Commute to work by bicycle? Click me! [plus loads of bike-related questions]

[Participant]

Hello

I've bought a new bike for commuting (Carerra Subway hybrid-style) and tomorrow I'll be cycling to work for the first time on it. Who else does this and how do you enjoy it compared to driving?

I'd also like to hear:

- How long should it take a reasonably fit male in his mid twenties to cycle 3.8 miles on a relatively flat cycle path?

- No showers at work, but there are at a gym three minutes from work. Is my best tactic to go in work clothes and hope I don't sweat / get drenched / get terrible helmet hair, go in light casuals and change at work, or cycle straight to the gym and shower there? By which I really mean, what do people that don't have showers at their workplace do to 'stay fresh'?

- What lock should I buy? The bike is worth £200, is kept in a garage at night, and will be stored indoors on company premises during the day. Insurance covers against theft from home, if on actual property.

- Recommended pressure for the tyres is 45 - 60 PSI...what end of this scale should I be inflating to for road commuting?

- Where's the best place to buy accessories like mobile repair kits, water bottles and holders, pumps, panniers, etc.? Specific links if internet please.

- What greases and oils should I buy to keep the chain and gears protected and where should they be applied?

Love you!

 

[Lopéz]

- No showers at work, but there are at a gym three minutes from work. Is my best tactic to go in work clothes and hope I don't sweat / get drenched / get terrible helmet hair, go in light casuals and change at work, or cycle straight to the gym and shower there? By which I really mean, what do people that don't have showers at their workplace do to 'stay fresh'?

I'd be interested in this too, as it's the only thing putting me off cycling to work - no washing or changing facilities. We reasonably big lockers but that's all.

 

[arknor]

3.8miles? you can do that in less than 10minutes without breaking a sweat.

unles your really fat i wouldnt worry about sweating 3.8miles is barely anything.

just get good old wd40 for the chain and pound shops sell repair kits but most people would just carry a spare inner tube and the tool to change it.

 

[PermaBanned]

I do it on the commute, i love zipping past the cars stuck in a jam. Have never driven so i can't really compare.

I'd say half hour at most, considering that 12mph is probably a low average speed.

It's probably best to have a shower, go in different clothes. Cycling in a suit (just guessing) is a bit wierd.

Any should do really, i've had this one for years and it's never let me down. Obviously don't go for the cheapest one possible but there's no need to spend any more than say... £20 on it.

I'd say 60, makes it a hell of a lot easier to ride. A maximum of 60 is quite low though, mine go to 80 and i have them at 70, but 60 is advised for most people.

Nearest bike shop? Should probably have got them with your bike...

I wouldn't worry to much about that if it's brand new. Wait until you need to clean it for the first time, then you should oil the chain. It's very rare that i've had to regrease wheel bearings.

Why thank you

@ above, on this scale you're probably aright just taking a pump. Then you can pump it up 'till you can get somewhere to deal with it properly.

 

[Psypher5]

get a motorbike chain and keep it at work? Or pay for one with an insurance cover on it (ie, theyll replace the bike if the chain is damaged/cut)
Have a word see if theres anywhere you can store it indoors?

IMO id rather not have a 200quid bike chained with a tenner D lock from halfords, or a chain the size of a necklace.



for other bits:
www.wiggle.co.uk
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

 

[adamau5]

if you build up any sort of fitness 3.8 miles wont be a prblem with no changing.... unless you get caught in downpour.

I know people hate helmet pushers, but i have had a nasty experience and had my life pretty much saved by a helmet. I have just got back to work after 4 months off and many many hospital trips. Brain injuries are not fun.

Also 3.8 miles = a long walk if you get a puncture, so make sure you have everything in your rucksack or pannier to fix roadside. I hold a mini pump, spare tube and a puncture repair kit.

If you dont want to sweat then a rack + pannier is a good idea.

 

[qqg3]

3.8 miles shouldn't take more than 15 minutes unless its windy, damn I hate hate wind when on the bike!

 

[Clum]

3.8miles? you can do that in less than 10minutes without breaking a sweat.

unles your really fat i wouldnt worry about sweating 3.8miles is barely anything.

just get good old wd40 for the chain and pound shops sell repair kits but most people would just carry a spare inner tube and the tool to change it.

NEVER use wd40 as a lubricant for a bike chain. it will strip away and lube that is already on there and the loads are too high on a chain for the silicone in the wd40. It was designed for circuit boards in the 50's not bikes! You'll get some specific chain lube in halfords for a few quid. Best to get some dry lube for dry conditions as if you use the wet kinds, dust will stick to the chain like mad.


