Do any of you cycle to work? Bike recommendations please

[Siw2020]

I am in my early 30s and haven't cycled since I was a child / occasionally on holiday.

My new job across the other side of the city is easier/faster to get to by bike than driving through the city center.

Any recommendations for city commuting? It will also partly be in parks/ muddy puddles.

Thanks!

city center
Are you in the USA?

Does your work do the cycle to work scheme?

Can you tell us a bit about how you'll treat your commute? Eg speeding there and showering vs cycling along leisurely? Any plans to use the bike for off road rides?

I'm a leisurely commuter in a flat city w nice weather so I have an upright Dutch style bike that came with mudguards, chain guard, cycle rack etc. Friends prefer speedy road bikes.

@DDIJ

How far is it? Is your city flat or hilly? Where will you store the bike at home? Where will you secure the bike at work? Do you need to carry anything? Will you use the bike for anything other than commuting? Do you anticipate having to transport the bike, either by car or public transport?

Sorry that's too many questions.

1. About a 30min cycle
2. Hmm, has flat and hilly parts
3. In this current flat theres a bike rack, moving to another rented flat soon which I hope has a bike rack too otherwise I guess in the flat.
4. Work definitely has a bike shed (hospital)
5. Yes, my backpack for work - scrubs to get changed into, lunch, notepad etc
6. Mostly for commuting, but leisurely ride would be nice too I guess
7. I hope not, my car does not have a bike rack!

@DDIJ - hard to say really as really unsure of what sort of range a decent bike to suit my needs would be

Budget?
Would you still cycle in rain/bad weather?
Would you want a shower at arrival/return?

@BigGreen

Does your work do the cycle to work scheme?

Can you tell us a bit about how you'll treat your commute? Eg speeding there and showering vs cycling along leisurely? Any plans to use the bike for off road rides?

I'm a leisurely commuter in a flat city w nice weather so I have an upright Dutch style bike that came with mudguards, chain guard, cycle rack etc. Friends prefer speedy road bikes.

1. Yes I think the NHS does, though some people have said its easier/cheaper sometimes when you get a decent deal to buy it.
2. Sorry not very helpful but probable a mixture of the two, or somewhere in the middle. I tend to work out and intend to continue (separate to the cycling) and don't really want to have too many showers each day. So perhaps aim not to get too sweaty to work but can on the way back as likely will work out when I get back anyway. (If I realise its too much and need to cycle when I get to work too then ofcourse I will..)
3. Havent really considered off road rides, but I guess it would be nice to able to use it outside of commuting to work (but in reality I am not sure how commonly or if at all I actually will)

If you are reasonably fit and likely to want to do some reasonably speedy cycling on tarmac then I would suggest a gravel bike. It’s basically a road bike on steroids with chunkier tyres and usually the option for panniers etc whilst still being reasonably lightweight. Often have disc brakes. I have a cyclocross bike which is a bit racier but a similar concept (knobbly tyres road bike) and I can do a road ride at 16mph or take it on the easier end of the MTB trails in the woods and everything in between. Usually have a wide range of gears on a gravel bike too.

If you think your prefer something slightly more relaxed/flat handlebars then look at a lightweight hybrid. Again should have mounts for everything but maybe will add front suspension and be a bit heavier.

@lljkk

Budget? Would you still cycle in rain/bad weather? Would you want a shower at arrival/return?

1) Budget - Quite open at this stage as I know so little about bikes 2) Possibly not - as also have a car, probably will drive if raining heavily 3) On return, yes for sure. On arrival, undecided at this stage depends how much I feel I need to.

I cycle a lot, used to commute occasionally back in the day When I had an office to go to. If I ever go back to an office, I’m going to get an ebike for the commute. I had one for a while and loved it. Cold/wet weather is less likely to put you off when you know you can just put the power up to full and head off. Equally I found the extra power on the ebike made me more confident pulling away from Junctions etc. And, you can go full power on the way to work so you are only doing light pedalling and therefore not arrive a sweaty mess, then turn it off for the trip home for your ‘exercise’.

Definitely get it through the bike to work scheme, it will save you a fortune and you pay it off over 12 months.

Don't forget if you're switching to driving when it rains, everyone else will be too and it'll take soooo long. Although matters less if you do weird shift hours. Riding in the rain is alright in the right clothes, and there are nice ones, you don't have to look like a dick. But anyway, it's nearly spring ☀️

I started cycling again in similar circumstances with a Ridgeback hybrid. You want something that is decent (if you get a crappy bike you will never use it) but you also want a steady ride.

If you want a step through frame I can recommend a Ridgeback Comet although it isn't super lightweight, so you will not be the fastest thing in town. However it will take panniers and is an excellent entry level hybrid bike.

I would avoid a swan neck style (Dutch) bike as they are extremely heavy.

