Biking to Work...Suggestions?

[Fallen]

Hello all,

I am looking to start riding a bicycle to work. I live about 5? miles or so away, so it shouldn't take me that much longer to get there. I'm looking to get a cheap bike, nothing over 300 dollars. I figure if I enjoy biking, and want to do it more often I can always upgrade, and if not, I am only out a relatively small chunk of change. Some people are advising a road bike, but I am leaning more towards a mountain bike. I don't want to worry about hopping a curb and messing the damn thing up. Any suggestions on what to get, or what to stay away from would be helpful.

[The Ponzzz]

I use to do 7 miles a few years ago, make sure to bring a change of clothes, as if you're most likely sweat. With it, bring a sink bathing kit (deodorant, hand soap, etc)

I don't have any other helpful suggestions on the bike itself.

Also, those of us using Blackhead skin can never see black font.

[Keller]

I have no advice on the bike, but I would look for a gym in the area to use for the shower.

[BriarFox]

You could always try a hybrid - mix between mountain bike tires and road-bike tires with a light frame. Faster than a mountain bike, but not so perilous over obstacles.

Try the Trek 800 series or so?

You could also keep a shirt or jacket or such at work. I walk to work and leave a sport coat or dress shirt in my office to throw over the top of my t-shirt after it dries off.

[Fallen]

I use to do 7 miles a few years ago, make sure to bring a change of clothes, as if you're most likely sweat. With it, bring a sink bathing kit (deodorant, hand soap, etc)

I don't have any other helpful suggestions on the bike itself.

Also, those of us using Blackhead skin can never see black font.

I don't believe I ever messed with my font. I just use the standard PC FE, standard font. I guess I could try a different color, but those tend to be hard on the eyes in and of themselves.

[ElvenFury]

Any suggestions on what to get, or what to stay away from would be helpful.

Have you looked into carpooling?

http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/images/tandem_bike.gif

[Fallen]

Hygiene isn't going to be an issue. I have access to showers and what not at work.

[Fallen]

Have you looked into carpooling?

http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/images/tandem_bike.gif

Looks more like bikepooling. As for carpooling, I would rather walk to work.

[Danical]

Get a cheap road bike. I used to ride to work and school everyday on my old Masi and it treated me well.

OR!

You could be a super cool hipster and pay an absurd amount of money on a fixie because you couldn't construct it yourself for under $40 but then you'd have to: wear ridiculously tight jeans, worn out vans, retarded plastic neon sunglasses, unkept greasy hair, torn hoodie, witty t-shirt or snap-button shirt, while smoking parliament lights and drinking a pabst.

[BriarFox]

Get a cheap road bike. I used to ride to work and school everyday on my old Masi and it treated me well.

OR!

You could be a super cool hipster and pay an absurd amount of money on a fixie because you couldn't construct it yourself for under $40 but then you'd have to: wear ridiculously tight jeans, worn out vans, retarded plastic neon sunglasses, unkept greasy hair, torn hoodie, witty t-shirt or snap-button shirt, while smoking parliament lights and drinking a pabst.

Shit, you know Aaron too??

[Fallen]

You could always try a hybrid - mix between mountain bike tires and road-bike tires with a light frame. Faster than a mountain bike, but not so perilous over obstacles.

Try the Trek 800 series or so?

You could also keep a shirt or jacket or such at work. I walk to work and leave a sport coat or dress shirt in my office to throw over the top of my t-shirt after it dries off.

The Trek 800 series looks pretty decent from what I am reading, though I am having trouble finding their homepage. Do you know of any dealers which carry that line?

[Danical]

Shit, you know Aaron too??

There are literally hundreds of these assholes downtown the first thursday of every month for Bike Night.

[Danical]

The Trek 800 series looks pretty decent from what I am reading, though I am having trouble finding their homepage. Do you know of any dealers which carry that line?

