Riding to and from work. Other cycling primarily for transportation. Carrying stuff. Picking a bike. Related issues.
8
votes
2answers
162 views
What natural features and governmental conditions contribute to a bicycle friendly town/city?
I enjoy bicycling the most in cities that provide separate lanes for bicyclists - Portland and Boulder come to mind. In addition to bicycle lanes, what other governmental/civic actions ensure a safe ...
8
votes
1answer
726 views
How often should I strip my bike down?
How often should I give my bike a full service? Strip the bottom bracket, clean and grease it. Strip the groupset and freewheel.
And what products (or type of) should be used for each process?
It's ...
7
votes
5answers
385 views
Is a tire patch kit really necessary for urban commute?
I'm cycling for urban commute, on well-maintained roads and bike paths, Vittoria Randonneur "puncture resistant" tires, and at no point on my ride am I more than 1/2 mile (usually within 1/4, I bet) ...
7
votes
4answers
499 views
How to make the most out of daily commute?
I have heard that bicycling is a great form of cardio exercise. I bike to and from work everyday and the whole way everything is flat. I am not sure what the best way is to make the most out of the ...
7
votes
7answers
628 views
Mapping the most gentle route for my single speed
I commute to work on a single-speed road bike, so it's a lot easier if I avoid any steep hills (preferring to cover the same gradient gradually). Taking a look at a map, there are seemingly 3-4 ...
7
votes
6answers
325 views
How can I avoid crashes on my urban commute? Tramlines and CBD sections especially
I live in Melbourne, Australia, a city famous for its compact, grid-like CBD (downtown area) and trams. Trams mean tram tracks and hook turns. And compulsory helmets. My daily ride is only 10 km but ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Recommendation for panniers to carry a laptop for daily commute That's available in the UK
I've seen this question about Panniers, but as far as I can tell, the Arkel Panniers aren't available in the UK.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a good laptop holding pannier that converts ...
7
votes
5answers
470 views
Which side should I pass other cyclists on a UK cycle path?
I'm new to using cycle paths and seem to get dirty looks for riding on the left.
When driving along my usual commute this morning I saw others riding on the right and therefore passing to the left of ...
7
votes
5answers
798 views
What's a good all purpose city commuting winter tire?
What's a good all purpose city commuting winter tire? Does the rim matter?
I'd like to not have to worry too much about looking out for and avoiding black ice, mainly because I'm not sure you can ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Summer rain jacket recommendations
I'm commuting an hour each way each day in summer now and it rains sometimes.
I have a GoreTex jacket which I bought 10 years ago for walking in. With additional inner warm clothes I wear it in ...
7
votes
1answer
96 views
Online stores which stock larger cycling gear?
I'm trying to find a source to purchase large-sized bicycle gear. I'm having a hard time finding all sorts of gear. I've been looking for padded mountain bike shorts, but can't find anything that ...
6
votes
2answers
235 views
Commuting between car lanes
In my commutes I often see cyclists ride quite fast between car lanes (for example when stopped at traffic lights, they get to the front to the lights before it gets green so they don't have to wait ...
6
votes
2answers
283 views
How hard is a category 2 climb?
I am moving to Ojen Spain for work for 3 months and will be biking to marbella and back.
I have put the ride into mapmyride.com and it says that the ride is a cat 2.
Climb Start End Length ...
6
votes
3answers
227 views
Saddle bag for food container
I have a ~2 mile/~20min cycle to work and currently take a rucksack with me that generally only contains my food for the day in a standard take-away container measuring about 17cm x 12cm x 4cm give or ...
6
votes
3answers
727 views
What are the most effective exercises to improve stamina and speed on my cycle to/from work?
I have just turned 40 and despite running many marathons in my younger days I'm finding it hard to get fitter again after too many years at a desk. I have a reasonable racing bike which I use for my ...
6
votes
1answer
501 views
Can 37-622 tyres replace 32-622 tyres?
I used my old Trek mountain bike last winter (Helsinki, down to -25C, lots of snow) for commuting to work (8km each way, roads) but it probably needs too many repairs to be worthwhile.
I got a new ...
6
votes
2answers
251 views
Will my drivetrain freeze if left outside in the winter?
I have to leave my bike outside at work for 8-10 hours at a time.
