres.

thegeordiewookie

Do you have any tips as well, in terms of making sure you get up and do it...rather than reaching for the keys?

Nifkin

Ummm.... having a bike that is truly fit for the purpose and a pleasure to ride for starters... that's why personally I would only consider commuting on something with 29inch wheels, but that's just me

Oh, and a comfy pair of shorts and quality shower facilities at the work end help!

bigease

The way I made myself ride in the beginning was to SORN my car. This left me with no choice and it then became my preferred method of commute. In the end we sold the 2nd car.

the_hundredth_idiot

Hmmm, you've posted this thread twice (and I responded to the other one). :?

b0y1nterupted

thegeordiewookie wrote:

Do you have any tips as well, in terms of making sure you get up and do it...rather than reaching for the keys?

leaving my car at work usually helps for me

tardington

Or just to MTFU!

When I non-bike it (by whatever means, car bus etc) I am always feeling throughout the day that I've missed my bike ride... :evil:

batch78

That is not why they needed repairing, Evans are wrong! Can't say why it was mind but with a bit more info and possibly some of the MTB sections input we could get to the bottom of it.

Now back on topic, lock it out, put some slicks on and I'm sure you'll be fine. Its a longish commute if you mean 14 each way, easy if you mean 14 in total, I used to do 6 each way on knobblies.

Basically when I can commute the full distance, 26 miles these days, I do because I enjoy riding, it also gives me a sense of achievment and some smugness looking at the other ageing, unfit and enlarging workmates!

Comfort is your number one priority, correct clothes whilst riding and facilities when you arrive.

gazl

I also have the Cannondale F4Z bought for commuting & weekend trails.

I use Schwalbe Marathon Evolution Supremes, highly rated on Bikeradar (thats why i bought them) and roll very fast for commuting and change them to knobblies when required.

Also the high volume tyres give a comfortable ride.

rolf_f

thegeordiewookie wrote:

The fork can be locked (rock shox Tora) but.....get this....the have alredy been repaired for locking them out on the flats!! Evans cycles claimed that the lock out should not be used on the flats only climbs!!

The only time a lockout helps is if you are standing on the pedals whilst climbing - if you don't stand up, you won't benefit from lockout. My forks don't lockout but I don't stand on the climbs so no bother! No reason to lock them on the flat.

thegeordiewookie

Thanks for all the info.
I off to get the slicks today along with some cleaner, clean the bike throw them on and give it a go next week. That is the only way! If you dont try you just dont know!

Also decided on switching my work keys to a different bunch than my car set. That means i would have to hunt down the car key each morning!!
Next tuesday taking 3 spare shirts and trousers into work leave them hanging up.

If i see a pound off the belly and 10 pounds in the pocket...happy days!

Thanks again.