A bike for cycling to work?

Free Hat

Apologies for such a basic question but some good advice might save my life and save me a few pennies in the long run.

I am returning to Ireland and plan on cycling to my new job. Can you recommend a good set up for me? It's probably going to be no more than a 10 km round trip on road. I start early so during the winter I will be cycling in the dark. What safety equipment should I get. Basically any tips would be great. I am particularly interested to know what type of tyre I should get? I visited a bike store recently and was surprised to see a varied selection for different surfaces. I am worried that a very thin, slick tyre will result in me crashing in the rain.

Appreciate the help!

quozl

Bicycle tyres don't aquaplane. The pressure on them is too great because there's such a small contact area. So a slick tyre is the best for the road.

Free Hat

quozl wrote: »

Bicycle tyres don't aquaplane. The pressure on them is too great because there's such a small contact area. So a slick tyre is the best for the road.

Its that small contact area that has me worried!

Lumen

Free Hat wrote: »

Its that small contact area that has me worried!

Don't worry about that. MotoGP bikes corner at 300kph on contact patches the size of a credit card, and pro cyclists descend twisty mountain roads at ~100kph on even tinier contact patches.

Free Hat

Lumen wrote: »

Don't worry about that. MotoGP bikes corner at 300kph on contact patches the size of a credit card.

Ok so It's not a major concern. Cause my inclination would have been to buy a mountain bike with big grippy tyres but people don't do that any more I guess.

Any recommendations on a bike? I guess a helmet and Hi Viz are compulsory.

quozl

Free Hat wrote: »

Cause my inclination would have been to buy a mountain bike with big grippy tyres but people don't do that any more I guess

Those have less grip on the road... much less grip.

Free Hat

quozl wrote: »

Those have less grip on the road... much less grip.

Ah you learn something new every day.

Lumen

Free Hat wrote: »

Ok so It's not a major concern. Cause my inclination would have been to buy a mountain bike with big grippy tyres but people don't do that any more I guess.

Any recommendations on a bike? I guess a helmet and Hi Viz are compulsory.

Get a hybrid. Past that choices are mainly determined by budget and clothing requirements (e.g. do you want to get mudguards to avoid soaking yourself in the rain).

Helmet is not essential but doesn't do any harm. Hi vis is less important than good lights and is often sweaty. If you cycle like you're invisible (you should) then it doesn't really matter what you wear. Good road position, anticipation and a calm head is what keeps you safe.

Spend money on good clothing, but don't go mental as you'll probably buy stuff that you subsequently consider too baggy or ugly.

Free Hat

Lumen wrote: »

Get a hybrid. Past that choices are mainly determined by budget and clothing requirements (e.g. do you want to get mudguards to avoid soaking yourself in the rain).

Helmet is not essential but doesn't do any harm. Hi vis is less important than good lights and is often sweaty. If you cycle like you're invisible (you should) then it doesn't really matter what you wear. Good road position, anticipation and a calm head is what keeps you safe.

Spend money on good clothing, but don't go mental as you'll probably buy stuff that you subsequently consider too baggy or ugly.

Thanks mate. I'd like to think I have a good head on the road. Is a helmet and hi viz required by law? I'm guessing they are not, seems like they should be.

Lumen

Free Hat wrote: »

Thanks mate. I'd like to think I have a good head on the road. Is a helmet and hi viz required by law? I'm guessing they are not, seems like they should be.

No they're not, although some Gardai don't know the law.

They offer the same incremental protection as they would when walking, driving, or doing DIY, so if you're going to wear one when cycling you should do in those situations too. Funnily enough the Australians (who have compulsory bike helmets) recommend this, so they're being very consistent. There's a separate thread dedicated to that endless debate.

Free Hat

Given my previous history, a cycling helmet might be useful when I head out to the pub.

Kaisr Sose

Free Hat wrote: »

Given my previous history, a cycling helmet might be useful when I head out to the pub.

Helmet or not, going to the pub and cycling is not exactly a good combination.

Re your original question....10km round trip is a trip one could make on any type of bike.

What is your cycling experience? Do you like to cycle fast or is just getting there the most important thing? Is comfort your thing or you prefer a sporty type bike? All these questions are relevant in determining ideal type of bike. Otherwise your request is the same as how long is a piece of string...and we all know it can be any length you want it to be :-)

arybvtcw0eolkf

I'd go for a hybrid, and since you're commuting you'll possibly be in busy rush hour traffic in which has hi-viz & a helmet won't do any harm.

I don't bother with hi-viz myself but I've come off a few times and was thankful I'd a helmet ~ if not just to save me the lecture from people lol.. Seriously last fall I had I hit a wall hard enough to break my helmet, I'd dread to think what would have happened without it.

But its an endless debate, its not compulsory here anyway so its a personal choice.

Mudguards will save you a winter of misery.

jimmycrackcorm

Get puncture resistant tyres, commuting is no fun getting a puncture almost every week.

Free Hat

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Helmet or not, going to the pub and cycling is not exactly a good combination.

Re your original question....10km round trip is a trip one could make on any type of bike.

What is your cycling experience? Do you like to cycle fast or is just getting there the most important thing? Is comfort your thing or you prefer a sporty type bike? All these questions are relevant in determining ideal type of bike. Otherwise your request is the same as how long is a piece of string...and we all know it can be any length you want it to be :-)

I think comfort is probably higher on the agenda than speed. My cycling experience is extensive up until I was able to drive and not so frequent after that. I can cycle well though I'm sure.

diomed

I would recommend these. Small money.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/sks-long-mudflap-prod25599/

diomed

If you are going to commute year round you might consider something like this
http://www.rosebikes.com/article/xtreme-triple-chain-case/aid:161645