If it's -3°C or -6°C, is there anything special I need to do to ensure it will still ride when I'm ready to go home? i.e., ...
5
votes
7answers
560 views
Fixie Vs Urban bike for small-distance commuting
My daily commute is a 1.7km long, almost straight line with minimal slope. Since I have no other method of private transportation, I am thinking of getting a bike and have come up with two interesting ...
5
votes
8answers
541 views
What can I wear in the cold weather to be able to bike to work (where I don't have a shower)
I've already read the answers to this question and learned a lot!
But my question is a bit different, I bike to work almost everyday, not a long ride, a few miles, a bit hilly a bit road side...
...
5
votes
7answers
258 views
Is conserving energy something to do on a day-to-day basis, or over the week?
I'm about a month into using my bicycle to commute to work, and one thing I've definitely gotten better at is pacing myself to conserve energy, both for the rest of the commute to work, and for the ...
5
votes
2answers
287 views
Quality to/from work bike
I want a bike that will take me to and from work quickly, but not make it too easy.
To get to work, I have to ride a quarter mile up a steep hill, which will be difficult on a bike. I want to spend ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
Is my dream of finding a light/commuter/hauling bike a pipe dream?
For a while now I have been trying to find the perfect bike. One that is fast and allows me to ride 20 mph for 50 mi. One that I can load stuff on and has braze-ons for racks, fenders, etc. A bike ...
5
votes
3answers
266 views
What tools are most important on an all-in-one bike tool for a commuter?
My commute is about 25km/day. I have a cheapish hybrid bike with Shimano gears, v-brakes and SPD pedals. I carry a small hand pump and spare tube.
What do I need in a bike tool/ multitool or other ...
5
votes
2answers
423 views
bike suggestions for a commuter who takes an occasional long road ride
I'm shopping around for a new bike. I ride 4-10 miles a few times a week and an occasional ~50 mile road trip. I'm looking for recommendations on bikes similar to a SE Lager, Surly Steamroller, or ...
5
votes
2answers
175 views
How often should I change my bikeshoe cleats?
I bought a pair of Shimano PDA600 SPD pedals along with a pair of cheap-ish Garneau Terra MTB shoes in early 2012.
I wear them for my daily commute (approx. 18 Km) and semi-regular long distance ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Should I feel self-conscious wearing cycling shorts to school?
I cycle to school and intend to wear my new Lycra shorts for my commute as they are much more comfortable. But I want to know if I will look dumb wearing the tight shorts, as my legs are only average ...
4
votes
6answers
1k views
What type of shoes should a commuter/road biker use?
I have a hybrid bike that I use for commuting (8k round trip to work). Currently, I wear low-backed converse shoes when biking.
I've been biking for about 5 months. After the first 2 months, I ...
4
votes
8answers
447 views
Long sleeves for safety?
I took @Jason's and @Neil's advice and practiced wearing clipless pedals in cold weather. I fell three times (nearly four) last week, all at very low speeds: twice because of ice, and twice because of ...
4
votes
3answers
171 views
What can I do to help me sustain frequent long-ish rides?
After nearly a year of commuting by bicycle to and from work 2-3 days per week, I have recently started cycling to work every day, 5 days a week, rain or shine. My commute is about 11-15 miles each ...
4
votes
7answers
343 views
Bicycle for 2 x 30mins commute
I plan to use my bicycle 5 days a week to get to work and back, approximately 30 minutes(~6 miles /10 km) one way, mostly good/ok roads but with some bumps here and there.
Should I care about cx ...
4
votes
5answers
252 views
Daily commuting - are dietary supplements recommended?
I've been commuting daily (Apart from holidays, illness and some other exceptions) for the past year, riding 12 miles daily (6 miles with 500ft height gain coming in, 6 miles 232ft height gain riding ...
4
votes
4answers
446 views
Road Tire Performance in Rain and Snow
How well do road tires perform in rain and the snow? I've heard narrow tires are better because they actually can put more weight/pressure on the road through the wet/ice.
I just bought Continental ...
4
votes
4answers
610 views
What weather conditions are slicks suitable for?
I currently use 700x25 slicks on my commuting bike, to get the easiest ride possible.
I also own:
700x28 with some tread
700x35 metal studded snow tires (Purchased last year for UK snow)
...