MD Trek Shops: http://locator.trekbikes.com/locator/text/country_code/US/state_name/Maryland

[Fallen]

Looks like I am going to look for the 7.1 fx trek bike. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

[The Scholar]

I used to bike to work a few years ago and my biggest suggestion is to make sure that the seat is comfortable. I ended up buying a bike seat cushion. Once you get used to it, it's a very relaxing way to start/end the day. Oh, and watch out for curbs, because if you hit one they really mess up the bike, no matter how good it is

[Jace Solo]

Sounds like you live in jax fl. My sister is one of those hipsters. Funny thin about them is they all swear their not

[Dwarven Empath]

http://bikesdirect.com/products/comfort_bikes.htm

or just

www.bikesdirect.com

[AnticorRifling]

You should save up and get a car.

[Belnia]

There was this great opinion piece on NPR the other day about how we, as a society, need to get over some basic hygiene issues like people coming into work all sweaty if they rode their bike there.

[Sean of the Thread]

Hello all,

I am looking to start riding a bicycle to work. I live about 5? miles or so away, so it shouldn't take me that much longer to get there. I'm looking to get a cheap bike, nothing over 300 dollars. I figure if I enjoy biking, and want to do it more often I can always upgrade, and if not, I am only out a relatively small chunk of change. Some people are advising a road bike, but I am leaning more towards a mountain bike. I don't want to worry about hopping a curb and messing the damn thing up. Any suggestions on what to get, or what to stay away from would be helpful.



Walk the 5 miles. It's only 5 miles. Get a bike for recreation imo.

I've been forced to walk for over a year and a half and I love it just allow ample time. I also lost 70lbs.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

No so much type of bike but general advice.

Wear a helmet, keep a rubberband to keep your pant leg from rubbing the chain, and for God's sake, you are a not a car, and I don't care what the laws say, don't ride in the fucking streets.

If you go the spandex and smedium stretchy shirt, you deserve to get hit.

[AnticorRifling]

you are a not a car, and I don't care what the laws say, don't ride in the fucking streets.


Worst advice possible. If you ride in the correct lane, use the turn lanes to turn, etc. you're probably safer than coming out of no where. When I was doing distance rides (high school) I always made sure I was on the street. People can pass me but fuck if I'm going to be in some gravel or on a sideWALK.

[The Ponzzz]

Walk the 5 miles. It's only 5 miles. Get a bike for recreation imo.

I've been forced to walk for over a year and a half and I love it just allow ample time. I also lost 70lbs.

The average walk speed is about 2-3 miles an hour. Not too many people want to spend 4-5 hours of their day walking to and from work. That's not including any places you'd have to stop for traffic.

[Fallen]

No so much type of bike but general advice.

Wear a helmet, keep a rubberband to keep your pant leg from rubbing the chain, and for God's sake, you are a not a car, and I don't care what the laws say, don't ride in the fucking streets.

If you go the spandex and smedium stretchy shirt, you deserve to get hit.

I discovered the need for a rubberband today. Stupid pants probably have a hole in them by now. I agree about not riding in the street. Drives me crazy to deal with bikers in the street. I could see riding there if I was going to go anywhere near the speed limit, but seeing as how my unfit ass was going at a crawl the whole time, there is absolutely no reason for me to block traffic. No spandex and stretchy shirts here. I DO need to find a riding outfit I am comforatable with, though. I will probably just bust out the army PT uniform again, and pack a change of clothes.


Walk the 5 miles. It's only 5 miles. Get a bike for recreation imo.

I've been forced to walk for over a year and a half and I love it just allow ample time. I also lost 70lbs.

Eh, I don't really want to take that long to get to work, and it isn't like there is much to see. A home Depot, an old folks home, a car dealership, then the side of Post for a while. Biking is more of a workout anyway.


I ended up buying an 80 dollar bike from Walmart. Some POS off-brand thing. I figure if I can keep riding it until winter hits in full I will buy myself something better for the spring. Thanks again for all the help and advice, guys. I will post again in a week or so to say whether or not I bitched out and gave up.

[Malvadere]

In Florida the law was changed so that cars are now required to give bikes six feet of space instead of three. It's only legal to ride on the sidewalk if you are going under 15mph. I've personally been hit twice by cars, both their fault, in a period of six years or competitive triathlon training logging ~300 miles a week. If you get hit, always call the police. Make those assholes pay for your bike and injuries, especially if you get into cycling as a sport and have a bike in the $5k+ range.

