Commuting Questions!!!! Need some Answers!!!

ChariotsOfTires

ChariotsOfTires

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So thephat got me thinking about trying to commute my 25 miles to work once a week. I've never done it and don't know what is needed to do it. So here is where I enlist the knowledge of my fellow riders.
I am a Mt. Biker who rarely rides on the road. Help!!

What do I need to make my commute on my HT safe and enjoyable?
 
+1

ChariotsOfTires said:
So thephat got me thinking about trying to commute my 25 miles to work once a week. I've never done it and don't know what is needed to do it. So here is where I enlist the knowledge of my fellow riders.
I am a Mt. Biker who rarely rides on the road. Help!!

What do I need to make my commute on my HT safe and enjoyable?
Click to expand...

actually thinking about getting a road bike8-[:-k
 
DeeZee said:
actually thinking about getting a road bike8-[:-k
Click to expand...

Well not yet. If I started doing it on a regular basis then I might. I am looking to just adjust my Rockhopper with Road Friendly tires. and anything I need to add.

A raod bike might be good eventually. Have a friend that rides P2 on the So Cal Circuit. We'll see about the raod bike. For now its the Spechy.
 
If you're going to use your MTB to do some 'road work', you might invest in some new (or used) wheels so you can keep your slicks on one set of wheels and your knobbys on the other set. That way you don't have to spend much time & effort changing tires, just swap out the wheels.

If you have disc brakes you'd also want to get some rotors for the new wheels as well.

OR... you can just buy a new road bike and be done with it...
 
I was in the same boat about a two years ago, then I bought a Specialized Langster off craigslist for $400. It has since paid for itself. I ride 4-5 days a week to work. Not 25 miles only 15. I tried the mtn bike but it felt like I was never going to get to work or better yet home.

Good luck
 
silverspot said:
If you're going to use your MTB to do some 'road work', you might invest in some new (or used) wheels so you can keep your slicks on one set of wheels and your knobbys on the other set. That way you don't have to spend much time & effort changing tires, just swap out the wheels.

If you have disc brakes you'd also want to get some rotors for the new wheels as well.

OR... you can just buy a new road bike and be done with it...
Click to expand...

I have Disc's so eventually that would be the idea. A s complete second set of Wheels, unless I found a road bike for pretty cheap (though I'm pretty clueless on raodbikes).

emfc said:
I was in the same boat about a two years ago, then I bought a Specialized Langster off craigslist for $400. It has since paid for itself. I ride 4-5 days a week to work. Not 25 miles only 15. I tried the mtn bike but it felt like I was never going to get to work or better yet home.

Good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I am not stoked about using the MTB, but I am not ready to spend alot of money on soemthing I am only trying out for now. ITs a long commute so I am trying to get a feeler about it.
 
If the 25 miles each way is too big a chunk for the mountain bike, you might be able to incorporate some section of public transport into the mix. Most buses and metro allow bikes on a rack or inside.

Also there was a web site called http://www.bikemetro.com that had mapquest type of mapping for bicycles... it prioritized roads with bike lanes and bike paths over non bike-friendly streets when planning routes. It's been offline for a while, but I'm hoping they get it back up.
 
Question Clarification

Thank you for your posts so far. I am planning on trying it out a few times on my current ride and am looking for advice on Safety issues and the such. Blinking red lights and this sort of thing? As well as peoples experiences on commuting.
What do I need to watch for?
What are things to consider when trying to figure the best route to take?

Please keep the advice coming. I appreciate it all.
:wave:

kanga said:
If the 25 miles each way is too big a chunk for the mountain bike, you might be able to incorporate some section of public transport into the mix. Most buses and metro allow bikes on a rack or inside.
Click to expand...

Good idea !!! might be good to ride the bus up to Foothill from my apt. off of the 60 fwy.
 
I've ridden my mtn and track bikes to work for sometime. I have to say that the lighter, road friendly bike def. makes a difference. Other than that you get your red light for the back and front light (if you ride in the dark.) Also if you can find safe routes like boardwalks and bike/jogging paths it's always good. I take santa ana river trail to the hb board walk to work in downtown huntington.
 
sasquatch9billion said:
I've ridden my mtn and track bikes to work for sometime. I have to say that the lighter, road friendly bike def. makes a difference. Other than that you get your red light for the back and front light (if you ride in the dark.) Also if you can find safe routes like boardwalks and bike/jogging paths it's always good. I take santa ana river trail to the hb board walk to work in downtown huntington.
Click to expand...

