I've just been offered a new job at a hospital a mere 3 miles away (rather than the 32 miles that I currently travel) and am considering bicycle commuting options. I'm torn between getting a 'proper' bike that I'd have to leave locked up outside (in a secure storage area) and a folding bike that I'd be able to take into work and leave in the changing room.
So given the distance which would be the better option?
My commute with just over 3 miles, and I like to do it with as little faff as possible. I can bring my bike into my office, mind, but even if I had to leave it outside in the rain, I would probably choose to do that. I would hate to spend the extra couple of minutes setting it up and/or taking it down.
It's bad enough that I have to wear a rain jacket!
For that distance, I'd look at a secondhand fixie or similar. Very little maintenance required, less attractive for tealeaves, bolt-up wheels etc so more difficult to strip parts from...
Is the journey flat or hilly?
Leaving one outside is simpler and easier than taking one inside if it's definitely secure.
Something like a dutch bike would be perfect
With proper secure storage I would always use a full size bike over a folder (I have a Brompton and never commute the seven miles in on it as we have storage and a big bike is comfier, faster and less faff). Single speed or a Dutch bike probably the latter.
I commute around 3 miles on flat-bar rigid bike with 700c wheels and 1x8speed transmission and Marathon tyres. Perfect tool I reckon. Looks pretty dull (and dirty!) but fairly quick and super reliable. Chains and cassettes last years of everyday riding in all weather and the 8 speed rarely needs adjusting. Only improvement would be disk brakes for wet riding and less adjustments.
Folder would be the last thing I'd consider for that sort of commute - track bike with a front brake if it's flattish and you want to tan it in wearing cycling shoes (descending fixed sucks, so not a good option if there's a decent hill) - absolute minimal maintenance and a very nice way to roll.
Something more ordinary would serve if you just want to bimble it in wearing normal sort of clothes, although I guess you need to get changed anyway if you're a doctor or a nurse.
Decent D-lock in secure storage will be solid in a hospital I reckon - they'll be 100s of other bikes locked with cheap cables that will get lifted before yours.
Over that short distance, you could choose practically any bike type!
Depends if you want a new bike and if you are concerned about leaving a current bike in the storage area, perhaps having chucked a set of road tyres on it.
A vast majority of my fatbike's outings are on commuting duties, with the 29er wheels fitted, ~4.5 miles each way. ~20mins each way with red traffic lights and often a carry over the railway crossing bridge.
One of those electric scooters you see folk on. Only £3-400 new
go outdoors do a nice flat bared commuter for a decent price.
You could do it on pretty much anything in normal clothes. I commute 4 miles each way, with a constant climb on the way home of around 100m on the way home. I've done it on my gravel bike, road bike, 29+ mountain bike and full suspension enduro bike. It only takes 15 minutes there and 20 minutes back.
If you must have a new bike for it, and you need to leave it outside (which sounds easier than dealing with and riding a folder to me, particularly if you have to ride a Brompton), then a secondhand hybrid from Gumtree or Facebook for £100 and a decent lock would probably be the most comfortable and efficient option.
Cheers folks, looks like I'll be veering towards a non-folder from Gumtree/FB Marketplace.
I've been toying with the idea of a 'racer' and might look for a CX type bike or similar.
Maximise reliability, minimise faff.
Folding a bike and taking it indoors (while wet, dirty) is faff.
You'll be wanting something that doesn't look too flash so you can lock it outside without worrying about it or being too upset when it does get stolen.
er, so what munrobiker said!
just get an old 26in mtb, singlespeed it, fit rigid forks and run 1.25 road tyres. job done.
Normal bike - no way a folder. Is the outdoor area covered or will the bike be sat out in the rain / snow / general uk precipitation all day in the winter?
If it’s going to be out in the wet I’d just buy something not too expensive as it’ll gradually get a bit rusty in all probability.
I took the approach I wanted to commute quickly and sometimes go the long way for fitness so I bought a mid range racer with hydraulic discs and Hunt wheels. Way overspecced for commuting but it looks so nice and it’s fast! Doesn’t have any mudguard or pannier mounts so not even practical that way - but I run sks clipnon mudguards which have been good so far, and I take kitnin a lomo cycling dry bag style backpack.
Works for me - although the Carradice seatpost mounted bags could do a job if you don’t like carrying stuff on your back.
Equally a hybrid would be practical or a singlespeed (eurgh) if it’s flat, or a mountain bike with slicks.
I do not understand why anyone would want to ride a fixie anywhere other than a track. Totally impractical on the road where there’s enough stuff to worry about without adding in not having a freewheel.
Also, use two locks one D-lock you leave at work and then one decent cable lock for the front wheel and helmet or a quick stop on the way home.
Not carrying around a D-lock changed my life, rattly heavy things can stay away from my bike!
If you want to go one better get a combination D-lock, I have a decent Kryptonite one and then you don't even have to carry keys. Winning.
