11 mile commute - MTB or buy a road bike

iandennis

My commute into work is 11 miles, usually on road with country lanes and 2 miles of town work. My alternative route during the summer is off road through parks and woods with the same 2 miles of road work. On road takes 50mins and off road about 1hr 25mins, given the choice I would prefer to do the off road route but the extra time is a big impact on my day (getting home to help put kids to bed).

I'm using either a specialised hardrock for the offroad or a raleigh voyager for the onroad. The hardrock is great for offroad but knobblies make it hard work on the roads. The raleigh has specilisised nimbus armadillos fitted and is pretty good on road as it has a solid front fork and isn't too heavy.

My friend has just bought a giant tri-athlon bike and wants me to go training with him, I could you the raleigh but don't think I would be able to keep up. Limited budget but I could upgrade to a specialzed allez 24 £449 or at top end a boardman team (?) £629. No access to C2W scheme as not supported at work. Having a roadbike might be useful in the summer and would probably cut my journey time as well so I could probably justify it. By itself I'm quite happy to stay with the mtb but the attraction of a faster journey and having another bike is appealing.

Mr Plum

iandennis wrote:

... but the attraction of a faster journey and having another bike is appealing.

I think you've answered that one yourself

The Rookie

11 miles in 50 mins is pretty slow, I don't know the terrain but it would have to be quite hilly for that, I average about 18mph (6.6 miles admittedly).

I run a dedicated commuter (built by me from frame up to suite what I wanted out of it) and its so much more 'nimble' than my MTB despite weighing more once I have the panniers filled with the stuff I carry to work. Slick road tyres are a huge part of that benefit, especially if you get some of the lighter ones which are sub 300g.

Look around for a good used bike, always better VFM than new, decide what you need in advance (rack? guards? flat or drops?) and be patient on ebay and you'll eventually pick up a bargain!

Simon

cjcp

How rough are the off-raod sections? You could get away with a Kona Jake cyclo-cross bike if it's not too rough.

However, if you're going to train with your mate, then a road bike would be a better option.

iandennis

The Beginner wrote:

11 miles in 50 mins is pretty slow, I don't know the terrain but it would have to be quite hilly for that, I average about 18mph (6.6 miles admittedly).

Combination of not being very fit and having quite a few hills

Fitness is coming along though

fatherted

iandennis wrote:

My commute into work is 11 miles, usually on road with country lanes and 2 miles of town work. ...// ... On road takes 50mins and off road about 1hr 25mins, given the choice I would prefer to do the off road route but the extra time is a big impact on my day (getting home to help put kids to bed).

Get a roadbike , you'll soon be down to 35mins which means getting home even earlier for the little ones !!

Berk Bonebonce

A would prescribe ... 'a road bike with the clearances and necessary bits to take full mudguards'.

chrishumes

what about a flat bar road bike, or sporty hybrid. nearly as fast as road bike, and more durable for the ride you do. i do 12 miles in 40-45 mins on mine, not fast, but steady. knocked about 5-8 mins off my mountain bike time.?

iandennis

chrishumes wrote:

what about a flat bar road bike, or sporty hybrid. nearly as fast as road bike, and more durable for the ride you do. i do 12 miles in 40-45 mins on mine, not fast, but steady. knocked about 5-8 mins off my mountain bike time.?

I think if i'm going to do it then I would go for a full road bike, the raleigh I use is almost a hybrid and has flat bars on it, still heavy but almost a halfway house. The allez looks to be the best option, not too costly but good enough to cope with commute and have a bit of fun on.

cougie

I'd go for the road bike. You have the MTB for your commute and road bikes can do offroading surprisingly well - especially if its just paths and trails ? Just get bigger tyres ?

Buy the Boardman.

cyberknight

Or get a ..

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/ ... -5582.aspx



Can pick one up for £600 and stick slicks on it when you need to go faster .

meanredspider

Road bike. I do 15 miles each way on hilly country (Highland) roads and average 18mph in the summer (19 in and 17 back - it's more uphill home).

I'm on the MTB now that the snow & ice has come. The speed advantage of the road bike is also compromised by the dark, rain & stronger winds. I have ice spikers on my MTB.

unixnerd

Get a second hand road bike :-) Loads of folk buy them to get fit then never use them. I paid 400 quid for a barely used but three year old 1200 quid Cannondale.

Benno68

I agree with the suggestions of a CX bike, like Cyberknight says you can always put a pair of slicks on for training, or get a spare set of wheels with slicks (this would be my choice).

chrishumes

i would say second hand as well. check out ebay or here for a god deal. i got practically new £800 bike for £300

Lancslad

cyberknight wrote:

Or get a ..

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/ ... -5582.aspx



Can pick one up for £600 and stick slicks on it when you need to go faster .

I have one of these its bril. Soaks up the bumps and road noise, up and down kerbs (cycle path) good on grass too OH and its good looking a nice matt black finish, can put full guards on it for winter and a rack and you can have the extra brakes on it so if your not riding the hoods you can still stop sharpish.