Author Topic: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?  (Read 6001 times)

ChpBstrd

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Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« on: June 27, 2017, 06:09:59 PM »
Me:
38y/o male, 205 lbs, 5'11", moderate-poor endurance and BMI but looking to change that by bike commuting!

The Commute:
4 miles
lots of hills, per google maps it's 144ft up and 220ft down to get to work
virtually zero infrastructure like bike lanes or paths, but sidewalks almost the whole way
stop-and-go traffic on 4-lane 35mph speed limit roads

The Road Bike:
2001 Torelli Corsa Strada steel frame
Ultegra drivetrain, geared tall
19lbs

The Mountain Bike:
2008 Jamis Dakar full suspension 26er
X-9 Drivetrain, geared low
2.25" knobby tires
31 lbs

Saturday Trial Runs:
I did a couple of trial runs this year to determine how much time I should allot and how sweaty I would get (at least until I got into shape and didn't sweat any more). The road bike and mountain bike were tested in virtually ideal conditions on Saturdays with temperatures in the mid-70s, similar humidity, and partly cloudy. I live in a mid-sized city in the southern U.S. One test was in February, the other in June. Results are:

Bike/Style                    Time                    Sweatiness                    Weather
Road/street                 19 min                  significant                      74F, 69% humidity, partly cloudy
Mountain/sidewalks      25 min                  slight                             78F, 60% humidity, partly cloudy

Notes
I had a hard time keeping up with traffic on the road bike, sprinting from stoplight to stoplight. The traffic pressured me to push hard, and as a result, I was quite sweaty and would have needed a shower at work. This is despite the much better rolling resistance and efficiency of the road bike and street. The traffic might also be downright scary/risky during rush hour.

On the mountain bike, I used the narrow old sidewalks, which I'm not sure is even technically legal. However, here in car country these sidewalks are generally deserted during rush hour. This involved jumping across curbs and dodging carelessly placed light posts and signs. The road bike would have broke with this type of abuse. My time was not much different, even though it was a much more leisurely ride. I was not too sweaty to walk straight into work and get going.

The real problem is that the road bike is geared so high, I was unable to climb the big hill on the way home. I had to get off and push. On the mountain bike, I was able to slowly spin my way up the hill, but with great aerobic effort and not much faster than walking.

The Questions
Does anyone else have a dilemma about using the road vs. going off-road or using a road bike vs. mountain bike? Is screaming down the sidewalk past all the cars lined up during rush hour rude/illegal? On the other hand, is casually pedaling along at 10mph during rush hour just being an ass whisker and causing traffic jams? Finally, which option do you think would be better for a newbie to bike commuting, in terms of being able to routinely do it and sticking with it?

Reynolds531

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2017, 06:46:09 PM »
Buy slicks for the mountain bike and ride leisurely on the sidewalk until a cop warns you.  Road bike is too nice for a daily driver.

letired

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2017, 06:50:40 PM »
* Do what you are most comfortable with. It sounds like sidewalk-riding might be the best start.

* When riding on the sidewalk, be careful at intersections/street crossings since cars are not usually looking, much less looking for something moving as quickly as even a slow-moving bicycle. This is a somewhat common place for accidents.

* Check your locality for bike advocacy orgs. Many will have a 'riding in the road safely' type class available, and can also help you assess the safety of your route/options.

Good luck!

stashgrower

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2017, 07:10:09 PM »
I ride a mountain bike. I'd prefer a road bike as it feels like less effort is required.

+1 letired. Also beware cars pulling out of driveways.

frompa

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2017, 08:16:26 PM »
Several things struck me about your post.  First is that, in general, the mountain bike is going to be more difficult to ride as a commuter because the wider, knobbier tires require more effort to get from point A to B than would a road bike.  Second, if your "road bike" is a skinny-ass tire light weight thing, that's not necessarily going to easily accommodate your having to carry stuff like change of clothes, etc., though it will be an easier ride.  Maybe pick up a slightly wider tire touring bike (used -- they're everywhere.) and outfit it with a rack, lights, etc..  Third, maybe you want to consider taking a basic "how to ride on the road" course like Cycling Savvy or Traffic Skills 101 (League of American Cyclists) so that you can develop the skills to ride comfortably on the roads -- your description of your cycling experience makes me think you're not comfortable on the roads.  You should be able to go your own pace, control the lane when you have to, and not feel pushed around by the car drivers.  And, dude, unless you are a kid, you don't belong on the sidewalks.  Where I live, adults riding on the sidewalks is illegal, and even if it's not where you live, it's really inefficient (slow) and not very safe for you or the pedestrians you're sharing the space with.  All that said, these details are worth figuring out, because commuting by bike is really a blast, in addition to all the other frugally virtuous things about it.  Good luck!