4
votes
2answers
209 views
Brakes for a mountain bike frame (26'r) with 27" road wheels
I have converted a mountain bike to a commuter. the frame accommodated 27 " wheels, so I installed for a better ride. I have a road carbon kinesis fork up front with a v-brake, but need a rear ...
4
votes
2answers
556 views
What electric bikes are for sale in the US, and how good are they?
I am interested in purchasing an electric bike but am puzzled as to what brand is best. It seems as though most companies are importing their products from China, which is great because they are low ...
4
votes
1answer
155 views
What to get for my second saddle?
I am a 16mi/day commuter and have been for the last two years. When I bought my bike the first thing I replaced was the warn stock saddle with one of those "couch on a stick" models. Say what you ...
3
votes
26answers
894 views
Which bus networks allow you to transport a bike?
In the UK I have never seen a public bus system that allows you to take a (non-folding) bike on the bus. (There are long distance coaches that do allow bikes, however I am asking about local busses.)
...
3
votes
7answers
1k views
How much of a difference will I notice going from a Mountain bike to a road bike?
I have a Mountain bike with 1.95 tyres on it. Most of the cycle path I take into work is fairly well paved/asphalted, I'm not going over any dirt tracks or anything like that although there is the odd ...
3
votes
5answers
353 views
A bike for city commute - disc brakes, bar-end shifters, tires
I'm planning on buying a bike for city commute.
My commute to work is approximately 12km (7.5 miles) one way. I live in Vancouver which means:
I'll be riding in rainy weather frequently.
I'll be ...
3
votes
6answers
356 views
How would the “pros” bike this commute?
I've been putting up some pounds and have a bike gathering dust at home =D
I normally commute by bus or carpool, but would like an opinion from some more seasoned bikers on how you'd tackle this ...
3
votes
2answers
595 views
purchasing a bike
I live in Queens, NYC. I am thinking of buying a bike for casual ride probably during weekends and sometime for commuting to the city.
Can anyone recommend which and what type of bike should I buy ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Bottom bracket making noise, should it be fixed now or can I wait until regular maintenance?
My bike has been ridden 4 months / 2000 miles and is no longer completely quiet.
About a month ago I noticed a whispering noise like a wire brush sliding across a cymbal. It happens on the ...
3
votes
4answers
299 views
En masse bicycle commuting
The area I live (NE United States) doesn't have a very large infrastructure for biking. There are scattered bike paths and they've finally completed a bridge that allows me to commute to work, but ...
3
votes
4answers
361 views
Is a sprung saddle the answer to the saddle problems on my commuter bike?
The current saddle on my bike is getting past it use-by date, so I will shopping around for a new one. I use my bike for commuting to work, about 40-45 mins, 50% on seal roads and the rest on forest ...
3
votes
3answers
110 views
BMX gearing - for road / commuting
I have a 2010 Haro Pro Race, which I bought for commuting and general tomfoolery.
I commute on it 2 miles a day, and I want to be able to go faster by changing the current single-speed gearing ...
3
votes
5answers
799 views
Bike for a shorter rider to do touring, daily commuting and light off-roading?
I want to buy a bike. These are the things I'm looking for:
frame that can handle weight and light off-roading (eg, sand, gravel, rocks, roots, but no big drops)
frame can accomodate fatter, ...
3
votes
1answer
314 views
Will a road brake lever work with a v-brake?
I'm planning on changing my commuter handlebar to a drop handlebar. As the diameters are different, I need to know if the new brake lever will work with the existing v-brakes.
(My intention is to ...
3
votes
1answer
446 views
Transitioning mountain bike into city commuter bike
In effort to transition my mountain bike to a city commuter- can I replace the mountain tires with thinner city tires without changing the bike wheels?
2
votes
4answers
2k views
biking with lower back pain
I have regular lower back pain (mostly mild, with severe episodes during which I generally stay home; there's nothing wrong with my spine, I just sit at a computer too much). I just started biking to ...
2
votes
4answers
281 views
Affordable GPS with maps?
I have my eye on the Garmin 800. It looks fantastic, but alas I can't afford it right now.
I would like a gps / cycle computer that would work well in Europe with maps.
What are my options? I want ...
