Carbon versus Steel for commuting

arlowood

For all you newbies to cycling out there agonising over where to spend your wonga on a commuting bike, the attached link might give you pause.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-12-lig ... uting.html

While the ardent racers and time trialists might benefit from a few grams here or there it seems that the average recreational cyclist need not spend hours comparing bike weights to make his choice - particulary if his own body weight represents a significant proportion of the total weight to be propelled.

Just thought it was an interesting slant to the age old dilemma for those new to cycling who may spend hours worrying about which frame type to go for.

rolf_f

I recently bought a Ribble Gran Fondo as a commuter but haven't taken it out for that purpose yet.

Currently I am using an old Dawes Horizon tourer in normal conditions and a steel framed MTB for potentially icey or snowy conditions. The MTB has studded tyres and weighs over 32 lbs. The tourer weighs about 28lbs.

Generally, over a hilly one and a half hours, I probably lose 6 minutes on the MTB. Even when I feel knackered, the overall time doesn't change much. So, on that basis, I agree with the article.

However, I didn't buy the Ribble for its lightness - more the fun handling and responsiveness. I suspect when I start using it, my times won't tumble so much but I'll feel a lot better at the end of the route and I'll have enjoyed the ride more. That's what it is about - not seconds saved.

sturmey

In a similar vein your choice of car will not have any noticeable influence on your commuting times to and from work. Bugatti Veyron or Nissan Micra, it makes no difference.
The quoted article is hardly a revelation.

calvjones

sturmey wrote:

In a similar vein your choice of car will not have any noticeable influence on your commuting times to and from work. Bugatti Veyron or Nissan Micra, it makes no difference.
The quoted article is hardly a revelation.

It's meant to be a bit lighthearted I think. But doctors, sense of humour etc

meanredspider

Rolf F wrote:

I recently bought a Ribble Gran Fondo as a commuter but haven't taken it out for that purpose yet.

Currently I am using an old Dawes Horizon tourer in normal conditions and a steel framed MTB for potentially icey or snowy conditions. The MTB has studded tyres and weighs over 32 lbs.
Generally, over a hilly one and a half hours, I probably lose 6 minutes on the MTB. Even when I feel knackered, the overall time doesn't change much. So, on that basis, I agree with the article.

I'm 15 minutes faster (over 15 miles) on my 8kg carbon road bike than my 11kg studded-tyre MTB.

Actually, it's probably nearer 10 minutes allowing for just being slower in the dark & cold

Zingzang

I've got a 25 stone mate called Chuck Lardy who lives in the US. Once when he was out shopping in his local Walmart he bumped into the sprinter Usain Bolt.

Would you believe my mate actually got round the store and to the checkout quicker than Bolt? It just goes to show that all that training and lighter BMI don't count for nothing. My mate Lardy IS faster than Bolt, period.

bendertherobot

A S**t cyclist is a S**t cyclist regardless of his choice of steed

AndyF16

bendertherobot wrote:

A S**t cyclist is a S**t cyclist regardless of his choice of steed

I know you followed with a but what is a shit cyclist, one who isn't averaging 25mph? I'd have thought the only cyclist you could say that about would be a dangerous one or one who couldn't ever be arsed to get on his bike :?

bendertherobot

AndyF16 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

A S**t cyclist is a S**t cyclist regardless of his choice of steed

I know you followed with a but what is a shoot cyclist, one who isn't averaging 25mph? I'd have thought the only cyclist you could say that about would be a dangerous one or one who couldn't ever be arsed to get on his bike :?

Hence the

The study is pointless. It shows that a steel bike on a 14 mile commute is the same speed as a carbon one.

a COMMUTE. I'd expect my time over 20 my 20 mile commute to be about 3-5 minutes slower or so with a hybrid, perhaps about 10 minutes with an MTB.

Now, what about the Dragon Ride. I'll take the bike that needs less effort to go uphill and less effort to propel over 100 miles.