FLBiker

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2017, 01:54:18 PM »
I've used a mountain bike w/ slickish tires as a daily commuter for years.  I mostly ride on the road, but I sometimes jump curbs or ride in the dirt.  Plus, I get more exercise on a mountain bike. :)

My preferred commuter is nothing fancy - aluminum frame, no suspension.  I ride a 2008 Gary Fisher Mako.  And, as other folks have said, be careful of things entering the roadway if you're on the sidewalk.  I do a bit of my ride on the sidewalk, but only where it's uninterrupted.  We've got some bike lanes around here (not particularly well respected here in Tampa) but they're on big roads.  I tend to ride on small roads and just take the lane.

plog

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2017, 02:11:23 PM »
Quote
sidewalks almost the whole way
stop-and-go traffic on 4-lane 35mph speed limit roads

I always questions people's route making abilities.  Just because you drive to work that way doesn't mean you have to bike to work that way. Are you sure there aren't parallel streets with less lanes and traffic that you can ride on? 


Sidewalks imply a populated area.  4 lane road with that low of a speed limit implies the same.  It sounds like you are describing a major thorough fair in a devloped area--those generally have  adjacent streets that will get you to the same destination.   
« Last Edit: June 28, 2017, 02:13:46 PM by plog »

gooki

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2017, 02:20:18 PM »
Touring bike for daily commute.

Mountain bike as backup/snowy days.

PtboEliz

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2017, 03:09:02 PM »
Hybrid +1!

BoonDogle

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2017, 03:44:35 PM »
I like my hybrid bike for riding in town (it is just a more comfortable leisurely ride) and the road bike for distance rides and speed.  Whatever you ride, I would agree that you need to ride on the road, not the sidewalk.  Drivers are focused on what's in the road and often times not expecting someone to ride across the intersection or driveway from the sidewalk.  Oh, and don't try to ride on the very far right edge of the road so cars can squeeze past.  That can be dangerous.

ChipmunkSavings

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2017, 06:06:00 AM »
Hybrid +1 as well.

shawndoggy

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2017, 06:23:14 AM »
I ride my road bike.  I intentionally take the route into work with the big hill, and sometimes stretch it to take the long (10), extra long (14), or extra extra long (20) way in to work.  This time of year especially, the morning is a glorious time to be on the bike.  Sometimes I take the longer routes home but usually I go the easy flat way home (8 miles), because its hotter and windier and I'm just ready to be home at the end of the day. 

In a car it's about 6 miles, but that route totally sucks on a bike (wide very fast streets, bad shoulders).

My route, the very easiest way, has about 1000' of climbing round trip.  The harder routes are about double that.

I have showers at work.  I keep a towel and dress shoes at work, so I only need to carry clothes, toiletries and my lunch in a backpack.


spokey doke

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2017, 11:47:29 AM »
to echo a number of good points:
- spend some time finding a good route that will allow you to have a positive experience riding on the road (and you should be able to call the city and ask about whether it is legal to ride on sidewalks, many cities don't...but even if it is legal, it is BS to do that unless you are 5 yrs old).

- figure out how you are going to carry things: backpack? panniers? trailer?  Personally, I hate riding with a pack, esp. if I'm trying to avoid getting too sweaty.

- the carrying solution might influence bike choice (e.g. braze-ons for racks).

- more on bike choice...do you use these bikes for anything else? if not...you might get rid of one or both and get an ideal commuter (something with slicks and appropriate gearing and carrying options, but that could be a mtn bike or hybrid with slick tires, or a road bike that allows you to carry what you need to in the way you want).  IMO - it isn't worth getting hung up on the labels "mountain bike" "road bike" "hybrid bike"...get something that fits that you want to ride.

- even more on bike choice - if your road bike is otherwise a keeper, you can either get in shape so you can pedal up the hills or change your chainrings for a lower gearing (take it to a shop and ask how small you can go).  If you'd rather ride the mtn bike, then just put slick tires on it.