Hmmm, I have a Dialled Bikes Love/Hate frame sat in the garage...might make it up as a commuter.
But... n+1
If you are anywhere near Newcastle then I'd buy my Pompetamine.
Otherwise a simple cheap bike that you can leaved locked up in all weathers. You can get loads or working bikes on Facebook for not a lot.
Dutch bike.
Sorted
A cloggie is tempting.
Cheap second hand folder - a colleague paid £75 for one on eBay and rides 3 miles each way from the park and ride to the office, saving £5 a day. Can do it in his work clothes, bike lives out the way next to a large indoor plant in the office
I use a folder, but only because I drive most of the way and use the bike for the last couple of miles. It's better than I thought it would be to be honest with 20" wheels, and I can do it wearing work clothes without a change, so its quick and easy.
However if the car wasn't involved, I'd definitely be on a "proper" bike 🙂
If you want an excuse for N+1 then I'd be buying a fixie with mudguards. But for 3 miles I think anything you don't mind locking up would do.
I'd echo the sentiment of leaving a D-lock at work if you can, or if not buy on with a good, sturdy frame mount, the Kryptonite one are good.
Bar that, usual commute rules of good tyres and USB chargeable lights apply.
Whatever you get make sure you have proper mudguards. And a rack. Chain guards are great too, but not essential.
Proper bike, because a Brompton in a changing room is about as welcome as a fart in a lift
I got a used Giant Rapid (flat bar Defy) off ebay for well cheap, so I'd say look for unfashionable mid-range hybrids like that.
decent bike adn a proper lock - and disguise the bike by making it look shoddy. that was my tactic. I use a kryptonite m18 - its boltcropper proof. I wrapped the bike in electrial tape and old innnertubes really badly to make it look awful
I’d get a nice solid sit up and beg roadster with full mudguards and a rack. For three miles you want to go steady and arrive fresh in your work clothes, not thrash in Lycra and shower after. Elephant bike or a paper bike for example. Or a Pashley. Used would’ve fine too.
Or if you want theft proof then a Raleigh 20.
My ticklist would be:
1, Takes full mudguards : - getting filthy/soaked twice a day has limited appeal.
2, Takes a rack : you can then carry all you clothes/shoes without an uncomfortable sweat rucksack. Try it, you will never go back.
3. Fit Schwalbe Marathon Plus : pretty much puncture proof, you don't want that hassle on the way to work.
Maybe singlespeed if it is flat, cheaper to run and less to go wrong.
For the school run, I'm currently using an old 29er with seized suspension.
Mick
This should make you all shudder. This is my commuter in its anti theft camo! what self respecting thief would steal this - especially when its not going to be easy to steal as its locked with a 2.5 kilo boltcropper proof lock? Underneath all that is a rather nice Genesis ioid
I really do believe that making a bike look horrid and using good locks is a big help in stopping bikes getting stolen
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I have an old Claud Butler Mythos I got for £100 from a staff member in a bike shop years ago. Old 3x8 Shimano, narrow bars, cantilever brakes, flat pedals, mudguards and rack. Stripped it down and built it up again, all new bearings and cassette. Looks unattractive, does the job of hack bike admirably.
I have a rigid gt aggressor with semi slick tyres so it can cope with offroad quite well.
Just get a rigid 26er and fit slicks.
So any suggestions for a cheap rigid fork to put on my Love/Hate?
making a bike look horrid
Congratulations. A complete success. 😉
I've a £120 hybrid from recyckabike. It's now three years in on paper round, occasional commutes of 7 miles and a couple of days touring... Like TJ's, is black, iffy saddle, manky looking old socialized. And perfect for the job in hand.
sootyandjim - want the on one fork in the above pic? PM me.
thank you Matt. Nice to know I can do something properly
you can get cheap forks on ebay ( carbon i think ). Not sure how good they are though. What travel should a love/hate have? I guess it would be a straight steerer one.
Used to commute 3.2 miles one way. Ended up with cheap self-build fixie based on whatever I had in the shed, under bed and in storage under stairs.
Bonus was that if I fancied round way back home was able to throw easily another 5-10-15-20 miles and full sized bike was the way.
Never tried folder though, apart of maaany years ago as a kid.
Cheers!
I.
Any comfortable beater with mudguards. 3 miles is a breeze. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Small-wheeled folders are either shit and cheap - or silly expensive with proprietary parts, and yet you still have to convince yourself that they ride well 🤪
*edit - what geomick said
PPS - depending on your locale/terrain for the commute, my best commuting experience has been with a modern stepthru Dutch bike that cost me 100 quid. It has everything, hub dynamo, twin onboard locks, comfort, full guards, roller brakes, rack, lovely laid back relaxed ride and no-one looks to steal it ever. Always arrive feeling refreshed and relaxed. Set out 10 mins earlier it weighs a ton but actually helps with a load. Grabs groceries on the way home. I call it a ‘zen car replacement’ for short journeys (< 10 miles) as that’s been my experience with it for going on 7-8 yrs now.