Also, if you're in a city or college area, be sure to do a full stop at stop signs and lights...definitely seen my share of bikers getting tickets, even for speeding.

[AnticorRifling]

In Florida the law was changed so that cars are now required to give bikes six feet of space instead of three. It's only legal to ride on the sidewalk if you are going under 15mph. I've personally been hit twice by cars, both their fault, in a period of six years or competitive triathlon training logging ~300 miles a week. If you get hit, always call the police. Make those assholes pay for your bike and injuries, especially if you get into cycling as a sport and have a bike in the $5k+ range.

Also, if you're in a city or college area, be sure to do a full stop at stop signs and lights...definitely seen my share of bikers getting tickets, even for speeding.
Agreed. If you want the rights (zomg can we use this word since it's apparently made up?!) you have to follow the rules as well.

[4a6c1]

In Florida the law was changed so that cars are now required to give bikes six feet of space instead of three. .

That is fantastic. I wish they would do something like that for here. My entire extended family does the road bike thing and every time the brothers go off to the hill country for a circuit my heart does hiccups until I get the triumph phonecall at the end. I myself have been sideswiped more than I can count.

If you see a cyclist going 35mph in the right lane, slow the fuck down and give them space. If you need to pass, put your blinker on an wait your turn.

Truth: You think you are just being an ass to them by getting real close but you are actually putting their lives in danger with the backflow of wind from your car.

[AnticorRifling]

And cars don't understand why some bikers carry a pocket of ball bearings....

[Fallen]

And cars don't understand why some bikers carry a pocket of ball bearings....

To help counterbalance wind turbulance?

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

To help counterbalance wind turbulance?

To drop on cars that get very aggressive and too close, endangering the biker's life. Messes up the windshield and forces the car to slow down. Bolts are also common.

[Latrinsorm]

Bicycling should absolutely be done in accordance with traffic laws. I don't understand how this is even a question.
There was this great opinion piece on NPR the other day about how we, as a society, need to get over some basic hygiene issues like people coming into work all sweaty if they rode their bike there.I see it as a combination of two issues. Hygiene is absolutely one, unless you think sweat is sterile, in which case I strongly discourage you from ever going to a gym. There's also the smell component, which I agree is more of a politeness issue.

[Fallen]

Well, i've ridden my bike nearly every day since i've gotten it. I ride it into work when I don't have to come in early, and if I don't ride to work I usually ride the route later in the evening. POS is trying to kill me, though. Gears slip if you touch them, so I just switch between 8, and 13 I guess. Today, the peddle decided to break mid-ride, and is now in the process of fracturing off the foot peg. Good stuff.

[ElvenFury]

Well, i've ridden my bike nearly every day since i've gotten it. I ride it into work when I don't have to come in early, and if I don't ride to work I usually ride the route later in the evening. POS is trying to kill me, though. Gears slip if you touch them, so I just switch between 8, and 13 I guess. Today, the peddle decided to break mid-ride, and is now in the process of fracturing off the foot peg. Good stuff.

Haha. Celephais needs to post the Calvin & Hobbes killer bicycle story arc. Good job sticking with it.

[Fallen]

Does anyone ever keep clicking refresh whenever Celephais posts just to read a few C & H comics?

[AnticorRifling]

There was this great opinion piece on NPR the other day about how we, as a society, need to get over some basic hygiene issues like people coming into work all sweaty if they rode their bike there. This might be fine for people just riding to work because they are hippies but for those that are riding to get a good workout hell no. When I'm working out I sweat like two rats fucking in a wool sock. No way I'm going thru the day like that. Besides overpowering coworkers with my manly essence I don't need to be ruining clothes with sweat. Showers are there for a reason.

[Mikalmas]

When I'm working out I sweat like two rats fucking in a wool sock.

Rats don't sweat :)

[AnticorRifling]

Rats don't sweat :) They do when they're fuckin in a wool sock!

[WRoss]

I ride my bike to and from everywhere. I basically do it until it snows, then I bust out my cross country skis. I've gone through quite a few bikes. The main thing is maintenance. Pump your tires, rinse your bike off with fresh water, keep your chain lubed up, everyday. If you do that, any bike you have will last you a long while.