- once you get your ride and carry gear...go nuts with reflectors and refectlive tape and lights so there is no way that someone will miss seeing you on the road.  If there was ever an aspect of life where you should not worry about looking like a dork...it is having too much reflective stuff on your commuter bike/helmet/clothes/packs
« Last Edit: June 29, 2017, 11:54:21 AM by spokey doke »

frugaliknowit

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #13 on: June 29, 2017, 02:23:55 PM »
19 versus 25 minutes, sounds like a HUGE difference!! 

Apples to apples (same route, same conditions), it should make little difference in time/effort.  Make sure to practice using a combination of gears AND momentum on hills.  This is a skill that might take some practice.

ChpBstrd

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #14 on: June 29, 2017, 04:29:52 PM »
Here's some more route info:

The route to work is through a developed area. During rush hour when I would be riding, it is a four-lane drag race. The suggestion to find alternate routes is a good one, and there are side streets. However, my route takes me across no less than 3 bridges: one across an interstate, one across a rail yard, and one across a river (not at all kidding). The route bottlenecks at these points, forcing me back onto the 4-lane racetrack. Even worse, each bridge arcs up in a big hill. I've never seen another cyclist on this road during rush hour.

Re: hybrid bike

It's true that I have two highly specialized bicycles: one meant for road racing (model name is road race in Italian: corsa strada) and another for jumping off cliffs. A third bike would be nice to have, but before I make yet another consumptive step, I probably need to make the ride on the MTB. Who doesn't have an extra 6 minutes? The question is whether to attempt to avoid the cars or jump into the fray with them. I can deal either way, but it seems rude to the cars to hold back a whole lane at 8 mph.

shawndoggy

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #15 on: June 29, 2017, 05:30:56 PM »
I kinda don't like ebikes on principle, but your situation sounds like one where it would really make sense (keeping up with traffic).

letired

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #16 on: June 29, 2017, 06:35:30 PM »
Based on what you've said about your route, I think it makes even more sense to connect with more experienced cyclists in your area about your route, which is what I was roundabout suggesting by saying you should get in touch with your local bike advocacy group. I can tell you all the things I would do in those situations based on what I do in my area, but at the end of the day it doesn't mean much for your situation. I also think getting the road skills training from said bike advocacy org will make a big difference in a) your comfort while on the road and b) your ability to asses your safety on various routes.

My other comment is that I was having a rash of 'close encounters' at various points on my bike commute which a) discouraged me from biking, both because I wasn't feeling safe, and also because those points were close to the end  of my route and I would end my rides trying to come down from an adrenaline spike and calm my anger, which is something I find very unpleasant and un-did all the relaxation and enjoyment I was getting from the rest of the ride. My solution has been to bike less, and when I do bike, I take a much longer route where I have had much fewer 'close encounters'. All of which is a long-winded way to say that if you are finding your route unpleasant or stressful, ie riding in the road with a bunch of frustrated drivers, do what you need to do to make your ride more enjoyable. I generally don't appreciate people biking on the sidewalk, but if you aren't powering away at top speed and endangering pedestrians, and are extra cautious at intersections and driveways, you have my internet blessing to do it.

Do you have continuous sidewalk up the hills and/or across the bridges? If nothing else, taking the sidewalk at those points might make sense if you aren't comfortable in traffic, even if you stick to the road the rest of the time.

spokey doke

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #17 on: June 30, 2017, 08:33:09 AM »
it seems rude to the cars to hold back a whole lane at 8 mph.

I used to commute through a downtown metro area during rush hour and (in my 20's) loved it...but the key for me was being really comfortable on my bike and riding fast...beating cars off the line, etc. after a big cup of strong coffee..not put-putting in the right hand lane...(ah...youth...)

That route sounds pretty grim for biking unless there are good bike lanes or separate paths over them.  Also the lack of other bikers is a bad sign...as drivers may not be accustomed to dealing with bikes (go back to my comments on visibility).  I might try to track down conversations about bike commuting in Portland, OR...as that place is 1. Chocked full of bridges; and 2. Chocked full of (rabid) bike commuters.


ChpBstrd

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Re: Do you mountain bike or road bike to work?
« Reply #18 on: June 30, 2017, 01:55:14 PM »
I kinda don't like ebikes on principle, but your situation sounds like one where it would really make sense (keeping up with traffic).

I've considered that as a solution to climb the hills and get the jump on stoplights in a way that keeps me up with traffic and still gets me the exercise equivalent to a couple miles of riding a day.

I'm reluctant to throw $2k at the problem though.