Trek and Specialised also make very good bikes. The most important thing is to get one that fits - too many people are riding bikes that don't fit with two flat tyres and then wondering why they hate cycling!

Half an hour, unless you are racing, you’ll be unlikely to sweat. If it’s just for commuting a hybrid would work well. Has thick enough tyres that you can do unmade lanes, tracks and go at quite a pace if you want to. It’s a good all rounder. Road bikes with thin tyres are more for long distances and speed, mountain bikes for off - road riding. Mountain bikes can do everything but would be slower and harder work than a hybrid if you go any distance. I love off road cycling so would opt for a mountain bike but for only commuting I think a hybrid would suit. You can get panniers and mud guards fitted to any bike.

I'd go for a hybrid if I were you (but I don't get on with drop handbars).

I paid £300 for mine (a Giant Liv) 8 years ago, and while I've replaced parts on it now, it's done pretty well - I've done over 12,000 miles on it. There are lighter ones out there, which would be kinder on the hills (it's flat here). The advantage of a fairly cheap bike is that I can leave it in town (locked!) and it hasn't (yet) been stolen.

I'd really recommend panniers - I find cycling without something on my back both more comfortable and a lot less sweaty. Most bikes that would work for you come with mount points for a rack.

I disagree about Dutch bikes for this length of commute. You can get lighter weight frames, I've had my lighter frame gazelle for 12 years f9r commuting. Gazelles have lights, lock, mudguards etc built in, they last forever and carry loads.

Not all bikes with Dutch style geometry are super heavy these days.

I love my new Brompton...got it on cycle to work.

Get a 6 speed if there are hills on your commute.

Has the joy of being able to love in your flat so very secure. Get a fuck off big lock for the bike shed at work.

If you Don’t want a folder I previously had a Specialized sirrus. Loved it but my new flat has no bike storage so the Brompton is easier.

Oh and don’t commute with a rucksack it’s horrible. Get a rack & pannier if you go for a normal bike or a front bag if you get a Brompton.

I forced one of my friends to ride my Brompton (very serious city lawyer type) and he reluctantly did so to humour me as I was making a bit of a fuss in public and embarrassing him.

He disappeared round the block. Came back with the biggest smile on his face and declared it was the most fun bike ride he had had in years. He has now ordered a Brompton too!!

Hills means weight is important, so I'd go for a hybrid (not a full mountain bike as they are heavy, and I think even "lightweight" Dutch bikes are pretty heavy - but then I ride a lightweight road bike with drop handlebars).

Agree with a PP that at 30 minutes you should simply aim to cycle gently so you don't break into a sweat rather than showering at work - when I worked this out I maybe had to add 5 minutes into the journey time but saved 15 minutes on the shower time.

No no don't get a gravel bike! the tyres will sap your energy on tarmac. If Specialized still do the Sirrus I'd recommend them as they have a range of prices/spec and are very good value. Definitely go for a hybrid for commuting because you can fit pannier racks and mudguards. I commuted on a Sirrus for many years and absolutely loved it.

Also spend at least 10% of the value of your bike on a lock, preferably two if you can afford. Take the front wheel off, lock the wheel to the frame and if the saddle has a quick release, take that with you too

And have fun. I miss my commuting days

Tbh though you might find it hard to get hold of anything at the moment as everyone's gone bike crazy.

@Neighneigh you can buy tyres for a gravel bike that are smooth in the centre and only a little tread at the outside of your route is mainly tarmac and a bit of park type path/track. My DP can average a good speed on his (as in 17-18mph for his commute of 30mins) and drop handlebars are much more comfortable to use as you can vary your hand position. For the sake of a couple of sets of tyres you really can get a do everything bike. You could even put full road race tyres on if you wanted. I genuinely believe they are the most flexible type of bike nowadays (see also cyclocross with slick tyres but the geometry will be more aggressive). Something like the Liv Avail AR or the Trek Checkpoint would make an excellent commuter.

@Neighneigh makes a great point about availability. I got a new Trek mountain bike this week and I’ve been trying to find one in stock since September - I spoke to loads of dealers and some weren’t expecting their deliveries of this specific model and size til June. Equally, I’m now trying to get a few additional bits and bobs for it (better saddle, grips, mudguard) and a lot of places are sold out! It’s a combination of cycling increasing in popularity and most of the manufacturing places having been shut down for a lot of last year.

It might be a better plan to go to a couple of bike shops and see what they actually have in stock and then take it from there.

I’ve got a Specialized Hybrid. I don’t like bikes where the weight is too heavy on my arms and hands which ruled out a few others. Hybrids are perfect for commuting because they often have features like chain guards and mud guards which stop you getting splattered and oil covered. They’re not going to manage very rugged terrain but I ride on trails in the woods ok so cutting through a park or puddles will be fine. Tires are not too slick or chunky. They also allow for the bike rack and panniers on the back - although I have used a rucksack which was ok.