Cycling UK Forum

I have just taken a new job which has the added benefit that I can commute by bike (I currently walk to work)

I have a 3 year old road bike (Aluminium, Campag Centaur etc) and my dilemma is:

a) Do I buy a new bike specifically to commute - journey is 15 miles each way

b) Do I use my road bike, accepting it will take a lot of wear, and eventually I will want to buy another bike 'for best'

If a) suggestions for a robust commuting bike very welcome

Thanks

15m each way you don't want a tank of a mountain bike! Decide now whether the roadbike is Best or going to work its way down the pecking order, you want a good bike and a winter iron for the salting season. Personally I'd go for something like a second hand Galaxy for the winter iron so it can be kitted out to carry clothing, waterproofs, toolkit, spares etc, plus set up with a good, reliable set of lights & puncture resistant tyres with a tread for when the roads get cacked up with all sorts of slimy stuff. It also allows you to use up obsolete spares from the scrapbox and provides a backup for summer if the good one goes pear shaped.

I'd second the touring bike option. If for nothing else to have guards (which actually protect the gears by not loading as much grit onto the chain) and racks - you don't want to be riding 15 miles with a backpack. The difference in speed in real terms is negligable, they are built to be abused (readers of a sensitive disposition look away now) and will just eat up the miles. If you don't want to go down the second hand route look at edinburgh bike co-op who do a £400 tourer which came second in Cycling+ bike of the year and tourer of the year in 2006. It's aluminium framed but is otherwise the same as my Dawes Horizon which has now done over 3000 miles and apart from a new chain, rear tyre and several brake blocks is doing just fine.

Another tip is get yourself some good dynamo lights because otherwise you'll be forever changing/recharging your bateries through the winter.

15m each way is up to 150 miles a week! The majority of your cycling will now be a commute. Use your best bike for this so that you enjoy it! remember yoru saving a fortune by doing that kind of mileage on the bike. Spend some of that on you and your bike......

That said a pure roadie bike needs a bit of work for commuting:
-Luggage
-Lights
-Mudguards
-Decent all year tyres and wheels
-Higher position on the handlebars? for round town observing
-The brakes might not be up to it
-Recommend a mirror.....

Thanks folks - this is really helpful - great suggestions

I think I am inclining to - a second bike for the winter months and my current road bike for the summer - when I can enjoy the lick of speed without thinking I am ruining the bike - and in spring and autumn I can pick between them based on the conditions.