Sorry if that has been said. I didn't feel like reading 4 pages.

[Sean of the Thread]

This might be fine for people just riding to work because they are hippies but for those that are riding to get a good workout hell no. When I'm working out I sweat like two rats fucking in a wool sock. No way I'm going thru the day like that. Besides overpowering coworkers with my manly essence I don't need to be ruining clothes with sweat. Showers are there for a reason.


I sold my Jeep for the same reason. Unless I wanted to put the top and doors back on every night TIGHTLY there would always be dew or rain and shit there to ruin my suits or business casual (or any clothing).

Of course the garage was being used for it's rightful purpose. 55000 Christmas decorations.

[Celephais]

Haha. Celephais needs to post the Calvin & Hobbes killer bicycle story arc. Good job sticking with it.


Does anyone ever keep clicking refresh whenever Celephais posts just to read a few C & H comics?
Sorry about that, router reset itself earlier last week, just now got around to fixing it.

This isn't the series you were looking for, I'm still going through (i don't have them organized other than by date... I need to make a searchable database)
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/Bike1.gif

Found it
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/Bike2-1.gif
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/Bike2-2.gif

[Celephais]

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/199106162.gif

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/199204101.gif

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/199204261.gif

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/199301011.gif

[Celephais]

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/Bike3.gif
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/Bike4.gif
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/Bike5.gif
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/GuinnessKMF2/Bike6.gif

Okay... that's enough for now

[Fallen]

Heh. Good stuff, Celeph.

[Fallen]

Well, i've ridden my bike nearly every day since i've gotten it. I ride it into work when I don't have to come in early, and if I don't ride to work I usually ride the route later in the evening. POS is trying to kill me, though. Gears slip if you touch them, so I just switch between 8, and 13 I guess. Today, the peddle decided to break mid-ride, and is now in the process of fracturing off the foot peg. Good stuff.

So..i've still been riding nearly every day, and plan on riding throughout the winter. Replaced the peddles as noted, New helmet, and got the pike a $50 dollar tune-up. Gears still slip a bit, but on the whole it rides much, much better. I've been using a blue tooth Motorola headset and my Iphone to listen to music on the way in. Makes the ride infinitely more enjoyable. I will likely get another (real) mountain bike come March. The most likely candidate is a Jamis Durango 2. Wont be as fast as a road bike, but I can beat on it without worrying about the damn thing falling apart.

I'm probably done with this thread. Thanks again for all the help and advice, guys. If anyone is considering biking to work, I would highly suggest trying it out. It is a lot of fun and good exercise.

[Mana Goddess]

First off, I'd do a bit more research on what will serve your needs best. I'd talk to people from a bike shop, one where the people who work there actually ride (apparently many do not, which is weird to me). They will be able to give you advice, and get you properly measured and the like for maximum efficiency and comfort, and give you some advice.

My husband, who is a cyclist, advises a cyclocross bike, as it has the geometry and road efficiency of a road bike but with the offroad capability and durability of a mountain bike, which it seems is what you're looking for. Mountain bikes on pavement are s-l-o-w.

Oh, and RIDE IN THE DAMN STREET holy fuck. Seriously, so many accidents happen to cyclists on sidewalks because cars are pulling out of a drive or something and DON'T FUCKING SEE THEM or because they underestimate a cyclist's speed and turn into them. I mean really, nobody expects a bicycle out of nowhere when you're leaving the Wal-Mart parking lot. Also, you're a hazard to pedestrians when you're going 15-20 mph down the sidewalk. A bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle in almost every state, and thus is required to operate in the streets. And this means stopping for red lights and stop signs, fucking assholes in my town who don't and I almost run into :fu: Not saying you are one of them, but I hate them so.

[Methais]

Hello all,

I am looking to start riding a bicycle to work. I live about 5? miles or so away, so it shouldn't take me that much longer to get there. I'm looking to get a cheap bike, nothing over 300 dollars. I figure if I enjoy biking, and want to do it more often I can always upgrade, and if not, I am only out a relatively small chunk of change. Some people are advising a road bike, but I am leaning more towards a mountain bike. I don't want to worry about hopping a curb and messing the damn thing up. Any suggestions on what to get, or what to stay away from would be helpful.

