My love of Road cycling - the end of an era

Travisthedog · October 2018

I love my road bikes, I've always really enjoyed my 12 mile each way commute when I can but about 3 years ago I had a big off in the ice damaging my right shoulder and because I didn't get it fixed quickly, a load of associated damage to C6 and C7 discs and nerves

I've been trying for the last year to get back into the road bike scene, but I could no longer ride my main bike, not only did I have big confidence issues, my shoulder was killing me in all riding positions.

I bought a gravel bike for the slightly more relaxed geometry but still decent manners on the road, had a fit and everything but after 8 months I have to finally give in. The pain is just too much and no matter what I've done by way of changing bits around to get a better fit the fact of the matter is every time I get on a drop bar bike I'm in agony for days after.

I rode my lads mountain bike at center parcs last week and of course because of the ride position I was pain free.

So I think the time has come to accept that I'm not going to be able to do this any more and if I want to continue riding to work I'm going to have to sell my road and gravel bikes and buy a mountain bike. But I just can't get my head into the idea of commuting on a tractor when I have been commuting in a Ferrari

Anyone else commute on an MTB, is it as bad as I think it might be

Koa · October 2018

If you’re thinking mountain bike have you considered a 29er? Much faster than an 26 inch wheeled bike....

Roysterdoyster · October 2018

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-S-Works-Epic-Hardtail-Mountain-Bike-2019-Hardtail-MTB_200041.htm?sku=600936&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&mkwid=sIY7rJPG7_dm%7Cpcrid%7C43133747213%7Cproduct%7C600936%7C&pgrid=12260388053&ptaid=pla-185165856533&utm_source=shopping_google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**SHOPPING+-+Bikes&utm_content=IY7rJPG7_dm%7Cpcrid%7C43133747213%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cproduct%7C600936%7C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgoT70-Py3QIViLTtCh0IgA89EAQYAiABEgKQ0PD_BwE

More Ferrari than tractor!

Zoolooter · October 2018

Buy a lightweight mountain bike and put some of these on it http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/schwalbe-marathon-plus-road-tyre-smart-guard/rp-prod24544?gs=1&sku=sku76469&pgrid=60711842858&ptaid=pla-422281371102&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|sSTaXHqB3_dm|pcrid|294922111649|pkw||pmt||prd|76469UK

I have had a persistent bad back from years of playing tennis, but I ride my old Klein Attitude MTB to work and everywhere else without issue.

Teetonetal · October 2018

Can you change your commute to suit the mountain bike? Bit of off road here and there to make it fun? That's what I used to do.

Travisthedog · October 2018

Teetonetal said:

Can you change your commute to suit the mountain bike? Bit of off road here and there to make it fun? That's what I used to do.

Yeah that's a distinct possibility mate

fendergibson · October 2018

Feel your pain mate, suffered myself with lower back issues. Get yourself a lightweight mtb, Orange/Santa if your cash can stretch, go tubeless etc.

Dont worry, you can still wear your Lycra if you wish ;-)

Sporky · October 2018

Travisthedog said:

Anyone else commute on an MTB, is it as bad as I think it might be

I did at uni - not 12 miles, but still a fair distance. With narrow road tyres on and a lighter bike you can make darned good progress.

Travisthedog · October 2018

What about gearing - I guess I can change the ratios/ring sizes to make sure my legs aren't spinning like tornado on the downhills

benecol · October 2018

I used to (before switching to a road bike) - 15 hilly Cotswold miles. It was OK. The road bike is faster, obviously, and I like being able to change grip position more on it. But the MTB was OK (admittedly, I didn't know any different), plus I could take offroad shortcuts.

The best bike's the one you're riding, and all that.

shrinkwrap · October 2018

They're called hybrids now for commuting, not mountain bikes. Plenty around with skinny tyres and light frames and then there's quite a few flat bar road bikes.
I just went from a nice Scott hybrid to a bottom of the range Giant road bike, the Giant is a bit faster and better acceleration from stop.. but the engine still conks out at the same distance.

crunchman · October 2018

I've been commuting on a hybrid (relatively short distance though) for the last couple of years. The more upright position is definitely easier on the neck, upper back, and shoulders than my road bike.

As @shrinkwrap says there are some "hybrids" that are basically road bikes with flat bars. You would be better off looking at something like that.

The Specialized Sirrus is a big seller. 10 speed Tiagra same as you would get on a lot of road bikes, 30mm 700c tyres. You could probably put 28mm tyres on there without any problems:

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sirrus-elite-2019-hybrid-bike-EV337806

stimpsonslostson · October 2018

That sucks.
I'vebeen commuting on this MTB/hybrid for 9years.
It's never missed a beat & as you can see has been adapted to cope with my growing family!
https://i.imgur.com/zoV31hD.jpg

It's nowhere near as fast as a road or gravel bike, but it's comfortable & always gets there. As with any bike, make sure your points of contact are comfortable & it's fine.
Regarding tires- I won't use anything other than the Specialized Armadillo range. Bullet proof but faster & less heavy than the Marathons.

Iamnobody · October 2018

Travisthedog said:

Teetonetal said:

Can you change your commute to suit the mountain bike? Bit of off road here and there to make it fun? That's what I used to do.

Yeah that's a distinct possibility mate

That’s what I was going to suggest. Do you have a canal network to utilise?

I bought a 1 x 11 29er a few weeks ago - not for commuting but light off road stuff. But if I worked in central Brum I could get to work nearly all the way on the tow paths if I wanted.

axisus · October 2018

I think the opposite of you. I spent all my childhood waiting for the Mountain bike to be invented. I was forever riding offroad getting tons of punctures. Once the mountainbike appeared I loved it and went exclusively to riding them. I choose it 99.9% of the time when cycling, including when I occasionally do the 65 mile round trip to work and back.

TheBigDipper · October 2018

@Travisthedog always sad to read this sort of thing. A neck injury and the referred pain from it stopped me riding sports bikes (I rode a 916 Ducati). Now I ride a BMW GS, with an upright position. Compared to the 916 it's a tractor. But it's still a great motorcycle and I enjoy my riding just as much, only differently. I would have missed so much if I'd just stopped. So don't.

Bicycles? I used to commute on a Trek hybrid that I still own (I just don't commute any more). Fun, not too heavy and an easy riding position compared to a specialist road bike. I put a rack, panniers and mudguards on mine, but that's just because it's everyday transport whenever possible.

It's not the end. Just different.

ewal · October 2018

What about a hybrid? Something like a Specialized Cirrus? Or why not convert one of your drop bar bikes in to a flat bar? A shorter stem would also keep you more upright.

Travisthedog · October 2018

Had a look at the specialized sirrus sport - looks nice and not too dear too, road bike gearing etc.

Need to go and try one out though

I guess it's time I grew up

fftc · October 2018

Why not get a proper Ferrari-esque road bike where the aerodynamics have also been sorted out?

Image: http://www.m5-ligfietsen.nl/uploads/Itemizer/1591.1.gif

fftc · October 2018

Image: http://www.m5-ligfietsen.nl/slidesshow_chr/data1/images/carbon_high_racer_1280px.jpg

http://www.m5-ligfietsen.nl/site/EN/Models/Carbon_High_Racer/

Travisthedog · October 2018

Is that a sex aid

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My love of Road cycling - the end of an era

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