Road bike for commuting, the wrong way to go?

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xnavalav8r
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by xnavalav8r

I commute 80+ km (round-trip) every day to work. I use an old 'cross bike as my commuter. The biggest reasons are for tire clearance and the ability to run full fenders and a rear rack. I have found dedicated touring frames too heavy and the geometry a bit too slack for my taste, but that might be an even better option for you.

For what it's worth, I run 700x32c Maxxis Detonators as my commuting tire and love them. But they won't fit a road frame and barely allow the use of fenders. Whatever you do, go the full-fender route. The more coverage the better. Staying dry on rainy days is the key to enjoying your bike commute.

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djconnel
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by djconnel

Yeah...touring frames are wrong. Rando would be perfect.

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konky
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by konky

I wouldn't discount a light sporty hybrid with a flat bar if you are commuting in an urban environment. I commute in London on a Specialised Sirrus Ltd and love it. I've flipped the stem and removed some of the spacers so it's hunkered down nicely. It really feels like a nifty road bike but the flat bar gives it the required manoeuvrability. Bar ends also ad to this. I don't have mudguards or wide tyres myself but the Sirrus can accomadate both.

I really wouldn't choose anything else.

Schisms
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Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 1:53 pm

by Schisms

Thanks so much for all the advice. There seems to be a vague (majority) consensus that a CX is the best for this, due to the increased durability, and ability to add full fenders etc. The CAADX DISC ULTEGRA seems nice, with disc breaks etc. My one worry is the speed with the wider tyres, I know I am by no means a pro racer, but will I notice the difference nonetheless, or is it really minor at my level?

Schisms
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by Schisms

I can see the advantage of a hybrid with a flat bar, but I really like the ride position of a road bike so am reluctant to stray too far from it I think.

xnavalav8r
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by xnavalav8r

I averaged over 30 km/h for my commute home today with 32c tires. When the weather is nasty, I find the wider tires allow me to go faster with confidence than with skinny tires.

deltree
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by deltree

Schisms wrote:Thanks so much for all the advice. There seems to be a vague (majority) consensus that a CX is the best for this, due to the increased durability, and ability to add full fenders etc. The CAADX DISC ULTEGRA seems nice, with disc breaks etc. My one worry is the speed with the wider tyres, I know I am by no means a pro racer, but will I notice the difference nonetheless, or is it really minor at my level?


Pop into your local bike shop and arrange a test ride. You'll see a difference and be able to work out which you prefer. Another bike to check out would be the Genesis Vapour Disc.

Schisms
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Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 1:53 pm

by Schisms

deltree wrote:Pop into your local bike shop and arrange a test ride. You'll see a difference and be able to work out which you prefer.


Yes, I think that needs to me my next step.


Thanks again. All of your advice really has helped me not make (too much of) an overpriced mistake.

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MattSoutherden
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by MattSoutherden

Schisms wrote:thinking of maybe a Cannondale CAAD10 or similar.

Is a bike such as this the wrong choice for commuting?


IMHO - Yes. Yes. And Yes.

I used to have a CAAD5 as my only bike 10 years ago. Commuting on it across London was pure hell. You can't fit proper guards, big rubber, and the thing is a stiff as a board.

My current commuting bike is a Planet X Kaffenback with SKS guards, 28mm Vittoria Randonneur tyres on 23mm wide rims, and an Ortleib saddle bag.

Sure, it may weight as much as a London bus, but it's more than adequate for hacking in to work and training.

EDIT: If I could have any bike to use for this purpose, it would be something like the Lynskey Sportive Disc with some hydros.
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tuercas
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by tuercas

I would use the Viking and put on an 8 speed hub gear with bar end shifter, it must have plenty of clearance for big rubber and the steel frame will be comfortable.

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mr_tim
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by mr_tim

Things have changed on the mudguard front though. SKS Raceblade Long with the fixings under the QRs & brake bolts give a decent coverage & allow guards on an otherwise full 'race' bike.

Personally I commute & do some training on a standard condor strada roadie & don't have any problems with grip, comfort, grime / water etc.

Using 23mm pro4 endurance tires at a lowish pressure but that is about it. The tires do everything to mute / give the ride characteristics, far more so than the frame itself.

I find its nice to have the same fits & handling between different bikes & not having to constantly be adopting & readjusting to a position. Also means I can do some training after work or on the way back without having to go back, switch bikes & then head out again - good if pushed for time or already cold / wet anyway.

Some people want different things out of the commuting bike. I don't need / want to carry weight & do not want to think about different handling. I certainly don't want the ride to feel like a massive chore (which it is kinda of is with the bomb proof commute wheels - but that's about the worst concession made to commuting).

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djconnel
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by djconnel

Salsa Vaya I think is in the right direction: wide clearance for tires but road geometry.

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veganeric
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by veganeric

I was recently looking for a new winter bike and came across these. I think they'd fit your bill well, and leave you plenty of money in your budget for fenders, pedals, etc.
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/ro ... /crossrip/

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djconnel
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by djconnel

Wow -- that's remarkably like the Salsa Vaya, which came earlier, although the "build kit" on the Salsa is SRAM Apex, which I view as substantially preferable to the Shimano Sora on the Trek. Apex is a race-worthy group, while Sora....

Devon
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by Devon

Why spend £1500 on a commuter?!

by Weenie


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