Ditch the car, cycle to work. Which bike?

Ousetunes · 21-06-2006, 10:14

Fuel goes up; car insurance, MOT and everything else associated with owning a vehicle is forever increasing. Driving to and from work, going about the day's business, trying to park - it's all becoming a bit of a nightmare.

So, I've two decent alternatives. One is to walk which might be asking a little too much. Lodge Moor to Crookes Valley six (and sometimes seven) days a week (and back of course) might be a little too vexing for a relatively unfit 37 year old.

But what about a bike? Cheap to buy, practically free to run and I'd guess I might get fit to boot. Could I cycle up School Road and Lydgate Lane and then along Sandygate Road every evening? Would it take much longer than it does in the car at 5pm?

So here are some questions:

Has anyone else on here ditched the car to cycle to work? Are you pleased you did so or are you simply too knackered to tell me?

What type of bike would you recommend for the likes of me?

What should I look for in a bike, how much should I pay and what other items would I need?

Please don't try and be too technical with your advice. Remember, the last time I straddled a bike, I rushed home on it to watch John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John on Top of the Pops.

willman · 21-06-2006, 10:22

buy a cheapish mountain bike type - dont bother with suspension (its actually bad for your back if only road riding).
then try it ,if you like it you can advance the quality of the bike & sell the other one.

bielby · 21-06-2006, 10:44

You'd easily beat the traffic into work in the morning, and riding back wouldn't be too bad - something like half an hour without going too hard up the hills (or is just one big hill) home.
Don't buy one of the cheap full suspension bikes, they sap lots of your pedalling energy into 'bobbing up and down' energy - an old sturdy racing bike or cheap, hardtail mountain bike. Don't spend over £100, and prob best to get a decent 2nd hand one. It's an idea to take some sporty clothes for cycling back home, you'll get quite sweaty

Look out for the council's cycling in Sheffield booklet, they make one every season with lots of info in

Jazzybmzoo · 21-06-2006, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ousetunes

Fuel goes up; car insurance, MOT and everything else associated with owning a vehicle is forever increasing. Driving to and from work, going about the day's business, trying to park - it's all becoming a bit of a nightmare.

So, I've two decent alternatives. One is to walk which might be asking a little too much. Lodge Moor to Crookes Valley six (and sometimes seven) days a week (and back of course) might be a little too vexing for a relatively unfit 37 year old.

But what about a bike? Cheap to buy, practically free to run and I'd guess I might get fit to boot. Could I cycle up School Road and Lydgate Lane and then along Sandygate Road every evening? Would it take much longer than it does in the car at 5pm?

So here are some questions:

Has anyone else on here ditched the car to cycle to work? Are you pleased you did so or are you simply too knackered to tell me?

What type of bike would you recommend for the likes of me?

What should I look for in a bike, how much should I pay and what other items would I need?

Please don't try and be too technical with your advice. Remember, the last time I straddled a bike, I rushed home on it to watch John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John on Top of the Pops.

Ey-up mate. Yeah I cyclced to work for a good few years until some little b'stard nicked it from outside my office. So my first tip is buy a GOOD, strong chain.

As for doing it, it was a bit daunting at first especially after driving but it was the best thing I ever did. I'll be honest; the first couple of weeks will be a BIG shock to the system (specifically the arse and legs) but you'll be surprised how quick you take to it. And there is no better time of the year to do it. Cycling in in a morning when the sun is shining and there is still that freshness which means you won't arrive at work looking like a big, sweaty court rapist, is awesome!

As for the bike itself. I'd recommend a 'hybrid' or road bike (same thing really ) - half racer, half mountain bike. Some of the sales guys in JE James' cycles will try to steer you away from front suspensions but for Sheffield's fooked up roads I think they're essential, as is a saddle suspension for counteracting testicular depreciation.

Take it steady & avoid the busier roads at first. I never used to wear a helmet but I would still strongly recommend one...as well as some bike shades (for dust and the like).

Lastly, when you do get confident & you're whizzing through traffic just take a moment to check out all the pis*ed off faces in cars and you'll wonder why you didn't do it all sooner.

Ousetunes · 21-06-2006, 11:05

Jazzy - I'm warming to the idea already!

Tricky · 21-06-2006, 11:14

I've recently started to the same thing - bought a second hand bike off here. Crookes to town is a breeze, coming home is tough.

You've got some long uphill hauls so I would consider a lightweight road bike although a mountain bike will be more robust.

In terms of time, you'll get to work much quicker during the rush hour, propably using the brakes more than the pedals, but going home will take much longer - I seriously think I could walk home quicker.