Wish that my commute went in that direction. Unfortunately it will be streets most, if not all of the way. Looking forward to it though. Going to see how I can cheaply lower the weight of my bike, before I ride.
 
ChariotsOfTires said:
What are things to consider when trying to figure the best route to take?
Click to expand...

well,
a- where do you live?
b- where's work?
c- try some possible routes on the weekend (read, lower traffic) and see which one's are more bike friendly.
d- any MUT's in the area? if so, any off-road trail is always going to be safer than riding with 2+ ton death machines (cars-r-coffins)
e- as sasquatch said, be visible. blinky lights, bright clothes, reflective stuff. all good.
 
jcampbell said:
I have a brand new set of slick 26er specialized tires for sale if you are intersted.
Click to expand...

I am. How much and will they fit my current rims (not going to by a new wheel set just yet)? It's a stock rim set from the Rockhopper.

slowSSer said:
well,
a- where do you live?
b- where's work?
c- try some possible routes on the weekend (read, lower traffic) and see which one's are more bike friendly.
d- any MUT's in the area? if so, any off-road trail is always going to be safer than riding with 2+ ton death machines (cars-r-coffins)
e- as sasquatch said, be visible. blinky lights, bright clothes, reflective stuff. all good.
Click to expand...

A - Chino, CA
B - Monrovia, CA
C - Looking to drive the route I'm thinking of home on Tuesday
D - MUT's enlighten me. Looking into the off road trails.
E - Looking into this as well.

Thanks for info, keep it coming.
 
I emailed the administrator of BikeMetro.com... he didn't know the site was down. It's back up and working...

cool features include the ability to select your "hill tolerance" as well as whether you would use public transport in addition.
 
kanga said:
I emailed the administrator of BikeMetro.com... he didn't know the site was down. It's back up and working...

cool features include the ability to select your "hill tolerance" as well as whether you would use public transport in addition.
Click to expand...

Sweet Site!!! Thanks a lot. I am getting both nervous and excited about the prospect of riding home from work on Thursday.

Add: Just looked through the site and plotted the route. 24.26 miles and an estimated 1626 calories burned. The route looks good though it seems that it might push me through some ify neighborhoods in Pomona and Montclair. I used to work up there and know the neighborhoods well enough. I am getting geeked thinking about being able to burn 1626 callories once a week, maybe twice.
 
ChariotsOfTires said:
Sweet Site!!! Thanks a lot. I am getting both nervous and excited about the prospect of riding home from work on Thursday.
Click to expand...

And i just suited up for a 30 mile round trip to the office and to run some errands.... I only drive when I have to!

You'll thank yourself later...
 
riding to work/ school is pretty cool! i did it everyday for about 4 years and it was a 12 mile one way up hill commute. all you really need is some narrow grooved slick tires, some blinky lights, and perhaps a change of clothes and you'll be set! the only other thing i can recommend is pre riding the route so you know how long it'll take you to get there. personally, i would avoid roads with heavy traffic and major hills just so things are less hectic and more enjoyable. look for roads that run parallel to major streets, and you'll be set!
also, be sure to keep a spare tube and a reliable pump in your bag just in case you flat somewhere along the way
happy riding and good luck

~Ian
 
supralight said:
riding to work/ school is pretty cool! i did it everyday for about 4 years and it was a 12 mile one way up hill commute. all you really need is some narrow grooved slick tires, some blinky lights, and perhaps a change of clothes and you'll be set! the only other thing i can recommend is pre riding the route so you know how long it'll take you to get there. personally, i would avoid roads with heavy traffic and major hills just so things are less hectic and more enjoyable. look for roads that run parallel to major streets, and you'll be set!
also, be sure to keep a spare tube and a reliable pump in your bag just in case you flat somewhere along the way
happy riding and good luck

~Ian
Click to expand...

Ian, Good words, I appreciate it. Riding home the first time to get a feel for the timing without a specific time frame. Then later will do the ride to work on a weekend first to get a grip on how long it will take me to get there.

Randall <//><
 
kanga said:
I emailed the administrator of BikeMetro.com... he didn't know the site was down. It's back up and working...

cool features include the ability to select your "hill tolerance" as well as whether you would use public transport in addition.
Click to expand...


awesome advice man

<--looks to be biking to work when the new bike is built up soon enough
 

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