Also 3.8 miles commute will take you about 23 seconds so long as you are slim enough to actually get on a bike in the first place.

 

[Jonny69]

I do 5.75km in 20 minutes which is a bit of a sprint. It's hard work but I'm not that fit and I think give it a bit more time and it won't be such hard work.

I'd go on the harder end of the scale for your tyre pressures. First you won't have to put so much effort into pedalling but second it'll make sure your tyres don't get popped when you hit a pot hole. If you find the ride is a bit harsh you can always drop a few psi.

Can't advise on showers I'm afraid. I'm lucky enough to have showers at work.

I don't use any fancy oils or anything, just WD40 and bog standard white lithium grease, same stuff I'd use on the car. I periodically clean the chain as much as I can with an oily rag, scrub all the crap off I can and apply fresh grease, just work it into the chain with my fingers. Bit of 3-in-1 or WD40 on the other moving parts like th ebrakes to keep them free etc.

I don't know how paranoid you are about security but it sounds like you don't need to go too mad. You can get a pretty good Kryptonite D lock with a braid for about £20 on eBay, this sort of thing: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KRYPTONITE-Series-2-U-Lock-4ft-Kryptoflex-Cable-Lock_W0QQitemZ390097045217

It's a good lock and you can use the braid to go through the bottom of your saddle or through another wheel. It clips on the frame too, so no need for a bag.

 

[PermaBanned]

3.8 miles shouldn't take more than 15 minutes unless its windy, damn I hate hate wind when on the bike!

I agree, what you have to do is adapt a sort of sailing technique where you go in a zig zag when you're against the wind. It's called tacking.

 

[Russinating]

I cycle to work, though it's only ~2 miles all downhill (so uphill on the way back).

- How long should it take a reasonably fit male in his mid twenties to cycle 3.8 miles on a relatively flat cycle path?

About 20 minutes I'd have said, very roughly! Only way to judge it is to just do it.

- No showers at work, but there are at a gym three minutes from work. Is my best tactic to go in work clothes and hope I don't sweat / get drenched / get terrible helmet hair, go in light casuals and change at work, or cycle straight to the gym and shower there? By which I really mean, what do people that don't have showers at their workplace do to 'stay fresh'?

I cycle with a backpack with my trousers/shirt and shoes in. I stay in my cycle clothes for 5-10 minutes to cool down then change. I'd also recommend getting some padded cycling shorts as they make a world of difference (you'll be surprised how unsmooth roads are once you see all the potholes and paint bumps).

- What lock should I buy? The bike is worth £200, is kept in a garage at night, and will be stored indoors on company premises during the day. Insurance covers against theft from home, if on actual property.

I've got a £30 D-Lock, my bike's worth £300 and is kept outdoors in public all day.

- Recommended pressure for the tyres is 45 - 60 PSI...what end of this scale should I be inflating to for road commuting?

No idea really, but I use 60psi. Higher pressure generally means less friction and easier peddling (on a road surface).

- Where's the best place to buy accessories like mobile repair kits, water bottles and holders, pumps, panniers, etc.? Specific links if internet please.

Your local bike shop!

- What greases and oils should I buy to keep the chain and gears protected and where should they be applied?

I don't use any! As long as you clean the chain as and when needed you shouldn't have too many problems.

 

[Jonny69]

the loads are too high on a chain for the silicone in the wd40.

There's no silicone in WD40.

 

[PermaBanned]

Either way WD40 is a metal lubricant, not an oil. You could get really expensive stuff but to be honest pretty much anything should keep you going for almost as long. Just not the stuff from pound land that may as well be brie.

 

[starfighter]

As long as you don't decide to ride in parallel like the cocks on my commute I won't run you over on purpose.

 

[PermaBanned]

As long as you don't decide to ride in parallel like the cocks on my commute I won't run you over on purpose.

It shouldn't matter, should it? 'In parallel' they can't take up more space than a car, and you're supposed to give them that much space anyway since they could fall off.

As long as you're not that idiot who clipped me with your mirror and sent me flying into the bushes then i'm happy for you to pay to repair the roads you're doing so much damage to

 

[Redman]

Go in shorts/t-shirt trakkie bottoms or whatever, just get changed in the loos at work and take some deodorant and a towel. You'll be fine until you walk in the building, and then the sweating will start - so chill outside for a couple of mins to cool down.

You'll be doing it in 10-12 minutes in no time, but don't worry if it takes you 15-20 to start with.