Sheffield traffic isn't very bike friendly (indeed there's a thread at the moment, celebrating the fact that a cyclist was involved in a serious accident). So get a helmet and something flourescent for when it gets darker.

The best thing is that it is much, much, much more fun than sitting in a car or bus.

Jazzybmzoo · 21-06-2006, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ousetunes

Jazzy - I'm warming to the idea already!

And the other bonus is your missus won't be able to get enough of your thighs once you've go them beefy, like. As Sean Connery would say, 'Shplendad'.

Bridgeblox · 21-06-2006, 11:28

I'm with Tricky on this one. Generally road bikes have thinner tyres and weigh less, and therefore less drag, unfortunately you'll pay a little more at the outset for one but I can thoroughly recomend it. Worth getting one with a triple front chainset (i.e. three cogs at the front) as it makes hills a bit easier.

Agree with everyone else - make yourself visible and buy a good lock. I'm sure it'll be the second best decision in your life.

kieran · 21-06-2006, 12:03

a hybrid/racer is gona make going home up school road much nicer then on a mtb(i notice the difference going up eccy road south when i switch bikes) you can pick up a racer for about £50 from the star or freeadds and they cope with the roads fine. Also decathlon have padded baggy cycling shorts for £15 they def help with the sore arse.

muddycoffee · 21-06-2006, 12:34

Get a motorbike or a scooter, parking is free in town and running costs are minimal and you won't need a shower and a change of clothes. I have a mate who is an extremely fit and keen cyclist (a 100 mile a day man), and even he doesn't cycle to work because he would have to sit in his own sweaty filth for 8 hours before cycling back home.

dibsy · 21-06-2006, 12:56

I'd definately go for a motorbike, everything is far cheaper and you've no waiting around in traffic either.

Don_Kiddick · 21-06-2006, 13:15

I cycled to work the other day.

My bum feels like I've been strapped to the underside of a playfull stallion even now

chris@25 · 22-06-2006, 12:19

This article on bbc web site might be of interest - cyclist beat car from hathersage to bbc offices in town in morning rush hour. Given that it takes some effort to get up the hill from hathersage I'd say that's pretty good going...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/...hallenge.shtml

muddycoffee · 22-06-2006, 12:35

Well my boss comes in to work every day from hathersage and anyone who drives and knows the best way wouldn't normally be beaten by a cyclist.

The thing that makes me a bit annoyed about all this cycling commuting stuff is very fit people and those who don't have far to go may well do well to commute by cycle every day, but sheffield has all these steep hills and we are constantly being compared to college towns where everyone cycles. I have been to cambridge many times and it is as flat as a pancake, even elderly pensioners cycle everywhere on ancient bikes in heavy clothing, there are more bikes than cars. I have been to Holland where they have seperated cycling on many main road, again flat.
By all means cycle if you can and it is appropriate, but don't expect 50% of the population to slog up Meadowhead or many of the other slighly less severe hills that our city is built on.

Nimrod · 22-06-2006, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don_Kiddick

I cycled to work the other day.

My bum feels like I've been strapped to the underside of a playfull stallion even now

Lucky you, some forum members would pay good money for that !!!

Still, whatever turns you on.

dski · 22-06-2006, 13:02

I'd also recommend hybrid or road bike, as long as it's light, has good brakes and doesn't have big, knobbly off road tyres on it you'll be ok.

As for getting hot and sweaty, Lodge Moor to Cookes Valley is mainly down hill so you'll only really work up a sweat going home. I cycle from Crookes down to Abbeydale and back everyday and just change my t-shirt when I get to work. It only takes me 12 minutes, certainly a lot quicker than driving.

Good luck!

czechroman · 22-06-2006, 13:11

get 1 of those electric bikes, charge them up and go, no tax, insurance mot etc,

muddycoffee · 22-06-2006, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by dski

As for getting hot and sweaty, Lodge Moor to Cookes Valley is mainly down hill

Isn't cookes valley in the USA? Amphibious transport eh!

muddycoffee · 22-06-2006, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by czechroman

get 1 of those electric bikes, charge them up and go, no tax, insurance mot etc,

I think you still have to pedal those electric bikes, they just help.

Tax insurance and MOT for a small motorbike is very cheap, depending on your age could be well under £200 a year for all of it, round about £3 a week and a 125 will do well over 120 miles to a gallon, so petrol would probably cost you about £5 per month.

It's years since I had a 125, so someone who has one may be able to clarify the current costs.

czechroman · 22-06-2006, 13:23

http://www.zipeebikes.co.uk/

also you can get electric cars if you want!