Just make sure you don't do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxGGyVklPHg

But if you do, it will be epic.

[Celephais]

... did he do that on purpose? Why were there so many cameras?

[Methais]

I think it was a bike race or something.

Maybe this is what happened to Warclaidhm.

[Androidpk]

You should get a super hero cape for your bike rides. That would be super awesome.

[Fallen]

First off, I'd do a bit more research on what will serve your needs best. I'd talk to people from a bike shop, one where the people who work there actually ride (apparently many do not, which is weird to me). They will be able to give you advice, and get you properly measured and the like for maximum efficiency and comfort, and give you some advice.

My husband, who is a cyclist, advises a cyclocross bike, as it has the geometry and road efficiency of a road bike but with the offroad capability and durability of a mountain bike, which it seems is what you're looking for. Mountain bikes on pavement are s-l-o-w.

Oh, and RIDE IN THE DAMN STREET holy fuck. Seriously, so many accidents happen to cyclists on sidewalks because cars are pulling out of a drive or something and DON'T FUCKING SEE THEM or because they underestimate a cyclist's speed and turn into them. I mean really, nobody expects a bicycle out of nowhere when you're leaving the Wal-Mart parking lot. Also, you're a hazard to pedestrians when you're going 15-20 mph down the sidewalk. A bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle in almost every state, and thus is required to operate in the streets. And this means stopping for red lights and stop signs, fucking assholes in my town who don't and I almost run into :fu: Not saying you are one of them, but I hate them so.

The reason I ride on the sidewalk is because I ride so slow.

[Fallen]

I ended up getting a Gary Fisher Cobia mountain bike. Had to leave it at the store as my hitch was rusted onto my car. A lit bit of WD40 and a whole lot of hammering got that bitch off, and I shall be picking it up tonight.

http://www.bikereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/gary-fisher-cobia-2010-mountain-bike.jpg

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I stand by my original assertion that bikes don't belong on the road. And if the law says they deserve 6 feet of space, then the law should give them a fucking bike lane.

I don't crowd bikes, I don't see how close I can come to them, and I give them every courtesy required by law and then some. I'm aware of the dangers of biking and honestly it isn't an inconvenience for me if they are on the road - I rarely am in a hurry to get anywhere, because I plan my day. I just don't think it's safe or smart for them to be on the same road as a 2000+ lb vehicle.

Either give them a dedicated lane (some cities do which I applaud), or put them on the sidewalk where crashing into another person will likely not kill them.

[Marl]

the cobia is a nice bike, I am sure you will ove it. I see them all the time on the trails I ride

[Fallen]

I stand by my original assertion that bikes don't belong on the road. And if the law says they deserve 6 feet of space, then the law should give them a fucking bike lane.

I don't crowd bikes, I don't see how close I can come to them, and I give them every courtesy required by law and then some. I'm aware of the dangers of biking and honestly it isn't an inconvenience for me if they are on the road - I rarely am in a hurry to get anywhere, because I plan my day. I just don't think it's safe or smart for them to be on the same road as a 2000+ lb vehicle.

Either give them a dedicated lane (some cities do which I applaud), or put them on the sidewalk where crashing into another person will likely not kill them.

Though it is illegal, I tend not to ride on the street. I only go on it when I must, and I don't pretend to be a car. I too believe that it is a dick move to ride a bike in the street, but whatever. Granted, I have NOT rode this new bike yet. If I feel like I can go fast enough on side streets to not impede the flow of traffic, I may give it a try. With my current bike, I am more a danger to myself and others on the street than on the sidewalk. It moves ridiculously slow.

Also note, I do NOT ride in heavily populated areas. Cops pass me frequently and don't give me any grief. I am told they do in downtown Frederick, as well they should as there is often hundreds of people walking around. I see on average 3-4 people on the sidewalks as I come into work, and all are easily avoided. I see ALOT more cars.

[Stanley Burrell]

Just in-case you decide to start caring when people complain that you don't like blacks or Mexicans, you can always direct them to Atomic #24:

http://www.bicycledesigner.com/parts/291000.jpg