 

[semi-pro waster]

- How long should it take a reasonably fit male in his mid twenties to cycle 3.8 miles on a relatively flat cycle path?

This is going back a while now but I've cycled into a couple of my workplaces regularly and it was enjoyable, I didn't try driving the same commute though as I either didn't have access to a car or it wasn't worth it when parking was taken into account. I'd guess though without knowing how comfortable a cyclist you are that 20 minutes should be easily enough to get you there.

- No showers at work, but there are at a gym three minutes from work. Is my best tactic to go in work clothes and hope I don't sweat / get drenched / get terrible helmet hair, go in light casuals and change at work, or cycle straight to the gym and shower there? By which I really mean, what do people that don't have showers at their workplace do to 'stay fresh'?

Wear comfortable cycling gear and use the gym showers, it'll leave you feeling much fresher and more at ease for the day. Although I did used to work at a place where I could wear casual clothes any day so I'd just cycle in and not change (no showers and no gym near enough to use), it was ok there but it's not the best idea in the World.

- What lock should I buy? The bike is worth £200, is kept in a garage at night, and will be stored indoors on company premises during the day. Insurance covers against theft from home, if on actual property.

Abus do some decent locks, as do Kryptonite - here I probably wouldn't spend more than £20-30 on the lock.

- Recommended pressure for the tyres is 45 - 60 PSI...what end of this scale should I be inflating to for road commuting?

Higher is generally better for relatively smooth roads, you lose some of the shock absorption but the reduced rolling resistance is normally worth it.

- Where's the best place to buy accessories like mobile repair kits, water bottles and holders, pumps, panniers, etc.? Specific links if internet please.

- What greases and oils should I buy to keep the chain and gears protected and where should they be applied?

Your local bike shop should be first port of call for these things but don't necessarily just take the word of the first one, be prepared to look into a couple and see where the advice tallies/differs.

 

[Clum]

There's no silicone in WD40.

Fine, I'm not going to lie, I'm drunk. Meant to say mineral oil. Either way it's still worse than no oil as it will strip the chain to bare metal and not have enough lubrication qualities to provide any protection. It's best used as a water displacer on your bike once its wet. Always use proper lube afterwards though.

 

[yer_averagejoe]

Hello

I've bought a new bike for commuting (Carerra Subway hybrid-style) and tomorrow I'll be cycling to work for the first time on it. Who else does this and how do you enjoy it compared to driving?

I'd also like to hear:

- How long should it take a reasonably fit male in his mid twenties to cycle 3.8 miles on a relatively flat cycle path?

- No showers at work, but there are at a gym three minutes from work. Is my best tactic to go in work clothes and hope I don't sweat / get drenched / get terrible helmet hair, go in light casuals and change at work, or cycle straight to the gym and shower there? By which I really mean, what do people that don't have showers at their workplace do to 'stay fresh'?

- What lock should I buy? The bike is worth £200, is kept in a garage at night, and will be stored indoors on company premises during the day. Insurance covers against theft from home, if on actual property.

- Recommended pressure for the tyres is 45 - 60 PSI...what end of this scale should I be inflating to for road commuting?

- Where's the best place to buy accessories like mobile repair kits, water bottles and holders, pumps, panniers, etc.? Specific links if internet please.

- What greases and oils should I buy to keep the chain and gears protected and where should they be applied?

Love you!

First of all, welcome to the club!

3.8 miles should take around 15 mins on flat land but as someone said, wind can make a lot of difference. I'd generally allow 20 minutes for it.

You shouldn't have too much problem unless you're especially sweaty.. As you said, the route is relatively flat and as long as you're not gunning it, you'll probably not smell when getting to work.

Its generally recommended that you spend 10% of your bike's value on a lock. If its going to be stored outside, maybe a little more. The best thing you can do is to try and not leave it outside at all. If a seasoned bike thief wants your bike, they'll have it in less than 5 minutes, not matter what/how many locks are on it.

60 PSI would be best for road use, it'll cut down on rolling friction and make things easier for you. Not to mention less pinch flats.

Chain reaction cycles is a great online bike shop.

get some chain lube and keep your chain and derailleurs oiled up.

 

[starfighter]

It shouldn't matter, should it? 'In parallel' they can't take up more space than a car, and you're supposed to give them that much space anyway since they could fall off.

As long as you're not that idiot who clipped me with your mirror and sent me flying into the bushes then i'm happy for you to pay to repair the roads you're doing so much damage to

A car keeps up with traffic in front, you don't so I am inevitably going to want to pass. So I am going to have to go on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic just so you can have a chat. Thanks.